Photograph by Roy Sanford
Crew members of the 'Calico,' in traditional costumes, say they have an unforgettable package for clients of the new cruise in Montego Bay, St. James.
Roy Sanford, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
IN A MOVE that tourism officials say will boost the nation's tourism product, a new cruise, for visitors to the island and locals alike, was launched in Montego Bay yesterday.
Dubbed the Calico Pirate Cruises, the three-hour trip around the coast of Montego Bay exposes clients to Jamaica's past history as a haven for pirates.
"It is a historical and heritage cruise," David Lindo, general manager of Calico Sailing and Undersea Tours, said. "We are going to have a pirate element to it and this is a new dimension we are offering to visitors."
According to Mr. Lindo, the cruise was inspired by John Rackham, who became known as 'Calico Jack' during a short but successful pirate career in the waters of the Caribbean in the early years of the 1700s. After many successful raids, Calico Jack was captured near Negril and tried in Spanish Town on November 16, 1720 by Sir Nicholas Laws. He was hanged at Gallow Point, Port Royal the very next day.
ENJOY PRODUCT
Mr. Lindo said the highlights of the cruise includes storytelling of the exploits of Calico Jack, a treasure hunt on board the vessel, a mock storming and capturing of a lady at the popular Magueritaville.
"Clients can also take picture in pirate costumes with a parrot on their shoulder," he said. He noted that Calico Jack was known to always sport a parrot on his shoulder.
In addition, Mr. Lindo said, clients will enjoy other facilities including snorkeling.
He said the cruise will be available twice a day and is also opened to locals. "We want Jamaicans to participate and enjoy our product," he noted. "If tourism must succeed our local people must buy into it."
In welcoming the new cruise Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, said that "The whole business of making use of our history is something that I have been advocating as Director of Tourism. Piracy has a history in Jamaica and the story that is told on board, the whole aspect that happened in the 1700s is very interesting. Selling our history and heritage as part of our tourism product is a very excellent idea."
President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Winston Dear, also welcomed the new cruise saying that visitors to Jamaica are now demanding more than just sun, sand and sea: "People are asking for experiences when they come here, something that they will remember us by. I am sure it is something that our visitors will appreciate because it is both historical and educational."
