Jamaica: Carnival Sunrise anchored in Ocho Rios after 17 months

Carnival Sunrise is anchored in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This stop marks Carnival’s return to the Caribbean nation after 17 months. The arrival of this cruise in Jamaica shows that the reopening of cruising in Jamaica. It is the first cruise ship since the industry was paused in March 2020

The leadership of Carnival Sunrise’s joined the local officials for a ceremonial plaque exchange to celebrate their return to Jamaica. Caribbean Cruise that departed Port Miami on August 14 stopped at Ocho Rios that is the main featured port on the five days cruise travel.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said, “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. 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.”

Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlet said, “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.”

The Ministry of Health & Wellness along with the Port Authority of Jamaica have been working together to work jointly on the protocols and measures that would make the safe resumption of cruise operations to the island possible. Prime Minister Andrew Holness stated.

PM Holness said that they were expecting to had cruise shipping return to Jamaica very soon with strict protocols that might enable persons who had their livelihoods interrupted by the pandemic to have some hope and, at the same time, with the changes of the protocols, ensure that no life would be lost because of complacency and carelessness.

According to some reports, the tourism sector has been badly impacted due to the closure since March 2020. Due to this, many stakeholders and individuals who were earning their livelihoods from cruise shipping were also affected.