Cruise lines race to replace Bermuda and Puerto Rico calls as Ernesto approaches
Harry KembleCruise lines have been forced to remove ports of call to ensure their ships do not sail into Hurricane Ernesto which is barrelling across the northern Caribbean.
Ernesto strengthened from a storm into a hurricane as torrential rain fell on Puerto Rico on Wednesday (14 August) and is now gathering force towards Bermuda, where cruise ships often visit.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed a hurricane watch is in effect for the British island territory.
Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas will not be sailing to Bermuda as planned on its 15 August departure. The ship was due to arrive in Kings Wharf in Bermuda on Saturday (17 August).
Passengers on the sailing have been notified of the itinerary change via email and text message. The call into Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, is being extended to allow guests more time there.
The world’s largest cruise ship – Icon of the Seas – is currently sailing a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage instead of its scheduled seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing. it is visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya, both Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras.
Symphony of the Seas replaced its visit to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on 15 August with a second stop-off in Nassau in The Bahamas.
While Royal has reversed Rhapsody of the Seas’ itinerary to start in Barbados rather in homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It’s now scheduled to return back to its homeport on 18 August.
Carnival Cruise Line ship Carnival Pride is sailing a Bermuda cruise from Baltimore. The ship’s two-day visit to the British overseas island territory departed from Bermuda one day earlier than scheduled.
Carnival Magic is currently sailing an Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami. It cancelled a visit to San Juan on Wednesday and will instead sail to Nassau on Friday 16 August as an extra port of call.
The line confirmed that the itineraries for Carnival Freedom and Mardi Gras are being closely monitored for potential changes.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ships Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Sky have had their Caribbean itineraries adjusted.
TTG has approached Royal Caribbean and NCL for further comment.
Last month, Mexico emerged from another hurricane – Beryl – with less damage than originally feared to its tourist centres, but Jamaica and other Caribbean islands had already suffered substantial damage prior to it reaching the mainland.
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Harry Kemble
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