When the World’s largest cruise ship pulled into Falmouth Port, Jamaica last month, with over 9,000 people on board, it had among its crew two Jamaicans crucial to the services and cuisine it offered.
Restaurant Manager for Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Janet Jackson Dinnall in
front of the mega vessel.
The two are from the North Coast – Consie “Omar” Cover from Portland and Janet Jackson Dinnall, from St Ann.
Mr. Cover is Executive Sous Chef and Mrs. Jackson Dinnall is the Restaurant Manager on the Wonder of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean flagship vessel.
In an interview with JIS News, Cover said: “My experience here has been great and I remain grateful for all the opportunities I have had. From very humble beginnings, I take pride in everything I have accomplished; getting a chance to see the world, moving from port to port, and interacting with some very amazing and beautiful people from all over the globe,” he notes.
Executive Sous Chef for Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Consie “Omar” Cover, with daughter Marley (centre) and wife Adriana.
Mr. Cover fondly recalls growing up in Norwich district, on the coast near Port Antonio, where going to the beach and spending quality time with family and friends were among his favourite things to do.
Mrs. Jackson Dinnall worked with Jamaican hotel chains with hotel chains Sandals and SuperClubs and says she decided over 20 years ago to pursue a career on the high seas.
“It was a shaky start, but I never once considered the option of going back home. I have always been a go-getter, always believing in hard work and giving it my all,” she tells JIS News.
It was not long before she moved up the ranks from assistant waitress to restaurant supervisor.
“On any given day, I am responsible for scores of guests and to see to it that they are indeed getting value for their hard-earned money,” Mrs. Jackson Dinnall shares.
“Even though I work seven days per week and with hardly anything by way of a social life, I would never trade this experience for anything,” she notes.
Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has high praises for the Jamaican duo.
He said: “What they both have been able to accomplish, earning senior positions with the second biggest cruise company behind the Carnival Cruise Line and on board the largest cruise ship, serving thousands of guests weekly is quite astounding.”
By Garwin Davis, JIS
