Jamaica’s cruise industry is on the upswing, according to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. 

Just this week, Carnival Cruise Line joined Aida, MSC Cruises and Holland America as brands to have stopped in at least two Jamaica ports since the resumption of cruise tourism to the island. 

That included a stop this week by Carnival Glory, the first cruise ship to visit Montego Bay since the onset of the pandemic. 

“Jamaica’s tourism sector has now crossed a major threshold on its recovery drive,” Bartlett said. “I am delighted to welcome cruise back to the tourism capital of Jamaica.”

Since August 2021, Jamaica has welcomed back 16,237 cruise ship passengers across a total of 10 different cruise calls, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board. 

“The opening of another cruise port is welcome news for tourism and by extension our local economy,” said Chairman of the Island’s Resilient Corridors Committee, John Byles.

— CJ