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Going to Titchfield I was introduced to cruise tourism. For those who don’t know the ship channel passes between Titchfield high school and Navy Island. My first classroom was closest to the ship channel. We could just walk through the battery and see the ships passing a closer than 100 yards away.
The ships would dock and Port Antonio would be buzzing. It created a vibrant town. Many people as far as Annotto Bay to St.Thomas made their living of the cruises. Tourist walked freely through the town and enjoyed the local scene. Two of my next neighbors door drivers drive JUTA and they worked only when ships came in. They woke up very early and worked all day. Mostly two days per week and they made more money than many other mini bus drivers. They could feed their family and be comfortable. Portland had maybe the highest ratio of people working on cruise ship at the time.
Then came the death of Port Antonio. The cruises stop coming. It was said that the bigger ships can’t go through the channel. There were other excuses given such as the rundown of the attractions and others. We watch the ships started going to Ochi. One thing was not mention was that Ochi was much more organized than Port Antonio with people like Leo Wineman (SP) leading the charge. At the time despite Port Antonio getting Minister of Tourism Anthony Abrahams as MP it continue to go south. One of my favorite teachers became the head of JTB in Port Antonio but everything just went south. Now it is sad to see what is happening in Ochi Rios and they better realize before it is too late. Despite that many of my fellow Titchfield graduates continue to get ship cards and jobs on ship
My fact is I have seen it Cruise tourism at its best and worst in my parish and what we need to do is plan properly but to think that we have no benefit etc. is not true. Also the fact is the cruise liners are now having their own port in partnership with government and if you are not in partner with them they don’t call at other ports. This is the way the industry is going so it is either we are in or out. Pick our choice.
The ships would dock and Port Antonio would be buzzing. It created a vibrant town. Many people as far as Annotto Bay to St.Thomas made their living of the cruises. Tourist walked freely through the town and enjoyed the local scene. Two of my next neighbors door drivers drive JUTA and they worked only when ships came in. They woke up very early and worked all day. Mostly two days per week and they made more money than many other mini bus drivers. They could feed their family and be comfortable. Portland had maybe the highest ratio of people working on cruise ship at the time.
Then came the death of Port Antonio. The cruises stop coming. It was said that the bigger ships can’t go through the channel. There were other excuses given such as the rundown of the attractions and others. We watch the ships started going to Ochi. One thing was not mention was that Ochi was much more organized than Port Antonio with people like Leo Wineman (SP) leading the charge. At the time despite Port Antonio getting Minister of Tourism Anthony Abrahams as MP it continue to go south. One of my favorite teachers became the head of JTB in Port Antonio but everything just went south. Now it is sad to see what is happening in Ochi Rios and they better realize before it is too late. Despite that many of my fellow Titchfield graduates continue to get ship cards and jobs on ship
My fact is I have seen it Cruise tourism at its best and worst in my parish and what we need to do is plan properly but to think that we have no benefit etc. is not true. Also the fact is the cruise liners are now having their own port in partnership with government and if you are not in partner with them they don’t call at other ports. This is the way the industry is going so it is either we are in or out. Pick our choice.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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