Next year Puerto Rico will host the Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, both from Royal Caribbean, as announced today by Puerto Rico Tourism Company’s 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 Gov. 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 10 calls, 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 Florida on seven-night itineraries, visiting several Caribbean destinations.”

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

“The Oasis and Allure  are evidence that we have recovered the strength and confidence of the cruise industry in the region,” said Colberg Rodriguez. “The arrival of both ships 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 and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said in a prepared statement that he agreed that the recent enhancements made to Pier 3 have been key to making the upcoming inaugural cruises a reality.