Hurricane Melissa: Canada warns Caribbean travelers.

Canada’s travel advisories changed fast as Hurricane Melissa barrelled toward the Caribbean. On October 25 and 26, the Canadian government issued posts on X warning that five countries could be affected, and by October 26 Jamaica was added to the “Avoid non-essential travel” list. Melissa had already been upgraded to a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph. This article walks you through how the storm is unfolding day by day, what Canadian advisories mean for each island, and how to handle flights, cruises, and hotel plans if you’re in the region.

Day 1–2: Canada issues advisories, Jamaica upgrades to “Avoid non-essential travel”

On October 25 the Canadian government posted a warning on X that five Caribbean countries could be affected. By October 26, Jamaica was added to the “Avoid non-essential travel” list along with some eastern provinces of Cuba. The advisory specifically warned that the storm would likely disrupt transportation, power, water and food supply, telecommunications, emergency services, and medical care.

If you’re a Canadian traveler, this is the moment to act. The government also updated Cuba to a yellow “exercise a high degree of caution” code, while the Cayman Islands remained green. Haiti stayed on “Avoid all travel” — a status unrelated to the storm but critical given the country’s fragile situation.

Day 3: Airline waivers kick in

By October 27, airlines had published their rebooking policies, and cancellations had already begun. Delta’s waiver covers travel to/from Kingston, Montego Bay, and Providenciales between Oct 25–30; you have until Nov 2 to rebook in the same cabin. United’s waiver is broader: passengers can reschedule through Nov 7 with no change fees or fare differences. Southwest offers a 14-day rebooking window for Montego Bay flights. JetBlue allows cancellations or rebookings for flights to/from Kingston, Montego Bay (Oct 25–31) and Providenciales (Oct 28–30) through Nov 5 or Nov 8 respectively.

If you’re traveling from Canada, Porter Airlines and Air Canada have their own policies; check before you call. For readers curious about other Cayman route options, our article on Porter’s Toronto–Grand Cayman flight provides details on that direct connection.

Day 4: Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica

October 28 is the critical day. The core of Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica tonight and Tuesday. Satellite images from NOAA show maximum sustained winds near 150 mph with higher gusts. Jamaica is forecast to receive 15–30 inches of rain, eastern Cuba 10–15 inches (local amounts up to 20), and the Bahamas 4–8 inches starting Tuesday into Wednesday.

Day 5: Storm moves to Cuba, Bahamas, and Cayman Islands

By October 29, Melissa is expected to cross southeastern Cuba and reach the Bahamas. The Canadian government reminds travelers that The Bahamas is under a yellow code and that flooding and landslides could disrupt essential services. The Cayman Islands remain under a green code — “take normal security measures” — but the storm’s track could change. Our past coverage of hurricane threats shows how quickly tracks shift, so stay up to date.

Cruise lines have already rerouted multiple ships. Carnival Cruise Line cancelled stops at Grand Turk (Oct 28) and Amber Cove (Oct 29) on the Carnival Celebration, and modified itineraries for Carnival Dream, Liberty, Sunrise, and Vista. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas switched from an Eastern Caribbean sailing (St. Thomas, St. Maarten) to a Western route (Roatan, Cozumel). Celebrity Cruises’ Beyond replaced Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts with Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan. If your cruise was affected, check the line’s app or Carnival’s weather update page for specific changes.

Navigating Travel Disruptions

Hurricane Melissa is causing widespread flight cancellations, cruise rerouting, and hotel sheltering. Here’s how to handle the most common logistical headaches.

Flight waivers: compare your options

The table below summarizes the key airline waivers. All allow rebooking without change fees; some waive fare differences as well.

Cruise itinerary changes

Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity have all modified sailings. If your cruise was scheduled to visit Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, St. Thomas, or St. Maarten this week, check in with your cruise line’s app or website. Most changes are automatic — you don’t need to call unless you want to cancel and rebook for a future date. For those still weighing a cruise vacation further down the road, our update on Caribbean tourism trends shows the region remains strong for future bookings.

Hotel safety and refunds

Resorts across Jamaica are sheltering guests in place. Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection (Dreams, Secluded Resorts) issued statements that properties are prepared and will enforce mandatory evacuations if necessary. If you’ve booked a non-refundable room and can’t travel, contact the hotel directly. Many are offering credits or extensions given the government advisory. For travelers interested in the Cayman Islands specifically, the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman’s spa reopening is a sign that the island is open for business — but not this week.

Before You Go: Hurricane Travel Planning

What if my flight is already cancelled?

Check your airline’s waiver policy immediately. Most allow you to rebook without paying change fees. Do it online or through the airline app — phone lines are overwhelmed. You can also cancel for a future credit if no suitable rebooking is available.

Can I change my cruise itinerary?

Cruise lines have already made changes. You don’t need to do anything unless you want to cancel. If you choose to cancel, check whether your fare is refundable or eligible for a future cruise credit. Carnival’s weather updates page has the latest.

Is my travel insurance still valid?

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover hurricanes if a named storm warning is issued before departure. Verify your policy’s “hurricane” or “weather” clause. If you haven’t left yet, you may be able to cancel and claim under trip cancellation.

Should I still go to the Caribbean next week?

It depends on the destination. The Cayman Islands are under a green code and may be unaffected. The Bahamas and eastern Cuba will likely need days to recover. Wait for the storm to pass and check government advisories before booking. If you’re looking for a last-minute alternative, our guide to relaxing in Grand Cayman might inspire a different island choice.

What about the Cayman Islands specifically?

The Cayman Islands remain under a green advisory as of October 27. The storm is expected to pass near the islands on October 28–29, but not make direct landfall. Still, travellers should monitor for updates. Cayman Airways and other airlines may adjust schedules. For up-to-date info on flights, our article on Cayman Airways’ anniversary sale includes how to find current fares.

Hurricane Melissa: Looking Ahead

Hurricane Melissa is a reminder that Caribbean weather can shift any travel plan in a single advisory. The good news is that airlines, cruise lines, and hotels are offering flexibility — and Canadian advisories give you a clear signal to act before conditions worsen. Whether you’re sheltering in place or rebooking for next season, the key is staying informed and moving quickly within waiver windows. Our piece on new airlift to Grand Cayman may give you an idea of where to look when the storm has passed.

References

The Travel. “Hurricane Melissa: Canada warns Caribbean travelers.” TheTravel, 2025. ↗

National Hurricane Center / NOAA. “Hurricane Melissa Advisory #24.” NHC, 2025. ↗

Government of Canada. “@TravelGoC post on Jamaica advisory.” X, 2025. ↗

FlightAware. “Live Flight Cancellations.” 2025. ↗

For a deeper dive into the Caribbean travel landscape, you might enjoy our look at how visitor numbers are rebounding across the islands and our guide to the Dominican Republic’s visa-free policy for US travelers, both of which can help plan future trips once the hurricane season passes.