Carnival Sunrise sailed into Ocho Rios, Jamaica on Wednesday carrying passengers on a five-night western Caribbean cruise from Port Miami, becoming the latest cruise ship to resume operations at the hurricane-affected destination.
The arrival comes just days after Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam became the first passenger ship to return to Jamaica following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean island earlier this month.
Cruise Ships Accelerate Recovery
Carnival Cruise Line has coordinated multiple forms of assistance to Jamaica beyond passenger service resumption.
Last week, Carnival Horizon delivered relief supplies to Ocho Rios before any passenger ships returned to port.
Carnival Corporation went further, partnering with the Miami HEAT and the Micky & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation to donate $1 million to Direct Relief, an organization providing hurricane recovery assistance and medical supplies to affected communities.
Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, and MSC Cruises also stepped in.
Cruise Passengers Return
The return of cruise passengers to Jamaica represents a major revenue source for its three ports and local businesses recovering from hurricane damage.
Carnival Sunrise’s arrival follows Holland America’s Zuiderdam, showing that cruise lines are confident enough in Jamaica’s recovery to restart port calls to the island.
Holland America delivered nearly 5,000 boxes of supplies before offloading over 1,900 passengers at Ocho Rios, with crew volunteers participating in beach cleanup efforts in the Seville area.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival had made supply-only stops in Jamaica earlier in the month before any passenger operations resumed.
Cruise ships call to three major ports in Jamaica, including Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Falmouth.
