Saturday, September 16, 2017

Latest Cruise Itinerary Updates

CLIA Response to Cruise Line Efforts 

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia.

Is Vacationing Either on Land or Sea During Hurricane Season Right for You?

Unless you've been completely cut off from the outside world the past several weeks, you know that two major Hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, have had catastrophic impact on the Atlantic Basin. Besides the loss of lives, injuries, and damage in their wake, the travel industry has had to be on their "A" game to alter existing plans, sometimes with little warning.

Many travelers were inconvenienced and had plans altered.   At the same time, many were able to enjoy some vacation, albeit not what they had originally expected.  While others had their vacations extended because they were unable to return home safely.  Click on the image or link above to explore the pros & cons about booking a vacation during hurricane season which runs from June - end of November.

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, the cruise industry is providing humanitarian relief and also continuing to adjust their schedules.  This article brings you a summary of the latest updates along with links that you can utilize between our updates.

Hurricane Maria is starting to impact, already modified itineraries as well.   We will update this page as frequently as possible but for the very latest news, please consult the cruise line links below. 


Royal Caribbean

Ships Deployed
To Assist In
Wake of IRMA


This base image, courtesy NOAA, shows Hurricane IRMA approaching the U.S. Virgin Islands. As one of the most popular Caribbean cruise destinations, the devastation is truly saddening. Our thoughts and prayers go to all impacted by the hurricane, in the USVI, and all along its path. This update from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line makes me proud to be part of the cruise industry.

Royal Caribbean Itinerary Updates (click for latest)
September 26, 2017 at 11 AM EDT (next update tomorrow at 2 PM EDT)

Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors in San Juan and the other affected islands as they rebuild after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

To learn more about our humanitarian efforts, click here.

The following sailing is being cancelled: 

Adventure of the Seas: September 30

Given the impact of Hurricane Maria, we are cancelling this cruise to utilize the ship for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. The ship will arrive on Wednesday, September 27 and will operate humanitarian calls in San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Croix to aid in the evacuation and donate critical supplies to each destination. The ship will bring evacuees to Fort Lauderdale before returning to San Juan on October 6 to prepare for the October 7th cruise.

The following sailings are no longer modified:

Empress of the Seas: September 23 & 27; October 2, 7 & 11 Cuba cruise

Yesterday, September 20th, Havana welcomed our Empress of the Seas guests. The terminal, port and transportation were ready and all tours ran as scheduled. The city is ready and receiving visitors and delivering the authentic experience this historical destination is known for.

Immediately following Hurricane Irma we recognized guests may have had concerns visiting Cuba and offered the ability to cancel and receive a future cruise credit. As Havana and Key West are both ready to welcome guests, our offer will end by close of business Sunday, September 24. All cancellations to receive a cruise credit must be completed by this time so we can offer the stateroom to another traveler. We look forward to welcoming guests onboard Empress of the Seas for a truly once in a lifetime experience to visit Key West and Havana, Cuba

For more frequent updates, please follow our meteorologist on Twitter @JamesVanFleet or visit the Royal Caribbean Facebook page.

SHIP
SAIL DATE
STATUS
UPDATES
Adventure of the Seas September 16 Modified Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados
Aruba & Bonaire
Allure of the Seas September 17 Modified St. Maarten to St. Kitts
Skipping St. Kitts (Maria)
Enchantment of the Seas September 18 Modified Key West to Freeport
Majesty of the Seas September 18
September 19
Rescheduled 3 Day
Nassau & Cococay, Bahamas
Adventure of the Seas September 23
September 27
Rescheduled
Canceled
3 Day
Antigua and St. Kitts.
Anthem of the Seas September 23 Modified Bermuda
Portland, Maine and Halifax, Nova Scotia
Empress of the Seas September 23 As Scheduled Key West
Havana, Cuba
Harmony of the Seas September 23 Modified Eastern Caribbean
St. Thomas to St. Kitts
Oasis of the Seas September 24 Modified Eastern Caribbean
St. Maarten to St. Kitts
Enchantment of the Seas September 25 Modified Key West to Freeport
Empress of the Seas September 27 Modified Key West (Humanitarian Stop)
Havana, Cuba
Adventure of the Seas September 30 Canceled Southern Caribbean
Humanitarian Calls:
San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix
Allure of the Seas October 1 Modified St. Thomas & San Juan
to Cozumel & Costa Maya
Empress of the Seas October 2 As Scheduled Key West
Havana, Cuba
Enchantment of the Seas October 2 Modified Freeport back to Key West
Adventure of the Seas October 7 Modified Southern Caribbean
St. Maarten to St. Croix
St. Croix to Martinique
Empress of the Seas October 7 As Scheduled Key West
Havana, Cuba
Harmony of the Seas October 7 Modified St. Maarten, San Juan & Labadee
to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya
Oasis of the Seas October 8 Modified Eastern Caribbean
St. Maarten to Nassau
Enchantment of the Seas October 9 Modified Freeport back to Key West
Empress of the Seas October 11 Modified Key West (Humanitarian Stop)
Havana, Cuba
Adventure of the Seas October 14 Modified Southern Caribbean
St. Thomas to St. Croix St. Croix to Antigua
Allure of the Seas October 15 Modified St. Maarten & San Juan
to Cozumel & Costa Maya
Serenade of the Seas October 20 Modified St. Thomas & St. Maarten
to St. Kitts & Antigua
Harmony of the Seas October 21 Modified St. Thomas, San Juan & Labadee
to Nassau, Cozumel & Costa Maya
Oasis of the Seas October 22 Modified St. Maarten & San Juan
to Nassau & Falmouth


