THE island’s cruise ship industry is expected to receive a US$600,000 per annum boost as a result of calls to the western city by Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest and largest ship, the Conquest.

The Conquest is expected to replace Carnival’s Inspiration by December 4

According to chairman of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce’s cruise ship committee, David Lindo, the 953-foot vessel has the capacity to hold up to 3,710 passengers with double occupancy. There is also an additional 1,910 crew members for the ship, which will visit on Wednesdays. The Inspiration, which the Carnival will replace, can hold up to 2,200 passengers, double occupancy and about half that amount of crew.

And the Montego Bay port will be able to accommodate the larger Conquest as there are plans in place to dredge it by mid-year. The dredging will widen and deepen the port so that it will also be able to accommodate megaliners such as the 1,039-foot Voyager of the Seas, which now calls at Ocho Rios. After the work is completed, the harbour’s 1,400-foot basin will also be increased by about 200 feet and will be able to accommodate one and a half times the length of the largest ships now in operation.