Tropical Storm Melissa formed in the Caribbean Sea on 21 October 2025 and moves westward at five miles per hour with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour as of 24 October.
The US National Hurricane Center forecasts the storm to reach hurricane strength tomorrow Saturday and intensify to a Category 4 hurricane by early next week while lingering near Jamaica and Haiti. Rainfall of six to twelve inches through 27 October threatens floods and mudslides in southern Haiti, eastern Jamaica, and the southern Dominican Republic. Cruise operators track the system with some ships altering paths to avoid rough seas and port closures in the region.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander, which departed Tampa on 19 October for a seven-night western Caribbean voyage, replaced stops at Ocho Rios in Jamaica and George Town in Grand Cayman with visits to Belize City in Belize and Roatan in Honduras. The vessel returns to Tampa on 26 October after the revised itinerary that includes Cozumel in Mexico. Passengers received notifications on 22 October about the changes to ensure safe navigation around the storm’s projected track.
The next departure on 26 October faces potential further adjustments as Melissa remains active in the central Caribbean.
Carnival Cruise Line reported no immediate impacts to its itineraries on 23 October but expects possible modifications for sailings to Jamaica ports such as Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Fleet operations in Miami track forecasts with passengers advised to opt in for alerts on weather-related updates. Brand ambassador John Heald confirmed the line prioritises safety with decisions on route changes made close to departure times to retain original plans where possible. Upcoming cruises to affected areas may see sea days added or alternative ports selected if conditions worsen.
Several operators cancelled stops in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic as preparations mount in those locations. Jamaica’s airports prepare for closure within 24 hours of a hurricane warning while hospitals enter emergency mode to halt elective procedures. Puerto Rico and Cuba anticipate rough seas and swells that could disrupt docking for vessels in the eastern Caribbean. Royal Caribbean holds sailings from Port Canaveral and Tampa under review though no specific Melissa-related changes appear confirmed yet. The slow movement of the storm extends risks of stormy conditions at sea for days across the western Caribbean.
Forecasters note uncertainty in Melissa’s long-term path with models showing varied tracks after the weekend but low chances of direct US mainland impacts. The system marks the thirteenth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season with conditions in the Caribbean Sea aiding rapid intensification. Cruise lines offer onboard credits or future voyage vouchers in some cases for altered
John Heald shared “The line prioritises safety with decisions on route changes made close to departure times to retain original plans where possible.”