Norwegian Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)

September 25th at 9:00 AM  (1:00 PM UTC)

We are saddened by the devastation that Hurricanes Irma and Maria have inflicted in the Caribbean. The impact of these hurricanes have been felt on select islands in the Eastern Caribbean, which include our ports-of-call Tortola (BVI), St. Thomas (USVI), and St. Maarten. We are currently in contact with our local partners to assess any potential damages in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

We are working with our partners on the ground on the affected islands to provide assistance to ensure these spectacular destinations are up and running and ready to welcome guests again very soon.

In the interim, we have altered the itineraries for Norwegian Escape’s Eastern Caribbean cruises for the remainder of 2017. These new sailings are now available on www.ncl.com.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships have resumed normal operations and many of our guests’ favorite Caribbean destinations remain unaffected by these storms. While we hope that our affected ports-of-call are operational again soon, we have the flexibility to alter future itineraries to ensure a great guest experience, if needed.


SHIP
SAIL DATE
STATUS
DESTINATION
Norwegian SkySeptember 15As Scheduled3 day Bahamas
Norwegian EscapeSeptember 16As ScheduledWestern Caribbean
Norwegian SkySeptember 18As ScheduledCuba


Disney Cruise Line Weather Alert (click for latest)

Tropical Weather Update September 26, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. 


Disney Fantasy - September 23 and October 7 Sailings 

The September 23 and October 7 Disney Fantasy Eastern Caribbean sailings are being modified to include ports of call in the Western Caribbean. These two revised sailings will now visit Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Falmouth, Jamaica.

Please know that further changes may be needed as the Caribbean islands continue to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Irma and that we will notify Guests should additional changes be necessary. Western Caribbean sailings will continue as scheduled.

Should you have any questions related to a future reservation, please call us at 1-855-347-2784 or 407-566-7054.

SHIP
SAIL DATE
STATUS
DESTINATION
Disney Dream September 15 As Scheduled Bahamas
Disney Fantasy September 16 As Scheduled Western Caribbean
Disney Fantasy September 23 Modified Eastern Caribbean
Western Caribbean
Disney Fantasy October 7 Modified Eastern Caribbean
Western Caribbean


Carnival Cruise Line Travel Alerts (click for latest)
Weather update 9/20/2017 – 11:00 AM (EDT)

We continue to monitor Hurricane Maria and will confirm our itinerary once the post storm assessment has been completed. To stay up to date, please text CCL1 to CRUISE (278473).

As a result of damage caused by Hurricane Irma, we have modified the following itineraries in order to provide our guests with the best possible shore experience.



SHIP
SAIL DATE
STATUS
DESTINATION
Carnival Splendor September 23 Modified Port Everglades 7 day
Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay, Grand Cayman
Carnival Vista September 23 Modified Miami 8 day
La Romana, D.R., Aruba and Curacao
Carnival ConquestSeptember 24 ModifiedPort Everglades  6 day
Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Carnival MagicSeptember 24 Modified Port Canaveral 6 day
Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya
Carnival Pride September 24 Modified Baltimore 7 day
Half Moon Cay, Nassau, Freeport
Carnival Paradise September 25 Modified Tampa 5 day
Overnight Havana, Cuba
Carnival Victory September 25 Modified Miami 4 day
Cozumel
Carnival Glory September 30 Modified 7 day Miami
Half Moon Cay,Montego Bay,Grand Cayman,Cozumel
Carnival Sensation September 30 Modified Miami 5 day
Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Freeport
Carnival Splendor September 30 Modified Port Everglades 8 day
Princess Cays, Ocho Rios,Grand Cayman,Cozumel
Carnival Pride October 1 Modified Baltimore 7 day
Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Freeport


MSC Cruises Itinerary Updates (click for latest)

MSC CRUISES ANNOUNCES UPDATED CARIBBEAN ITINERARIES


Geneva, September 26, 2017 – MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe and South America, has today announced updated Caribbean itineraries. These updates have come due to the recent tragic weather events that have affected populations as well as individual destinations across the region, including Philipsburg (St Maarten), Road Town (British Virgin Islands), and Roseau (Dominica).

