Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica is mobilising to reopen its tourism infrastructure and welcome visitors as soon as is feasible. He said that while the category-five hurricane Melissa caused widespread damage across sections of Jamaica, officials are optimistic about a robust return ahead of the peak winter season, which begins on December 15. “The hurricane hit the...

Jamaica’s iconic attraction, Dunn’s River Falls, reopened its gates on Tuesday (November 11), two weeks after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica. The reopening is being welcomed by various stakeholders as a strong signal that the island is open for business following the devastation caused by the category-five hurricane. Speaking with JIS News, Chairman of the National Cruise Council (NCC)...

The arrival of two cruise vessels in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on November 11, marks a renewed chapter for Jamaica’s tourism sector, local officials and business interests say. The 6,500 passengers and crew combined, stakeholders said, signal that even after the destructive path of Hurricane Melissa, the country remains open for business and that the appetite for Jamaica is still...

Carnival Corporation’s Holland America docked at the Ocho Rios cruise port in St. Ann on Tuesday (November 11), making a resumption of operations since the facility suffered storm-surge damage in February 2024. The vessel, with nearly 3,000 passengers and crew, brought relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Melissa. Members of the crew joined clean-up efforts in nearby communities. Residents, business...

Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas called at the Falmouth Pier on Tuesday (November 4), offloading more than 120 pallets of essential supplies for communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa. The shipment, intended for displaced citizens, includes bedding, food, bottled water, medical supplies, canned goods, grains, generators, toiletries, juices, and other items. The vessel’s call was a relief operation only,...

Carnival Horizon, one of the flagship vessels of cruise company Carnival Corporation, docked at Reynolds Pier in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on November 4 to deliver thousands of hurricane-relief supplies in support of Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa. The consignment – comprising bottled water, infant formula, baby food, diapers, hygiene products, and staple cereals – was coordinated for delivery to...

Several of the world’s leading cruise companies have announced financial pledges totalling more than US$3 million in support of Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa relief efforts. Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, and Disney Cruise Line have each committed US$1 million in financial assistance. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has pledged up to US$100,000, with additional matched contributions from employees and passengers. Senior...