Jamaica Cruise Calls Rerouted, Check Port Timelines

Published on Nov 8, 2025, 1:33 pm CSTUpdated on Nov 8, 2025, 1:35 pm CST

4 min read

Key points

Several lines are rerouting Jamaica calls in November while cleanup and inspections continue
Royal Caribbean is substituting alternate ports such as Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic on select sailings
Carnival is piloting an early return at Ocho Rios before Montego Bay and Falmouth are fully ready
Jamaica is targeting mid December for a broader tourism restart, so week by week cruise status remains fluid
Travelers should verify revised port calls, excursion refunds, and any line specific rebooking options before final payment

Impact

Verify Your Week: Check your ship and sail date against the line's travel update page, then confirm the active port list
Confirm Refund Paths: If a call changes, confirm excursion auto refunds or credits and ask about price protection
Look For Substitutes: Expect Dominican Republic, Cayman, Cozumel, or Honduras to appear as temporary alternates
Protect Flexibility: Consider itineraries with multiple Western Caribbean options until mid December targets are met
Watch Air And Hotel: If you built pre or post stays around Jamaica, revisit cancellation windows and change fees

Cruise calls to Jamaica remain in flux after Hurricane Melissa. As cleanup, safety checks, and utility restoration continue across key ports, several lines are still adjusting itineraries away from Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth. Royal Caribbean has begun swapping some Jamaica calls for alternate ports, while Carnival is piloting a limited return at Ocho Rios ahead of wider resumptions. Jamaica's government is targeting a broader tourism restart by mid December, but line by line cruise schedules will shift week by week until port timelines firm up. Booked guests should verify revised port calls, refund mechanics for canceled excursions, and any rebooking options before final payment.

Jamaica's near term outlook

Authorities and industry partners are aligning on a phased tourism restart with a public target around December 15. Hotel reopenings are already sequencing by resort area, and cruise partners have pledged millions for recovery. That timeline guides cruise planning, but day to day operations still depend on each port's inspections, shore power, and tour capacity. Expect the most stable early calls at Ocho Rios, with Montego Bay and Falmouth following as facilities and tour networks clear safety gates.

What lines are changing now

Royal Caribbean has confirmed substitutions on select Western Caribbean sailings, for example swapping Falmouth for Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic on late November dates. The line's travel update hub remains the authoritative source for ship specific changes and compensation policies. Expect additional swaps into Cozumel, Roatan, or the Dominican Republic as operating windows solidify.

Carnival is signaling a careful return via Ocho Rios on specific voyages, while keeping Montego Bay off the near term slate. Communications to guests show port by port decisions, with Montego Bay not yet ready even as one Jamaica call proceeds at an alternate pier or sequence. This pattern supports a gradual ramp rather than an all at once reopening.

Industry wide, reroutes are a direct response to post storm damage and service restoration. Scheduling teams are balancing berth availability, tug and pilot capacity, and the resilience of popular shore excursions. Lines continue to highlight safety and reliability first, with donated relief shipments riding along when feasible.

Week by week tracker, how to read it

For the next four weeks, treat Jamaica calls as provisional until your line or travel advisor confirms the final port list in writing. Check the line's travel update page, then cross reference your ship's itinerary for the exact week you sail. If Jamaica is replaced, look for regional alternates such as the Dominican Republic, Cayman, Cozumel, or Honduras. Shore tour refunds usually process automatically when a port is canceled, but timing and form of credit can vary by line, so ask for documented timelines and whether price protected fare adjustments apply on shorter port days. If you prefer to keep Jamaica in the plan, consider moving to a later departure that aligns with the mid December target.

Background

Hurricane Melissa made a rare Category 5 landfall in Jamaica on October 28, bringing destructive winds, storm surge, and flooding that disrupted transport, utilities, and tourism infrastructure. As with prior Caribbean recoveries, cruise resumption hinges on safe port operations and the viability of shore experiences, not just pier repairs. That is why lines are using nearby ports to keep sailings intact while Jamaica works through inspections and phased reopenings.

Final thoughts

If Jamaica is a must for your trip, aim for late December or later, and build refundable air and hotel components around that window. If sailing sooner, embrace flexibility, monitor your line's updates, and compare itineraries that include several Western Caribbean alternates. Jamaica cruise calls are returning, but the current month will be a rolling transition.