Local officials in Falmouth, Jamaica estimate thousands of locals descended upon the new cruise port to witness Royal Caribbean's mega-ship Oasis of the Seas dock for the first time there on Tuesday.

Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain described the scene in conjunction with Oasis' arrival as "Wow".

Seaboard Street (the street adjacent to the wharf) and Market Street were jam-packed with onlookers who wanted to catch a glimpse of the enormous ship and perhaps the promise of a better future with added tourist dollars streaming into the area.

The excitement lasted through Oasis' departure, when she blew her horn a half hour before leaving and many returned to the pier to watch her leave.  Oasis of the Seas will return to Falmouth in two weeks.

The Port Authority of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. officially opened Historic Falmouth Port today with the maiden call of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, one of the world’s two largest and most innovative cruise ships. Situated between the popular cruise ports of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, Historic Falmouth is the first-ever thematic cruise port that provides a convenient gateway for guests to embark on more than 60 exhilarating land experiences along the north coast of Jamaica. Additionally, ongoing revitalizations throughout the town of Falmouth will offer guests an extensive array of cultural and historic experiences for an adventurous Jamaican port call on their cruise vacation. At a grand ribbon cutting ceremony, Hon. Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica, Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Hon. Michael Henry, Jamaica’s Minister of Transport and Works, welcomed cruise guests to Jamaica and Historic Falmouth Port.

“It is especially rewarding for the Port Authority of Jamaica to help bring our country’s cultural history to a new generation of cruise guests,” said Minister Henry, who has portfolio responsibility for cruise shipping. “Our sights have always been to create the best-in-class berthing facilities at the Historic Falmouth Port and establishing the preeminent cruise destination in the region. The arrival of the world’s largest ship, Oasis of the Seas, at Historic Falmouth Port is a milestone for our ongoing success in fostering Jamaica’s tourism industry.

The revitalization of Historic Falmouth is a multi-phased development project, with the first phase offering a two-berth pier, retail and restaurant services, and a transportation center. Subsequent phases will include onsite attractions and experiences, hotel and residential developments, as well as additional retail and restaurant options.

“It is my honor to re-inaugurate Historic Falmouth Port alongside Prime Minister Golding and the people of Falmouth,” said Fain. “Royal Caribbean is delighted to have partnered with the Port Authority of Jamaica to create the Caribbean’s premier cruise port. Together, we are working to deliver our shared vision of the region’s first themed port of call to offer our guests all the best experiences along Jamaica’s north coast.”

The town of Falmouth also has many original prominent houses, shops and public buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries that are still standing and are true historic gems. The restoration and preservation of several buildings in Falmouth is currently underway.

The residents of Falmouth, Jamaica are ready to welcome Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas today as she makes her inaugural visit to the port.

Port Authority of Jamaica Public Relations Officer Andrea White indicated that all systems are in place to accommodate the mega-ship.  Furthermore, the berthing facility atFalmouth port is 100 percent ready and everyone is raring to witness this historic moment.

Work crews have been working hard to ensure that Water Square looks perfect for Tuesday’s arrival of the ship. Colin Gager, Mayor of Falmouth, said cleaning efforts would continue right up to the arrival of the ship.

The townspeople are excited for the arrival too.  Many residents have been flooding the Mayor's office to seek more information on her arrival and the Mayor has announced big screen televisions will be placed at strategic points in Water Square so that residents can see what is happening on the port.

Sandra Grant Griffiths, Jamaica's Consul General, greeted Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas' passengers this past Saturday to commemorate the mega-ship's first stop at the brand new Falmouth cruise port in Jamaica.

The moment took place in Port Everglades, Florida as Griffiths wished the ship a great vacation as it would begin a journey to bring its passengers to Jamaica.  Oasis will dock at Falmouth today, March 22, which coincides with the celebration of the official opening of the Falmouth Port.

Mrs. Grant Griffiths was accompanied on tour by officials of Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited, officials of Broward County Commission, and the Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

The Port Authority of Jamaica announced today that its brand new Falmouth port that opened to cruise ships yesterday is now ready for mega ships like Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas now that all navigational requirements have been met.

