Next year Puerto Rico will welcome the largest cruise ships in the world, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, both from the Royal Caribbean line.

The news was announced earlier by Puerto Rico Tourism Company executive director, Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, and Port Authority executive director Colberg Ingrid Rodríguez. 

This announcement is part of the commitment made under the administration of governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla to attract mega-cruise ships to the island, once the renovation of the Pier 3 is completed.

During the summer of 2016, the mega-cruise ships will complete a combined total of ten trips, which will generate 60,000 additional passengers to the Port of San Juan.

“The arrival of the two ships represent an economic impact for Puerto Rico of approximately $6.4 million, only in this first season,” said Rivera Rocafort.

“With an average capacity of 6,000 passengers and 2,400 crew members, the ships will set sail from ports in Florida with seven-night itineraries, visiting several Caribbean destinations.”

Meanwhile, the Port Authority Executive Director reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue to modernise and adapt the Port of San Juan docks to the demands of the tourism market and attract more mega-cruise ships.

“The port entrances of the cruises, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas is evidence that we have recovered the strength and confidence of the cruise industry in the region,” said Colberg Rodriguez.

“The arrival of both cruises is an achievement made possible thanks to the expansion of Pier 3, that included an investment of $9.3 million to place the Port of San Juan at a level that it deserves, and provide incentives to attract cruise ships.

“The demonstrated effort and interagency support between the port and Puerto Rico Tourism Company have been key in the record number of cruise passenger arrivals to the country.”

Michael Bayley, president of Royal Caribbean International, agreed that the recent enhancements made to Pier 3 have been key to making the upcoming inaugural trip a reality.

“It is with great pride that Royal Caribbean announced that the two largest and most innovative ships in the world, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, will be coming to Puerto Rico for the first time in the summer of 2016,” Bayley said.