Courtesy: Chris Gray Faust | News Source: cruisecritic.com
(Updated August 31, 12:43 a.m. EDT) -- Hurricane Dorian has strengthened into an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane. As it crosses the Atlantic near the Bahamas and heads toward Florida, the storm is prompting several cruise ship itinerary changes and cancellations.
Although Dorian is now officially a major hurricane, the National Hurricane Center predicts that the storm will continue to strengthen as it heads in a northwesterly direction over the open Atlantic.
A hurricane watch is currently in place for the northwestern Bahamas, with Dorian predicted to stay north of southeastern and central Bahamas Friday and Saturday, be near or over the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday and approach mainland Florida late Monday. Maximum sustained winds are now close to 140 mph (220 km/hr). Tropical storm conditions should impact the Bahamas by Saturday night or Sunday morning; hurricane conditions are possible in the northwestern Bahamas on Sunday.
James Van Fleet, Royal Caribbean's chief meterologist, tweeted that Dorian is moving slowly, and the eye of the storm is currently expected to make landfall around West Palm Beach on Tuesday between midnight and 2 a.m. The governor of Florida declared a state of emergency on August 28, and encouraged people living on the state's east coast to prepare. The port of Palm Beach will close on Friday afternoon; Carnival is reporting that the ports of Miami and Port Canaveral are expected to close Sunday, September 1, through the middle of the following week.
The storm hit St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands on August 28, where hurricane force winds of more than 75 mph were recorded; the British Virgin Islands were also affected. No major damage was reported in the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, which escaped much of the storm's path.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Carnival have now canceled cruises leaving Florida ports, though other lines are modifying itineraries for passenger safety. Disney, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival have altered the lengths of certain itineraries to avoid expected port closures. Royal Caribbean has closed its private island Perfect Day at CocoCay until September 4.
Cruise Critic will continue to monitor Hurricane Dorian and provide updates.
Anchor
Below is a breakdown of the affected cruise ships:
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival is still evaluating weekend departures out of Florida and East Coast homeports. Passengers booked on Carnival Sunshine (9/2 from Charleston), Carnival Elation (9/2 from Port Canaveral), Carnival Horizon (9/1 from Miami), Carnival Breeze (8/31) or Carnival Ecstasy (9/5 from Jacksonville) should sign up for text alerts from the cruise line. Many of these itineraries are in doubt because it's unknown if the ship will return to port on time for its next cruise.
The line has made the following itinerary adjustments:
Carnival Sunshine, departed from Charleston on August 29 and swapped Saturday's call on Princess Cays with a visit to Key West. It is unclear if the ship will be able to return to Charleston on Monday. For the September 2 departure from Charleston, no changes have been made to the itinerary but the cruise line is monitoring the situation.
Carnival Elation, which departed Port Canaveral August 29, called on Nassau as planned on August 30. The line will advise passengers at a later time whether Sunday's call on Freeport will take place or not.
The September 2 departure of Carnival Elation will now operate as a two-day sailing, departing September 5 and returning September 7 visiting Nassau. Passengers who sail will receive a pro-rated refund of their cruise fare and any pre-purchased beverage and Wi-Fi packages. Those who wish to cancel will receive a future cruise credit for the full amount of their cruise fare.
Carnival Liberty departed Port Canaveral on Friday as scheduled, but the sailing was extended and the ship will return to port on September 5. Saturday's visit to Nassau will have shorter hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the line has added calls in Cozumel and Costa Maya.
Passengers who booked air through Carnival will automatically receive new flight routing for the revised return date. Passengers who booked independently and incur change fees will be reimbursed up to $200 per person. Those who choose not to sail will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the cruise fare and a refund of any pre-purchased expenses.
Liberty's September 2 cruise is canceled. Passengers will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and any pre-cruise purchases (such as tours or beverage packages).
Carnival Victory's August 30 sailing departed as scheduled but will return on September 4 instead of September 2. The ship will skip Saturday's call on Nassau and replace it with a stop in Key West and add a Progreso visit on Monday.
Passengers who booked air through Carnival will automatically receive new flight routing for the revised return date. Passengers who booked independently and incur change fees will be reimbursed up to $200 per person. Those who choose not to sail will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the cruise fare and a refund of any pre-purchased expenses.
Victory's September 2 cruise will be changed to a two-night cruise, departing September 4, with one port stop still to be determined. Passengers who sail will receive a pro-rated refund of their cruise fare and pre-purchased internet and drinks packages. Those who cancel will receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the cruise fare paid.
Carnival Sensation's August 31 cruise from Miami will not stop at Nassau on September 1, and instead have a day at sea. It will swap days in Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, and go to Nassau on September 4, on the last day of the sailing.
