Key Aspects:
- Tropical Depression Two has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and may impact ships from New Orleans and Galveston.
- The storm is likely to strengthen over the next few days into Tropical Storm Bertha as it heads west.
- No official cruise impacts have yet been announced, but guests on several ships should stay alert for possible changes.
The second official tropical system of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has developed in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America). With the potential course of what is likely to become a tropical storm tracking along the coast, ships from both New Orleans and Galveston may feel impacts over the next few days.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued its first advisory on Tropical Depression Two. As of the most recent update, issued at 2 p.m. on Sunday, the center of the storm is 155 miles west of Port Tampa Bay and moving north-northwest at just one mile per hour.
This slow movement will encourage further development of the storm, which is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
“The sprawling nature of the system, nearby dry air, and some northeasterly vertical wind shear suggest that any strengthening
should be slow to occur, especially in the short term,” the NHC explained.
“Nonetheless, the system is expected to become a tropical storm as it approaches the Florida Panhandle during the next day or two. There seems to be a better opportunity for the system to strengthen once it turns westward, however, the amount of strengthening will be dependent on how far offshore the circulation is.”
Maximum sustained winds are currently at 30 miles per hour with higher gusts. The winds will continue to rise as the storm strengthens.
A tropical storm watch is already in effect for the Florida Panhandle from the Alabama state line to south of Tallahassee, with localized flooding possible.
Will Cruise Ports Be Impacted?
Depending on exactly how the storm strengthens and the track it takes, both the Port of New Orleans and the Port of Galveston may be impacted.
As a matter of note, no cruise ships are currently sailing from the Port of Mobile, which is also in the storm’s path.
The storm, which will be named Bertha once she officially crosses the 39-mph wind threshold to a tropical storm, will be at the closest approach to New Orleans late Wednesday evening, July 22. No cruise ships are slated to visit the Big Easy on that day, or on either Tuesday or Thursday.
Carnival Valor is scheduled to depart New Orleans on Monday, July 20 for a 5-night Western Caribbean sailing to Cozumel and Progreso. That departure is unlikely to be impacted by the storm, but booked guests should stay alert to any notifications of schedule changes from Carnival Cruise Line.
Read Also: Cruising During Hurricane Season – What You Must Know!
On Friday, July 24, the storm may have a significant impact on Galveston, Texas. Carnival Breeze will depart the port on Thursday, July 23, and may have some adjustment for the storm depending on the exact path, speed, and strength of the system.
No ships are sailing from Galveston on Friday, but on Saturday, July 25, three ships will be in port: Carnival Jubilee, Carnival Dream, and Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas.
Depending on how the storm develops and whether the port sustains any damage, it is possible those three ships may be impacted.
Both Carnival Jubilee and Mariner of the Seas will be sailing Western Caribbean itineraries. Carnival Jubilee is scheduled for a weeklong cruise to Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan, while Mariner of the Seas will begin a 5-night cruise to Costa Maya and Cozumel.
Carnival Dream will be sailing an 8-night Eastern Caribbean voyage with four ports of call: Key West, Celebration Key, Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.
There have been no confirmed itinerary changes to any of the ships as of this writing. Cruise lines monitor storm systems closely and will make any necessary adjustments with the most updated information as sailing dates approach.
