Cruise lines are having to make even more changes in front of Hurricane Maria.
The lines, which already made a number of alterations to Caribbean itineraries, are faced with a new challenge as Maria threatens to bear down on the region.
Meteorologists are predicting that the storm will pose a major threat to islands already reeling from Irma, which barreled through less than two weeks ago. The National Hurricane Center predicted that the storm would be a “dangerous major hurricane” as it is headed to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
A hurricane warning has been issued for Puerto Rico, which managed to avoid a bruising direct hit from Irma, but the U.S. Virgin Islands were severely damaged.
Hurricane Maria is now a Category 4. It is just one of three storms moving through the Caribbean at the moment and wreaking havoc on islands.
Cruise lines are taking many precautions to keep guests safe and cruises enjoyable. Royal Caribbean and Carnival are rerouting several port calls to avoid the storm.
The Allure of the Seas will skip a call in St. Kitts on Thursday. The port was only recently added to the itinerary after St. Maarten was ravaged by Irma.
Falmouth, Jamaica, will replace the call.
Adventure of the Seas will also make a port swap. The Puerto Rico-based cruise ship will be heading to Aruba and Bonaire rather than Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados.
Carnival has also made further changes to Caribbean itineraries since it announced alterations last week. Three itineraries have been altered as follows:
Carnival Fascination is sailing to Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Kitts.
The Carnival Glory is now sailing to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Roatan and Cozumel instead of Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk.
And Carnival Magic is now sailing to Amber Cove, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel rather than calling in Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Kitts and St. Maarten. I hope that it will all soon get back to normal and the cruise industry will carry on bringing tourists to these wonderful islands.