Carnival Paradise will sail on its scheduled August 31 itinerary, but with an earlier departure from Tampa. Passengers are asked to arrive at the port between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., regardless of assigned boarding time, as the ship will depart not long after all passengers have boarded.
Carnival Miracle's current sailing skipped a call to Cozumel on August 30, in favor of a sea day and is making its way back to the Port of Tampa early -- arriving August 31 instead of September 1 -- in anticipation of the port closing on Sunday. The Sunday, September 1 cruise has been changed to an eight-night sailing, departing Saturday evening. Passengers are requested to arrive at the cruise terminal between 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Passengers who wish to cancel will receive a future cruise credit.
Carnival Sunrise swapped port dates on its August 27 sailing from New York. The ship is now sailig to San Juan, Amber Cove and Grand Turk, in that order, on August 30, August 31 and September 1. Previously, the itinerary planned to stop in Grand Turk, San Juan and Amber Cove on those respective dates.
Carnival Magic will spend the day at sea on August 29, as opposed to stopping in Amber Cove, and go to Nassau on August 30, instead of a sea day. The ship left Fort Lauderdale on August 25. The August 31 departure of Carnival Magic is unchanged.
Carnival Ecstasy will operate its August 31 cruise as scheduled but there is a possibility it will not be able to return to Jacksonville on Thursday. If the port is closed, the ship will be in position to dock as soon as the authorities have reopened the port. The line is still evaluating the September 5 departure.
Carnival Horizon will be updated Saturday morning when the Sunday status of the Port of Miami is confirmed by port officials.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Fantasy, which departed August 24 from Port Canaveral, switched from an Eastern Caribbean itinerary to a Western Caribbean sailing. The ports of Tortola and St. Thomas have been replaced with Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The line does not anticipate any changes to the August 31 cruise.
Disney Dream set sail on Friday, August 30, from Port Canaveral, as planned. However, the cruise line has switched the three-night sailing to a five-night sailing, with an expected return to Port Canaveral on Wednesday, September 4. Itinerary changes include a stop in Cozumel on Sunday, September 1 and a stop at Castaway Cay on Tuesday, September 3, dependent on the storm's path.
Disney Cruise Line has also adjusted its September 2 sailing on Disney Dream, which will now depart from Port Canaveral on Wednesday, September 4 for a two-night sailing to Castaway Cay. It is expected to return to Port Canaveral on Friday, September 6. Passengers who choose to keep their booking for this cruise will receive a 50 percent refund, plus $250 onboard credit per cabin.
The line has given booked passengers some other options. "Guests that do not want to sail on Friday, must call us at 866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032 by noon on Friday. Guests will then have until October 31 to choose a new sail date. They may change their reservation to a later date without incurring a change fee, though there may be a difference in price depending on the new sailing selected." Passengers who do not wish to sail on Dream's September 4 cruise must call by noon on Sunday to have the same rebooking options.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Sky skipped its visit to Great Stirrup Cay on August 30 and returned to Miami a day early. Guests have the opportunity to remain on board until 7 a.m. August 31. Due to the shortened cruise, all guests will receive a 20 percent refund from the original cruise fare paid.
Norwegian Sky will depart Miami as scheduled on August 31. Boarding will be moved up, taking place from 9:30 to 1:30 p.m., with sailaway at 3:30 p.m. The ship will replace visits to Key West, Freeport, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay with two sea days and an overnight call at Cozumel on September 3. The cruise will end September 5 as planned.
Norwegian Sun has canceled calls to Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay and Freeport, Bahamas on its August 29 sailing. Instead, the ship will spend a day at sea on Friday, August 30 and will stay overnight in Cozumel, Mexico on August 31, departing September 1 at 6 p.m. It is uncertain if the ship will be able to return to Port Canaveral on September 2. An update will be provided by 3 p.m. or sooner on September 1.
Passengers on any of the altered Norwegian itineraries who booked shore excursions for the original port of calls through the line's shore excursion team will receive a refund credited to their onboard account.
Norwegian Breakaway's August 25 sailing called at Cozumel, Mexico on August 30. It is hoped that the ship can depart from Cozumel at 4 a.m on August 31 but the line has said that it is still uncertain if it will be able to return to Miami on September 1, as planned. Passengers have the option to conclude their cruise and arrange their return home or remain on board. People who choose to end their cruise in Cozumel will receive a 25 percent future cruise credit.
Passengers on the current cruise and those scheduled on Norwegian Breakaway's September 1 sailing will receive an update on the anticipated return date to Miami by 3 p.m. or sooner on Saturday, August 31.
