After months of uncertainty and weeks of recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, the port of Ocho Rios came back to life today as two cruise ships, Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam and MSC Divina arrived, marking a major milestone for Jamaica’s tourism industry.

The arrival of these vessels comes as a welcome relief for local businesses and communities in St. Ann and St. Mary, which have endured nearly two years of hardship since the cruise pier sustained massive damage in February 2024. The port had remained closed for 20 months, leaving hundreds of tour operators, craft vendors, and hospitality workers without steady income.

Residents and business owners lined the harbor early this morning, cheering as the two ships made their approach — a powerful symbol of resilience and renewal for the town once considered Jamaica’s tourism crown jewel. “Ocho Rios will rise again,” one local vendor said as passengers began to disembark for island excursions.

The Port Authority of Jamaica has announced that an official reopening ceremony for the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier will take place tomorrow, celebrating not only the repairs and restoration of port facilities but also the perseverance of the community through months of economic strain and storm recovery.

Photo Credit: Matthew Samuda