Key Aspects:
- Carnival Paradise will make a guest port visit to Jamaica on the ship’s November 10 departure.
- The ship was scheduled to visit Montego Bay, but will be going to Ocho Rios instead.
- Not all ships can visit Jamaica yet, but this is a great step in the nation’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa.
Just over two weeks since the country was devastated by Hurricane Melissa, one port in Jamaica is ready to welcome back cruise guests, at least in a limited fashion.
Carnival Paradise will be the first of Carnival Cruise Line’s ships to visit the Caribbean nation as tourists. The ship will not be going to the original port on its itinerary, Montego Bay, but will visit Ocho Rios instead.
Carnival Paradise‘s November 10, 2025 departure from Tampa is a 6-night Western Caribbean voyage with visits to Key West, Montego Bay, and Grand Cayman.
Naturally, booked guests have been wondering whether or not the visit to Jamaica would be possible, considering the damage and flooding caused by the Category 5 hurricane.
Carnival Cruise Line has notified guests that they will, in fact, be able to visit Jamaica during their sailing, though not quite at the planned port of call.
“We have been in close contact with Jamaican officials about our expected stop in Montego Bay for Thursday, November 13,” the email explained. “The city is still in recovery mode and regrettably, unable to accommodate our visit.”
At first, this is disappointing, but the notification goes on with good news.
“Currently, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is more prepared to welcome cruise guests, so, we have revised our itinerary to call there instead,” the email confirmed.
Both Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are on Jamaica’s north shore, but Ocho Rios is located roughly 55 miles further east. Hurricane Melissa struck the western part of the country, and while the entire nation suffered from the devastating impact, Ocho Rios has been able to recover more quickly.
This does not mean the port will look pristine and as well-equipped as it may have been before the hurricane, but businesses will be open and ready to welcome cruise guests.
Visitors have a great opportunity to support Jamaica’s recovery by exploring the port, buying souvenirs, grabbing snacks, and otherwise enjoying their time in Ocho Rios.
“I encourage you to please think about taking an excursion from the ship,” John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s brand ambassador, urged. “We really want to support the local economy as much as we can, we want to keep you safe, so take an excursion.”
Different tours are available for guests to book online or through the Carnival Hub app, or they can be booked onboard at the Shore Excursions desk midship on Deck 7, Empress Deck.
“Thank you so very much for getting off the ship, maybe spending a few dollars at one of the shops or doing something in one of the markets,” Heald said. “I know how much they will appreciate you.”
Heald noted that guests will also have the opportunity to donate onboard the ship to help support the country’s recovery efforts in partnership with the cruise line’s generous $1 million relief donation to Jamaica.
The rest of Carnival Paradise’s itinerary is unchanged.
Are All Cruises Heading Back to Jamaica?
It is important for booked guests to realize that just because Carnival Paradise is able to arrange an alternative port and still visit Jamaica, this does not mean the island’s recovery is complete and all ships can resume.
For example, Carnival Liberty‘s November 9 departure from New Orleans was also scheduled to visit Montego Bay. An alternative port has been arranged for that cruise, and the ship will be sailing to Progreso, Mexico instead.
“It all depends on space at the pier and other operational factors,” Heald explained.
The Fantasy-class Carnival Paradise is one of the smallest ships in the Carnival fleet and can welcome 2,124 guests. Carnival Liberty is a mid-sized Conquest-class vessel that can welcome 2,980 guests.
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A smaller ship will be easier to accommodate while pier space may be limited or port personnel are short-staffed. Furthermore, if tour operations are more limited as locals rebuild, cruise lines will take that into account to be sure their guests will all have opportunities to enjoy the port.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has vowed that the country will be able to resume full tourism operations no later than December 15.
This is an ambitious goal, but Carnival Paradise‘s first port visit is certainly a great step in that direction.
In the meantime, multiple ships from multiple cruise lines will continue making relief visits to deliver critical supplies to help the people of Jamaica recover and rebuild.
