This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2016 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
With a stunning landscape and a plethora of adventures and experiences on offer, some would say the Jamaicans have mastered the art of hospitality in a most meaningful way.
“It’s in our DNA to be welcoming and to create memorable experiences for visitors,” says William Tatham, vice president of cruise and marina operations at the Port Authority of Jamaica. “I think history, culture and geography have all conspired to create a perfect destination. We are accessible, but there is still some mystique and wonder about Jamaica. We are high energy, but there is always room for the more relaxed. And I think most importantly, everyone has six degrees of separation with Jamaica. They know someone from Jamaica, or they know the music through Marley, or they visited when they were kids. This serves to create a very powerful entrée into the psyche of our visitors, so it is almost like when they get here, they already trust that they will have a great time.”
But Jamaica is not just relying on the good vibes of its visitors. With escalating competition within the region as to which destination can offer the best cruise experience, travel interests on the island are not content with simply sticking to the status quo. By keeping pace with global travel trends and listening keenly to visitor feedback, Jamaica is continuing to score big on its delivery.
In 2015, cruise passenger arrivals reached 1.5 million. This was the highest figure ever achieved by Jamaica, reflecting an increase of 20% over the 1.2 million of the previous year. The number of cruise ship calls increased by 70 to 433 compared to 363 in 2014. The Ports of Falmouth and Ocho Rios were the primary ports of call, accounting for 44% and 32% of ship calls and 52% and 30% of passenger arrivals respectively.
But it is Montego Bay that is set to once again take the lead as one of the Caribbean’s most important destinations with a US$100 million upgrade project and strong interest as a homeport for several cruise lines.
A project to upgrade the port’s Terminal 1 will increase space to 30,000sqft at berths 5 and 6. The improvement works will include central air conditioning and emergency generators, a new information desk, the addition of a mezzanine floor to expand seating, the installation of 20 check-in desks and seating accommodation for 160 passengers. New lighting and new flooring will also be put in place, while a new shopping arcade is under construction adjacent to the terminal, featuring souvenir stores and restaurants.
40% of Montego Bay’s cargo terminal will be converted to cruise operations and dubbed Terminal 2, incorporating 14,000sqft of space and featuring two check-in desks and seating. By 2017, the entire terminal will be dedicated to cruise.
“We know that passenger comfort is a high priority and it’s important that Port of Montego Bay delivers the very best incoming and outgoing experience,” says Tatham.
An industry alliance has seen work commence to help transform Montego Bay into what’s been dubbed a ‘complete resort destination’ with a unique brand identity. The terminal development plan fits into this strategy, which also involves plans for high-end shops, fine dining restaurants and entertainment to help boost the profile of what is easily recognised as the home of the Jamaican tourism industry.
Montego Bay is ready for a renaissance and at the forefront are some classic attractions, including Doctor’s Cave Beach, Rose Hall Great House and rafting at Martha Brae.
Since 1906 when it started as a bathing club – with an endorsement of an English chiropractor who claimed that the water had healing properties – Doctor’s Cave Beach has been the quintessential Jamaican experience, featuring white sand, crystal waters and a mento band providing an idyllic island soundtrack to bring everything together.
Rose Hall Great House remains one of the island’s most popular attractions, with its tales of intrigue and rebellion that eventually drove this 18th century plantation into ruin and infamy.
With several championship golf courses in Montego Bay, the decision to tee off here will be justly rewarded. Highlights include the White Witch Golf Course on the Rose Hall Estate – an 18-hole, Par 71 championship course originally designed by Robert von Hagge and Rick Baril.
Another time-honoured Jamaican tradition is the Appleton Rum Tour, which is riding a new wave of interest thanks to the global Mad Men-inspired predilection for cocktails and Appleton’s own re-envisioning of its premium rum range. The trip from Montego Bay to the parish of St Elizabeth is a treat in itself, with views of the countryside and snapshots of Jamaican lifestyle. Once at the tour though, be prepared for a history lesson on the island’s spirited relationship with sugarcane and rum-making, as well as a first-hand look at the reasons why Jamaican rum is among the world’s finest. The distillery still has its 200-year-old cooper stills and the rum-tasting at the end of the tour offers a unique insight into the nuances of rum based on age and strength. Furthermore, discussions are advancing for the reintroduction of a tourist rail service between Montego Bay and the Appleton Estate.
St Elizabeth is also home to YS Falls, comprised of seven waterfalls, several of which cascade into natural pools. The YS property was once a functioning sugar cane plantation and the 10 minute jitney ride to the falls offers unending views of the island greenscape.
Another purist kind of escape is rafting on the Martha Brae river. Immortalised in postcards, the rafting here involves a five-kilometre trip along the river on a bamboo raft. A challenge for the modern traveller has always been how to sit still and just drink in an experience. But rafting is perhaps the pinnacle when it comes to doing nothing at all. This Jamaican classic remains a huge favourite among cruise visitors for its sheer simplicity – no bells or whistles, just you, a guide and the tranquillity of a river.
