• Triple Award Nominations: The Port Authority of Jamaica earned three World Travel Awards nominations for Leading Cruise Destination, Leading Cruise Port (Ocho Rios), and Leading Home Port (Montego Bay).
• Prestigious Gala Host: The 2026 Caribbean and the Americas Gala Ceremony will take place on October 11 at the beachfront Princess Grand Jamaica.
• Distinct Port Strengths: Ocho Rios highlights nature excursions and adventure travel, while Montego Bay provides the infrastructure and hospitality needed for premier home-port operations.
• Sustained Maritime Leadership: The nominations reflect over a decade of consistent international awards, highlighting Jamaica’s investment in modern cruise facilities and guest satisfaction

Jamaica’s maritime tourism sector is celebrating extraordinary international recognition as the Port Authority of Jamaica arrives with a prestigious trio of nominations at the 2026 World Travel Awards. Scheduled for October 11, 2026, the Caribbean and the Americas Gala Ceremony will convene regional tourism leaders at the luxurious Princess Grand Jamaica on the island’s scenic northwest coast. The gala provides an exceptional home-soil stage to showcase the island’s enduring maritime legacy and vibrant hospitality.

The Port Authority of Jamaica is contending across three headline categories that highlight the remarkable breadth of the island’s cruise infrastructure: Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination, Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port for the Port of Ocho Rios, and Caribbean’s Leading Home Port for the Port of Montego Bay. These nominations reflect a long-term dedication to delivering world-class visitor experiences from the moment ships approach harbor waters.

Each port offers a distinctive dimension of the Jamaican experience. Ocho Rios serves as the energetic gateway to the island’s lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and outdoor adventures, building on its previous category victory. Meanwhile, Montego Bay functions as a cosmopolitan home port, offering the sophisticated logistics, air connectivity, and resort accommodations necessary to support complete passenger turnarounds and pre-cruise stays.

This sustained recognition underlines Jamaica’s ability to evolve alongside the modern cruise landscape, accommodating larger vessels and meeting the expectations of contemporary travelers. By harmonizing picturesque natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, reggae rhythms, and modern seaport infrastructure, Jamaica continues to reinforce its reputation as the premier cruising heart of the Caribbean.