Hurricane Erin, a formidable Category 2 storm churning through the Atlantic with sustained winds of 110 mph, has by now disrupted the schedules of 15 cruise ships from seven major cruise lines that operate to the ports around Bermuda.
The storm, which briefly reached Category 5 intensity on 16 August before weakening, has forced major cruise lines to alter itineraries, cancel port calls, and reroute ships to ensure passenger safety, leaving holidaymakers facing unexpected changes to their travel plans.
With the hurricane season in full swing, the impact of Erin has been felt across the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the eastern coast of the United States, prompting swift action from cruise operators.
The USA’s National Hurricane Centre reports that Hurricane Erin is currently moving north-northeast, approximately 200 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as it begins to veer away from the U.S. coastline.
Despite avoiding direct landfall, the storm’s expansive wind field continues to generate life-threatening surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast, with waves reaching up to 15 feet in areas like the Outer Banks and Cape Cod. In the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have already endured heavy rainfall and strong winds, while the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos faced tropical storm conditions earlier this week. These hazardous conditions have compelled cruise lines to prioritise safety, leading to widespread itinerary adjustments.
- Three Carnival Cruise Line ships have made notable adjustments. The Carnival Sunshine, sailing from Norfolk, Virginia, cancelled its planned two-day stop in Bermuda on 20 and 21 August, opting instead for visits to Celebration Key, Carnival’s new private destination in the Bahamas, and Nassau. The ship is set to return to Norfolk on 23 August as scheduled. Carnival’s Mardi Gras adjusted its itinerary by shifting a Grand Turk visit from 18 to 19 August, while Carnival Vista replaced a stop at Half Moon Cay with Nassau on 19 August. Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, clarified that no refunds will be issued for passengers choosing not to sail due to the storm, though full refunds are available if the cruise line cancels a voyage outright, a rare occurrence given the industry’s preference for rerouting.
- Royal Caribbean International has seen six of its ships affected, including Vision of the Seas, which scrapped an overnight Bermuda call on its 14 August sailing from Baltimore, replacing it with a visit to Port Canaveral and an extended stop in Nassau. Liberty of the Seas, departing from New Jersey on 16 August, swapped its Bermuda stop for an overnight in Halifax, Canada. Symphony of the Seas cancelled a Nassau call on 20 August, opting for a sea day instead. These changes, while disappointing for passengers expecting specific destinations, are estimated to save cruise lines millions in potential damages, with repair costs for storm-damaged vessels often exceeding €1 million.
- MSC Cruises’ MSC World America, which set sail from Miami on 16 August, replaced planned stops in Puerto Plata and San Juan with Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, maintaining its visit to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve on 22 August.
- Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Jewel both diverted from Bermuda to Saint John, New Brunswick, while Norwegian Gem postponed its 22 August sailing from Boston to 24 August.
- Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess swapped Dominica and St. Maarten for Martinique and St. Kitts, and Island Princess delayed its 19 August departure from New York, cancelling calls to Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and San Juan but adding an extra day in Bermuda.
- Disney Cruise Line has rerouted its Disney Treasure, which departed Port Canaveral on 16 August for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. Originally scheduled to visit Tortola and St. Thomas, the ship is now calling at Cozumel, George Town in Grand Cayman, and Falmouth in Jamaica, with its stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, still planned for 22 August, weather permitting. Itinerary changes leave passengers potentially facing additional expenses for new excursions, estimated at €50 to €150 per person, depending on the activity.
The financial impact on passengers varies. While cruise lines typically do not refund fares for itinerary changes, many offer onboard credits or refunds for pre-booked excursions, ranging from €20 to €100 per booking. Passengers are advised to monitor email and app notifications for updates, as cruise lines continue to track Erin’s path in collaboration with the National Hurricane Centre and local authorities.
The storm’s northward trajectory suggests it will move further into the Atlantic, potentially reducing its impact on future sailings, but the hurricane season, which peaks from August to October, could bring further disruptions.
Travellers should consider travel insurance that covers weather-related disruptions, with policies starting at approximately €45, to mitigate financial losses from cancellations or delays. As Hurricane Erin continues to influence travel plans, the cruise industry’s ability to adapt quickly has ensured that, while itineraries may change, the safety of passengers and crew remains paramount. With more storms likely before the season ends in November, flexibility remains key for those embarking on Atlantic voyages.
John Heald shared “While Erin is not on a direct path to some of the places that our ships are going to, it has caused a bit of storm surge. We are very excited to build a pier there, and it will improve the number of times that we have to cancel this port because of the safety of putting guests on smaller boats. Our crew is taking wonderful care of guests, and while we look for an alternative port, it’s not always possible because of distance and space available at the ports. Our Fleet Operations Center and all the other people that work so hard, including the captains and crew, will take great care of you and keep you safe. The safety and security of guests and crew is the most important thing for the company.”
