Jamaica Reopens All Four Major Cruise Ports After Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica has reopened all four of its major cruise ports less than two months after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, restoring access for visiting cruise ships as the island continues its broader tourism recovery.

Port Royal/Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Falmouth are again operating for cruise calls, according to Jamaica tourism officials and Jamaica Cruising, with additional work continuing in some areas to fully restore visitor-facing attractions. TravelPulse reported the full reopening as a key milestone in the destination’s rapid turnaround.

Cruise operations resume across Jamaica’s four main ports

Officials have framed the reopening as a signal to cruise lines and travelers that core port infrastructure is back online. In a statement, Jamaica Cruising said, “The return of vessels signals one strong message to the world: Jamaica is open, Jamaica is ready, and Jamaica is back in business.”

While cruise calls are resuming across the four ports, officials have also emphasized that restoration work continues elsewhere as the island works to return more attractions and tourism services to full strength.

How Jamaica accelerated repairs after the hurricane

Tourism and port agencies credited a coordinated response for the speed of the reopening effort, citing collaboration across public-sector bodies, tourism organizations, and emergency stakeholders.

Jamaica Cruising described the recovery effort in broad terms, saying, “Every sector put hands on deck and hearts into the mission,” as the destination moved to restore cruise operations after the storm.

• Ministry of Tourism: Worked alongside tourism and port partners on the restoration effort tied to restarting visitor operations.
• Jamaica Vacations and Jamaica Cruising: Coordinated tourism-sector recovery messaging and supported the push to resume cruise calls.
• Port Authority of Jamaica: Supported the reopening of key cruise gateways and related port activity.
• Destination Assurance Councils: Participated in the broader effort to restore visitor services and readiness.
• Emergency teams and supporting partners: Assisted in restoration work tied to the rapid return of cruise operations.

Visitor milestones and the December 15 operational benchmark

Jamaica’s tourism recovery has also been measured through visitor volumes and the pace of reopening across the sector. The Jamaica Tourist Board said the destination surpassed 300,000 visitors in the period following Hurricane Melissa.

Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett linked the milestone to the country’s recovery strategy and said Jamaica met its goal of restoring tourism operations by December 15. “Our recovery has exceeded expectations,” Bartlett said, adding, “Jamaica is not just back; we are stronger, more resilient and more committed than ever to delivering the authentic Jamaican experience our visitors know and love.”

Bartlett also pointed to the breadth of the restart across tourism services. “Hotels, attractions, transportation providers and government agencies have worked around the clock to ensure that Jamaica is ready to welcome our guests,” he said.

Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism, urged travelers to keep the destination in their plans as communities continue rebuilding. “The best way to support Jamaica is to visit Jamaica,” White said. “We are ready to deliver unforgettable experiences while showcasing the incredible strength and hospitality of the Jamaican people.” In a separate statement, White added, “Every visitor who chooses Jamaica during this time directly supports the rebuilding of communities and the restoration of livelihoods.”

Port Royal/Kingston’s homeport milestone with Vasco da Gama

Jamaica Cruising also highlighted a separate development tied to Port Royal/Kingston, saying Vasco da Gama became the first homeport ship to operate from that port.

The group distinguished homeporting from a typical port-of-call visit, noting it involves turnarounds and passenger embarkation and disembarkation. Jamaica Cruising said the homeport operation can generate added economic activity tied to passenger and crew spending, along with increased demand linked to flights and hotels, plus activity for local transportation providers, restaurants, tour operators, and other essential services connected to cruise departures and arrivals.

Why the cruise restart matters to the wider economy

Tourism officials have repeatedly underscored that restoring visitor operations is central to Jamaica’s economic stability. The Jamaica Tourist Board said tourism represents more than 30% of Jamaica’s GDP and supports about a third of jobs on the island, and it reported that Jamaica received 4.3 million visitors in 2024.

Looking further ahead, tourism officials have said Jamaica is projected to fully recover by December 2026, with the immediate focus on sustaining cruise operations across the four reopened ports while additional restoration work continues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which cruise ports in Jamaica have reopened after Hurricane Melissa?

All four major cruise ports, Port Royal/Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Falmouth, have reopened to cruise traffic less than two months after Hurricane Melissa made landfall.

What does it mean for a ship to homeport in Jamaica?

Homeporting means the cruise begins and ends at that port, involving passenger embarkation and disembarkation and turnarounds. Jamaica Cruising said this typically drives additional activity such as flight demand, hotel stays, and higher local spending than a standard port-of-call visit.

Why was Vasco da Gama’s launch from Port Royal/Kingston significant?

Jamaica Cruising said Vasco da Gama was the first homeport ship to operate from Port Royal/Kingston, an operational step officials expect to support added economic activity tied to passenger and crew spending and related travel services.

What visitor milestone did Jamaica announce after the hurricane?

The Jamaica Tourist Board said the destination surpassed 300,000 visitors after Hurricane Melissa, and Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett said Jamaica met its target of restoring tourism operations by December 15.

When do officials expect Jamaica’s tourism sector to fully recover?

Tourism officials said Jamaica is projected to fully recover by December 2026, even as restoration work continues in some areas while cruise operations and other core services resume.