Carnival Corporation has welcomed the official grand opening of Rainforest Adventure’s Rockland Estate eco-park attraction in St. Maarten.
To mark the occasion, a ceremony was attended by esteemed government officials, including prime minister Leona Romeo-Marlin and governor Eugene Holiday, as well as Rainforest Adventures president Josef Preschel and key Carnival Corporation officials.
These included David Candib, vice president of development and operations for the global port and destination development group.
With financing from Carnival Corporation and built by Rainforest Adventures, Rockland Estate is a one-of-a-kind attraction expected to quickly become one of the most popular in the Caribbean.
It has something for everyone – thrill-seeking adventures, including the world’s steepest zip line and a mountain chair lift with breath-taking views and a heart-racing tube ride, as well as a museum that showcases the rich history and culture of St. Maarten and its people.
“We are proud to be part of the Rockland Estate development, and we are excited that this new attraction will surely become a bucket-list item for visitors to the island, whether they’re looking to take in incredible views, experience one-of-a-kind rides or gain perspective on the rich history and culture of the island,” said David Candib, vice president of development and operations for the global port and destination development group at Carnival Corporation.
“St. Maarten is already a beloved destination by guests across our eight cruise line brands that visit the island, and we’re confident that Rockland Estate will create an even more compelling reason to visit the country on a cruise vacation.”
Rockland Estate is considered an eco-adventure park committed to preserving native eco-systems while ensuring the sustainability of the estate’s physical and intangible attributes.
The overall goal of the Rainforest Adventures team in building the attraction was to enhance and preserve St. Maarten’s natural and built environments and endorse its cultural and historical significance, while also promoting education through adventure.
Preschel, president of Rainforest Adventures, added: “In constructing the park, one of our goals was to uphold our commitment to environmental conservation, with less than five percent of the Emilio Wilson Estate impacted by the new Rockland Estate eco-adventure park.
“Our other key goal is to educate visitors on the importance of ongoing conservation in this area and to celebrate local history and culture, while also providing thrilling rides and relaxing activities.”
Located on the historic Emilio Wilson Estate a short ride from St. Maarten’s Port of Philipsburg Cruise Terminal, Rockland Estate eco-park encompasses the widest variety of thrill rides and attractions in the Caribbean.
St. Maarten is a popular destination for cruise guests, with 1.66 million cruisers visiting the island in 2016.