Update (9/28/25, 6 a.m. Cental): Carnival has announced that two sailings — Carnival Pride from Baltimore and Carnival Sunshine from Norfolk are impacted due to tropical weather. The following notice was posted on their website:
“Carnival Pride 09/28/2025: Thank you for your patience while we finalized details for your cruise. Due to forecasted paths for the storms in the mid-Atlantic, we must revise our itinerary for safety reasons. Check your email for full itinerary details and your options. We are sorry for these weather-related changes and thank you for your understanding.
“Carnival Sunshine 09/28/2025: Thank you for your patience while we finalized details for your cruise. Due to forecasted paths for the storms in the mid-Atlantic, we must revise our itinerary for safety reasons. Check your email for full itinerary details and your options. We are sorry for these weather-related changes and thank you for your understanding.
“Guests are encouraged to sign up for our text alert service as indicated below to receive timely updates for their voyage.
“Carnival Pride 09/28/2025 – text CCL1 to CRUISE (278473)
“Carnival Sunshine 09/28/2025 – text CCL2 to CRUISE (278473)”
Original Article:
It’s a tropical system that’s not even named yet, but could impact plenty of cruise itineraries over the next few days.
A so-far quiet hurricane season has been a thankful reprieve for cruising. This weekend, however, a storm is brewing in one of the busiest cruise regions on the planet.
The system — formally known as Invest 94L — sits over the eastern tip of Cuba at the moment. In the coming days, it’s forecasted to strengthen, likely becoming Tropical Storm Imelda in the next 24-36 hours.
Thankfully the storm isn’t set to be too strong. Only a handful of computer models see it becoming an actual hurricane. Still, it should bring heavy rains and strong gusts. It’s the anticipated path, however, that could cause issues.
A Growing Storm Set to Move Over The Bahamas
From the eastern tip of Cuba, forecast models have the storm moving north-northwest. While this will keep it clear of the eastern coast of Florida, it will take the weather right over The Bahamas:
This means numerous cruise ports from Nassau to CocoCay to Celebration Key will likely be in the path of the weather.
We’ve checked the itinerary updates for the cruise lines and have yet to see any changes to itineraries announced publicly. It’s our opinion, however, that depending on the strength and path of the storm, some ports of call could be cancelled or rescheduled due to weather.
When a port change happens, passengers are usually alerted on the ship via an announcement and a letter sent to the stateroom.
Possibly Impacted Cruises
Given what we’ve seen from the storm’s forecast, we think the following port stops could be impacted and bear watching.
Ports are listed from the closest to the current location of the storm to the farthest. That means earlier dates are more likely to feel the impacts of the storm for the first ports listed. Later dates will be more likely for the last ports listed.
Half Moon Cay
- Carnival Sunrise (September 27)
- Carnival Magic (September 29)
Princess Cays
- Carnival Freedom (September 29)
Nassau
- Carnival Elation (September 27)
- Utopia of the Seas (September 27)
- Disney Wish (September 27)
- Margaritaville Paradise (September 28)
- Wonder of the Seas (September 28)
- MSC Seascape (September 29)
- Disney Magic (September 29)
CocoCay
- Wonder of the Seas (September 27)
- Oasis of the Seas (September 27)
- Utopia of the Sea (September 28)
- Jewel of the Seas (September 28)
- Star of the Seas (September 29)
- Enchantment of the Seas (September 29)
Castaway Cay
- Disney Wish (September 28)
MSC Ocean Cay
- MSC Seashore (September 27)
- MSC Seashore (September 29)
Bimini
- Grandeur of the Seas (September 29)
Celebration Key
- Carnival Celebration (September 27)
- Carnival Vista (September 27)
- Carnival Sunrise (September 28)
- Carnival Glory (September 28)
- Carnival Vista (September 29)
To be clear, we have yet to see any schedule updates from cruise lines regarding these sailings. As well, just because a ship and port are listed doesn’t mean a schedule change is imminent. The storm’s strength, path, and speed of movement will all factor into its impact on cruises.
If there are any changes, the cruise line will be in contact with passengers. That said, we do expect at least some ports of call to be cancelled due to weather. If a port of call is cancelled, it can sometimes be substituted with another port in a different location. Otherwise, it will simply become a day at sea.
The good news is that the storm at this point looks to be relatively modest in strength, meaning any impacts should hopefully be minimal.
