Jamaica's Joy Roberts on Beryl recovery, cruise challenges and opportunities

Beryl, the earliest forming Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record, brushed along Jamaica's south coast as a Category 4 storm.

Earlier, it devastated Grenada's northern islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique and several of St. Vincent and the Grenadines' southern islands, including Union Island (an anchorage for smaller cruise ships) before reaching Jamaica and the Cayman Islands then landing at Tulum on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Moving into the Gulf of Mexico, Beryl reorganized, causing severe flooding and 36 reported deaths in the Houston region. The Port of Galveston was closed for two days.

Little cruise disruption

In Jamaica, most damage occurred along the south coast, far from the major cruise ports. There was little disruption to the cruise business.

The north coast reopened the following day, with Montego Bay Airport running and electricity quickly restored apart from pockets of the country. Most attractions are up.

'We're really grateful. We did really well,' Roberts said.

Two ships canceled the week of the storm. The week after, no calls were scheduled.

On July 16, a big celebration welcomed the first back, MSC Seascape, at the Port of Falmouth. The following day, ships called at Ocho Rios and Falmouth.

MSC Cruises passengers at the Port of Falmouth on July 16

Seatrade Cruise Med

Roberts said Jamaica looks forward to exhibiting at Seatrade Cruise Med in Málaga in September as part of the Caribbean Village. This will provide an opportunity to talk with the European lines.

AIDA Cruises is a regular caller. Marella Cruises had sailed from Port Royal but is now operating a different Caribbean itinerary.

'We recognize the challenge of North American ships coming around to the south coast,' Roberts said.

Challenges

Other challenges to the itinerary include nearby Grand Cayman remaining a tender port and the continued suspension of calls at Labadee.

The Ocho Rios cruise pier, closed since February when Carnival Magic struck the pier after a fender failed under pressure from high winds and swells, is expected to be repaired in time for the winter 2025/26 cruise season.

According to Roberts, Jamaica hasn't lost calls overall as a result, with ships going to the Reynolds Pier or other ports.

Significant Ocho Rios infrastructure plans

There are plans, still being finalized, for significant infrastructure work in Ocho Rios.

'We'd love to see more business there,' Roberts said, since cruise calls support Jamaica's small and medium size tourism enterprises.

Jamaica's cruise ports each offer a differentiated experience, according to JamVac's Joy Roberts

Training and marketing

Jamaica Vacations, through its Jamaica Cruising initiative, continues to educate and train travel advisors and will renew its marketing focus on the differentiated offerings of the various ports.

'A ship can come to Montego Bay one day, then Ocho Rios the next and have two different experiences,' Roberts said.

Beyond the marquee appeal of Dunn's River Falls, 'We have enough attractions in Jamaica but we find that when we talk with the travel agents they didn't realize that.'