Cruise NewsHurricane Rina Affects Cruises Near Mexico

Hurricane Rina Affects Cruises Near Mexico

Update Friday 10:00am: Hurricane Rina has been downgraded to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.

Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest news and deals: Sign Up

The storm passed 20 miles west of Cozumel and was a far cry from the category 3 hurricane that many had feared would hit.  The storm was a tropical storm when it reached land and quickly weakened to a depression.  The storm is expected to move to the west and then south further weakening before bringing the heavy rain and moderate winds to Belize/Guatemala/Honduras.

Hurricane Rina has just been downgraded to a tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.  Tropical Storm Rina, the 17th named storm in the Atlantic this year, was expected to become a major hurricane but has now weakened.  Officials are closely monitoring the storm for the latest predictions.

Rina is currently 50 miles south of Cozumel and moving north at 7 mph.  The resort towns of Cancun, Cozumel, and Costa Maya are under a tropical storm warning over the next few days as the storm is expected to begin moving to the north. At this time, the storm is expected to make a direct hit on Cozumel on Thursday evening, although storms can be unpredictable in their movement. The hurricane is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches Cozumel. The Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, and Allure of the Seas are currently scheduled to be in the port of Cozumel on Friday.  Changes to those itineraries are likely unless the storm suddenly moves eastward.

Carnival has already changed the itinerary of 8 cruise ships.  The Carnival Inspiration will be visiting Cozumel on Monday and Progresso, Mexico on Tuesday.  The ship was originally going to be in Grand Cayman on Monday and Cozumel on Tuesday.  The Imagination will be calling on the port of Nassau instead of Cozumel.  Several other ships will visit Cozumel early and then get out of the way of the storm.  The Liberty, Legend, Freedom, Valor, Destiny, and Triumph will be sailing altered routes.  Visit Carnival.com for the latest updates on changes.

Norwegian Cruise Line issued the following statement on Tuesday afternoon: “At Norwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance.  Therefore, the company is closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Rina.  Depending on the speed and path of the storm, we may have to alter some itineraries. Guests onboard will be notified and NCL.com will be updated if any changes are made.”

We will keep you updated on changes from the cruise lines Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, MSC and others as they are announced.

Due to the unpredictability of hurricanes and tropical storms, please visit the National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov for the latest updates on the storm.

Learn the cruise secrets most people don't know and cruise like a boss. Check out Intelligent Cruiser here for a better cruise vacation. (Sponsored)

Looking for the Best Cruise Deals?
Search Multiple Sites at Once
Instant Real Time Pricing
Search Now

Ben Souza
Ben Souza
Ben is a world traveler who has visited 40+ countries, taken over 70 cruises. He is one of USA TODAY's experts for their 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. His writings have appeared and been cited in various media outlets such as Yahoo News, MSN, NPR, CNN, Fox, and ABC News. Ben currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. Follow Ben on Instagram. Visit Ben Souza on Linkedin. You may email Ben at [email protected].
Cruise NewsHurricane Rina Affects Cruises Near Mexico
.

7 COMMENTS

  1. I’ll be with royal carribean for a 4 night cruise head to Bahamas on next Monday, not sure how it will be affected. Anyone knows the cancelation policy for this cruise line? For I will be with my senior mom and have to fly from Ottawa Canada to Miami, so better to be conservative. And this is her first Cruise.
    Should I call the cruise line? Dose anyone knows how the cruise line deals with this kind of situation previously? Weather the passengers will be notified ahead for any changes?

    • It is extremely rare that a cruise will be cancelled due to weather. They will sail the ships away from the storm so the passengers can stil enjoy their cruise that they paid for. No cruise lines have yet to make any changes for next week’s cruises. If they do make a change, it will be a change in ports and those decisions aren’t made until a day or two before. (due to the unpredictability of the way a storm can move) You can call your cruise line for any changes. They all closely monitor the storms and safety is their #1 priority.

  2. I am booked for a cruise on the celebrity millenuim that leaves out of Miami on thursday and is supposed to be heading to key west and cozumel, do you know if there have been any changes made by celebrity?

  3. Caity,
    Norwegian will keep the ships as far away from the hurricane as possible. They will most likely change ports or have a sea day instead of stopping at a port that is under a hurricane warning. I will keep this page updated as information comes in from the cruise lines. The cruise lines will take whatever precautions are necessary for the safety of the passengers and crew.

  4. I have 5 family members aboard the Norwegian spirit, which is heading to Mexico. They stop at Belize city, Cozumel, and other places. I’m very worried about them, and would like to know the latest information as soon as it is announced. I do not know what else to do.

  5. Susan, if the storm stays on it’s current predicted path, cruise ships won’t be calling on Cozumel on Friday. The cruise lines will most likely wait until the storm moves closer to see if it changes path before they start rearranging itineraries. Hopefully the storm will move east and out to sea, away from the Yucatan.

  6. We have clients booked for tours this week on Allure of the Seas which is scheduled to be in Cozumel on Friday. We are on storm watch now and gather ships will change course?

Comments are closed.

Recent Popular Posts