Poor reviews for Jamaica cruise offerings
MOST cruise passengers are unlikey to return to Jamaica or recommend the island to their friends, according to an October-released cruise survey by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association which represents most of the major cruise lines.
The country essentially got lacklustre reviews by cruise passengers who avoided guided tours and experienced the island’s sites and shops.
“Jamaica scored lowest on passengers saying they are ‘likely to return for a land-based visit 4.4 (out of 10), and their ‘likelihood of recommending to a friend’ at 5.0 (out of 10),” stated the survey entitled Economic Contribution Of Cruise Tourism To The Destination Economies Volume II.
It’s a survey-based analysis of the impact of passenger, crew and cruise line spending.
On the upside, passengers who choose guided tours in Jamaica rated that aspect the highest at 8/10. But overall the island got 6.9/10 — failing to go beyond expectations for most surveyed. Comparatively, Cayman Islands and Barbados received 7.7/10 and 7.8/10 respectively for the overall experience. There was no data for Cuba.
The survey did indicate that the island still pulls the cruise passengers off the ships, with 1.35 million disembarking from a possible 1.5 million cruise passengers, independent of crew which docked. However, the island also scored low in terms of its shopping, historical sites/museums and overall pricing. Calls and mailed queries to the Port Authority of Jamaica head of cruises, William Tatham, proved unsuccessful up to print.
“For the entire 2014/2015 cruise year, the estimated 1.35 million cruise passengers who visited Jamaica spent a total of US$160.9 million in Jamaica,” stated the study, which added that once crew expenditure was added, that figure increased to US$198 million.
The surveys were undertaken during the eight-month period beginning in October 2014 and ending in May 2015. The surveys were conducted by FCCA member cruise lines that called at each destination. Per passenger spending estimates for Jamaica were derived from 1,017 surveys completed by passengers during the survey period.
Each passenger cruise party (about two passengers) spent an average of US$251.71. The highest ticket item included watches and jewellery at US$721, followed by entertainment at US$135 and electronics at US$103. Passengers spent little by comparison on craft, souvenirs and restaurant food & beverage with each item averaging US$35.
FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organisation composed of 19 member lines operating more than 100 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA’s mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on cruise operations, tourism development, ports, tour operations, safety, security and other cruise industry issues. Its member lines include: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Croisieres de France, Cunard Line Ltd, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, TUI Cruises.