Cruise lines are changing their itineraries due to the strengthening of Hurricane Ernesto, which is impacting parts of the Caribbean and, soon, Bermuda.
The storm, which reached hurricane status on Wednesday, is prompting several cruise ships to alter their plans to ensure passenger safety and avoid the worst weather.
Carnival Cruise Line Hurricane Ernesto Changes:
On Wednesday afternoon, Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, posted on his Facebook page that all Grand Turk guests should be back on board early to get ahead of the storm.
| This is an update for Carnival Magic guests only. If you are ashore in Grand Turk, please return to the ship by 2:30 PM. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate this evening, and the ship will have to sail earlier than planned. |
- Carnival Pride: Originally set to dock in Bermuda on August 14, the Baltimore-based Carnival Pride arrived early on August 13. The ship will depart Bermuda on August 15, a day before schedule, to avoid the approaching hurricane.
- Carnival Magic: The Miami-based Carnival Magic canceled its planned stop in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 14 due to heavy rains and flooding. Instead, the ship added a visit to Nassau, Bahamas, on August 16.
- Carnival Freedom & Mardi Gras: Both ships are closely monitored, but no itinerary changes have been made.
Norwegian Cruise Line Hurricane Changes:
- Norwegian Breakaway: Initially on an Eastern Caribbean route, this Miami-based ship switched to a Western Caribbean itinerary. The vessel is at Harvest Caye in Belize and will continue to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
- Norwegian Sky: Similarly, Norwegian Sky rerouted to the Western Caribbean, with stops including Roatán, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios.
- Norwegian Joy: The New York-based Norwegian Joy also adjusted its schedule, arrived Bermuda early on August 13 and departing on August 15.
Royal Caribbean Hurricane Ernesto Changes:
- Icon of the Seas: The world’s largest cruise ship swapped its Eastern Caribbean route for a Western Caribbean journey. The vessel is currently visiting ports like Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.
- Symphony of the Seas: Originally scheduled to visit Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, the ship replaced this stop with a visit to Nassau, Bahamas, on August 14.
- Rhapsody of the Seas: Departing from San Juan on August 11, this ship reversed its planned itinerary to avoid the storm, starting with a visit to Barbados and continuing through other Eastern Caribbean destinations.
- Liberty of the Seas: The upcoming voyage to Bermuda from Bayonne, NJ, has been changed. The ship will bypass Bermuda and make a back-to-back stop at Grand Truk on August 18 and 19th.
Other itineraries, like ships bound for Bermuda, will be updated in the coming days as Hurricane Ernesto is forecast to hit the island over the weekend. The storm is forecast to stay off the coast of the United States.
As hurricane season peaks, travel insurance becomes a must for cruise passengers. It can cover trip interruptions, delays, or cancellations caused by severe weather such as hurricanes. Investing in the right travel insurance policy ensures peace of mind when unpredictable storms like Hurricane Ernesto come into play.
This article will be updated as changes become available.
Read more: What to expect when cruising during hurricane season
