Mark Titus, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

The over 400 passengers of Club Mediterranean II left the shores of Jamaica, gasping for more, when it pulled out of the docks of the Montego Freeport Cruise Ship Terminal last Monday.

The ship's inaugural visit to the island saw them making calls on Port Antonio, Portland, on Sunday before visiting the tourism capital, Montego Bay, the next day.

According to the itinerary coordinator for Club Med Vacations, Anne Saurat, the visit was a long time coming.

"Jamaica is an household name in Europe, the most popular country in the world and everyone was fascinated at the idea of visiting this wonderful island," she said.

Awed by the beauty of the resort town of Port Antonio, Ms. Saurat spoke of the beauty and the indelible mark that the area known as 'Little Hollywood' had made on the passengers. "This will be etched in our memory for a very long time," she remarked.

With over 210 crewmembers to man the 187 metres boutique cruise, which is powered by motor and sails, Club Mediterranean II passengers are offered an exotic all-inclusive package of European tours and Jamaica was the icing on the cake.

continuous talks

William Tatham, vice-president of cruise shipping at the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), who was on hand for the Montego Bay reception, said that the ship's visit was a result of continuous talks which began almost two years ago.

He told Hospitality Jamaica that while regular visits by vessels of the size of Club Med II would be good for tourism in Port Antonio, this was not feasible as they had to be competing with cruise liners.

"Small vessels like the Club Med cannot compete with the huge cruise liners that visit our shores on a regular basis," he noted. However, he explained that the country still goes after their business, but he is cognisant that it is not economical for them to berth here every week.

In the meantime, plans are in the preliminary stage for Jamaica to be used as a passenger exchange point. "The idea is for passengers to be flown into Jamaica, to board the cruise ships here."

vessels paying visits

According to the PAJ executive, the idea is to have vessels paying visits to places that have no ports, such as the south coast, adding that these calls will help boost the arrival figures which he estimates would either surpass or equal last year's.

Jamaica welcomed 1.4 million cruise ship passengers last year.

Last Monday's visit by Club Med II was the catalyst of what the ship's Captain Yvon Laloge promises will be done annually.