Hurricane Melissa: A Caribbean Rollercoaster
Hold onto your hats, folks! Hurricane Melissa, a monster Category 5 storm, is currently making its dramatic entrance across the Caribbean. This isn’t just any storm; it’s the most powerful of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season, and it’s set to bring some truly intense weather. Jamaica is bracing for a direct hit today, Monday, followed by southeastern Cuba tomorrow morning, and then the Bahamas by Wednesday. This storm is definitely keeping everyone on edge.
Melissa’s Roaring Path
As of early Tuesday morning, Melissa was lurking in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, practically sitting south of western Jamaica. It was moving slowly northeast at a mere 5 mph. But don’t let that slow speed fool you! The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Melissa to pick up the pace and change direction significantly today, aiming squarely for Jamaica. Expect a rapid shift later today as the storm accelerates.
Right now, Melissa is packing sustained winds of a terrifying 175 mph, with even more brutal gusts. The NHC anticipates some intensity fluctuations before it slams into Jamaica. However, it will remain an “extremely dangerous major hurricane” upon landfall. And even after it passes Jamaica, it’s expected to maintain at least hurricane strength as it heads for the Bahamas.
Jamaica Shuts Down: A Travel Warning
With Melissa looming, Jamaica’s government wasted no time issuing a serious travel warning. They’ve urged everyone to take all necessary precautions to ensure safety, which is absolutely the right call. The island is essentially shutting down to prepare for what’s coming.
Both of Jamaica’s main airports, Norman Manley International (NMIA) and Sangster International (SIA), have closed their doors. NMIA actually closed way back on October 25th, and SIA followed suit earlier in the week. All flights at both locations are canceled at least through Tuesday, and frankly, possibly much longer. It all depends on the storm’s impact. Travelers heading to Jamaica soon need to be proactive.
It’s crucial to register with your embassy for country-specific guidance. Also, make sure to check with your airline and hotel or resort directly. This is a dynamic situation, and plans can change very quickly.
Airlines Brace for Impact: Flight Waivers Galore
Melissa’s presence in the Caribbean has sent ripples through the airline industry. Long before the storm gained its current strength, airlines started issuing waivers for flights in, out, or through the region. Many of these waivers have since been extended as Melissa lingered over the weekend.
American Airlines currently has a waiver in effect for travel through October 29th, covering eight airports. These include Boscobel, Jamaica (OCJ), George Town, Bahamas (GGT), Holguin, Cuba (HOG), Kingston, Jamaica (KIN), Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ), Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS), Santiago de Cuba, Cuba (SCU), and South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands (XSC). If you’re affected, American allows you to rebook for new travel through November 1st.
JetBlue has issued a waiver for flights through both Kingston (KIN) and Montego Bay (MBJ). This particular waiver extends through Friday, October 31st, giving you until November 8th to rebook without penalty. Additionally, JetBlue has a separate waiver for travelers flying through Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS). This one runs through October 30th, with rebooking available through November 5th.
Southwest Airlines is also offering a waiver for Montego Bay (MBJ) through October 30th. Travelers can rebook or travel standby within 14 days of their original ticket date without any extra fees.
United Airlines has two waivers to note. The first covers flights through Montego Bay (MBJ) and Providenciales (PLS) for travel through October 29th. You can change your flight to a new one through November 5th without penalty. Their second waiver is for Bermuda (BDA), for travel between October 30th and November 2nd. United allows changes to new flights through November 9th for affected customers.
Cruise Chaos: Itinerary Changes
Hurricane Melissa isn’t just affecting flights; it’s also causing quite a stir in the cruise world. Several major cruise lines are scrambling to change itineraries to keep passengers safe and out of the storm’s path.
Carnival Cruise Line has made significant adjustments to several ships, including the Celebration, Dream, Liberty, Sunrise, and Vista.
