Two cruise ships scheduled to dock in Ocho Rios this week

Two cruise ships are scheduled to dock this week at the Ocho Rios Port in St. Ann.  It’s reported that the MSC Meraviglia will return today for the first of  five calls up to November. 

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett says although the vessel has a carrying capacity of  7,000 passengers and crew, it will dock with 2 thousand 833 persons due to COVID-19 protocols.
 
The MSC Meraviglia was the last cruise ship to dock in Jamaica in early 2020 at the onset of  the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second vessel, the Carnival Sunrise, will dock tomorrow on its return trip. 

The Carnival Sunrise was the first vessel to visit Jamaica following the reopening of  the cruise sector on August 16.

It is scheduled to make eleven calls up to December.  

Bartlett says the cruise ships have to meet strict covid-19 measures.

It;s reported that 95 percent of  passengers and crew must be fully vaccinated and all passengers will have to provide evidence of  negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of  sailing. 

In the case of  unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated.

Additionally, all passengers will be screened and tested on embarkation.

Based on schedules to date, the Tourism Minister says Jamaica is expecting 20 cruise ship calls before year-end.