Jamaica to welcome cruise ships to Ocho Rios this week

The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) has restored electricity to parts of Ocho Rios just days before cruise ships are scheduled to dock on Tuesday and Wednesday, marking the first major tourism activity since Hurricane Melissa, a record-breaking Category 5 storm, devastated the island on October 28. The hurricane left at least 32 people dead and caused billions of dollars in damage across Jamaica’s main tourism belt.

As of early Sunday, only one of Ocho Rios’ four major traffic light intersections was operational, and several tourism entities remained without power. Some schools were also preparing to reopen on Monday. Meanwhile, hotels across the town are assessing and repairing extensive damage ahead of the winter tourist season, which begins in December.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness last week underscored the economic impact of the hurricane, estimating losses between US$6 billion (J$962 billion) and US$7 billion (J$1.1 trillion), or roughly 28–32 percent of last fiscal year’s GDP. “Reviving production, reopening tourism, and restarting commerce are essential to restore incomes, rebuild confidence and mitigate the wider economic shock,” Holness told the House of Representatives.

According to JPS, 62 percent of its nearly 700,000 customers now have power. Meanwhile, 53 percent of National Water Commission critical sites and 66 percent of major health facilities have been restored.

Several Ocho Rios hotels are already welcoming guests or have announced reopening dates:

• Goldeneye – Open

• Jamaica Inn – Open

• RIU Ocho Rios – Reopened November 9, 2025

• Couples Sans Souci – Reopening December 1, 2025, bookings now available

• Couples Tower Isle – Reopening December 1, 2025, bookings now available

• Sandals Dunn’s River – Reopening December 6, 2025, bookings now available

• Sandals Ochi – Reopening December 6, 2025, bookings now available

• Sandals Royal Plantation – Reopening December 6, 2025, bookings now available

Tourism officials are urging visitors and cruise passengers to check hotel availability in advance, as restoration and repair work continues. Many properties are gradually resuming full operations, signaling a cautious but optimistic restart for Jamaica’s tourism-dependent economy.

Hurricane Melissa left a path of destruction across the island, disrupting electricity, water supply, roads, and other critical services. The recovery effort in Ocho Rios is accelerating, with residents, government agencies, and private operators working together to restore normalcy ahead of the peak winter season.

For a complete list of hotel reopenings and booking information, visit VisitJamaica.com.