Disney Cruise Line Draws Beads on Jamaica

30 May 2012 3:54pm

Jamaican authorities are putting a full court press on Disney Cruise Line, in an effort to get the family friendly cruise line to include the island country as a stop. According to a report in the Jamaica-Gleaner, Disney executives were recently invited to the country as guests of the Port Authority of Jamaica.

The PAJ is hoping to parlay a recent $250 million plus (US) investment in Falmouth Pier, into new bookings from several cruise lines. Disney was the second cruise line to get an invitation, Norwegian Cruise Line the first. (The Falmouth Pier investment involved a partnership with Royal Caribbean, with Jamaica reportedly putting in $167 million (US), and RCL investing $102 million (US).

According to William Tatham, VP of operations at the PAJ, ""We brought in three (Disney) executives and showed them Falmouth, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. We also highlighted the marquee attractions. The discussions were very encouraging. ... They were impressed by Falmouth and Jamaica."

Falmouth Pier has been positive for tourism in Jamaica, which now ranks as the fastest-growing cruise destination in the Caribbean.

In 2011, Jamaica saw 1.14 million passengers visit from cruise ships, up 25% from the previous year. Nearly half of those docked at Falmouth Pier.

According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, which tracks regional cruise statistics, Jamaica has moved into the top ten in cruise visitors, after ranking 21st in 2007; 16th in 2008; 19th in 2009; and 12th in 2010.

These growth numbers defy a trend among some traditional popular destinations that are seeing falling tourist numbers. Eleven of 24 territories recorded tourism declines last year, with Martinique taking the largest hit at 69%, Dominica down 39%, St. Vincent and the Grenadines down 24%, and the Cayman Islands down 12.7%.

As for Disney, the company is currently operating four ships in the Caribbean. Should they decide to include Jamaica in future routes, it is thought the earliest this would take place would be sometime in 2014.