Carnival Horizon passengers received an unusual itinerary update this week: their scheduled visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, was canceled, but the ship would still make a brief stop to deliver much-needed supplies to the hurricane-ravaged island.
Why Jamaica ports remain closed
Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica on October 29 as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, left the island’s cruise infrastructure severely damaged and unready for operations.
The storm killed at least 12 people in Jamaica, left over 70% of the country without power, and closed 82 roads.
According to a letter from Captain Rocco Lubrano dated November 2, Carnival has been in close contact with Jamaican officials about the planned Tuesday visit.
“As hard as everyone tried, local infrastructure and shore excursion partners will not be ready for us,” the captain wrote to guests aboard Carnival Horizon.
What passengers are getting
Carnival is issuing full refunds for purchased shore excursions, plus reimbursing taxes and fees for Ocho Rios. The rest of the itinerary will continue as planned.
However, the ship will make a brief supply stop in Ocho Rios on Tuesday, though guests will not be able to disembark due to the short time available.
Carnival’s $1 million relief effort
The supply delivery is part of a broader relief initiative. Carnival Corporation partnered with the Miami HEAT and the Arison Family Foundation to donate $1 million to Direct Relief to support Jamaica’s recovery.
The donation is funding field medic packs, antibiotics, medical supplies, and support for front-line responders.
“Our connection to Jamaica runs deep, and we need to support its communities now more than ever,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
Captain Lubrano encouraged passengers to contribute to the relief effort through an onboard Groove for St. Jude event on the last sea day, with Carnival matching donations made during the cruise.
Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings are also donating dollars to hurricane relief.
Industry-wide impact
Jamaica’s three main cruise ports—Falmouth, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios—remain closed to cruise ships as infrastructure repairs continue.
Multiple cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Disney, have rerouted ships away from Jamaica.
The Jamaican government expects cruise operations to resume by mid-December 2025.
Jamaica’s cruise industry generates more than $197 million annually, making its recovery critical to the country’s economic comeback.
Carnival Horizon is on a six-night Western Caribbean cruise from Miami.
At the time of publication, a Royal Caribbean ship was also off the coast of Jamaica.
