By
Alex Smith |
Jamaica has resumed cruise operations following Hurricane Melissa, with all four major cruise ports – Port Royal, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Falmouth – officially reopened and receiving vessels. The coordinated return to service reflects cross-agency efforts to restore marine infrastructure and visitor readiness across key tourism gateways.
The reopening was achieved through support from the Ministry of Tourism, its agencies, Jamaica Vacations/Jamaica Cruising, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Destination Assurance Councils, municipal corporations and emergency teams, alongside multiple industry partners. Restoration work continues at several attractions, but core cruise operations and visitor services have resumed.
Nicko Cruises' Vasco da Gama has become the first homeporting vessel in Kingston following the reopening of the Port Royal/Kingston cruise gateway. The ship’s arrival marks Jamaica’s entry into the homeporting sector, a development that is expected to drive increased visitor spending and new commercial activity linked to embarkation and disembarkation services.
Jamaica Cruising
Vasco da Gama is the first cruise ship to homeport in Kingston following the reopening of the Port Royal/Kingston cruise gateway
A 2024 study, Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies, by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association revealed that 1,426,485 cruise passengers arrived in Jamaica during the 2023/24 cruise year, with an estimated 1,158,240 disembarking to explore the island. The study also found that the cruise tourism sector contributed an estimated $197.8 million to the nation’s economy through passenger, crew and cruise line spending.