OCHO RIOS, St Ann - Rough seas associated with a cold front affecting the island prevented two cruise ships from docking at the Ocho Rios pier yesterday morning.

According to information officer at the Ocho Rios office of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Nickeisha Williamson, the vessels were forced to bypass Jamaica as sea conditions were unfavourable for docking.

"The vessels, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Imagination, each has a capacity of approximately 3,000 persons," Williamson told the Observer.

Weather conditions deteriorated along the north coast Wednesday night, with heavy showers being reported in several areas of St Ann as the cold front moved across the island.

When the ships arrived on the coast yesterday morning, they were unable to dock as scheduled and instead continued on their journey to other Caribbean destinations.

Tourism interests in St Ann took the situation in stride.
"It's very unfortunate that they couldn't dock but it's totally beyond our control, it's an act of God," said Vana Taylor, chairman of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Ocho Rios chapter.

"We just hope the weather will improve soon so that we can resume our cruise ship activities," she added.
Two vessels, Carnival Victory and Coral Princess, are scheduled to dock in Ocho Rios on today. However, with weather conditions predicted to remain unstable, it is uncertain if the cruise liners will be able to stop.

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