Jamaica Welcomes First Cruise Guests Since Hurrica...

Key Features:

• Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam turned the primary cruise ship to carry friends again to Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa.
• MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina known as later in the identical day, and Carnival Cruise Line has additionally introduced plans to return quickly.
• It is a good signal that Jamaica’s restoration efforts are going effectively and that the Caribbean nation will have the ability to totally reopen by its purpose date of December 15.

Jamaica has formally welcomed its first cruise friends after being ravaged by Hurricane Melissa on the finish of October, marking an vital milestone within the island nation’s restoration efforts.

Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam arrived in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, at 8 a.m. native time on the morning of Tuesday, November 11, 2025, making this the primary ship to name for the reason that Class 5 storm decimated the nation.

The cease was included as a part of a 14-night Caribbean crusing that embarked in Miami, Florida, on November 1, 2025.

“We’re honored to return to Ocho Rios and deeply grateful for the collaboration with the port, local people and tour operators,” stated Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line.

“The choice was made with care and respect, understanding that tourism is important to Jamaica’s restoration and future. Our friends are excited to carry much-needed help to the native financial system,” Bodensteiner added.

Learn Additionally: Jamaica Cruise Ports: Full List and Overview

The lead ship of Holland America’s Vista class is able to carrying 1,988 friends, all of which carry a a lot wanted financial increase. Jamaica’s financial system depends closely on tourism.

Moreover, the 2002-launched ship introduced 1,700 packing containers that had been packed to the brim with aid provides, corresponding to meals, water, bedding, clothes, and mattresses.

The donations had been dropped off Reynold’s Pier earlier than passengers had been permitted to disembark for the day on the Turtle Bay Pier.

“On behalf of the folks of St. Ann, and likewise representing Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett as we speak, I need to sincerely thank Holland America Line for this extremely well timed donation of 20 pallets of meals objects and water to our tourism hall,” stated Hon. Matthew Samuda, Member of Parliament of Northeast St. Ann, Jamaica.

“It additionally sends a transparent message: cruise companions aren’t simply coming to take pleasure in Jamaica, they’re standing with us in restoration. Each ship that returns to Ocho Rios strengthens jobs, protects livelihoods and helps our neighborhood bounce again stronger, and we worth this sort of actual, sensible partnership.”

Including to the cruise line’s generosity, dozens of Holland America Line volunteers participated in a seashore cleanup in Seville, close to Ocho Rios, through the port name.

And later this week, friends and crew will participate within the On Deck for a Trigger 5K Stroll to proceed elevating cash to help the Hurricane Melissa aid fund.

Extra Ships Start to Return

Jamaica has set a goal to resume all tourism operations by December 15, 2025.

With this purpose now simply over a month away, extra cruise strains have begun to plan their returns to the Caribbean nation.

Actually, two hours after Zuiderdam arrived in Ocho Rios, MSC Cruises’ MSC Divina docked within the port.

The decision was included as a part of a 14-night Caribbean crusing that embarked in Miami, Florida, on November 6, 2025.

Equally, Carnival Cruise Line has additionally introduced that Carnival Paradise would be the first ship in its fleet to return to Jamaica. 

The Fantasy-class cruise ship will name on Ocho Rios on November 13 as a part of a 6-night Western Caribbean crusing that embarked in Tampa, Florida, on November 10, 2025.

Extra From Cruise Hive

She was initially supposed to go to Jamaica’s Montego Bay that day – which is the nation’s second largest cruise port – however Ocho Rios is additional alongside in its restoration efforts and extra geared up to welcome friends.

Over the previous couple weeks, cruise strains like Royal Caribbean have additionally been stopping at Jamaica to drop off donations and provides to assist in restoration efforts with out together with the vacation spot as a normal port name.