Port Royal, a new cruise port in Kingston, has received its inaugural ship Discovery 2, operated by Marella Cruise Line, into the Jamaican capital. The Port Authority of Jamaica hopes the new port will bring social benefits to the local community, showcase the culture of the city and allow access to the wider hospitality market.
The introduction of cruise shipping to Port Royal, and by extension Kingston, has been planned for more than two decades. Port Royal joins Montego Bay, Falmouth, Ocho Rios and Port Antonio in the Jamaican market.
Visitors experienced a taste of Jamaica through a number of tours, most of which were conducted in Kingston that included a visit to the Bob Marley Museum, Trench Town Culture Yard and New Castle for a Blue Mountain coffee experience.
Three more calls are scheduled for the rest of the winter tourist season, one each in February, March, and April. It is expected that the construction works on phase one of the new port development will be completed by the time it welcomes the last call of the season.
