After a six year hiatus, Norwegian Cruise Line will return to Ocho Rios, Jamaica next month. The Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Sun will be calling to the port as part of their Western Caribbean itineraries. The first call of the year will be October 19, 2011 with Miami-based Norwegian Pearl.  

According to local paper Jamaica Gleaner, Norwegian Cruise Line has 34-scheduled calls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in the 2011/12 cruise season. Each port call is scheduled to bring 2,000-passengers to the port or 68,000-passengers for the season.

Royal Caribbean, who previously called on Ocho Rios, has moved their ships to the newly developed port of Falmouth, where the cruise line has financial interest. Carnival Cruise Lines continues to operate at the port year-round as well as cruise lines seasonal to the Caribbean.

Safety and guest satisfaction surveys are catalysts for what ports cruise lines will visit. It is unknown if Norwegian Cruise Line will continue to call Ocho Rios, Jamaica after the 2011/12 cruise season.

Photo credit: Flickr/envizion