MONTEGO BAY, St James – Jamaica yesterday welcomed the world’s largest cruise ship and its 3,652 passengers with a show of the island’s popular music culture at the Freeport in this tourist resort city.

Jamaica’s international dancehall music star Shaggy headlined the bill that included his sometimes stage partner Rayvon, as well as Bryan and Tony Gold who all gave the visitors an excellent sample of our music.

The 15-deck Freedom of the Seas, which is on its maiden voyage, can accommodate 4,370 guests in total and is staffed by a crew of 1,360.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines-owned vessel sailed from Mexico on Sunday for Grand Cayman before arriving in Jamaica. Tomorrow it will leave for Haiti before returning to Miami, Florida. It will follow this itinerary every week until March next year.

Its arrival at the Montego Bay Freeport created a buzz of excitement as players in the tourism industry turned out in large numbers to greet the mega liner.

“It is great for the Montego Bay attractions,” said Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President Horace Peterkin. “It certainly is going to bring an injection of revenue into the community.”

Wykeham McNeil, minister of state in the Ministry of Tourism, was ecstatic.

“I feel great,” he said. “We are getting a benefit out of advertising because people are saying ‘well, here are the four destinations’. Well, we are one, so obviously we are up there.”

Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International, spoke highly of the partnership between his company and Jamaica.

“Jamaica and Royal Caribbean have a great partnership,” he said. “It’s a partnership that has been going on for a number of years and I particularly want to thank the Ministry of Tourism for the work they have put in here in the local community of Montego Bay to have the community ready for this call. It augurs well for the next year.”

He described the reception as “terrific” and the Jamaican people as “very warm and friendly, very welcoming”.