KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) says notwithstanding concerns about the earnings at the Falmouth Port, the authority maintains excellent partnerships with the world’s leading cruise lines.

The authority pointed to agreements with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) and Disney Cruise Lines, whose itinerary PAJ said continues to include calls at the Falmouth Port in seeking to allay fears about arrivals and other issues affecting the town of Falmouth.

In a release today, PAJ said : “While the decline in earnings for the destination is noteworthy, it should be highlighted that the summer season generally records approximately 40% downturn in cruise arrivals, compared to the winter season”.

Though acknowledging a projected decline, the release said the 2018 summer season will not see significant variation, when compared to 2016 and 2017.

The authority also said that over the past years, three cruise lines have accounted for most of the cruise calls and passenger arrivals to Falmouth.

RCCL with its subsidiary Celebrity Cruises accounted for just over 80 per cent of cruise passenger arrivals, with the flagship RCCL accounting for over 75 per cent.

Disney Cruises accounted for just over 10 per cent and other cruise lines with a few odd calls in the main winter season accounted for less than 10 per cent.

According to the release, “apart from the RCCL subsidiary – Celebrity Cruises, which was late in berth reservation for 2018, resulting in the available berth going to Princess Cruises, all cruise lines remain committed to Falmouth and are still scheduled to call at the port”.

The authority said that while adverse issues that arise because of tourist harassment by taxi drivers, craft traders, and other purveyors of illegal products affect Falmouth, those concerns were recognised by the PAJ and is being addressed.

Among the ways the authority said it was seeking to improve the appeal of the town were: “the construction of a new dry goods and food produce market, the installation of directional maps throughout the town, a streetscape improvement project along Market Street, a major rehabilitation of Seaboard Street and the adoption and maintenance of Water Square”.