Tropical Storm Helene Forces Carnival to Change Itineraries for Two Cruise Ships

Carnival ValorPhoto byJames Andrews | Dreamstime

Tropical Storm Helene, making its presence felt in the Gulf of Mexico, has already led to changes for at least two Carnival Cruise Line ships.

According to news reports, the company's weather contributor, Amy Sweezey, confirmed that the Carnival Paradise and Carnival Valor had their current cruises modified on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

"Given the storm's timing and its trajectory into the Gulf of Mexico, we've had to make some itinerary changes," Sweezey explained.

To ensure the safety of passengers and crew, both vessels canceled their scheduled visits to Cozumel on Tuesday, opting for routes that would keep them clear of Helene's projected path in Mexico.

While the Carnival Valor spent the day at sea, the Carnival Paradise replaced its Cozumel visit with a call to Costa Maya.

Photo byNOAA

Carnival's Fleet Operations Center in Miami is closely monitoring the situation, maintaining constant communication with officials in homeports and onboard ships to assess potential adjustments for other vessels.

The Carnival Horizon, Carnival Breeze, and Carnival Elation are among those that might experience itinerary changes in the coming days.

"Guests onboard will receive updates from our shipboard team regarding any changes. For those preparing for upcoming cruises that could be impacted by the storm, especially if your homeport is in its path, please keep an eye on your emails," Sweezey advised.

Passengers embarking from Tampa and Jacksonville are more likely to be affected by Helene, as both ports fall within the storm's potential path.

The Port of Tampa Bay has already announced that its current cruise schedule will be disrupted for the next few days, which may impact the Carnival Paradise's departure from the port on Thursday.

Carnival emphasized its commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating, "We will continue to monitor the storm closely and take into account guidance from the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Coast Guard, and local port authorities to provide timely updates as more information becomes available."