Key Aspects:
- Jamaica has set a goal to resume all tourism operations, including cruise tourism, by December 15, 2025.
- In the meantime, dozens of cruise ships could be rerouted away from Jamaica while the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa is addressed.
- The US Government has also increased Jamaica’s Level 2 travel advisory to a Level 3 advisory to account for the mass destruction.
Jamaica was left battered and beaten by Hurricane Melissa at the end of October, an intense category 5 storm. But amidst the destruction, officials already see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has set a firm goal to resume tourism operations – including cruising – on or before December 15, 2025.
As the Caribbean destination’s economy relies heavily on tourism, with the cruise industry generating over $197 million for Jamaica annually, it’s important to get back to business quickly.
“Recovery cannot be left to chance. We are aligning marketing, communications, infrastructure repairs, aid, logistics, and every enabling support behind a single objective: full industry operation by December 15,” said Minister Bartlett.
“Progress will be tracked through the Ministry of Tourism with regular public updates, so workers, visitors, and partners can plan with confidence,” he continued.
Considering the extent of what can only be described as catastrophic damage, the goal is ambitious – but not impossible.
A recovery task force, which will work with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, has been created to manage “quick assessments, product rehabilitation, and service readiness throughout resorts, attractions, airports/ports, and important corridors.”
The cruise lines are also aiding in recovery efforts, with Royal Caribbean Group, Carnival Corporation, and Disney Cruise Line each making $1 million donations to support the cause.
The Impact to Cruising
The minister’s announcement suggests that cruise tourism will not be possible for at least the next month or so, which will ultimately lead to dozens of itinerary changes.
So far, Disney Cruise Line has already cancelled Disney Treasure’s call on Falmouth, Jamaica, that was originally scheduled for November 5, 2025.
Not including the scrapped visit, the popular port had 10 more ship calls scheduled for November and 11 more for the first half of December.
The vessels come from mainstream brands like Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises.
It’s a similar story in Montego Bay, where 13 calls were expected for November and an additional six visits were scheduled before December 15.
These ships sail under Carnival Cruise Line, TUI Cruises, Cunard Line, AIDA Cruises, Viking Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line, among others.
Ocho Rios should have been similarly busy, with dozens of calls planned from brands like Virgin Voyages, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, and more.
Read Also: Jamaica Cruise Ports: Full List and Overview
Once Jamaica officially reopens, the cruise lines will also have to agree that it is safe to return.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald, for example, has publicly said that he doesn’t know when the cruise line will return to the island nation at least twice in recent days.
“Lots of you today have asked me when we will return to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay? The answer is I have no idea,” Heald wrote in a recent Facebook post.
“However, having seen the biblical scale of the damage caused I would guess, and it is a guess, that it might not be for some time,” he added.
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It’s also worth noting that the US government has upgraded Jamaica from a Level 2: “Exercise Increased Caution” travel advisory to a Level 3: “Reconsider Travel” advisory on October 28, 2025.
The new advisory level is meant to warn against crime, health concerns, and now natural disaster risks.
