Jamaica is officially back to cruising business. The island nation has welcomed its first cruise ship visit since the industry shutdown in March 2020.
Carnival Cruise Line’s ship Carnival Sunrise had the honor of being the first cruise ship back in 17 months as she arrived in Ocho Rios on Monday.
The vessel’s leadership team joined local officials for a ceremonial plaque exchange to commemorate their return.
Alongside Ocho Rios, Carnival Sunrise‘s current five-night itinerary includes a stop at Bimini in the Bahamas. The vessel departed PortMiami on August 14.
“We are delighted to be the first cruise ship to return to Jamaica and to offer guests an opportunity to experience all of the country’s beauty,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “On behalf of Carnival, I would like to personally thank the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and our partners for working with us to bring safe cruising back to Jamaica.”
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett added, “I am very pleased to announce that Jamaica has finally seen the return of cruise today with the arrival of Carnival Sunrise. We welcome this resumption as we know that thousands of Jamaicans depend on the cruise shipping industry, and it will have a positive impact on our economy overall.”
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Carnival Sunrise was originally called Carnival Triumph, and received the new name when she was completely overhauled in 2019.
Highlights of the ship include the adults-only Serenity Retreat sundeck; the SportSquare deck featuring a ropes course, mini golf, and sports courts; the RedFrog Pub; the pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar; Italian specialty restaurant Cucina Del Capitano; and complimentary poolside dining venues Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina.
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