MIAMI — Esteemed government officials help Carnival Corporate celebrate the grand opening of St. Maarten’s newest attraction – Rainforest Adventure’s Rockland Estate eco-park.

Taking place on April 11, the grand ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin and Governor Dr. Eugene Holiday, as well as Rainforest Adventures president Josef Preschel and key Carnival Corporation officials, including David Candib, VP of development and operations for the global port destination development group.

“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,” said Candib. “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.”

Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin, Governor Dr. Eugene Holiday, Rainforest Adventures president Josef Preschel (left to right) taking part in a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official grand opening of the Rockland Estate eco-park attraction in St. Maarten.

With financing from Carnival Corporation and built by Rainforest Adventures, Rockland Estate is a one-of-a-kind attraction located a short ride away from St. Maarten’s Port of Philipsburg Cruise Terminal. Rides and attractions include a heart-racing tube ride, a mountain chair lift with breathtaking views, and a museum that showcases the rich history of St. Maarten and its people. It’s top draw, however, is the Flying Dutchman, considered the world’s steepest zipline with an elevation of 1,050 feet and a span of 2,800 feet.

Rockland Estate is considered an eco-adventure park that committed to preserving native eco-systems. 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.

Representatives from Carnival Corporation, Carnival Cruise Line and Rockland Estate celebrated the grand opening of St. Maarten’s newest attraction, featuring the world’s steepest zipline.

“In constructing the park, one of our goals was to uphold our commitment to environmental conservation, with less than five% of the Emilio Wilson Estate impacted by the new Rockland Estate eco-adventure park,” said Preschel. “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.”

Guests from eight of Carnival Corporation’s brands with itineraries visiting the island will have the opportunity to experience the new shore excursion, which was recently named by ‘USA Today 10 Best’ as a top Caribbean attraction.