In a recent Travel Advisor Town Hall, Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart delivered a thorough on-the-ground update on Jamaica’s condition following Hurricane Melissa. After personally visiting multiple regions and resorts, his message was clear and confident:
Jamaica is safe, resilient, and steadily returning to normal.
Let Twinsburg Travel take you to Jamaica! 🇯🇲
Current Condition Across Jamaica
Stewart explained that Jamaica experienced two different levels of impact from Hurricane Melissa.
Areas Largely Unaffected or Fully Operational
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Kingston
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Port Antonio
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Most of Ocho Rios
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Nearly all of Negril
These destinations remain structurally intact, with utilities restored and resort operations functioning normally.
Areas More Significantly Impacted
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South Coast (Black River, Whitehouse area)
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Parts of Falmouth
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Sections of Montego Bay
Despite these localized impacts, over two-thirds of Jamaica is virtually unaffected and ready for travel.
Sandals & Beaches Resort Updates
Reopening December 6
The following properties remained structurally sound and will reopen on December 6:
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Sandals Dunn’s River – Ocho Rios
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Sandals Ochi – Ocho Rios
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Sandals Royal Plantation – Ocho Rios
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Sandals Negril – Negril
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Beaches Negril – Negril
Extended Closures for Renovation & Sandals 2.0 Enhancements
These resorts experienced greater ground-level impacts and will undergo full upgrades:
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Sandals South Coast
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Sandals Montego Bay
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Sandals Royal Caribbean
Stewart noted that:
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Overwater bungalows at South Coast survived 240 mph gusts, proving the strength of Sandals’ engineering.
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Interiors, roofing, HVAC systems, and kitchen equipment will be refreshed.
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This window allows Sandals to introduce substantial “Sandals 2.0” modernizations.
Infrastructure, Roads & Airports
Montego Bay Airport (MBJ)
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Reopened three days after the hurricane
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Fully operational
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Only minor cosmetic damage to one-third of the facility
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All major airlines flying as normal
Road Conditions
Stewart confirmed:
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Montego Bay → Negril road: completely fine
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Montego Bay → Ocho Rios road: completely fine
Transportation between major tourist areas remains open and safe.
Where to Fly for Your Jamaica Vacation
For Negril
✔️ MBJ – Sangster International Airport (Montego Bay)
This is the only recommended airport for Negril vacations.
For Ocho Rios
Travelers have two airport choices:
1. OCJ – Ian Fleming International Airport
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Closest airport to Ocho Rios
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Not all airlines fly into OCJ
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Travelers should check airline schedules before booking
2. MBJ – Sangster International Airport (Montego Bay)
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Main airport used for Ocho Rios
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Reliable and serviced by all major carriers
Verify airline availability because OCJ access varies by carrier.
Tours, Excursions & Cruise Tourism
Ocho Rios attractions are fully open, including:
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Dunn’s River Falls
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Blue Hole
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Mystic Mountain
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Chukka Adventures
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Ocho Rios Cruise Pier
The Ocho Rios port recently welcomed 6,000+ cruise passengers, demonstrating the island’s rapid recovery.
Humanitarian Aid & Sandals Foundation Relief
Sandals Foundation – 100% Goes Directly to the Cause
We proudly support the Sandals Foundation, where 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to education, community, and environmental programs across the Caribbean. Sandals Resorts covers all administrative costs, so every contribution makes a real impact.
👉 Learn more or donate: https://sandalsfoundation.org
Jamaica has received extensive international support:
Global Contributions
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United States: military helicopters, aid aircraft, NGOs
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Canada, U.K., and Caribbean neighbors providing direct help
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1,150+ relief flights landing between Kingston and Montego Bay
Corporate Support
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Royal Caribbean Cruise Line — $1 million
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Carnival Corporation — $1 million
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Disney — $1 million
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Sandals Resorts — over $5 million invested in staff support and relief
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Sandals Foundation — $1 million+ deployed, with 100% of funds going directly to communities
All Sandals team members remain:
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Safe
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Fully employed
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With medical, dental, and pension benefits active
Guests were also housed free of charge until flights resumed.
Other Caribbean Options Fully Open
All other Sandals and Beaches locations remain fully operational, including:
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Bahamas
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St. Lucia
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Grenada
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Barbados
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Antigua
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Curaçao
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St. Vincent
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Turks & Caicos, including the brand-new Sandals Treasure Beach opening March 2026
Read our latest Sandals reviews and Caribbean travel tips here.
Travel With Confidence
Adam Stewart’s message was one of strength, unity, and gratitude. Jamaica’s recovery has been swift, organized, and safe, and the island is eager to welcome travelers again.
Twinsburg Travel is here to help you rebook, plan, or explore the Caribbean with confidence.
Let Twinsburg Travel take you to Jamaica — and beyond!