photo: National Hurricane Center
Erring on the side of caution, Miami-based cruise lines are starting to cancel Bahamas and Caribbean cruises in anticipation of Hurricane Irma.
Currently, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have canceled sailings. Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line has adjusted several itineraries and cancelled several cruises entirely.
Hurricane Irma Cruise Cancellations
Royal Caribbean
- Enchantment of the Seas: September 8 Bahamas cruise
- Majesty of the Seas: September 8 Bahamas cruise
Royal Caribbean said in a statement on their website, “The cruise fare and fees will be 100% refunded to the original form of payment, and we are also offering a 25% future cruise credit, based on the cruise fare, if a new cruise is booked in the next 30 days.”
Norwegian Cruise Line
- Norwegian Sky, September 8 from Miami: The ship’s three-day Bahamas cruise has been canceled. We will be providing a full refund to all guests, plus a 50% future cruise credit.
- Norwegian Escape, September 9 from Miami: The ship’s seven-day eastern Caribbean cruise has been canceled. We will be providing a full refund to all guests, plus a 50% future cruise credit.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival posted on their website: “We have been closely monitoring Hurricane Irma, which is now a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean. Since the safety and security of our guests and crew are our primary concern, it will be necessary to cancel the following cruises given the projected path of the storm.” As of Tuesday evening, the September 7th sailing of Carnival Liberty and the September 8th sailing of Carnival Victory were both being cancelled.
The post went on to read, “We sincerely apologize for the disruption to your vacation plans. We will automatically process a full refund, including any pre-purchased Carnival Adventures, Fun Shop purchases and beverage packages. The refund will be processed to your original form of payment within three weeks. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work on our plans for our other sailings departing from Central and South Florida this weekend. We will provide another update by 1 p.m. [Wednesday].”
Carnival Magic: The six-day cruise departing out of Port Canaveral today originally was slated to visit Nassau, followed by a day at sea, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and another sea day before returning to Florida. Instead, she will spend tomorrow at sea before visiting Cozumel, Belize, and Costa Maya, followed by a final sea day as she returns to Port Canaveral.
Carnival Splendor: This six-day sailing out of Fort Lauderdale was originally slated to visit Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove before spending a final day at sea on its way back to Port Everglades. Instead, she will spend tomorrow at sea before visiting Cozumel, Mahogany Bay and Belize, followed by another sea day on her way back to Port Everglades.
Carnival Pride: The ship’s seven-day cruise out of Baltimore was originally slated to spend two days at sea before sailing to Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, followed by two sea days on her way back to Baltimore. Instead, she will now spend Monday at sea, then call upon Charleston, Freeport, and Nassau before spending two days at sea sailing back to Baltimore.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Fantasy: The September 2 cruise of the Disney Fantasy is currently sailing a modified Western Caribbean itinerary and is expected to return to Port Canaveral two days earlier than planned on Thursday, September 7.
The September 9 sailing of the Disney Fantasy is cancelled. Refunds will automatically be processed back to the original form of payment used for the cruise booking. Guests are invited to book a future cruise at a 25 percent discount by calling us at 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054 from September 18, 2017, through October 18, 2017.
Disney Dream: The September 4 cruise of the Disney Dream is sailing a modified Bahamian cruise itinerary and will return to Port Canaveral one day earlier than planned on Thursday, September 7. Guests on this sailing will be refunded one night of their voyage fare and provided a 25 percent discount on a future cruise, which may be booked by calling 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054 from September 18, 2017, through October 18, 2017.
The September 8 and September 11 sailings of the Disney Dream are cancelled. Refunds will automatically be processed back to the original form of payment used for the cruise booking. Guests are invited to book a future cruise at a 25 percent discount by calling us at 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054 from September 18, 2017, through October 18, 2017.
MSC Cruises
MSC Divina has changed to an eastern Caribbean sailing for their current cruise but hasn’t announced any upcoming cancellations.
As of 5 pm ET on Tuesday, the Leeward islands are bracing for the worst as Hurricane Irma now has winds at 185 mph. Our prayers go out to those in the eastern Caribbean that are affected by this massive storm.
Updated: September 5, 2017 at 5:00 PM ET
