“The World” the world’s largest private residential ship, docked on the Ken Wright Pier, Port Antonio, Portland on Sunday, November 7th. Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister said the luxury vessel is signalling that “cruise shipping is on its way back”.

Mr Bartlett believes that the increased activity at the country’s ports is just the beginning.

“Indeed, we welcomed the passengers and crew members of the world to beautiful Port Antonio. This is a high-end vessel with 90 passengers, and which will be overnighting until Wednesday. They will be getting off for tours and other activities,” said Bartlet to JIS news.

Other stakeholders (supermarket and shop owners, craft vendors,bar-owners, restauranteurs, raft captains, etc) agree with Bartlett’s positive perspective, The arrival of the ship was dubbed “a glimmer of hope” by many, and a foreshadowing of greater things to come

“This is just the beginning of something special as we continue to welcome back the ships to our Jamaican ports. We started back in August where the Carnival Sunrise made its first call on Ocho Rios following the near 18 months absence of cruise ships from our ports. Now here we are with Port Antonio getting a bite of the cherry and with better days to come,” he shared. “We know it’s not yet the end all but it is obvious we are getting there…that we will keep building on this momentum.”

Councilman Paul Thompson, the mayor of Port Antonio, said another cruise ship is set to make an appearance later this month. Thompson noted that “these are positive signs”  despite the changes brought about by COVID-19.
Travellers will be subjected to a health screening and risk assessment upon arrival in Jamaica and may be required to be tested at the airport or another location.