Key Aspects:
- Carnival Horizon will be delivering supplies to Ocho Rios during what was to have been a port visit on Tuesday.
- Guests onboard can also donate to Jamaica’s relief and Carnival Cruise Line will match those donations.
- Multiple cruise lines have donated to the island and full tourist operations may resume by December 15.
Just one week after the island was devastated by Hurricane Melissa, Carnival Cruise Line is poised to return to Jamaica, but not for a guest visit.
Carnival Horizon will drop off much-needed supplies in Ocho Rios on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 and guests onboard have a unique opportunity to offer even more assistance to the popular port of call.
Carnival Horizon set sail from Miami on a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary on Sunday, November 2. The ship’s first scheduled port of call is Jamaica, but guests will be unable to debark due to the devastation the island suffered when Hurricane Melissa tore through on Tuesday, October 28.
“We’ve been in close contact with Jamaican officials about our planned visit to Ocho Rios on Tuesday,” the captain explained to guests. “As hard as everyone will have tried, local infrastructure and our shore excursion partners are not ready for us.”
This means the full port visit is cancelled. Any pre-paid tours booked through Carnival Cruise Line will be fully refunded to guests, along with taxes and fees associated with the port.
Instead, Carnival Horizon will be dropping off several pallets of relief supplies, including bottled water, to help support Jamaicans as they rebuild.
“The local infrastructure isn’t quite ready for visitors but the ship will make a short visit to offload the goods,” confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador.
It isn’t yet known whether the pier in Ocho Rios is suitable for docking or whether the supplies will need to be unloaded by smaller tender boats. Regardless of the situation, the supplies will be delivered.
Carnival Cruise Line has already pledged to donate more than $1 million to Jamaica in partnership with the Miami Heat and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation.
Guests aboard Carnival Horizon also have a unique opportunity to donate even more for Jamaica’s recovery, despite the change in their itinerary.
“You may donate in two ways: by visiting Guest Services or by contributing a few extra dollars when you make your donation during the Groove for St. Jude Event,” the captain explained. “Carnival will match donations made during this cruise.”
The charity fundraiser is held during the last sea day of the sailing, which will be on Friday, November 7 as Carnival Horizon makes her way back to Miami.
This timing gives guests the firsthand opportunity to see how different Jamaica now looks following the storm’s devastation. While guests cannot debark in Jamaica, the debris and damage will be immediately apparent as the ship approaches Ocho Rios.
The donation match is an outstanding way for guests to ensure their donations can make a significant impact for Jamaica’s disaster relief.
At the moment, the extra donation is only available on Carnival Horizon. It is possible the cruise line may extend this opportunity to other sailings across the fleet, or at least on every ship delivering supplies.
Cruise Lines Pitching in for Jamaica’s Recovery
Carnival Cruise Line and Carnival Corporation & plc are not alone in supporting Jamaica as the country rebuild’s from the storm’s impact.
Royal Caribbean donated more than $1 million along with food, water, and medical relief supplies through Global Empowerment Mission, while Disney Cruise Line has likewise pledged a $1 million donation.
Norwegian Cruise Line, which actually visits the island nation much less than other cruise lines, has also pledged up to $100,000 through the Red Cross, including a match to guests’ donations.
More From Cruise Hive
At this time Jamaica remains closed to cruise visits, but repairs and recovery are already underway. The nation’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has set the goal that full tourism operations will resume by December 15, 2025.
This is an ambitious goal, but with the strong support of cruise lines and compassionate guests, it may be just a few weeks before travelers can once again enjoy the warm hospitality of Jamaica.