When Voyager of the Seas docked yesterday in Falmouth, she was able to confirm that the berthing facilities "met and surpassed global standards".

Falmouth is a joint venture between the Port Authority of Jamaica and Royal Caribbean that cost $170 million.

Mike Henry, Minister of Transport & Works for the Port Authority was excited to welcome even bigger ships to Falmouth, “We are elated with the successful completion of this project which now creates an opportunity for Jamaica to receive Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest and most luxurious cruise ship, and we will do so at a time, when there is a high level of competition in the cruise industry. In addition, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to our main partners, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Limited, for forming this strategic partnership."

Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas became the first ship to dock at the brand new port of Falmouth in Jamaica, located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, which opened unofficially on Thursday after several months delays .

The construction of the port results from a joint effort between Royal Caribbean and the government of Jamaica, whose opening was scheduled for last May, but construction delays pushed consecutive opening and forced to change routes of Allure of the Seas & Oasis of the Seas to visit Costa Maya in Mexico.

The official opening of the port is scheduled for March 22 when the Oasis of the Seas will make its first stop there, says a statement from Royal Caribbean. The new port will still receive the scales of the Freedom of the Seas on February 23, Navigator of the Seas on the 24th of this month and the Allure of the Seas on March 30.

In a statement Royal Caribbean says Historic Falmouth is the first port theme and a gateway to more than 60 experiments land on the north coast of Jamaica, including the Good Hope Great House, Dolphin Cove and Dunn's River Falls, Appleton Estate or Rafting on Martha Rae.

Thanks to SoloPolo Kidrealtype Anderson for the photos!

Royal Caribbean International's Voyager of the Seas today became the first ship to call at Historic Falmouth port. Situated between the popular cruise ports of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, Historic Falmouth is the first-ever thematic cruise port and is also a convenient gateway for guests to embark on more than 60 exhilarating land experiences along the north coast of Jamaica. Additionally, restoration throughout the town of Falmouth offer guests a wide selection of cultural and historic experiences.

"We are delighted to see Voyager of the Seas make the first-ever ship call at Historic Falmouth," said Craig Milan, senior vice president of Land Operations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. "By partnering with the Port Authority of Jamaica, we are working to deliver our shared vision of Falmouth's rebirth. Together, we are bringing the town's historic sites to life and integrating the culture and authenticity of this destination into a superior guest experience."

The grand opening celebrations of Historic Falmouth port will take place on March 22, 2011 when Oasis of the Seas makes her maiden call into the port. Other Royal Caribbean ships that will be calling at Historic Falmouth include Freedom of the Seas on Feb. 23; Navigator of the Seas on Feb. 24; and Allure of the Seas debuting on March 30. Guests can experience a diverse variety of shore excursions at an additional cost while at Historic Falmouth, including:

• Good Hope Great House: located fifteen minutes from Falmouth, guests can choose from the new horse & carriage ride, river-tubing, ATV exploring, among others, on this former 18th century Jamaican plantation.
• Dolphin Cove & Dunn's River Falls: adventure seekers can climb Dunn's River Falls; zip-line through the lush rainforest canopy or wind down the mountainside on a Jamaican bobsled at Mystic Mountain; or swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove.
• Appleton Estate: after a scenic drive through the Cockpit Country and Bamboo Avenue, guests can indulge in one of Falmouth's old-world delicacies by learning to make rum and sampling different aged rums.
• Rafting on Martha Brae: located five minutes from Falmouth, guests can enjoy a tranquil ride on a 30-foot bamboo raft.

"Falmouth has an important place in the cultural history of Jamaica. It is especially rewarding for us to use that history as an entree for a new generation of guests," said Hon Mike Henry, Jamaica's Minister of Transport and Works, who has portfolio responsibility for cruise shipping. "Our sights have always been set on being the preeminent cruise destination, and with the best-in-class berthing facilities at the Historic Falmouth port, we'll now easily welcome the world's largest ships."

