After weeks of disruption and damage from Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican cruise port at Falmouth reopened for visitors on 2 December 2025. The first major cruise ship to call after the storm was Caribbean Princess, operated by Princess Cruises. For mariners, cruise-line staff and passangers the reopening of Falmouth signals a return of activity to this north-coast port and a boost for Jamaica’s tourism recovery.
Jamaica after catastrophic Hurricane Melissa: what happened and how Falmouth got back online
At least 50 people died across the Caribbean, and Jamaica suffered extensive destruction to infrastructure, tourism facilities and critical services.
Falmouth, located on Jamaica’s north coast, suffered significant structural damage. The municipal building, courthouse, hospital and roads were all damaged or destroyed, according to Jamaican officials. In the weeks after the storm, the cruise industry pulled away: major lines diverted calls, and Falmouth remained closed while repairs progressed.
Meanwhile the government set an objective to resume full tourism and cruise operations by mid-December 2025. On 2 December 2025 the Port Authority of Jamaica confirmed that Falmouth reopened for cruise traffic. Caribbean Princess arrived from Fort Lauderdale on a 12-night Caribbean itinerary and became the first vessel to visit since the hurricane.
According to CruiseMapper, Falmouth now appears again in the schedules of other major brands including Royal Caribbean International, joining Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in resuming calls. This reopening matters because Falmouth is the last of the three main Jamaican cruise ports to resume; its return completes the island’s cruise-call triangle.
Planning schedule: upcoming cruise calls at Falmouth
Here is a provisional look at vessels scheduled to call at Falmouth in December and early January 2026. These calls reflect the renewed confidence of cruise lines and the port’s readiness.
| Date | Vessel | Brand | Itinerary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Dec 2025 | Caribbean Princess | Princess Cruises | Fort Lauderdale → Jamaica → Caribbean destinations |
| 6 Dec 2025 | Harmony of the Seas | Royal Caribbean International | Eastern Caribbean loop |
| 10 Dec 2025 | AIDAcosma | AIDA Cruises | Panama Canal repositioning call |
| 14 Dec 2025 | MSC Seashore | MSC Cruises | Western Caribbean round-trip |
| 18 Jan 2026 | Norwegian Encore | Norwegian Cruise Line | Four-night weekend sail |
(The above schedule is indicative based on publicly-available sources; lines may adjust calls depending on operations and recovery status.)
Implications for marine professionals, port crews and visitors
With Falmouth back online, marine professionals and port-service providers have important tasks ahead. For officers and crew on cruise ships, this means:
- A close watch on port notices and arrival procedures as recovery works continue in the surrounding infrastructure. Some guest-access areas may still operate under limited capacity.
- Coordination with local tugs, pilotage and berth facilities which may still be working with interim systems. Falmouth’s returning infrastructure now moves from “repair mode” to “operate mode.”
- Attention to safety and environmental risks: Hurricane Melissa weakened structures, roads and utilities, increasing risks of debris in water or weakened mooring lines. Crew members should practice extra diligence during mooring and tender operations.
- Recognition that local businesses depend heavily on cruise-passenger spend. Local tourism professionals, tour operators and port-related services are all ramping up again. Cruise-industry support roles (hospitality, exports, provisioning) may see accelerated hiring and activity as calls increase.
For the island as a whole, reopening Falmouth marks a recovery milestone. Cruise tourism contributed over US$197 million annually to Jamaica’s economy before the storm. The return of calls will help restart supply chains, hotel bookings and regional transport linkages.
Challenges remain despite reopening
Reopening does not mean “back to normal.” Jamaican officials emphasize that the island still works to restore full tourist capacity. In Western parishes, roads remain damaged, power and water systems still recover and many hotels remain closed or partially operational.
For Falmouth port specifically, crews may encounter ongoing works: pier repairs, quay resurfacing, utility restoration and equipment replacements. Lines may still adjust calls depending on hurricane-response costs, fuel supply and local arrangements. Therefore, flexibility remains key for ship operators and crew.
