It had been months since any ships of RCI-Royal Caribbean or other major cruise lines called at Falmouth, Jamaica, but with the port now reopened, cruise traffic is once again arriving. In late October, Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope as a Category 5 storm — among the most intense in Atlantic history — inflicting catastrophic damage across Jamaica.
The storm caused widespread destruction: inundated coastlines, damaged hotels and infrastructure, and extensive disruption to tourism and local livelihoods.
In the weeks following the storm, cruise lines had rerouted ships or used some vessels solely for humanitarian efforts, delivering essential supplies such as water, food and bedding to affected communities.
As recovery progressed, the aim was to resume normal tourism operations by mid-December.
On December 2nd, 2025, a vessel from Princess Cruises — the Caribbean Princess — became the first cruise ship since the hurricane to call at Falmouth, signaling the port’s formal reopening for passenger calls.
The port authority indicated that this return of cruise traffic would help revive local commerce, providing economic opportunities for merchants, transport operators and service providers in the community.
Several other cruise ships — including those operated by Royal Caribbean — are scheduled to call at Falmouth in the coming weeks, alongside vessels from other major cruise brands expected during the upcoming holiday season.
Thus Falmouth, the last major Jamaican cruise port to reopen after Hurricane Melissa, has now returned to the map of Atlantic cruise itineraries — a clear sign that both port and island are working to restore tourism and rebuild the livelihoods disrupted by the storm.