Royal Caribbean
Navigator of the Seas will depart Miami on August 30, but instead of returning on September 2, it will increase its itinerary length and return on September 4. Its revised itinerary has the ship at sea on Saturday, Costa Maya on Sunday and Cozumel on Monday, followed by a day at sea before returning to Miami.
Navigator's September 2 sailing will be shortened, departing Miami on September 4, calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay on September 5 and returning to Miami on September 6.
Mariner of the Seas has extending its August 30 sailing from a three-night to a five-night sailing. The ship has replaced calls to Nassau and Labadee with a day at sea on August 31, a visit to Cozumel on September 1, Costa Maya on September 2, followed by another sea day, before returning to Port Canaveral on September 4.
Mariner's September 2 itinerary will be shortened from four to two nights, departing on September 4, calling the next day at CocoCay and returning to Florida on September 6.
Allure of the Seas, which departed August 25 from Fort Lauderdale, and switched from an Eastern Caribbean to a Western Caribbean sailing, is now operating an extended sailing. The ship will call at Roatan on August 31 and Costa Maya on September 1, followed by two sea days before returning to Fort Lauderdale on September 4. As a result of the current extended sailing, the next cruise, which was due to depart on September 1, will now depart September 4. The shortened four-night sailing will call at Cozumel on September 6, between two sea days, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on September 8.
Empress of the Seas’ current sailing, which departed Miami on August 24, has been extended by three nights and will now return on September 4. On the revised itinerary, the ship will call at Cozumel on August 30, Roatan on August 31, followed by two seas, and Nassau on September 3. As a result of the current sailing being extended, the next sailing, which was due to depart Miami on September 1, will now depart September 4 on a shortened three-night sailing. The itinerary features a sea day on September 5 and a call on Nassau on September 6, before returning to Miami.
Harmony of the Seas, which left August 25 from Port Canaveral, switched to Western Caribbean, is now operating an extended sailing and will return to Port Canaveral on September 4. The ship will overnight in Cozumel on August 31, followed by two sea days before returning to port. As a result of the current extended sailing, the next sailing, which was due to depart September 1, has been shortened and will now depart from Port Canaveral on September 4 for a four-night sailing to Labadee on September 6, with a sea day either side.
Majesty of the Seas’ August 28 sailing has been extended and will return to Fort Lauderdale on September 4 – two days later than originally planned. The ship will call on Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel as planned, followed by two sea days, and a call at Nassau on September 3. As a result of the current sailing being extended, the next sailing, which was due to depart on September 2, will now depart on a shortened three-night cruise on September 4. September 5 will be a sea day and the ship will call at Nassau on September 6, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on September 7.
Symphony of the Seas' August 24 cruise will return to Miami on August 31, as planned. Symphony's August 31 cruise will be extended by a day, and will now disembark on September 4. The ship will skip its Nassau call; the new itinerary includes two sea days and a visit to Costa Maya on September 2. The September 3 sailing will therefore be shortened by a day. It will depart September 4 and return to Miami on September 7, as planned. Ports of call remain the same, with one sea day removed.
Royal Caribbean is not publicly posting compensation for shortened cruises or options for booked passengers wishing to cancel. The line will reach out to passengers directly.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Equinox will depart Fort Lauderdale on August 31, as scheduled, but will push its boarding and departure times earlier. Boarding will begin at 10:30 a.m. with sail time scheduled for 2:30 p.m. All passengers must be onboard an hour before sailaway, and encouraged to arrive to the port early.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has canceled its September 1 and 3 departures of Grand Celebration. Its August 30 sailing departed the Port of Palm Beach instead of the Freeport Grand Bahama Port. The cruise is now a cruise to nowhere, heading out to sea with no port calls, and returning to Florida when safe to do so.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line was offering discounted fares to residents looking to evacuate the West Palm Beach area -- or seeking an alternative to staying on land -- onboard its previously scheduled Friday evening Grand Celebration departure.
Passengers booked on the August 30 sailing who canceled will receive a refund. Passengers booked on the canceled September 1 and September 3 sailings can either rebook and sail by December 24, 2019 and receive $100 onboard credit per cabin; rebook and sail after December 24, 2019, with no penalty fees and the original rate protected (excluding holiday cruises), but will not get onboard credit; or choose not to rebook and receive a full refund.
MSC Cruises
MSC Seaside returned to Miami a day early on Friday, August 30. Passengers currently onboard the ship have the option to disembark today or stay onboard overnight and debark on August 31. MSC Seaside's Saturday, August 31 departure will depart on time. Embarking guests are asked to arrive for check-in between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. (EST).
MSC Armonia's Monday, September 2 departure is currently scheduled to proceed as planned, but the line will make a final call about the itinerary on August 31 in the afternoon. Passengers are encouraged to check MSC's website for updates.
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