Hurricane Irma – Cruise lines get involved with the devastation.

With Hurricane Irma tearing through the Caribbean and causing billions of pounds worth of damage to some of the cruise industries most visited ports, both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines have scrambled some of their fleet, very generously to help with delivering supplies and also rescue stranded tourists and residents from the worst hit Islands.

Royal Caribbean announced yesterday, that they are sending cruise ships to the to help with Hurricane Irma relief efforts and to transport those impacted by the devastating storm to safety. Ships from Royal Caribbean’s fleet are being mobilised and filled with supplies to “help people in need.” A really nice thing for the cruise giants to do in my opinion, especially so quickly after the devastation.

The Adventure of the Seas will be delivering aid and rescue for the Island of St. Martin, the Majesty of the Seas will make stops in both St. Thomas and St. Martin. That ship will then assist in transporting evacuees from the island.

Two additional ships – the Enchantment of the Seas and the Empress of the Seas (the 1st ship I ever went on) are ready to assist Florida cities such as Tampa and Key West as the hurricane passes through the Keys yesterday, there is not much information on the damage caused.

Norwegian expects to pick up 2,000 travellers unable to leave the island of St. Thomas prior to the storm. Its ship, Norwegian Sky, which normally cruises between Miami and the Bahamas, is sailing from its present location off the Mexico, and is expected to arrive in St. Thomas today (Monday). The effort is being organised by the local government of St. Thomas, one of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Norwegian mega ship, the Escape has been stranded at sea after fleeing Miami with the storm closing in. 4000 passengers are currently on board, and with the line being all inclusive, I can imagine the bar staff are being rushed off their feet!!