Jamaica Could Host Some of the Largest Cruise Ships Next Year

Jamaica could host some of the biggest cruise ships next year, courtesy of Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

The strong possibility has local officials swooning, knowing fully well that such a reality would put Jamaica right there at the top as a first-choice destination, and with the prestige that comes with the endorsement from the two biggest cruise companies in the world.

As a matter of fact, Carnival assured a visiting Jamaican delegation (nearly a month ago in Miami, Florida), which included Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, that it will be committing 200,000 cruise passengers, representing 110 calls between October 2021 and April 2022.

“The commitment is subject to continued close collaboration between Jamaican authorities and Carnival on logistics and public health considerations,” the Minister tells JIS News.

“Carnival has been one of our longstanding partners and a great friend of Jamaica. As you can see, they were the first cruise line to send a ship once cruises were back on the high seas and they, based on this kind of assurance, have seen enough to see that our COVID-19 response has not only been commendable but has been of international standard and worthy of them sending their passengers to our ports,” he adds.

Not to be outdone, the senior leadership team of Royal Caribbean, only a step behind Carnival as the biggest cruise company in the world, has informed Minister Bartlett that they will resume limited operations in Jamaica in November and with the expectation [assuming all being well with Jamaica’s vaccination exercise and the proper establishment of health and safety guidelines] to go full blast by 2022.

The senior Royal Caribbean executives add that once several logistical matters – some of which are outside Jamaica’s remit – are effectively resolved they will be able to significantly boost cruises to Jamaica, bringing in “tens of thousands of fully vaccinated cruise visitors”.

They also reiterate their very strong desire to “employ thousands of Jamaicans across a wide range of job functions” and are awaiting the government’s regulatory amendments “to make it a reality”.

Mr. Bartlett expresses delight that the cruise line will resume calls to Jamaica after a year and a half.

“Royal Caribbean will recommence sailings to Jamaica after the over a year and a half hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a few pressing matters to resolve forthwith, so that they can boost cruises to Jamaica and in return boost the economic and social livelihoods of thousands of Jamaicans who depend directly and indirectly on the cruise industry,” he says.

“Beyond that, the Government will move speedily in facilitating the cruise line’s efforts to employ thousands of Jamaicans, for what are truly exciting job opportunities that will have a positive impact for many. Our people are in demand and the cruise lines are fully cognisant of this,” the Minister adds.

The return of Royal Caribbean, notably in 2022 and with its Oasis Class vessels, would also mean that Jamaica could be receiving four of the biggest cruise ships ever to be built: Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and the biggest, Symphony of the Seas.

There is also the possibility that the fifth fleet…the one that would take over as the biggest ship in the world (Wonder of the Seas) and which will be ready to make its maiden voyage in 2022, could find its way into Jamaican territory later in that year.

“To say we are in an enviable position would be putting it mildly,” explains Chief Strategist/Senior Adviser in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, who was a part of Jamaica’s team to Miami.

“With the combination of Carnival and Royal Caribbean our cruise sector looks very promising and is poised for a huge comeback in 2022… with all being well of course. And in the case of Royal Caribbean with its Oasis Class ships, we could be seeing some of the biggest ships in the world sailing into the Falmouth, Trelawny port. Carnival also has some big new ships that could be making their way into Montego Bay and Ocho Rios,” he notes.

The cruise industry was among the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, shutting the industry down for over a year. However, with the most robust health and safety protocols in the global travel industry, including fully vaccinated passengers and crews, the industry has slowly resumed operations to multiple destinations, including Jamaica.