Regional carrier InterCaribbean Airways noted it was amending some flight schedules on its August 19 island-hopping routes in order to make up for widespread cancellations that occurred on August 17. Updates are available on the airline’s website.
Previously, the storm caused widespread power outages in Puerto Rico and shut down airports across the Virgin Islands as it passed through the area on August 15 and 16. However, utilities providers had the majority of Puerto Rico’s power restored. The US Virgin Islands “did well in the storm and can report no major damages,” the tourism board said in an update, adding: “We are open for business!”
Are cruises being rerouted?
Cruise lines are rerouting ships that were scheduled to call upon Bermuda, the eastern Caribbean, and certain areas of The Bahamas. Here’s a look at the latest changes.
Carnival
Carnival Sunshine canceled its Bermuda calls on August 20 and 21. Instead, the ship visited the line’s resort area on Grand Bahama, Celebration Key, on August 19, and will call on Nassau, Bahamas on August 20, before returning to Norfolk, Virginia, as scheduled on August 23.
Carnival Vista visited Nassau, Bahamas, on August 19, instead of the line’s private Bahamian island, Half Moon Cay. Carnival Elation will visit Freeport, Bahamas, on August 20, instead of Half Moon Cay. Additionally, the line’s Mardi Gras visited Grand Turk a day later on August 19 instead of August 18.
The line also says it’s monitoring for potential itinerary changes for Carnival Venezia, which is scheduled to depart New York City on August 19 for a seven-day Caribbean voyage. “Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami has been working with the captains on our ships to monitor Hurricane Erin,” a Carnival spokesperson says. “Guests on upcoming sailings are encouraged to opt in to text alerts during check-in and monitor their email for potential updates from Carnival.”
Disney Cruise Line
The itinerary aboard Disney Treasure, which departed Port Canaveral, Florida, on a Caribbean voyage on August 16, is being amended, according to Cruise Industry News. Instead of sailing to eastern islands like the US Virgin Islands, the ship will now call upon ports in the Western Caribbean, including Cozumel, the Cayman islands, and Jamaica.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Two Norwegian ships that were scheduled to call upon Bermuda were shifted to new destinations. Norwegian Jewel departed from the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda a day early at 6 p.m. local time on August 18 and is spending a day at sea on August 19. Norwegian Aqua has canceled its call to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda and will now call on Saint John in New Brunswick, Canada on August 20.
“No further itineraries have been impacted at this time,” a spokesperson for the cruise line said. “We will continue to monitor the storm and communicate any additional updates as appropriate directly to guests.”
MSC Cruises
Travelers aboard one of MSC ships that departed Miami on August 16 on a Caribbean voyage will notice a few itinerary changes. “Due to the projected path of Hurricane Erin, we are adjusting MSC World America’s itinerary,” an MSC spokesperson said. “Our scheduled visits to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be replaced with Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. We will still proceed to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve as originally scheduled.”
