BREAKING: Carnival Dream Cancels Jamaica Stop as Hurricane Melissa Nears
Guests aboard Carnival Dream were notified Sunday evening that the ship’s scheduled call to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Wednesday, October 29, has been cancelled due to Hurricane Melissa’s projected path near the island. The captain announced that no feasible alternate ports were available, so the ship will add an additional sea day to its 14-day itinerary.
Dream departed Galveston on October 18 for a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise through the Caribbean. After visits to St. Maarten and St. Croix, the ship was set to continue to Ocho Rios before making its way back to Texas. With Jamaica now off the schedule, the rest of the voyage will consist of four straight sea days leading up to debarkation in Galveston on Saturday, November 1.
What to Know
- Ocho Rios, Jamaica, cancelled for Wednesday
- No substitute port available; one extra sea day added
- St. Croix on schedule for Monday
- Guests informed via shipwide announcement Sunday evening
According to the National Hurricane Center’s advisory at 5 p.m., the eye of Hurricane Melissa was moving slowly west at about 5 mph. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 145 mph, making it a powerful Category 4 hurricane. Forecasters expect Melissa to move near or over Jamaica on Tuesday. The NHC warns of life-threatening winds, flash flooding, and landslides in Jamaica through midweek.
On board Carnival Dream, the mood remains calm. Guests are following official forecasts between meals and evening shows, while crew members continue normal operations. The bridge is closely monitoring the system through Carnival’s Fleet Operations Center in Miami, which tracks weather and coordinates itinerary changes across the fleet.
For more on how Carnival communicates cruise-specific updates, see our guide: Carnival Weather Alerts: How to Get Real-Time Cruise Updates.
Into the Funnel will continue reporting from on board as Hurricane Melissa’s track and impact develop. This story follows our earlier report, On Board Carnival Dream as Hurricane Melissa Develops.
Into the Funnel Related Coverage
- Carnival Dream Guests React to Jamaica Cancellation amid Hurricane Melissa Threat
- On Board Carnival Dream as Hurricane Melissa Develops
- Carnival Weather Alerts: How to Get Real-Time Cruise Updates
Featured image: Carnival Dream docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a few days before the Ocho Rios port call was cancelled due to Hurricane Melissa.
Photo by: Jenny Motley, Into the Funnel
