TORONTO — Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico early this morning as a Category 4 storm with winds of 250 kph, and the D.R. is next in Maria’s path, with tropical storm conditions expected to hit that island this afternoon. Conditions in the D.R. will ramp up to hurricane level tonight before the storm moves on to Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas, already shaken from Hurricane Irma just two weeks ago.
The storm’s centre passed near or over St. Croix overnight Tuesday, prompting U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp to insist that people remain alert. St. Croix was largely spared the widespread damage caused by Irma on the chain’s St. Thomas and St. John islands. On Dominica up to 70% of homes have lost their roofs and damage is substantial.
Forecasters said the storm surge from Maria could raise water levels by 1.8 to 2.7 metres (6 to 9 feet) near the storm’s centre. The storm was predicted to bring 25 to 38 centimetres (10 – 15 inches) of rain across the islands, with more in isolated areas.
The cruise lines have issued lists of cancellations and itineraries changes as well. Here are the latest updates:
CARNIVAL
- Carnival Fascination – September 24: Itinerary confirmation TBD. To stay up to date, text CCL1 to CRUISE (278473).
- Carnival Ecstasy – September 20: Departing Charleston on a 5 day cruise to Nassau and Freeport.
- Carnival Sensation – September 21: Departing Miami on a 4 day cruise to Cozumel.
- Carnival Splendor – September 23: Departing Port Everglades on a 7 day cruise to Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay and Grand Cayman.
- Carnival Vista – September 23: Departing Miami on an 8 day cruise to La Romana, D.R., Aruba and Curacao.
- Carnival Conquest – September 24: Departing Port Everglades on a 6 day cruise to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
- Carnival Magic – September 24: Departing Port Canaveral on a 6 day cruise to Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya.
- Carnival Pride – September 24: Departing Baltimore on a 7 day cruise to Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport.
- Carnival Paradise – September 25: Departing Tampa on a 5 day cruise for an overnight stay in Havana.
- Carnival Victory – September 25: Departing Miami on a 4 day cruise to Cozumel.
- Carnival Glory – September 30: Departing Miami on a 7 day cruise to Half Moon Cay, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
- Carnival Sensation – September 30: Departing Miami on a 5 day cruise to Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Freeport.
- Carnival Splendor – September 30: Departing Port Everglades on an 8 day cruise to Princess Cays, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
- Carnival Pride – October 1: Departing Baltimore on a 7 day cruise to Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Freeport.
“Pre-purchased Carnival Adventures for cancelled ports, as well as any taxes, fees and port expenses will be refunded to your onboard Sail & Sign account. An email with detailed itinerary information will be sent to all guests scheduled to sail on these cruises. We sincerely apologize for the disruption the recent storms have caused and look forward to welcoming our guests on board. At this time, all other future cruises will depart as scheduled.”
NCL
At this time, all of NCL’s ships are sailing as scheduled. Norwegian Dawn is currently alongside in Bermuda and will depart this evening, returning to Boston on Friday, Sept. 22 as scheduled. Norwegian Breakaway is currently enroute to Bermuda arriving on Wednesday and remaining alongside at the Royal Naval Dockyard until Friday evening as scheduled. Updated information will be posted on www.ncl.com.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Royal Caribbean says it is closely monitoring Hurricane Maria’s forecast track, and has modified both Adventure of the Seas’ and Allure of the Seas’ current itineraries. “Our goal remains to provide notice of any future itinerary changes within a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure.”
Royal Caribbean’s next update will be posted Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. on its website.
For the 9/23 departure of Adventure of the Seas RCI will provide further details no later than early afternoon on Sept. 21.
RCI also notes that the following sailings are being modified due to Hurricane Irma:
- Empress of the Seas: September 23 & 27; October 2, 7 & 11 Cuba cruise: Due to the severe impact of Hurricane Irma on Key West, RCI will be swappingits visit to the port with a day at sea. All calls to Havana are confirmed. Passengers who choose not to sail with RCI will receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit to use on a cruise booked within the next year.
- Future itineraries: Given Hurricane Irma’s impact to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Key West, RCI says it will be working on alternative ports for future sailings until these islands have fully recovered. “While we expect the islands to get up and running quickly, until they are ready, we have made the following changes to our itineraries.”
- Adventure of the Seas:
9/16, 10/7 – St. Maarten to St. Croix
9/23 – St. Thomas to Bonaire
9/30 – St. Maarten to St. Kitts
10/14 – St. Thomas to St. Croix - Allure of the Seas:
10/1 – St. Thomas to Labadee
10/15 – St. Maarten to Labadee - Enchantment of the Seas:
9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9 – Key West to Freeport - Harmony of the Seas:
9/23 – St. Thomas to St. Kitts
10/7 – St. Maarten to St. Kitts - Oasis of the Seas:
9/24 – St. Maarten to St. Kitts
10/8 – St. Maarten to Nassau
With files from The Associated Press
