Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam arrived at Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on November 11, 2025, becoming the first cruise ship carrying passengers to return to the island following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the Caribbean island.
Nearly 5,000 Boxes of Relief Supplies Delivered
The ship offloaded nearly 5,000 boxes of relief supplies, including food, water, bedding, clothing, and mattresses. Before disembarking more than 1,900 guests at Turtle Bay Pier, Zuiderdam stopped at Reynolds Pier to deliver aid directly to Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.
The delivery included pantry-safe food items, baking ingredients, water, toiletries, cleaning supplies, bedding, and clothing. The ship also delivered a large supply of canned meat donated by Holland America partner AlphaOne USA.
Crew Volunteers Support Beach Cleanup
Thirty volunteers from Holland America Line’s shipboard and shoreside teams partnered with Chukka Caribbean Adventures and its nonprofit Chukka Foundation for a beach cleanup in Seville, near Ocho Rios.
Later this week, guests and crew will participate in an On Deck for a Cause 5K walk aboard the ship, raising money for Direct Relief’s Hurricane Melissa relief fund.
First Passenger Ship After Supply-Only Visits
While Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships stopped in Jamaica last week to drop off supplies following the hurricane, Zuiderdam marks the first cruise ship to return with passengers.
The arrival shows Jamaica’s readiness to welcome cruise passengers again as the island continues its recovery efforts from the powerful Category 5 storm.
