Change of plans: Tropical Storm Nicole disrupts major cruise line itineraries
Tropical Storm Nicole.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Liberty ship, which departed Monday on a four-day sailing from Florida’s Port Canaveral, skipped a planned visit to Nassau in the Bahamas Tuesday, spending the day at sea instead, spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in an emailed statement. The line will also stop in Cozumel, Mexico, on Wednesday rather than private island Princess Cays.
Carnival Elation also changed course, visiting Freeport in the Bahamas on Tuesday instead of Princess Cays. The ship departed Saturday on a five-day voyage from Jacksonville.
“Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami is actively monitoring the storm’s forecast for any potential impact,” Lupoli said. “As the safety of our guests and crew is our priority, we will continue to keep an eye on the storm and factor in guidance from the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Coast Guard and the local port authorities to provide timely updates as more information becomes available.”
Here’s what travelers can expect
Cruise lines change COVID-19 rules:Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line further lift requirements
What other cruise lines have made changes?
► Disney Cruise Line also amended multiple itineraries because of the storm. Disney Dream, which left Monday on a six-day sailing from Miami, skipped a planned stop at Disney’s Bahamas private island Castaway Cay Tuesday and instead spent the day at sea, a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson said by email.
Disney Wish also opted for a sea day Tuesday in place of a planned stop in Nassau. The ship, which left on a five-day voyage from Port Canaveral Monday, will also visit Cozumel on Wednesday rather than Castaway Cay.
“We will continue to closely monitor the storm and notify guests of any further impacts,” the spokesperson said.
► Norwegian Cruise Line made similar changes. Norwegian Getaway, which leaves for a 10-day sailing from Port Canaveral Tuesday, will no longer stop at the line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas on Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the line. The ship will instead spend the day at sea.
Norwegian Prima will also skip its Thursday visit to Great Stirrup Cay in favor of a sea day. The ship left from Galveston, Texas, on Oct. 31.
Where is Tropical Storm Nicole headed?
Parts of the northwestern Bahamas are expected to see hurricane conditions “and a dangerous storm surge” on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Parts of the coast of southeast and east-central Florida are also expected to see hurricane conditions by late Wednesday or Wednesday night, among other impacts. “A dangerous storm surge is expected along much of the east coast of Florida and portions of coastal Georgia where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect,” the center added.