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A European cruise vessel is slated to make its call in the usually quaint town of Black River, St Elizabeth, in another seven months, The Gleaner has learnt.
Prince Albert II is scheduled to sail from the United Kingdom and will make stopover visits before anchoring in Black River with 200 passengers in September.
Chairman of the Western Shipping Association, Dr Lee Bailey, told The Gleaner yesterday.
"I received confirmation from the tour company Monday and we are happy to have brokered this deal with the cruise line," said Bailey, who is also managing director of the Montego Bay-based Caribbean Cruise Shipping and Tours.
"They have requested to go to areas in Jamaica that are natural and to see Jamaicans and activities in their natural environment to experience our culture and heritage. They have made it clear that they do not want to be part of the regular tourist offerings in an inclusive setting," Bailey said.
Bailey said the vessel would also call at Port Antonio.
Would be wonderful
<span style="font-weight: bold">Mayor of Black River Jeremy Palmer said that while he was not aware of the scheduled visit</span>,
it would be wonderful."They need to understand, however, that cruise vessels would not be able to dock close to shore and, therefore, arrangements would have to be made to transport passengers to shore," Palmer said
Bailey said this would be done.
"Black River and St Elizabeth probably have the greatest concentration of attractions in Jamaica," Palmer said.
Reacting to the news, Dr John Brown, a resident of Black River, said: "I sincerely hope that arrangements will be made by the local shipping agents to give the visitors a chance to spend some time and money with the local people."
Fears repeat of history
Brown said he would never like to see history repeat itself, as in the 1980s a cruise vessel docked weekly at the Hendricks Wharf in the town, <span style="font-weight: bold">but the passengers refused to spend despite being treated very hospitably</span>.
"I was quite familiar with it. The people were very disappointed," Brown recalled.
In preparing for its arrival, Bailey said his company and a team would commence a training exercise to enable locals to deliver service, products and information competently.
Bailey is not in a position to estimate the economic spin-off from which the town could benefit, as it is quite early. He believes, however, that it will be positive.
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who well know bout an already mek arrangements fi dem share of runnings... 
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