Jamaica Welcomes 736,372 Cruise Passengers Through July
Disney Destiny is expected to begin calling at Falmouth on October 13, with Rose putting the ship's passenger count for the call at just under two thousand eight hundred.
Jamaica received 736,372 cruise passengers from 234 ship calls between January and July. Phillip Rose, deputy director of tourism for the Americas, disclosed the figures during the opening of the Jamaica Product Exchange in Ocho Rios.
Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios handled most of the traffic. Port Antonio and Kingston together received four ships. For annual context, Jamaica recorded 1,426,485 cruise passengers during the 2023/24 cruise year.
Traffic expands beyond the main cruise ports
Rose said the effort to broaden Jamaica’s cruise business covers the operators serving the country. “We’re also expanding where persons can go and visit when they get to Jamaica,” he said.
Tourism officials are promoting Kingston and Port Antonio to visitors seeking activities outside the established resort centers. Rose said some travelers are specifically interested in those areas, alongside the beach destinations that account for much of Jamaica’s tourism activity.
Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Virgin Voyages are among the operators currently calling in Jamaica. Rose also credited the cruise sector with supporting the country’s tourism recovery after Hurricane Melissa.
The country received approximately 2.3 million visitors between January and August, generating US$2.5 billion in revenue. JAPEX is organized by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Call totals use first-port reporting
The Port Authority records cruise ships at their first Jamaican port of call for statistical purposes. A vessel visiting more than one port on the same trip is therefore not counted again in the national ship-call total.
During four days in December 2024, Montego Bay, Falmouth and Ocho Rios received a combined 10 vessels carrying 34,519 passengers and 13,137 crew members.
Disney Destiny scheduled for Falmouth
Disney Destiny is expected to begin calling at Falmouth on Oct. 13. Rose put the ship’s passenger count for the call at just under 2,800.
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