HomeCruiseCruise Ships Change Course Because of Anticipated Climate Disturbances 

Cruise Ships Change Course Because of Anticipated Climate Disturbances 


We could also be seeing the tail finish of hurricane season, however growing climate disturbances remind us that it’s not over but.

A large white Royal Caribbean cruise ship sails on open water under a clear blue sky. The multistory vessel features numerous windows, balconies, and deck areas, including a distinctive glass-enclosed section mid-ship. The ship appears to be moving calmly.
(Picture courtesy of Royal Caribbean)

Cruise ships in affected areas have been asserting needed itinerary modifications forward of inclement climate within the curiosity of security. 

Royal Caribbean has already shared updates concerning 5 vessels: Brilliance of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Imaginative and prescient of the Seas, and Attract of the Seas.

  • Brilliance of the Seas’s cruise on November 2 will nonetheless go to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico however will substitute the Grand Cayman port of name with Belize.
  • Freedom of the Seas’ November third itinerary was initially scheduled to cease by Grand Cayman, Falmouth, and Labadee in that order. Due to inclement climate, it’ll now be going to those locations in reverse. Labadee will likely be its first port of name, Falmouth second, and Grand Cayman third.
  • Radiance of the Seas is altering all its stops on its November 2 crusing. Bimini will likely be changed by Cozumel, Coco Cay with Roatan, Freeport with Belize, and Nassau with Costa Maya.
  • Imaginative and prescient of the Seas’ October 31 voyage will stay in Bermuda longer and add Port Canaveral to its stops, changing visits to Nassau and CocoCay.
  • Attract of the Seas’s November 1 cruise will not head to Coco Cay. Although it’ll nonetheless go to Nassau, it’ll spend an additional day at sea in lieu of a day on the non-public resort.

Learn Extra: NOAA Predicts Very Energetic 2024 Hurricane Season

In Royal Caribbean’s letter to visitors, the cruise line talked about that it’s maintaining an in depth eye on the climate with in-house Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer. “…we’ve been monitoring inclement climate alongside our meant path attributable to a growing storm system forecasted to convey more and more robust winds throughout the world, impacting our deliberate ports and probably making them unsafe to go to,” the e-mail reads.

Dangerous Climate is Anticipated within the Caribbean

Map showing the forecast track of Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen in the Caribbean as of 7 PM EST, November 3, 2024. The path includes projected positions and wind speeds with areas under warnings shaded in various colors due to possible course changes from weather disturbances affecting cruise ships.
(Picture courtesy of NOAA NWS Nationwide Hurricane Middle)

Cruise traces are being further cautious as inclement climate develops in two key areas: heavy tropical downpours northeast of the Caribbean and a potential tropical despair (or Potential Tropical Cyclone Eighteen) in its southwest area.

The latter carries most sustained winds of 35 mph, shifting northwards at 6 mph. Setzer predicts the tropical despair will likely be “absorbed by the growing disturbance within the Caribbean.”

He added that it’ll influence Florida, Cuba, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands within the subsequent few days with “exceptionally windy and stormy durations.”

In the meantime, the Nationwide Hurricane Middle warns that Jamaica and a few elements of Cuba will expertise probably the most rainfall.

Different cruise traces will doubtless announce up to date itineraries given growing climate situations. Hurricane Milton lately compelled ports to shut and cruise ships to vary itineraries.