Key Aspects:
- While Tropical Storm Melissa is growing in strength, there are no confirmed itinerary changes for Carnival cruise ships at this time.
- Carnival Cruise Line is urging booked guests to opt in for text updates to stay informed if any changes are necessary.
- Melissa will likely strengthen into a major hurricane in the coming days and could impact several Carnival ships in the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
With Tropical Storm Melissa churning away southeast of Jamaica, cruise travelers with Western Caribbean itineraries (whether or not they include that beautiful destination) are growing understandably concerned about their cruise vacations.
While Margaritaville at Sea Islander is (as of this writing) the only cruise ship to have confirmed a storm-related itinerary change thus far, Carnival Cruise Line has reassured guests that Melissa is being watched closely.
“Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami is closely monitoring forecasts for Tropical Storm Melissa in the Caribbean. Currently, there is no impact to our itineraries,” the cruise line noted.
Several Carnival cruise ships could see disruptions from Melissa, depending on the overall track, strength, and size of the storm compared to their planned itineraries. The storm is currently having the greatest impact on Jamaica for the next few days, and impacted ships could include:
- Carnival Liberty – October 26 from New Orleans – 7-night itinerary with a visit to Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday, October 29
- Carnival Dream – October 18 from Galveston – 14-night itinerary with a stop in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on Wednesday, October 29
- Carnival Spirit – October 11 from Seattle – 16-night repositioning cruise to New Orleans with a stop in Cartagena, Colombia on Thursday, October 23
While these three ships may see the most direct impact from Tropical Storm (and eventually Hurricane) Melissa, other Carnival ships may also be affected, especially as the storm continues to strengthen.
“Safety is our priority, and we continue to track conditions carefully, factoring in guidance from the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Coast Guard, and local port authorities to provide timely updates,” Carnival noted.
Guests booked on upcoming sailings, especially for Caribbean or Bahamas itineraries, are urged to opt in to text alerts and ensure their contact information is up-to-date so they can be notified quickly if any changes are necessary.
Possible itinerary changes are not limited to Carnival cruise ships, and any cruise travelers with sailings in the storm’s potential path in the coming days should stay alert for notifications and adjustments. Remaining flexible with travel plans and expectations is always essential when cruising during hurricane season.
Tropical Storm Melissa Update
As of Thursday evening, October 23, 2025, Melissa remains a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour.
According to the National Hurricane Center, she is located about 185 miles south-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica and is moving north-northwest toward the island at a whopping two miles per hour.
That slow speed is giving the storm more time to strengthen, and Melissa is expected to become an official hurricane by Saturday afternoon (October 25), and may become a major Category 3 storm or even higher through the weekend and into early next week.
Tropical Storm Melissa
“Gradual strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, followed by rapid intensification this weekend. Melissa is forecast to become a hurricane by Saturday and a major hurricane by the end of the weekend,” the 5 p.m. Thursday advisory reads.
Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season – What You Must Know!
She is expected to shift to a westward track over the weekend before turning north early next week. Depending on her exact track and speed, this may mean landfall in western Jamaica as a major hurricane, or else she could skirt around the island as she hooks back toward the northeast and possibly toward the Bahamas.
Already, tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches are in effect for all of Jamaica, as well as southwestern Haiti.
Strong winds, up to 14 inches of rain, coastal flooding, storm surge, and significant swells are all possible effects of the storm.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
