Jamaica Cruise Calls Rerouting, Limited Returns Begin

Published on Nov 9, 2025, 10:14 am CSTUpdated on Nov 9, 2025, 10:22 am CST

4 min read

Key points

Royal Caribbean is swapping some Falmouth calls to Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic through late November
Carnival is piloting early, limited returns to Ocho Rios as port operations gradually resume
The U.S. raised Jamaica to Level 3, so booked guests should confirm revised calls, refund mechanics, and rebooking choices

Impact

Verify Your Itinerary: Confirm your ship's updated port list and arrival windows directly with the line before you lock in excursions
Know Your Refund Path: Read the line's compensation policy for canceled or substituted ports, then choose refund, credit, or alternative tour
Expect Substitutions: Watch for swaps into Cabo Rojo, Cozumel, or Roatan while Jamaican ports complete inspections
Allow Schedule Buffers: If you are combining a cruise with air or tours, add extra time on embark, disembark, and excursion days
Monitor Advisory Changes: The Level 3 advisory remains in effect, review conditions and services by region before travel

Cleanup and inspections are still underway at Jamaican cruise ports after Hurricane Melissa, and most lines continue to reroute calls while testing early, limited returns at Ocho Rios. Royal Caribbean has substituted some Falmouth calls with Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic, and other Western Caribbean itineraries are shifting to nearby alternatives. If you are booked through mid December, verify your port list, refund options, and rebooking choices before final payment. The U.S. travel advisory for Jamaica is now Level 3, which may affect individual plans and insurance terms.

Jamaica port status, what is changing now

The Port Authority of Jamaica says assessments and phased restarts are in progress, with port operations beginning to resume in limited fashion where conditions allow. That dovetails with lines piloting controlled returns at Ocho Rios, starting with a narrow set of ship calls and capacities while shore infrastructure is checked and vendors stabilize.

Royal Caribbean has communicated swaps away from Falmouth on select November departures, with Cabo Rojo used as a like-for-like Western Caribbean day stop. This is a practical move while pier, transportation, and tour networks in Jamaica are restored. Expect additional substitutions to Cozumel or Roatan on some sailings.

Carnival is among the first to test limited returns to Ocho Rios. Its published schedules and trade updates flag near-term calls that align with gradual port resumptions, a sign that Ocho Rios may reopen ahead of Falmouth and Montego Bay for regular passenger visits. Treat these as operational pilots that can still change with short notice.

Latest developments

Officials and industry partners describe a staged restart aiming to broaden through December, subject to inspection outcomes. Cruise trade updates and local briefings point to a target of wider cruise operations by mid month, with relief and repair work continuing in parallel. Lines will keep issuing ship-specific notices if any call needs to be canceled, advanced, or moved.

The U.S. Department of State raised Jamaica to Level 3 after the hurricane. Travelers should check the country information page for service availability by region, then confirm ship calls and excursions that rely on local transport or attractions. Embassy messaging also advises enrolling in STEP and planning extra time around essential movements while recovery efforts continue.

Analysis

For the next few weeks, plan for substitutions rather than outright cancelations wherever feasible. Cabo Rojo offers pier-side access and beach-forward excursions that can replace Jamaica day plans with minimal sailing drift, which is why several Western Caribbean itineraries are leaning on it for schedule integrity. Cozumel and Roatan perform similar roles when weather and distance favor Mexico or Honduras instead.

If your sailing still lists a Jamaican call, treat published excursion catalogs as provisional. Book only those tours the line marks as confirmed for your exact date, since vendor capacity, road access, and safety checks are evolving. For canceled Jamaica calls, most lines will auto-refund ship-run tours to the original form of payment. If a port is swapped, expect a credit or a rebooking flow into alternatives at the substitute port, which can be a good way to preserve your day value without chasing refunds. Check your line's itinerary change policy to understand when cash refunds apply versus future cruise credits.

Background

Port reopenings typically follow a simple order, safety and access first, then commercial throughput. After a major storm, authorities clear channels, survey piers, verify passenger gangways and terminal systems, and coordinate with police, public works, and tour operators before approving regular calls. That is why Ocho Rios can return before other north coast gateways, if its pier and transport links pass inspection sooner than Falmouth or Montego Bay.

Final thoughts

Jamaica cruise calls are still rerouting, with the first limited returns at Ocho Rios pointing to a gradual restart. Use your line's notices, then verify port timelines and refund mechanics before final payment through mid December, especially if your original call was Falmouth.