A newly created hurricane is sweeping across the Atlantic, meaning that several major cruise lines have severely adjusted their itineraries in the Bahamas. The storm intensified over the last few days and has caused hold-ups for thousands of travelers as safety concerns prompted cruise companies to reroute or cancel planned stops in the region.
The Bahamas is strictly an area on the hurricane’s path, thus cruise operators act fast to avoid the storm. Under the companies are Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line, among many others which have redirected their itineraries in order to secure passengers and crew safe passage. This includes port skipping in the Bahamas and forwarding the ships to relatively safer destinations in the Caribbean.
One of the seriously affected places is the Bahamas’ capital city, Nassau, which happens to be a common crucial port of call for cruise tours in the region. Due to the expected strong winds, heavy sea, and rising waters, the ports are shut down until the effects of the storm are known. The cruise lines have maintained communication with their passengers and offered alternative arrangements as well, which include various activities on the cruise or extra time at sea, or visiting alternative ports of call.
Royal Caribbean, meanwhile, has also indicated that many of its routes have been altered. It explained, in a statement, that although they may understand the frustration of having a vacation ruined, passenger safety comes first. Many people are understandably frustrated with the changes, but many have appreciated the proactive steps cruise companies make not to be caught up in the hurricane.
The hurricane promised heavy rainfall, strong winds, and hazardous surf to the Bahamas for days ahead. The storm is now a Category 3, but has already done much damage. According to weather analysts, the storm may even strengthen further, and so everyone traveling should be alert and aware of the latest news on the typhoon.
As the hurricane continues its course across the Atlantic, cruise lines continue to stay in close contact with passengers to keep them informed of further itinerary changes. Those with Bahamas cruises scheduled soon should be on the lookout for any updates from their cruise line as this situation continues to change.
After a hurricane, it is pretty clear that hurricanes are very unpredictable, and hence may have many changes to an individual’s plan to travel, especially one heading for vulnerable island destinations such as the Bahamas.
