From The Jamaica Observer:
Thursday, August 23, 2007

The world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, docked for the first time in Ocho Rios yesterday, signalling a return to normalcy for Jamaica's cruise shipping industry, just three days after the passage of Hurricane Dean.

"I'm elated that our partner, Royal Caribbean Line, has seen it fit to return to Jamaica so soon after the passing of Hurricane Dean, with Freedom of the Seas. It is a credit to our relationship that they have chosen to do so," Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba told the Observer on Wednesday.

Assamba said her ministry had been in constant touch with its partners during the period, keeping them abreast of recovery efforts and was able to assure them that "all our attractions were up and running"

Hurricane Dean ravaged sections of the island over the weekend but left the north coast, a popular tourist region, unscathed for the most part.

Most hotels in the region reportedly escaped with little or no damage and there has been no report of hotels being closed because of the hurricane.

Attractions also escaped without any serious displacement and with no report emerging of any being forced to close because of Dean.

The ship docked in the Ocho Rios pier, reportedly with approximately 4,500 passengers.