Royal Caribbean Donates $1 Million to Help Jamaica Rebuild After Hurricane Melissa
Royal Caribbean Group has announced a $1 million relief pledge to support Jamaica’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm that left widespread destruction across the Caribbean.
The funds will be directed through Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), which has a Caribbean recovery team based in Kingston, and will also assist the Bahamas, another region hit hard by the storm.
A Swift and Compassionate Response
Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, confirmed that the company has been in close contact with Jamaican officials and many of its 1,200 Jamaican crew members. “Our thoughts and actions are with the people of Jamaica impacted by the hurricane,” Bayley said in a Facebook post. “We are coordinating relief supplies to be brought into Jamaica by air and sea for the communities hardest hit.”
Royal Caribbean Group—parent company to Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea—will distribute funds and supplies through GEM. Relief packages include bottled water, canned goods, and non-perishable foods, with deliveries expected in the coming weeks.
The company also activated its Employee Hardship Fund to directly support crew members and shoreside staff with families affected by the storm.
Supporting Crew and Communities
The cruise giant’s aid extends beyond financial donations. Its ships, which frequently call at Falmouth, Jamaica, will be used to transport essential supplies and provide logistical support as ports gradually reopen.
Six ships are scheduled to visit Falmouth throughout November, including Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas—each bringing not just tourists, but tangible help for local residents.
The Port Authority of Jamaica is currently assessing damage to the country’s cruise terminals and working to restore safe operations. “Our teams are working diligently to restore safe, secure, and efficient operations,” the authority said. “These efforts are helping to ensure that cargo operations and cruise shipping can resume securely, while prioritizing the safety of port personnel and surrounding communities.”
A Legacy of Giving Back
Royal Caribbean has a long history of stepping up after natural disasters in regions where its ships sail. The company played similar roles in relief efforts following hurricanes Irma, Dorian, and Maria.
Cruise fans online praised Royal Caribbean’s rapid response to Hurricane Melissa, with many commending its focus on action rather than words.
One guest wrote, “So proud of the way the company doesn’t just send thoughts and prayers, but actually does something for the staff and the countries affected by these natural disasters.”
How Others Can Help
While Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation have both pledged $1 million toward relief, officials in Jamaica have launched an official disaster relief website—supportjamaica.gov.jm—for secure donations.
Legitimate humanitarian organizations such as Global Empowerment Mission, the American Friends of Jamaica, Americares, CARE, and the American Red Cross are also collecting funds for the recovery.
Authorities warn donors to stay alert for scams and only give through verified sources. “If it doesn’t have .gov.jm, it’s not legitimate,” Jamaican officials reminded the public.
As cleanup and rebuilding efforts continue, Royal Caribbean’s commitment demonstrates the strong bond between the cruise line and the island nation that so many of its crew call home—a relationship built on decades of partnership, care, and shared community.