For instance, the Celebration is skipping its planned stops in Grand Turk and Amber Cove, heading to Cozumel instead. The Dream cruise is now bypassing Montego Bay entirely. The Liberty is saying goodbye to both Montego Bay and Grand Cayman, rerouting to Mahogany Bay and Belize. The Sunrise has swapped Grand Turk for Nassau. And the Vista is skipping Amber Cove in favor of Nassau. These changes are all about passenger safety and ensuring a good experience despite the weather.
Celebrity Cruises is redirecting the Celebrity Beyond on its October 26th sailing out of Miami. Instead of the Eastern Caribbean, it’s now heading to the Western Caribbean. This means it won’t be calling on Costa Maya, Belize City, or Roatan.
Disney Cruise Line is also making adjustments. The Disney Treasure‘s Halloween sailing out of Port Canaveral is being rerouted to Cozumel, instead of Tortola and St. Thomas. As a bonus, the ship will even visit Castaway Cay a second time during this special sailing.
Disney is also tweaking the Disney Wish’s four-night Halloween itinerary. Castaway Cay will now be visited on October 28th, followed by Nassau on October 29th, a flip from the original schedule.
Royal Caribbean is also navigating around Melissa. The Icon of the Seas, currently on an October 25th, seven-night sailing from Miami, is shifting from the Eastern to the Western Caribbean. This means passengers will now enjoy calls in Cozumel and Roatan, instead of St. Maarten and St. Thomas. It will still head to Perfect Day at CocoCay, but now on Friday morning.
The Freedom of the Seas’ current sailing is also being altered. It’s skipping Grand Turk and will instead call at Puerto Plata. It’s a lot of moving pieces, but cruise lines are working hard to keep everyone safe and still offer a fantastic vacation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hurricane Melissa’s current strength and projected path?
Hurricane Melissa is currently a Category 5 storm with sustained winds near 175 mph. It was almost directly south of western Jamaica and moving north-northeast at 5 mph. The NHC expects it to turn northeast and pick up speed today, heading over Jamaica, then southeastern Cuba tomorrow morning, and finally the Fouthwestern or central Bahamas by Wednesday.
Are airports in Jamaica closed due to Hurricane Melissa?
Yes, both Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) and Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Jamaica are closed. NMIA closed on October 25th, and SIA closed earlier this week. All flights are canceled at least through Tuesday and possibly longer, depending on the storm’s impact.
What should travelers do if they have upcoming flights or cruises to the affected regions?
Travelers should register with their embassy for country-specific guidance. It’s also crucial to contact your airline and hotel or resort directly for the latest updates and to understand your options, such as rebooking or cancellations. For cruises, check with your cruise line for itinerary changes and communication about your specific sailing.
Which airlines are offering waivers for flights affected by Hurricane Melissa?
American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Airlines have all issued waivers for travel to, from, or through affected Caribbean airports. These waivers allow for rebooking without penalty, though the specific dates and covered airports vary by airline. Check each airline’s travel alert page for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
How is Hurricane Melissa impacting cruise itineraries?
Several cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, and Royal Caribbean, have altered itineraries to avoid the storm. Changes include swapping Eastern Caribbean routes for Western Caribbean, changing port calls, and adjusting schedules to ensure passenger safety and comfort. If you have an upcoming cruise, contact your cruise line directly for details specific to your sailing.
Will Melissa still be a powerful storm when it reaches the Bahamas?
The NHC expects Melissa to remain an “extremely dangerous major hurricane” when it makes landfall on Jamaica. While some fluctuations in intensity are possible, it should still be at least hurricane strength when it reaches the Bahamas tomorrow. Preparedness and vigilance remain critical for these areas.
What to Do Next
If you have travel plans that might be affected by Hurricane Melissa, don’t wait until the last minute. This powerful storm is moving quickly, and conditions can change rapidly. Proactive communication is essential for your safety and peace of mind. Reach out to your airline, cruise line, and accommodation providers immediately to understand your options and any necessary adjustments to your plans.
References
American Airlines
JetBlue
Southwest
United Airlines
Visit Jamaica
