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Disney Cruise Line calls at Historic Falmouth

Published:Tuesday | October 22, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Local representatives (from left) Dr Morais Guy, minister without portfolio with responsibility for housing, the Island Traffic Authority and the Transport Authority; Professor Gordon Shirley, president and CEO-designate, the Port Authority of Jamaica; Wykeham McNeill, minister of tourism and entertainment; and Patrick Atkinson, attorney general and North Trelawny MP, share in a photo opportunity with Captain Mickey Mouse on board the Disney Wonder during its inaugural call at the Falmouth cruise ship pier.

Disney Cruise Line's (DCL) classic vessel the Disney Wonder made its inaugural call at the historic Falmouth Port on October 8, 2013. The visit marked the culmination of an eight-year courtship by the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), the start of a mutually beneficial agreement, and a partnership between two world-leading brands.

The opportunity to secure an initial five calls in the 2013-14 season and 21 calls in the 2014-15 season arose after the PAJ engaged key executives from Disney Cruise Line in familiarisation trips in 2012. This provided the medium through which Jamaica's port infrastructure and cruise product, could be directly experienced.

The Disney executives were impressed with the Falmouth Pier, the Port Authority's most recent port development, which won an unprecedented four awards during its initial year of operations in 2011, including the World Travel Awards' World-Leading Tourism Development Project.

STRATEGIC DECISION

The efforts to secure calls from Disney Cruise Line were a strategic decision on the part of the Port Authority, which has direct responsibility for Jamaica's cruise-shipping portfolio.

Disney Cruise Line is an established leader in the global cruise industry and provides unique family vacation experiences to its passengers. The decision to call at Jamaica is perceived as an endorsement not only by the cruise line, but also by its parent company, the Walt Disney Company.

It is hoped that these calls will cement the view that Jamaica is truly a family friendly destination with the ability to provide a spectacular vacation experience for a wide range of visitors.

Speaking at the Plaque Exchange Ceremony during the inaugural call, Professor Gordon Shirley, president and CEO-designate, PAJ, indicated that the union of both award-winning brands "is an ideal alchemy which should result in a wonderful experience for all". He added that "Disney's decision to call at Historic Falmouth is a tremendous opportunity for Jamaica and will significantly enhance our cruise product".

DCL is arguably the benchmark in family cruise vacations and as such, it is perceived that other interests within the global cruise industry will be positively influenced by its decision to call here.

William Tatham, vice-president, cruise shipping and marina operations at the PAJ, commented during the inaugural visit that "this has been a very good day for Jamaica. After years of courting and lobbying, Disney Cruise Line has made their first of what we hope will be many calls to our island. It has sent a clear message to the world that Jamaica is truly a destination of choice for people of all ages".