Hurricane Melissa, Cruise Itinerary Changes And Port Status

Published on Oct 31, 2025, 9:41 am CDT

4 min read

Key points

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Norwegian altered itineraries to keep ships away from Jamaica and the storm core
Dominican Republic cruise ports report normal operations after inspections and plan strong November traffic
Bermuda weathered Melissa's passage and moved to cleanup and reopening updates
NHC advisories as of October 31 confirm Melissa remains an active system with hazardous seas and swells
Booked guests should monitor line apps and emails for revised calls, terminals, and refund or credit details

Impact

Monitor Official Advisories: Follow the National Hurricane Center and your cruise line's alerts for updated track and sea state guidance
Check Your Itinerary Daily: Ports in Jamaica remain the most disrupted while alternative calls in Mexico and the Dominican Republic are being used
Use Self-Service Tools: Confirm revised tours and onboard credit in the cruise line app before debarkation day
Expect Tender And Timing Changes: Berth availability and harbor conditions may shift final call windows with short notice
Reconfirm Air Travel: If your embark or debark city changed, contact the airline the same day to avoid no-show penalties

Hurricane Melissa's slow, intense passage across the western Caribbean forced cruise lines to move quickly, swapping or canceling calls near the core and steering ships toward safer seas. By October 31, 2025, the National Hurricane Center continued advisories on Melissa, noting hazardous marine conditions even as the system moved away from some islands. Major brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line, confirmed itinerary adjustments to avoid Jamaica and other exposed ports earlier in the week, while officials in the Dominican Republic and Bermuda issued operational updates as weather conditions evolved.

Cruise line changes, at a glance

Carnival said its Fleet Operations Center revised multiple routes in the Caribbean, publishing rolling updates and reminding guests to watch the line's app for port swaps and timing changes. Media and industry trackers reported similar shifts by Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Norwegian, with Jamaica calls most commonly replaced by Western Caribbean alternatives such as Cozumel and other sheltered ports. Guests should treat any remaining Jamaica calls as provisional until the line confirms alongside times the day prior.

Port status snapshots

In Jamaica, government and industry statements throughout the week emphasized safety and damage assessments after Melissa's high winds and inland flooding. Lines diverted proactively, and travelers should expect a phased return to normal cruise operations as port authorities complete their checks and utilities stabilize in affected areas.

In the Dominican Republic, the port authority reported that cargo and cruise terminals remained structurally sound and fully operational after inspections. Separately, tourism officials projected a strong November in Puerto Plata, with dozens of scheduled calls at Taino Bay and Amber Cove, supporting the view that Dominican ports are ready to receive rerouted ships.

Bermuda moved from preparation to recovery after Melissa passed the island. The government and local outlets issued reopening and service notices, including hospitality updates, as conditions improved and agencies completed rapid assessments. Cruise callers should watch for terminal and timing clarifications as marine forecasts settle.

What the forecast still means for cruisers

The NHC's October 31 advisories underscore two persistent risks for ships and shore operations, even outside the core, namely large swells and bands of heavy rain that can force last-minute tender or berth changes. Cruise operations plan conservatively against these variables, which is why you may see late adjustments the afternoon before a call. Keep location services and push notifications enabled in your cruise line app and reconfirm any independently booked tours directly with operators if your port flips from, for example, Jamaica to Cozumel.

Background

Cruise lines coordinate daily with meteorologists, port agents, and local authorities. When the NHC forecasts sustained hurricane-force winds, storm surge, or dangerous seas in a region, lines will swap ports or shift to sea days to preserve safety margins. Refunds or credits for canceled shore excursions, plus pro-rated port fees, are typical. Humanitarian support often follows, and early reports indicate cruise brands have begun coordinating assistance for Jamaica's recovery as assessments continue.

Final thoughts

Hurricane Melissa continues to influence cruise operations through sea state and infrastructure checks, even where skies clear quickly. Expect Jamaica calls to return in phases, watch your line's channel for port swaps, and use this week's advisories as a cue to build flexibility into any independent plans ashore.

Sources

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