Oasis of the Seas to Call at New Port in Jamaica

The Oasis of the Seas will sail seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries when the Royal Caribbean ship debuts in December 2009.

The western Caribbean route, which begins in May 2010, will feature a new cruise port in Falmouth, Jamaica, said Royal Caribbean International President Adam Goldstein at an event here today.

Falmouth is being developed specifically for Royal Caribbean’s two Genesis-class ships (the Oasis and the Allure), said Rosalie Donaldson, the Port Authority of Jamaica’s senior vice president of international marketing and client services. Royal Caribbean ships will have preferential berthing rights at the port, but it will be open to other cruise lines, as well.

Donaldson said the port is being revitalized to reflect its heritage as an “old English town”. Its new dock is currently under construction and is expected to be completed for the Oasis’ western Caribbean debut, Donaldson said. Falmouth is about a 20-minute drive from Montego Bay, 30 minutes from Ocho Rios.

The Oasis, the largest cruise ship in the world, will operate roundtrip from its Port Everglades homeport. From December 2009 until May 2010, it will operate only the eastern Caribbean itinerary, calling in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas.