Cruise Lines redirect itineraries due to tropical storm Ernesto

15-08-24

Tropical Storm Ernesto has forced several cruise lines to adjust their routes in the Caribbean, affecting thousands of passengers. This action was taken as a precaution in the face of intense weather conditions that could include winds in excess of 39 miles per hour, torrential rains and potential flooding. Ernesto is expected to strengthen and reach hurricane status in the coming hours.

Among the companies affected, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have been the most impacted. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, cancelled its visits to San Cristóbal and San Tomás, rescheduling its route to Cozumel, Costa Maya in Mexico, and Roatán in Honduras. In addition, the Rhapsody of the Seas, which departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, rearranged its itinerary, postponing its stop in St. Thomas and changing other stops in the Eastern Caribbean to avoid the storm.

Norwegian Cruise Line also made significant adjustments. The Norwegian Breakaway canceled its calls in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and the Virgin Islands, diverting to ports in the Western Caribbean, including Harvest Caye in Belize and Cozumel in Mexico.

The U.S. Coast Guard has issued warnings to ports in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, urging the maritime community to take extreme precautions. Although the ports remain open, more stringent measures are expected to be taken if the storm continues to intensify. Should winds reach dangerous levels, ports could close completely, forcing large vessels to leave the area (Cruise Blog) (Cruise Hive).

These changes underscore the vulnerability of cruise operations during hurricane season in the Caribbean. Passenger safety remains the top priority, and cruise lines are taking all necessary steps to ensure that their voyages are safe despite adverse weather conditions.

Storm Ernesto has generated a quick reaction from cruise lines to avoid any risk, demonstrating the importance of flexibility in route planning during hurricane season. Affected passengers have been notified of these changes and have been assured that these measures are necessary to ensure their safety.

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