As Tropical Storm Ernesto continues to head toward Puerto Rico, at least five cruise ships have had to adjust their itineraries to steer clear of the storm.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Ernesto is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. They anticipate heavy rainfall that could potentially result in flash flooding and mudslides.
Though not yet a hurricane, the current track predicts Tropical Storm Ernesto will strengthen into one by 8am on Wednesday, August 14. After nearing Puerto Rico, the storm is projected to turn north, avoiding the U.S. mainland.
AUGUST 14 UPDATE: Tropical Storm Ernesto strengthened and is now a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75mph. The storm is moving northwest at 16mph. As of now, there's no watches or warnings issued for Bermuda; however, the NHC said they may put a watch into effect later on August 14.
Craig Setzter, Chief Meteorologist of Royal Caribbean Group, reassured that Ernesto's threat to the U.S. mainland is "very low;" however, "the same cannot be said about Bermuda around week's end."
The formation of Ernesto comes just over a week after Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida on August 5.
Read more: Here's What Happens If There's A Hurricane During Your Cruise
Icon of the Seas was one of the first cruise ships to adjust their Caribbean itinerary
"We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by weather," read a letter provided to guests onboard the current sailing, "Your safety is our top priority. Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because we are faster and can move out of the way of any inclement weather."
Rather than visit the Eastern Caribbean ports of St. Thomas, St. Kitts, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Icon of the Seas will now sail to the Western Caribbean, calling at Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Roatan, Honduras. Guests will also have two extra hours to enjoy CocoCay compared to the original itinerary.
Rhapsody of the Seas' August 11 was impacted, too.
Read more: Cruising during hurricane season: Is it safe and should you do it?
The ship departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and rather than head to St. Croix, Rhapsody's itinerary was reversed. Now, the vessel will call at Bridgetown, Barbados first before making its way to Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Croix.
Additionally, Symphony of the Seas skipped the Dominican Republic and called at Nassau instead.
Royal Caribbean is not the only cruise line that's had to adjust ship itineraries
According to San Juan Cruise Port, Carnival Magic's August 14 and Norwegian Sky's August 18 visits have been canceled.
Vessel Finder indicates Carnival Magic was en route to Puerto Plata-Amber Cove, Dominican Republic on August 13, with a scheduled arrival time of 11:00am. Initially, the ship was supposed to call at Amber Cove on August 15 and San Juan on August 14. Carnival's website confirms the visit to San Juan was canceled. In its place, Carnival Magic will now visit Nassau on Friday, August 16.
Similarly, Vessel Finder states Norwegian Sky was sailing to Roatán, Honduras with an expected arrival time of 3:15pm on August 14, indicating that the ship is no longer sailing to the Eastern Caribbean ports of Amber Cove, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Maarten, and San Juan.
Read more: 25 Tips to deal with bad weather on a cruise
"What surprise today at the boarding we are going to a new itinerary as they are a weather change !" shared Bernard Durand in a public Norwegian Sky Facebook group.
On August 11, BVI Ports Authority announced that Norwegian Breakaway would no longer visit Tortola on August 15. Instead, Cruise Mapper reveals that NCL Breakaway in the Western Caribbean.
Carnival Pride's August 11 cruise to Bermuda was altered. Though passengers will still have two days to enjoy the island, the ship's stay has been shortened by four hours. Now, Carnival Pride will depart at 5pm on Thursday, August 15.
Norwegian Joy's cruise to Bermuda was also changed. Like Carnival Pride, the ship arrived a day early and will depart on Thursday instead of Friday.
Carnival's website states that Carnival Freedom and Mardi Gras are being closely monitored for potential changes, but no changes have been made yet.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
