Royal Caribbean’s New Falmouth Port to Open in January

Royal Caribbean International’s new $170 million port in Falmouth, Jamaica, will begin operations in January, according to Craig Milan, senior vice president-land operations and president of Royal Celebrity Tours. Royal Caribbean has been working for three years with the Port Authority of Jamaica to create the new port of call.

The port, located on the north coast of Jamaica midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, is designed to accommodate two large ships simultaneously. It meets the operating requirements of Oasis of the Seas and will become part of Oasis’ Western Caribbean itinerary beginning in March. The first ship to call, however, will be Navigator of the Seas on Jan. 7; Oasis and new sister ship Allure of the Seas will start to make biweekly calls in March.

The project was designed by Idea Group of Orlando to reflect the historic character of Falmouth, founded in 1769. It was the original port of Jamaica and the site where many slaves were brought to the New World. For a time it was also the world’s leading export port for sugar and rum. Eventually, shipping activity moved to Port Royale in Kingston, and Falmouth harbor gradually silted in.

The Falmouth port will begin the revitalization of the town. The port’s buildings and attractions are designed in classic Georgian style. As the phases of the port are implemented, Milan hopes the new state-of-the-art port will blend into the old town and that the remaining designated historic buildings in the community will gradually be restored.

Many local workers are involved in the development, and the community is expected to be revitalized as cruise ships begin to call. Guests arriving into Falmouth will be able to choose between shore excursion options in both Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, since the new port is equidistant from both towns. Additionally, there will be excursions and non-tour options at Falmouth.