By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Historic Port of Falmouth, Jamaica was voted Port of the Year at the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards 2011 in Hamburg on 27 September.
The port, which is the subject of International Cruise & Ferry Review’s cover story in the latest issue, is a joint initiative between the Port Authority of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited. With a price tag of more than US$220 million, the port is the largest themed cruise port development ever to be established in the Caribbean.
With space to accommodate one Oasis class vessel and one Freedom class vessel simultaneously, it offers visitors a comprehensive experience of the region’s colourful maritime history.
Other winners in the awards ceremony were Cruise Copenhagen Network for its record-breaking visitor numbers among other strengths (Destination of the Year) and Viking River Cruises for its upcoming next-generation longships (River Cruise Innovation). Hobart took the honours for Onboard Supplier of the Year with its dishwasher venting system, while Toby Biddick’s Green World Tours for Carnival UK won the Environmental Initiative award. Iceland Travel was awarded Innovative Shorex for its voluntourism experiences.
Finally, Michael Thamm, president of AIDA Cruises, was elected North European Cruise Personality of the Year for his leadership of the company and the bold growth it has shown in the region this year.