As a well-developed resort, Montego Bay has earned its stripes as a duty free shopping destination. The Shoppes at Rose Hall has the added benefit that all items – including luxury brands in leather, watches, porcelain, eyewear and jewellery – are certified genuine. Local handmade crafts are also experiencing a renaissance thanks in part to fashion designers like Stella McCartney and Tommy Hilfiger referencing Jamaican style on their runways in everything from decorative straw handbags to the red, green and gold iconography of the Rastafarian culture.
Homeporting – a strategy long advocated by Tatham – is now bringing steady reward, with six ships opting in this winter. Of the six, one vessel each from MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises will permanently homeport in Montego Bay, a move no doubt designed to take advantage of sustained interest in travel to Cuba. “The airport in Montego Bay offers excellent connectivity and so the linkages for air and ocean travel are quite significant,” adds Tatham.
At Ocho Rios, the decks are being refreshed with a series of upgrades. In addition to refurbishing the main terminal, adding 30 new craft vending kiosks and improving the facilities for ground transportation at the port, there has also been improvement work on the promenade along Turtle River Road, which provides the main access to the town.
With the planned opening of the Port Authority of Jamaica-managed Fisherman’s Beach, the needs of two constituents will be met. The new facilities will boost the business opportunities for fisher folk and small restaurant owners, and visitors will be also able to enjoy local culture and fresh-caught fare.
At the nearby Reynolds Pier, the Port Authority of Jamaica has invested US$20 million to make it more cruise friendly. Work includes new breasting piles with new fenders, and the installation of a breasting dolphin ensures safe docking for larger vessels. The aesthetics of the pier will be greatly improved with the dismantling of the sugar loaders that had previously caused overhang issues for docking ships and presented a less than pleasant view for passengers. There will also be a new transportation staging area with a similar layout to the Falmouth Ground Transportation Centre.
For many visitors, the jewel in the crown of Jamaica’s attractions is the Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios. As one of the island’s top grossing attractions, many people feel you haven’t truly experienced all Jamaica has to offer until you climb Dunn’s River Falls, as it represents what a great Jamaican experience is all about: locals and visitors together in one happy throng, fantastic visuals, nature at its roaring best, and bucket-list appeal. A new Central Garden project will include themed interactive water features and a new picnic area and recreational gazebos. There will also be new guest amenities outlets for shoe rental and photo and video sales.
New in the attractions line-up is Konoko Falls, located a few minutes outside Ocho Rios. The tour begins with a walk through the River Gardens with a history lesson on the Tainos, Jamaica’s first inhabitants, and then it’s on to a waterfall climb. A small aviary featuring indigenous birds offers a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
On the adventure side of the Jamaica experience, Dolphin Cove, Chukka Tours and Mystic Mountain are no doubt among the best known. Acquired in 2015 by Dolphin Discovery Group, the world’s leading dolphin company, Dolphin Cove has two locations: Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Visitors can choose among three experiences – Royal Swim, Swim Adventure and Encounter – with varying degrees of interaction with the aquatic stars. Dolphin Cove has also installed submerged platforms to facilitate the access and enable closer interaction with the dolphins. These adventures are supplemented by a host of activities, including glass bottom boat rides and nature trails.
Dolphin Cove also operates Prospect Outback Adventures, near Ocho Rios, at an estate once owned by Sir Harold Mitchell, the vice chairman of the British Conservative Party under Winston Churchill. Prospect features segways, mud buggies, and horseback and camel tours over 1,000 acres, giving guests the choice based on their appetite for adventure.
Chukka Caribbean Adventure Tours, a homegrown success story which has operations that cater to cruise visitors to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth. The more adrenaline-pumping experiences of zip lining and river tubing complement a kayak safari, horseback riding and swim tours in Chukka’s portfolio. The company also offers culture tours like the Zion Bus Line to the birthplace and final resting place of Bob Marley in the mountain village of Nine Mile, St Ann.
The expansion of the Chukka Good Hope Estate is set to be complete in summer 2017, and will feature a newly-themed Jungle Adventure Falls. This stunning 45ft cascading waterfall also features a 300ft slide and multiple wading pools. The Jungle Adventure Falls includes a lazy pool with eight natural stone terraces, 14,000sqft jungle-themed swimming pool, an additional zip line, swimming bridge, VIP cabanas for rent, a covered, open-air dining bar and ‘jump off spot’ from the waterfall.
Also new for Chukka Caribbean is Gilly’s Restaurant and Bar at the Sandy Bay location, which opened this summer, and has a menu featuring island favourites such as jerk chicken and pork, plus free wifi for guests.
Operating for just over two decades Rainforest Adventure at Mystic Mountain has garnered acclaim as one of Jamaica’s top adventure tours. Located in the hills overlooking Ocho Rios, it is eco-adventure on steroids. The tour’s Sky Explorer, Bobsled Ride – a send up of Jamaica’s storied performance in the 1988 Winter Olympics – Canopy Zipline and Tranopy tours all give the pleasure and thrill of soaring with panoramic views of lush tropical landscapes.
“A quick look at Jamaica’s attractions proves that we can deliver the best for the cruise visitor,” concludes Tatham. “Our focus has always been about refining the experience so that choosing a ship is dependent on if that ship stops in Jamaica. In an industry where destinations are a dime a dozen, we’re confident that we’ll remain the mother lode in the Caribbean.”