Three major cruise companies have stepped up and donated money to help aid the relief effort following Hurricane Melissa's catastrophic impact on Jamaica.
Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, devastated Jamaica when it pummeled the country as a massive Category 5 hurricane earlier this week.
Melissa developed into a tropical storm on October 21. Over the next few days, the storm system rapidly strengthened under favorable atmospheric conditions into a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall in Jamaica.
Over 18 hours on Oct. 25, the maximum sustained winds increased from 70 mph to 140 mph. At the storm's strongest, though, the maximum sustained winds reached an astonishing 185mph.
In fact, Hurricane Melissa is one of the most intense landfalling Atlantic hurricanes on record (in terms of lowest barometric pressure), tied with the “Labor Day” storm of 1935.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, as the strongest landfall the country has ever recorded. The previous record was held by Hurricane Gilbert, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in 1988.
After the storm passed, residents and tourists emerged to find their communities and resorts in shambles. Entire neighborhoods were swept away; power and communication lines were torn down; and major airports suffered severe damage. So far, at least 50 deaths have been confirmed.
As the Caribbean island begins the long, expensive process of recovery, several cruise lines with strong ties to Jamaica, including Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean, have pledged financial support to aid the relief efforts.
Cruise lines pledge millions to help Jamaica's recovery
Carnival Corp. & plc., along with the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundation and the Miami Heat basketball team, donated $1 million to Direct Relief, which has already prepared 100 field medic packs, containing first-aid and triage supplies, for deployment.
"We’re sending thoughts of comfort and strength to our friends in Jamaica, whose warmth and hospitality have created unforgettable experiences for so many of our guests and crew," said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corp. & plc.
"Our connection to Jamaica runs deep, and we need to support its communities now more than ever. Donating to Direct Relief will help fund vital assistance to individuals and families whose lives have been upended by this devastating storm."
On Thursday, Oct. 30, Royal Caribbean International's CEO, Michael Bayley, shared that the company had been in touch with the local government and was working to coordinate the delivery of relief supplies to the island.
Not only that, but Royal Caribbean Group pledged more than $1 million through Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and to support impacted crew members through the company's Employee Hardship Fund.
"We have been in touch with the Government and many of our 1,200 employees and crew from the island. We are coordinating relief supplies to be brought into Jamaica by air and sea for the communities hardest hit," Bayley wrote on Facebook.
If you want to help support or learn more about Royal Caribbean Group's relief efforts, visit give.gem.org/RCGgivesback.
Right now, the website states that their primary areas of focus are delivering care packages and essential supplies to those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Finally, the Walt Disney Company, the parent company of Disney Cruise Line, has also committed $1 million to assist with relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica.
The money will go to nonprofits providing aid in the area, including Good360, World Central Kitchen, and UNICEF USA, as well as to Disney cast and crew in the region.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Jamaica who have experienced such terrible devastation from Hurricane Melissa, including our Disney employees and their families who call the island home," said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
"We hope this contribution and the ongoing support from our team will serve as a source of relief and comfort for those in need at this difficult time."
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
