After the dock at Ocho Rios was damaged last month, MSC Cruises has begun informing passengers that MSC Seascape and MSC Divina will skip their scheduled port visits while repairs are underway. They will instead visit other Jamaican ports.
Last month, strong winds and waves pushed Carnival Magic onto the dock of Ocho Rios. While no one was injured, the pier fender collapsed under the ship’s weight. On-site teams reported that the damage was extensive, requiring weeks to fix.
| The damaged facility has affected voyages onboard the MSC Seascape and MSC Divina. MSC’s letter reads, “Due to extensive pier damage caused by a recent incident involving another cruise ship at the port in Ocho Rios, Jamaica’s Port Authority has advised us that Berth 2 will remain closed for repairs until at least May.” |
MSC Seascape and MSC Divina will be rerouted to Falmouth or Montego Bay instead.
Which MSC voyages are affected?
So far, MSC Cruises has only announced changes to 7-night itineraries with scheduled stops at Ocho Rios. Passengers on 14-night voyages will receive an update when they reach the Western Caribbean.
According to the company, only one sailing onboard MSC Divina is affected—the March 31, 2024 itinerary, which will stop at Montego Bay. Meanwhile, 7-night MSC Seascape voyages from March 23 to May 19, 2024, will call on Montego Bay or Falmouth.
Read more: Docked Carnival Ship Strikes Cruise Pier in Jamaica
What should you expect from Falmouth and Montego Bay?
Falmouth is about 41 miles from Ocho Rios by land while Montego Bay is 64 miles away. Like Ocho Rios, their cruise ports offer access to many of Jamaica’s recreational activities and attractions. Cruisers can engage in river tubing, ziplining, rafting, caving, and other adventures.
Beautiful beaches are nearby, such as Red Stripe Beach, Burwood Beach, and Doctor’s Cave Beach. You can still visit Dunn’s River Falls, although it’s more distant than Ocho Rios. These areas also have restaurants, bars, shops, and shore excursions.
Got a port stop at Ocho Rios?
If you have an upcoming cruise that includes a stop at Ocho Rios, be alert for any announcements from the cruise line. While the Ocho Rios Cruise Port is being repaired, cruise operators may introduce changes as MSC Cruises has.
Aside from visiting a different Jamaican port, they may also replace Ocho Rios by calling on the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, or offering an extra day at sea.
Other cruise lines, such as NCL and Carnival, have also changed itineraries.
