As Hurricane Melissa barrels toward Jamaica with unprecedented force, the ripple effects are being felt across the Caribbean—particularly by the cruise industry, which is scrambling to keep thousands of passengers out of harm’s way. Over the past weekend, at least five major cruise ships, operated by some of the world’s most prominent lines, have been forced to alter their itineraries in response to the rapidly intensifying storm. The changes, while disruptive, underscore the cruise lines’ commitment to safety as the Caribbean braces for what could be a catastrophic event.
According to updates from the National Hurricane Center and cruise line statements reported by multiple outlets, Hurricane Melissa began as a tropical storm but quickly intensified. By Saturday evening, October 25, 2025, Melissa had grown into a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 miles per hour, positioned just 130 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. The storm’s slow movement—just three miles per hour—over exceptionally warm Caribbean waters has contributed to its rapid strengthening. By Sunday, October 26, Melissa had become a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, and forecasters warned it could reach Category 5 status before making landfall.
The projected path of Hurricane Melissa has put Jamaica directly in the crosshairs, with landfall expected either late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. The National Hurricane Center’s advisory cautioned that, “Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in Jamaica by tonight, with hurricane conditions expected by Sunday or Monday.” The storm threatens not only damaging winds but also torrential rainfall—up to 40 inches in some areas—raising the specter of catastrophic flash flooding and landslides, particularly in vulnerable regions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
In anticipation of the storm’s impact, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness, declared the entire nation a “threatened area” on Friday, October 24, mobilizing emergency resources and urging residents to prepare for the worst. The government’s swift action is a testament to the seriousness with which officials are treating the threat posed by Melissa, which has already prompted warnings and preparations across neighboring islands.
The cruise industry, for its part, has reacted with equal urgency. Major lines including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Margaritaville at Sea have all announced significant changes to their scheduled routes. The first to act was Margaritaville at Sea, whose Islander ship was originally set to visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and George Town, Grand Cayman. Instead, the ship called at Belize City, Belize, on October 22 and Roatán, Honduras, on October 23. “Captain Theo and our itinerary planning team have been diligently working on a sailing schedule that safely navigates around Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to impact parts of the Western Caribbean over the coming days,” the company shared in an update. “Following [the] assessment of the storm’s path and weather conditions, Captain Theo has made the decision to adjust our current sailing schedule.”
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, one of the largest and most advanced ships in the world, was also forced to pivot. The ship’s October 25 cruise, originally scheduled for the Eastern Caribbean, was rerouted to the Western Caribbean. Instead of visiting St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, the new itinerary includes stops at Cozumel and Roatán, with CocoCay still on the list but with an earlier arrival on October 31. The cruise line explained in a last-minute email, “Our Captain, along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, has been tracking Tropical Storm Melissa that is expected to move through the area of our sailing. To safely avoid the impacts of the developing storm, we have decided to switch our itinerary to the Western Caribbean instead of the Eastern Caribbean for this sailing.”
Disney Cruise Line has also been proactive. The Disney Treasure, set for a 7-night cruise departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, on October 25, notified passengers that it would no longer follow its Eastern Caribbean itinerary. The ship is now bypassing Tortola, St. Thomas, and Disney’s Castaway Cay, opting instead for Cozumel, Mexico, and an extra day at the private island. “We have been closely monitoring the storm’s forecasted track. Due to the possible impacts in the Caribbean, we have made the decision to change your itinerary,” Disney Cruise Line said in a statement. The Disney Wish, another vessel in the fleet, similarly adjusted its October 27 sailing, changing the order of port visits to minimize weather-related disruptions.
Celebrity Cruises, meanwhile, made headlines with its decision to completely overhaul the itinerary for its Edge Class ship, Celebrity Beyond. The October 26 departure from Miami, originally charted for the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts, now heads to Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Roatán, Honduras. Guests received a direct notification: “To safely avoid the impacts from the storm, we have decided to switch our itinerary to the Western Caribbean instead of the Eastern Caribbean for this sailing. We sincerely apologize for this last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority.” Celebrity Cruises also assured passengers that all pre-paid shore excursions for the canceled ports would be automatically refunded via onboard credit or returned to their cards after the cruise.
For many travelers, these abrupt changes are understandably disappointing. A vacation in the Caribbean—often planned months in advance—can be the highlight of the year. But as the cruise lines have emphasized, safety comes first. The swiftness of their response, and the clear communication with guests, has garnered appreciation from many, even as some lament the loss of dream destinations like St. Maarten or Tortola.
Notably, the impact of Hurricane Melissa on cruise itineraries is not limited to the ships mentioned above. Industry experts and meteorologists anticipate that additional vessels scheduled to sail in the region over the coming week will also need to make adjustments as the storm moves northeast, potentially affecting the Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas. The situation remains fluid, with cruise lines monitoring the latest advisories and updating plans as necessary.
For the Caribbean as a whole, Hurricane Melissa represents a serious test of resilience. The region is no stranger to powerful storms, but the combination of Melissa’s projected strength, slow movement, and massive rainfall totals is cause for concern. Emergency managers across Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic are on high alert, preparing for the possibility of widespread flooding and landslides. The cruise industry’s decision to reroute ships is just one part of a broader effort to minimize risk and protect lives as the storm approaches.
As the clock ticks down to Melissa’s expected landfall, all eyes remain fixed on the Caribbean. For now, the hope is that the storm’s impact will be less severe than feared—and that the swift actions taken by governments, cruise lines, and local communities will help avert a larger tragedy.