Ocho Rios today welcomed the first of 25 eagerly-anticipated cruise ship calls scheduled for Jamaica between August and October. Carnival Cruise Line is the first back after a more than 16-month hiatus because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. There will also be calls by Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises in the coming months.
The resumption of cruise shipping is welcome news for craft traders and other small players in the tourism sector who rely on passengers’ patronage to earn a living.
“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,” said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.
Ocho Rios is among the featured ports on the Carnival Sunrise’s five-day Caribbean cruise that 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.”
