Caribbean Leaders, Cruise Execs Discuss Post-Storm Recovery

Caribbean tourism officials and cruise industry leaders met earlier this month aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in Miami to examine the cruise sector’s role in hurricane recovery and long-term regional resilience, according to event organizers.

The “Iconic Summit” was held during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) second annual Caribbean Weekend, following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa on several Caribbean destinations in October.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley reviewed the company’s aid efforts after the storm, which included delivering more than 100 pallets of supplies, generators, food and water to the port of Falmouth in Jamaica, as well as supporting distribution initiatives and community meal programs in affected areas.

“I think over the years we’ve always tried to support the Caribbean communities. Especially in times of crisis, we answer the phone, and we try our best,” Bayley said during a discussion with CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper.

CTO chairman Ian Gooding-Edghill, who is also Barbados’ minister of tourism and international transport, expressed gratitude to Royal Caribbean and regional partners for their assistance to Jamaica and Haiti. He used the summit to advocate for stronger collaboration between governments and private industry, along with growth strategies that center on community needs and are backed by better data and improved connectivity.

Bayley encouraged destinations to engage in “master planning” to guide sustainable tourism development. He also pointed to opportunities to expand employment pathways for young people across the Caribbean, referencing conversations with labor ministers and business leaders about addressing obstacles to workforce participation. He further highlighted Royal Caribbean Group’s investments in environmental technologies, shore power adoption and resilient port facilities.

Organizers noted that, despite Hurricane Melissa’s disruptions, the Caribbean still welcomed millions of cruise visitors in 2025, reinforcing the sector’s vital role in supporting regional economies and employment and the need to weave resilience into future planning.