Margaritaville at Sea Islander Reroutes to Avoid Storm Melissa

Margaritaville at Sea has rerouted the Margaritaville at Sea Islander’s current seven-night Western Caribbean sailing to avoid Tropical Storm Melissa, replacing calls in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands with stops in Belize and Honduras while keeping the ship on schedule to return to Tampa Bay on Oct. 26, 2025.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander swaps Jamaica and Grand Cayman for Belize and Roatán

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander departed Tampa Bay on Oct. 19, 2025, on a seven-night voyage that originally included Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman. After the ship completed its Cozumel call on Oct. 21, the cruise line replaced the Ocho Rios and George Town visits with Belize City, Belize, and Roatán, Honduras.

• Original port calls: Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman.
• Revised port calls: Cozumel, Mexico (completed Oct. 21); Belize City, Belize; and Roatán, Honduras.
• Planned return: The voyage remains scheduled to end back in Tampa Bay on Oct. 26, 2025.

Captain Theo cites storm track and marine conditions

In a letter distributed to passengers, Margaritaville at Sea said the change followed a review of storm projections and conditions in the region. “Following this afternoon’s assessment of the storm’s path and weather conditions, Captain Theo has made the decision to adjust our current sailing schedule,” the company wrote.

The letter added, “Captain Theo and our itinerary planning team have been diligently working on a sailing schedule that safely navigates around Tropical Storm Melissa.” Margaritaville at Sea also told guests, “The safety and comfort of our guests and crew are our highest priorities.”

At the time of the Islander’s adjustment, the National Hurricane Center reported Melissa had sustained winds of about 50 miles per hour, with forecasts calling for strengthening in the days ahead.

Excursion credits and how refunds are being handled

Margaritaville at Sea said guests who pre-purchased shore excursions for the canceled Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman calls would receive credits to their onboard accounts for use during the voyage. Any unused onboard credit connected to those excursions will be returned to the original form of payment used at booking.

Other cruise lines adjust routes as Melissa disrupts the Caribbean

The Islander is among multiple ships changing plans as Melissa affects cruise routes in the region, particularly for itineraries that included Jamaica and Eastern Caribbean ports.

Carnival Dream, sailing on a 14-night round-trip Eastern Caribbean voyage from Texas, canceled a scheduled Oct. 29, 2025 call to Ocho Rios. In an onboard message, Carnival Dream’s Captain Zvonko told guests, “There is no feasible alternative for a port of call, so we will enjoy an extra sea day as we make our way back to Galveston, carefully following a route that keeps us safely away from Melissa.” Carnival also indicated shore excursion payments and port taxes for the canceled stop would be refunded.

Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald said multiple itineraries bound for Jamaica and nearby destinations have been affected, adding, “Of course, the captains on the ships that have changed itineraries will have informed the guests and ultimately will always keep everyone safe.”

Royal Caribbean also shifted plans for Icon of the Seas, which was set to embark on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami starting Oct. 25, 2025, adjusting to a Western Caribbean route instead. The ship’s original calls to St. Maarten and St. Thomas were replaced with stops in Mexico and Honduras, and Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer was cited as tracking the storm to coordinate safe navigation.

Celebrity Cruises made changes for Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Silhouette, altering Eastern Caribbean itineraries by replacing higher-risk ports, including St. Thomas and Grand Cayman, with alternatives such as Costa Maya, Mexico, and Roatán. Passengers were notified prior to embarkation.

Disney Cruise Line also adjusted Halloween-period sailings. Disney Treasure swapped Eastern Caribbean ports that originally included St. Thomas and Tortola for Cozumel, Mexico, and extended time at Castaway Cay. Disney Wish adjusted its previously scheduled Castaway Cay stop, allowing Disney Treasure to use the island later in the week as part of its rerouted Western Caribbean itinerary.

MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line were also cited among cruise operators adjusting sailings as the storm developed, with the potential for further itinerary changes as conditions evolve.

Storm impacts extend beyond cruising, with Jamaica among hardest-hit areas

As Melissa intensified, Hurricane Melissa was described as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching up to 150 mph, disrupting regional travel and prompting cruise lines to reroute ships away from Eastern Caribbean ports. The storm’s projected path was reported as affecting destinations including Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

In Jamaica, Melissa made landfall with winds exceeding 150 mph, described as one of the strongest hurricanes in the island’s history. Resorts in Jamaica issued shelter-in-place orders for guests, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned of catastrophic winds, flooding, and life-threatening conditions across affected areas. Canada also issued “Avoid all travel” advisories as the storm impacted the region.

Ship details and what to watch next

Margaritaville at Sea said Captain Theo will continue monitoring near-term weather and conditions at possible destination ports, noting, “Captain Theo will continue to evaluate both the current weather conditions and the conditions of all possible destination ports and our team will provide further updates if additional changes are anticipated.”

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander sails year-round from Tampa and has operated from the port since 2024, offering itineraries ranging from four to ten nights to destinations in the Caribbean and Florida. On this voyage, the ship is operating a seven-night itinerary; the Islander is listed as a 2,114-guest vessel measuring 85,619 gross tons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which ports were replaced on Margaritaville at Sea Islander due to Tropical Storm Melissa?

Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and George Town, Grand Cayman, were replaced with Belize City, Belize, and Roatán, Honduras.

Will passengers be refunded for shore excursions booked for the canceled ports?

Margaritaville at Sea said pre-purchased excursions tied to Ocho Rios or Grand Cayman will be credited to onboard accounts, with any unused amount refunded to the original payment method used at booking.

What cruise lines have altered itineraries due to Hurricane Melissa?

Cruise lines cited as making itinerary adjustments include Margaritaville at Sea, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

What destinations were reported as most impacted by Hurricane Melissa?

Reports cited Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic among the destinations in Melissa’s projected path, while ports including St. Thomas, Tortola, and Grand Cayman were among those disrupted on some Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

What safety precautions are cruise lines taking during the storm?

Cruise lines have rerouted ships, substituted ports, added sea days in some cases, and said they are monitoring conditions in real time with ongoing updates from ship captains and weather teams, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety is the priority.