CUL DE SAC--The Flying Dutchman, the world’s steepest zipline, has received the 2018 Seatrade Cruise Award for “Innovative Shorex of the Year.” This St. Maarten attraction is part of Rainforest Adventures’ Rockland Estate.
The “Innovative Shorex of the Year” award recognizes a company or individual who has created, sourced or introduced an innovative shore excursion over the past 12 months. The main attraction at Rockland Estate, The Flying Dutchman drops 1,050 feet in elevation from the top of Sentry Hill over a 2,800-foot span guaranteeing thrill-seekers the ride of a lifetime.
“The word we hear most to describe The Flying Dutchman is ‘thrilling,’ I can say the same about winning the Seatrade Cruise Award for ‘Innovative Shorex of the Year’ and to have been part of such an exceptional group of contributors to cruise-tourism worldwide,” said Scott Swietanski, General Manager of Rockland Estate.
“We’d like to share this honour with our staff and the people of St. Maarten who make every guest’s visit unforgettable and extend a heartfelt thank you to our cruise partners who have returned to our Friendly Island post-hurricane, greatly assisting with our quick recovery,” Swietanski said.
Finalists for the award were Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services for Panda Sanctuary CSR Programme, China and The Best Day Cartagena Tours – The Spanish Horse. The award was sponsored by Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Culture.
Now in the 12th edition, the Seatrade Cruise Awards celebrate the best of international cruise industry success, ambition and innovation. The other industry award winners, chosen by a panel of industry experts, included Dubai, UAE – Destination of the Year, Dublin Port – Port of the Year, Discover Saint John – Marketing Initiative of the Year.
Rockland Estate showcases exhilarating experiences and attractions on the Emilio Wilson Estate, a stunning 108 acres including Sentry Hill, one of St. Maarten’s highest elevations at 1,125 feet. Guests ride the Soualiga Sky Explorer to a viewing location encircled by walkways and platforms where they enjoy 360-degree vistas of St. Maarten and neighbouring islands.
In addition to The Flying Rockland Estate St. Maarten features the Schooner Ride, a 657-foot track where guests take its curves and straightaways in large inner tubes, and the Sentry Hill Zip Line, a 500-meter line traversing the mountain ridge.
Every guest experience begins at the Emilio Wilson Museum showcasing the customs, traditions, lifestyle and stories that have earned St. Maarten the moniker “The Friendly Island.”