Hurricane forces Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC itinerary changes

While Tropical Storm Helene has now now not fully developed into a hurricane, it appears set to follow a path up the Gulf Coast, gaining steam since it goes.

That puts loads of cruise ships in its path, and MSC and Royal Caribbean have already changed the routes for some ships.

Related: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cancels its next sailing

The National Hurricane Center has been monitoring the developing storm.

"The system is moving toward the northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h). This general motion is expected later in the interim and tonight (Sept. 24), followed by a faster northward to north-northeastward motion on Wednesday and Thursday," the agency wrote.

"On the forecast track, the guts of the system is forecast to maneuver across the northwestern Caribbean Sea through tonight, and then over the eastern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday."

The federal agency said the system more than likely would used to be a hurricane.

"Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (Fifty five km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected within the course of the following few days, and the system is forecast to used to be a hurricane on Wednesday and continue strengthening on Thursday since it moves across the eastern Gulf of Mexico," it added.

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MSC and Royal Caribbean change itineraries

"A developing tropical system within the western Caribbean is prompting cruise lines to manipulate itineraries," Doug Parker reported on his renowned Cruise News At the present time YouTube series.

"Now MSC Cruises has already changed the route of MSC Seascape to guide clear of the storm's potential path in the starting place set for Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The ship will now stop in Grand Turk, Porta Plata and Nassau with an extra day at sea."

Carnival Cruise Lines, he added, said that its fleet-operations center is monitoring the information and "is tracking the storm and working with their captains and bridge teams for any necessary action."

Update (9:fifty eight a.m.): Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald said that a couple of Carnival ships have been forced to change their itineraries.

The Fleet Operations Center at the Mother Ship are continuing to observe the weather. The day passed by the port of Cozumel changed into closed which meant the Carnival Valor changed into now now not ready to call and spent a Fun day at sea as a substitute where the crew made sure the guests had one of many many important fitting of times.

Carnival Paradise has been diverted to Costa Maya in the interim as against Cozumel.

There are no in the same fashion changes to any cruises at the time of me writing [this. However] our Chief Communications Officer Chris and his team will keep update you by the use of text alert, emails and I may share the news here along with.

Heald noted that safety changed into the first priority.

Related: Royal Caribbean crew member shows off tiny crew cabin

Margaritaville at Sea has now now not commented on any changes to its MAS Islander sailings, which sail out of Tampa, alternatively the ship may in all probability be littered with the storm.

Royal Caribbean has already changed itineraries for two of its ships Wonder of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas.

"Captain has just announced that we may be canceling all current stops on the Western route to maneuver to the East route. We're going to be going to St. Thomas and St. Maarten," one Wonder of the Seas passenger told Royal Caribbean Blog.

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Serenade of the Seas will also swap out its itinerary.

"Similar to Wonder, Serenade will swap out her original Western Caribbean itinerary for something else. In this case, the ship will head to The Bahamas," the blog, which is now now not affiliated with the cruise line, reported.

Serenade will now consult with Nassau, Bahamas on September 24 and Grand Bahama Island on September 25.

Mariner of the Seas is likewise making some port changes.

"To offer you the option to stay safe and well clear of this tropical system, now we have got made up our minds to skip our consult with to Cozumel and revel in a Sea Day as a substitute," read a letter that changed into shared with the Royal Caribbean Blog.

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