Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam has delivered relief supplies and volunteers plus first cruise guests to Ocho Rios following Hurricane Melissa.

During its visit, the ship offloaded nearly 5,000 boxes of relief supplies, including food, water, bedding, clothing and mattresses.

“We are honored to return to Ocho Rios and deeply grateful for the collaboration with the port, local community and tour operators,” Beth Bodensteiner, president, Holland America Line, said in a press release.

“The decision was made with care and respect, knowing that tourism is vital to Jamaica’s recovery and future. Our guests are excited to bring much-needed support to the local economy,” she said.

Zuiderdam is the first of two cruise ships arriving at Ocho Rios week and is carrying more than 1,900 guests. Before disembarking passengers at the Turtle Bay Pier, the ship stopped at Reynolds Pier to deliver aid to Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

The delivery included pantry-safe food items, baking ingredients, water, toiletries, cleaning supplies, bedding and clothing. In addition, the ship delivered a large supply of canned meat donated by Holland America partners AlphaOne USA.

“On behalf of the people of St. Ann, and also representing Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett today, I want to sincerely thank Holland America Line for this incredibly timely donation of 20 pallets of food items and water to our tourism corridor,” Hon. Matthew Samuda, member of Parliament of Northeast St. Ann, Jamaica, said in a press release.

“St. Ann is a vital part of that corridor, and as we work to restore full services – especially water – this support helps us keep workers, families and small businesses going through a very tough period,” Bartlett said.

“It also sends a clear message: cruise partners aren’t just coming to enjoy Jamaica, they are standing with us in recovery,” he said. “Every ship that returns to Ocho Rios strengthens jobs, protects livelihoods and helps our community bounce back stronger and we value this kind of real practical partnership.”

Thirty volunteers from Holland America Line’s shipboard and shoreside teams partnered with Chukka Caribbean Adventures and its nonprofit Chukka Foundation for a beach cleanup in Seville, near Ocho Rios.

Guests and crew also will take part in an On Deck for a Cause 5K walk aboard the ship, raising money for Direct Relief’s Hurricane Melissa relief fund. Direct Relief provides medicine and other resources to people impacted by the hurricane.

Photo courtesy of Holland America Line

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