The revitalization of Historic Falmouth is a multi-phased development project with the first phase near completion offering a two-berth pier, retail and restaurant services as well as a transportation center. Subsequent phases will include onsite attractions and experiences, hotel and residential developments, as well as additional retail and restaurant options. The town also has many prominent houses, shops and public buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries that are still standing, but are in need of refurbishment. The restoration and preservation of several historic buildings in Falmouth is currently underway.

Falmouth was founded in 1790 from land owned by Edward Barrett. His granddaughter Elizabeth Barrett Browning would later be celebrated as one of the greatest poets in the English language. At that time Jamaica was the world's leading sugar producer, and this was most evident in Falmouth with more than 80 sugar estates nearby. The town was meticulously mapped out in the Colonial tradition, with streets named after British royalty and heroes—King Street, Queen Street, Rodney Street (after 18th century naval leader Admiral Lord George Rodney) and Wellington Street (after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington). The remarkable density of historic Georgian architectural buildings, which residents have lived in and maintained, is reflective of the town's rich heritage. Its public amenities included the first piped water supply system in the Western Hemisphere, established in 1799. The town prospered throughout the first half of the 19th century and was the birthplace of the abolition slavery movement. Falmouth was the site of many revolts, and many of the buildings in the town served as safe houses for those who had escaped. In fact, a prominent Falmouth reverend, William Knibb, whose house still stands in the town, was granted Jamaica's highest civil honor, the Order of Merit, in 1988, 150 years after the abolition of slavery. 

The port of Falmouth in Jamaica is set to welcome its first cruise ship today after years of construction and some recent delays.  Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas will dock at 8:00am and be the first ship to dock here since Royal Caribbean and the town of Falmouth planned to build a brand new cruise port in this historic port.  

It's been 50 years since the last cruse ship visited Falmouth but today's arrival will bring 3,000 tourists to the town that used to be a center for sugar production in the hemisphere.  

Construction isn't 100% complete yet and wont be until sometime in June 2011, but enough is done so that ships can stop here.

Jes Olsen, manager of the development project at Falmouth is excited for the new first stop, "The project is at a stage where it can accommodate cruise ships, even the world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, which is expected to call at the Falmouth port in the month of March".

Charly McDonald, a Royal Caribbean Director, is excited about the partnership between the cruise giant and Jamaica.  The brand new port of Falmouth in Jamaica is set to open this week, a project that Royal Caribbean has been working with Jamaica for years to become operational.  Navigator of the Seas will become the first ship to dock in Falmouth on Thursday.

"The port in Falmouth is a good measure of our commitment to Jamaica. We have our biggest ships coming to the island and we will be bringing about 12,000 guests a week to Jamaica who will be able to experience the island, and I'm sure they will love it."

"It certainly will be a great opportunity for the Jamaican industries; the vendors, taxicabs, shop owners and tour operators. Our guests always come back loving their Jamaican experience."

"As we have gone ahead and built bigger ships, we have chosen to partner with a lot of Caribbean nations and different destinations to ensure that the port area, specifically, and the docking facilities are top-notch. If you take a look at our ships, they are essentially five-star resorts on water, and we want to ensure that when we pull into the port, that experience is transferred when our guests walk off the ship; we want them to be comfortable and be able to fully enjoy the destination."

Thursday will mark the first cruise ship stop at Falmouth, Jamaica, the new port project that Royal Caribbean has spearheaded to build. Falmouth's opening has been delayed due to construction falling behind schedule but on February 17, Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas will be the first ship to stop at Falmouth and local businesses can't wait.

Joy Laesch, president of the newly formed Trelawny Art and Craft and Entertainment Association, which comprises some 300 of the parish's craft vendors, says locals are ready, "We are prepared spiritually, mentally, and physically. Persons from all walks of life are now seeing the benefits of the trade. There is going to be big demand for local craft items."

The members of the association have been making their own preparations, which includes formal training, with lessons in business and entrepreneurship covering how to manage a business, balance the books, marketing, and customer care.  In addition, the vendors are prepared to operate their businesses in an orderly manner and rotate vendors so that the first 100 craft vendors will sell their goods to guests on Voyage of the Seas on Thursday and another 100 or so will do business when Oasis of the Seas arrives in March.