Posted on Oct 10, 2018
by in Cruise News
Cruise itineraries disrupted as Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line prepare for Category 3 hurricane.
Major Hurricane Michael, a still-intensifying Category 3 hurricane, is expected to make landfall in Florida early Wednesday. The storm has already caused some headaches for both Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line, who have rerouted a combined total of seven cruise ships.
Major Hurricane Michael expected to strengthen this week
With winds reaching a maximum sustained speed of up to 120 miles per hour, Hurricane Michael is making steady headway toward Florida’s panhandle. A hurricane warning is in effect there, and a storm surge warning and watch is in effect in Tampa Bay. While meteorologists anticipate the storm could reach a Category 4, storm warnings have already been lifted in some Caribbean locations, including Cuba and Mexico.
NCL, Carnival Cruise Line modify cruise itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line has already announced major modifications to Norwegian Getaway’s itinerary. The Caribbean cruise is replacing its Roatan, Honduras, stop with Jamaica, and substituting Grand Cayman for Costa Maya. It will call at Cozumel as planned.
Carnival Cruise Line has rerouted six cruise ships in preparation for the storm.
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Carnival Triumph will call at the same ports, but will reverse port calls in Progreso and Cozumel
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Carnival Glory is opting for an additional sea day rather than stopping in Grand Cayman
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Carnival Freedom also spent an extra day at sea rather than stop at Mahogany Bay, and will later call at Cozumel and Belize
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Carnival Victory postponed a call at Key West, but will continue to Cozumel as planned
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Carnival Miracle bypassed Cozumel
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Carnival Paradise swapped some dates, choosing to visit Cozumel on October 10 and Grand Cayman on the 11th
While Royal Caribbean is also keeping close tabs on the storm, it has not changed any plans. According to chief meteorologist James Van Fleet, Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas are already scheduled to avoid the hurricane.