UPDATE: 2:00pm EST, Hurricane Irene has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph as the storm passes the Bahamas and takes aim at the coast of North Carolina.
The Ministry of Tourism in the Bahamas expects resorts such as the Atlantis to begin opening as early as Friday and the port on Saturday. He said, “initial assessment … on major tourism areas in Nassau and Grand Bahama Island
indicates limited damage and points to a quick return to normal operations.”
The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for the Bahamas and and the east coast of North and South Carolina and Virginia after Tropical Storm Irene became a category 3 hurricane overnight with maximum sustained winds at 115 mph. Cruise Lines have begun to alter the itineraries of over a dozen cruises. No cruises have yet been canceled although changes are constantly taking place based on the unpredictable movement of hurricanes.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has announced changes to the Monarch of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, the Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas. Some of the ships will reverse the planned itinerary while others have some port changes. Check with Royalcaribbean.com for the latest changes.
Royal Caribbean has just announced that they are securing and evacuating their private island, CocoCay. NCL’s private island, Great Strirrup Cay will most likely follow, as it is about a mile from CocoCay.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced changes to the Pride, Conquest, Victory, Triumph, Destiny, Miracle, and Liberty itineraries. Check with Carnival.com for the latest on the various ship’s changes in itineraries due to Hurricane Irene.
Norwegian Cruise Line has announced no changes to any of their ship’s itineraries. There is a good possibility that the Norwegian Sky may have to make a change in port if Hurricane Irene makes a direct hit near Nassau. Check with www.ncl.com for the latest updates and changes.
Disney Cruise Line has not announced any changes. They currently have 1 ship serving the Bahamas, the Disney Dream. If anything changes, we will let you know
Irene poses little to no threat to Bermuda right now. If you are sailing on a cruise to Bermuda this weekend, travel disruption is only likely to occur if the port you are sailing out of is in a direct line with the storm on your day of embarkation. It is always best to check with your cruise line for the most reliable information about any changes that may occur.
We will be updating this page as more information becomes available and the storm moves closer to the Bahamas.
Hurricane Irene is expected to pick up in intensity and become a major hurricane with winds of 125+ mph. However, due to the unpredictability of hurricanes, please visit the National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov for the latest updates on the storm.