MSC Cruises remains committed to the Caribbean as a destination, with the continued operation of four ships over the next months, and the introduction of a fifth ship, MSC Seaside, from December. The Company has been working closely with officials, governments and other entities in the affected areas of the Caribbean in order to make an appropriate assessment about both existing destinations and those being introduced. Additionally, it will continue to work hand-in-hand with relevant parties to monitor and assess on an ongoing basis the availability of destinations that are not currently accessible.

In the meantime, guests sailing in the Caribbean aboard MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia and MSC Seaside will experience an updated array of alternative Caribbean destinations for their cruise vacation.

MSC Fantasia: November 25 – March 31, 2018

On the 7-night itineraries from Forte de France (Martinique) and Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), MSC Fantasia will now call at La Romana (Dominican Republic), instead of at Road Town/Tortola (British Virgin Islands), and at Basseterre (St Kitts & Nevis), instead of at Roseau (Dominica), while spending an additional day at sea instead of calling at Philipsburg (St Maarten).

MSC Seaside: December 23 – March 17, 2018 

On her Eastern Caribbean itineraries departing from Miami, MSC Seaside will now call at St John (Antigua and Barbuda), instead of at Philipsburg (St Maarten).


SHIP
SAIL DATE
STATUS
DESTINATION
MSC Divina September 30
October 14
October 28
Modified Miami R/T: Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown
(Cayman Islands), Costa Maya (Mexico), Nassau (Bahanas)
MSC Divina November 11
onwards
Modified 7nt Eastern Caribbean (Miami)
Philipsburg (St Maarten) to St John (Antigua and Barbuda)
MSC Divina January 3 Modified Road Town/Tortola (BVI), Basseterre (St Kitts & Nevis)
Oranjestad (Aruba) & Willemstad (Curaçao)
MSC Divina January 25 Modified Philipsburg (St Maarten)
San Juan (Puerto Rico)
MSC Divina February 15 Modified Philipsburg (St Maarten), Road Town/Tortola (BVI), St John (Antigua & Barbuda)
San Juan (Puerto Rico), Bridgetown (Barbados), Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe)
MSC Opera September 16
(onwards)
As Scheduled Havana, Cuba

Historical: MSC Divina had shortened Eastern Caribbean cruise on September 2.  The September 9th cruise was cancelled an the next two cruises sailed modified Western Caribbean itineraries.

Celebrity Cruises Travel Alert (click for latest)

Our goal remains, as always, to provide you with an unforgettable vacation experience, while continuously ensuring your safety and the safety of our crew. Our thoughts are ever with our friends and neighbors affected by the storm, and we truly appreciate your ongoing patience during this difficult time.

Impacted Ships:  Celebrity Equinox, Eclipse, Summit, Reflection, Silhouette
See Celebrity Update for revised schedule for sailings after September 25.

 
SHIP
SAIL DATE 
STATUS
DESTINATION
Celebrity EquinoxSeptember 15
2:30 PM
ModifiedKey West, FL, 9/24/17
Falmouth, Jamaica, 9/23/17
Celebrity EquinoxSeptember 25ModifiedSee Celebrity Update for revised schedule


Princess Cruises Caribbean Update (click for latest)

UPDATED AS OF 9/23/17, 9:30AM PDT

All of us at Princess share your concerns about the effects the recent hurricanes had in the Caribbean. The islands are part of our community, and we are committed to supporting relief efforts there.

Below is an update to the two voyages we had updated previously:

Caribbean Princess: October 7 Caribbean Cruise

We have learned that recovery efforts in the Old San Juan area are looking positive. Therefore, we intend to continue with the call to San Juan on October 10 and will keep you advised of any changes that arise.

Regal Princess: October 26 Caribbean Cruise 

We have also learned that Antigua and St. Kitts are accepting our ships and guests so we intend to continue with the current itinerary.

None of our Western Caribbean or Panama Canal cruises have been canceled or changed.

We sincerely encourage guests with current reservations and anyone considering a Caribbean cruise to move forward with their plans. We look forward to continuing to provide the great cruise experience our guests expect and the economic support the region relies on, more than ever.

 
SHIP
SAIL DATE 
STATUS
DESTINATION
Caribbean PrincessOctober 7ModifiedSt. Thomas
San Juan 
Regal PrincessOctober 26ModifiedSt. Maarten
St. Kitts 


Hurricane Preparedness Mini-Series:


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