After some concern about construction delays and other logistics the new cruise ship port received its first cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas, on Thursday, February 17. As the ship docked early Thursday morning there was great elation among the hundred residents, including school children, who gathered to watch the historic arrival of the cruise liner.

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.

The construction of the Falmouth Cruise Shipping Pier is a joint effort of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Port Authority of Jamaica. Work on the multi-billion facility began roughly three years ago. The project was planned to be fully completed before Thursday, but work stoppages, and environmental concerns delayed the start-up date for cruise ship arrivals.

Craft retailers and other small business people received a boon after the ship docked as more than 90 per cent of the passengers disembarked the cruise liner. Passengers visited attractions in and outside of Falmouth. They toured the town  in tram carts and horse carriages reminiscent of the old colonial days.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, was reported as saying the new port, “is a statement of the readiness Falmouth is, for prime-time cruise tourism.”.

“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.”

The official opening of the port is scheduled for March 22, 2011 when the Oasis of the Seas makes her maiden call into the port. Other Royal Caribbean ships scheduled to arrive at the port 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,  Dolphin Cove & Dunn’s River Falls, Appleton Estate, and rafting on the Martha Brae river.

“Falmouth has an important place in the cultural history of Jamaica. It is especially rewarding for us to use that history as an entrée for a new generation of guests,” said Hon Mike Henry, Jamaica’s Minister of Transport and Works, with 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