Durrant Pate/Contributor

Royal Caribbean is confirming itinerary changes to remove Jamaica from several ships scheduled to make stops this month, in a severe blow to tourism on the hurricane-battered island.

The cruise line has begun notifying guests booked on sailings that include stops in Jamaica that their itineraries have changed. This is not unexpected, as port facilities in Jamaica remain damaged from the passage of Hurricane Melissa last Tuesday, and it may be several weeks before cruise calls can resume. Where possible, the cruise line is arranging substitute port visits for the impacted ships. For example, on Symphony of the Seas‘ November 16 departure from Miami, the seven-night sailing is unable to call at Falmouth, Jamaica. 

Instead, the ship will be visiting Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic on day five (November 20). That is the same day Symphony of the Seas was to have been in Jamaica.

“We’re excited to bring you this refreshed experience and appreciate your understanding, as itinerary planning is an ongoing process that requires cruises to have a certain level of flexibility,” a notification email to passengers stated, explaining “sometimes, these changes are the result of a weather impact or issue avoidance, speed restrictions, berth or scheduling conflicts, and agreements we have with the ports we visit.”

Itinerary changes

A similar change has been made to Oasis of the Seas‘ November 23 departure from Fort Lauderdale. The six-night itinerary was also supposed to visit Falmouth, but will now be going to Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic instead.

Continuing, the notification says, “While these itinerary changes are occasionally necessary, please know they’re made thoughtfully, with your experience and enjoyment in mind….We know it’s not the original itinerary we planned; however, we’re excited to explore this destination together!”

It is likely that many upcoming sailings to Jamaica will have similar adjustments. This could include voyages not only aboard Symphony and Oasis, but also on Rhapsody, Independence, Adventure, and Freedom of the Seas in November and early December. In the meantime, Royal Caribbean is not the only cruise line diverting sailings away from Jamaica.

Disney Cruise Line has already cancelled Disney Treasure‘s visit to Falmouth on November 5, and undoubtedly, additional sailings will also be impacted.

Delivery of relief supplies 

While guests will not be able to visit Jamaica for the next few weeks, not all cruise calls are completely cancelled. Some ships are using planned port calls to the island as an opportunity to deliver relief supplies. Carnival Horizon dropped off pallets of bottled water, baby food, diapers, canned goods, and hygiene supplies to Ocho Rios on Tuesday (November 4), exactly one week after the storm tore across the island.

Similarly, Rhapsody of the Seas delivered more than 120 pallets of supplies to Falmouth, also on November 4.

These relief stops are not actually port visits, as guests are not permitted to debark the ship. Instead, each vessel stops just long enough to safely unload materials that are being donated to help the island recover, then they resume sailing for a day at sea. 

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has already declared that Jamaica will be ready for full tourism operations to resume on or before December 15, the start of the winter tourist season.