Hurricane Melissa, which rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane over the weekend, is significantly impacting cruise ship itineraries in the Caribbean as it tracks northeast toward Jamaica. The powerful storm, the third Category 5 of the 2025 Atlantic season, is carrying sustained winds of 160 mph and has caused mandatory evacuations in Jamaican coastal areas. Hurricane warnings are also in effect for southeastern Cuba, with a hurricane watch issued for the southern and central Bahamas.

To safeguard passengers and vessels, cruise lines operating in the Central Caribbean have proactively adjusted their schedules and routes, though no major sailings have been fully canceled. Nearly all lines with voyages planned between October 24 and 31 near Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, or the Bahamas have revised their port calls.

For example, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas switched its itinerary from Eastern to Western Caribbean, replacing St. Maarten and St. Thomas with Roatan and Cozumel. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Beyond similarly swapped Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts for Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan. Disney Cruise Line and Margaritaville at Sea also made changes, redirecting ships to Western Caribbean ports like Cozumel and adding extra sea days. Carnival Cruise Line also modified voyages, including the Carnival Dream and Carnival Liberty, to bypass the port of Ocho Rios, Jamaica, demonstrating the industry’s prompt response to severe weather threats.Cruise Lines Quickly Reroute Voyages Avoiding Hurricane Melissa