Airlines, Cruise Lines and Travel Brands Help Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa

When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as one of the strongest storms in recorded history, the travel industry was already preparing to lend a helping hand to the popular tourist destination and the surrounding impacted islands.

Here are the airlines, cruise lines and travel brands that are stepping up to ensure that people impacted by the massive hurricane are taken care of in the coming weeks and months.

Airlines

American Airlines has resumed flight operations in Kingston, Jamaica; Holguin, Cuba; and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, as the carrier remains in contact with local authorities as they assess damage and staffing needs in the wake of the storm.

American resumed operations at Montego Bay, Jamaica on Sunday. The airline continues to operate multiple daily flights to and from Kingston, Jamaica, and Ocho Rios— including regularly scheduled flights and extra flights to Charlotte, Dallas Fort Worth, and Miami as operations allow. 

American is also in contact with its non-profit partners to help as they begin to mobilize their response and relief efforts. Through November 11, AAdvantage members can earn 10 miles for every dollar donated to the American Red Cross with a minimum $25 donation. On Thursday, American Airlines became the first commercial airline to resume service to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, with two round-trip flights between Miami (MIA) and Kingston, Jamaica (KIN), on Boeing 737 aircraft.

Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have issued travel advisories for the region and are waiving change fees for impacted travelers through the first week of November. The carriers are also resuming service to and from Bermuda, Jamaica, and Turks and Caicos, with fares capped to avoid price gouging following the storm.

LATAM announced that it had operated a special humanitarian charter to Kingston, Jamaica, which transported approximately 34 tons of emergency supplies to support communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

Cruise Lines

Disney Cruise Line officials announced that its parent company, The Walt Disney Company, has pledged $1 million to assist with relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica.

The Carnival Corporation & plc teamed with the Mickey & Madeleine Arison Family Foundation and the Miami HEAT to donate $1 million to Direct Relief to assist recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa.

In addition, Holland America Line announced that its On Deck for a Cause 5K walks will focus its next several walks on Direct Relief’s Hurricane Melissa fund.

Royal Caribbean president Michael Bayley released a statement on Facebook about the cruise line's relief plan in Jamaica:

Our thoughts and actions are with the people of Jamaica impacted by the Hurricane. 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. Updates to follow.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced a donation of up to $100,000 to support relief efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The company will immediately donate $50,000 to the American Red Cross and will match up to an additional $50,000 in both employee and public contributions. The funds will be used where they are needed most in coordination with the global Red Cross network.

“Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by Hurricane Melissa,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “The Caribbean region holds a special place in our hearts, and it’s important that we stand with our communities in times of need. Through our Sail & Sustain program, we’re proud to support the American Red Cross in delivering vital relief and helping families recover.”

Hotels & Resorts

Hyatt Inclusive Collection resorts in Jamaica have suspended normal hotel operations due to the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, saying the company is “conducting a detailed assessment to determine the extent of the physical damage to all properties.” At this time, eight hotels in Jamaica have temporarily suspended operations and are not accepting new reservations through January 31, 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sandals Resorts confirmed that all of its guests and team members across Jamaica were safe and accounted for as it begins assessing damage following Hurricane Melissa:

Following Hurricane Melissa's landfall in Jamaica yesterday, we are grateful to share that all guests and team members staying at our resorts are safe. The safety and well-being of our guests and team members remain our highest priority.

Today, we continue to connect with team members across Jamaica and have begun comprehensive assessments of all resorts. We remain committed to keeping our guests, partners, and stakeholders informed and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the guests who joined our teams in careful preparation and followed every protocol in Jamaica. Your cooperation, compassion, and sense of community lifted spirits and brought comfort during a challenging time. We also express deep appreciation to our team members across Jamaica for their extraordinary commitment and care as they balanced their responsibilities to guests while their own families and communities were affected by the storm. And to those who shared well-wishes from around the world, from past guests, travel advisors, partners, and friends, your encouragement and support mean more than words can express.

We understand that many valued guests have had their travel plans disrupted by Hurricane Melissa, and we are committed to providing all possible support. Our customer service team is reviewing upcoming travel arrangements and offering flexible options to help guests who may need to reschedule their vacation plans. We will proactively contact guests with reservations in the next two weeks as a top priority. Guests may also contact us directly at 1-800-SANDALS for assistance. We kindly ask for patience and understanding as we manage a higher volume of calls during this time.

As Jamaica begins its recovery from Hurricane Melissa's impacts, we stand ready to extend unwavering support. The Sandals Foundation has initiated proactive relief efforts across the island. Those who wish to contribute may visit sandalsfoundation.org to join the mission.

Couples Resorts shared an update on social media about the status of their properties and customers:

Other Travel Brands

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism issued the following statement regarding Hurricane Melissa: 

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation extends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to our neighbors across the region and to residents of the central and southeast islands currently experiencing the effects of the ongoing weather system. We recognize the challenges posed by severe storms and stand in solidarity with all those affected.

The American Red Cross revealed it is coordinating with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to understand where the organization can offer support in the coming weeks.

Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett announced the establishment of a Hurricane Melissa Recovery Task Force and a Donation Coordination Task Force with a targeted tourism reopening date of December 15:

"The recovery of our tourism sector must be deliberate, coordinated, and compassionate. Through these task forces, we are ensuring that the welfare of our workers, the rehabilitation of our infrastructure, and the recovery of the tourism sector move in tandem,” said Minister Bartlett. “Their activities will be integrated into the national disaster response mechanism."

In addition, the official tourism authority for the Turks and Caicos Islands said the popular destination is "fully open for business and welcoming visitors after experiencing no significant damage following the passage of a tropical storm from Hurricane Melissa."

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