Carnival Cruise Line issued a video update to inform guests of the current hurricane season, which started on May 15, 2026.
Hosted by the company’s weather contributor, Amy Sweezey, the forecast says that fewer and weaker hurricanes are expected this year.
“The big weather story for this season is that El Niño is making a comeback. You’ve probably heard this one being called a ‘Super El Niño,’ which isn’t really a thing, but it is forecast to be a strong El Niño,” she said.
Sweezey said the weather phenomenon is expected to bring more extreme weather for some parts of the United States.
“But for the Atlantic hurricane season, it means fewer and weaker hurricanes,” she continued, noting that the Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean and the Gulf.
“Based on a 30-year climate period from 1991 to 2020, an average Atlantic season has 14 named storms. Seven of those would be hurricanes and three major hurricanes,” Sweezey added.
For the 2026 season, NOAA is predicting a 55 percent chance of a below-normal season, which could include eight to 14 named storms, in addition to three to six hurricanes and just one to three major hurricanes.
The meteorologist explained that to be considered a major hurricane, a storm must reach Category 3 or higher.
“Regardless of the forecast, the good news about a cruise vacation is that your ship is a floating resort. It can sail away from any potential storm activity. That allows captains to sail into the safest water,” Sweezey said.
“Each Carnival ship undergoes strict inspections and is equipped with the latest technology, along with skilled officers and crew who undergo comprehensive emergency training.”
Sweezey said the season has different start dates in the Pacific and the Atlantic, but both are now underway.
“They run through November 30 with the peak occurring in early September,” she continued, noting that Carnival teams work 24/7 at the company’s Fleet Operations Center in Miami to coordinate with each ship across the fleet.
“If an itinerary change is necessary due to weather, information is communicated immediately to guests,” Sweezey noted.
