Several ships in the US, Canada
and Caribbean have been
diverted, with passengers left
stranded and ports damaged.
HURRICANE Irene, which killed at least 18
people and wreaked havoc across eastern
United States on the weekend, has had a
major impact on many cruises in its path.
Many lines changed departure times and
altered itineraries for dozens of cruise ships in
north-east US, Canada, Eastern Caribbean,
Bermuda and Bahamas.
Holland America Line’s Veendam arrived
back in New York one day early on Saturday
and was the only cruise ship permitted to
dock overnight on the Hudson River, before
departing on its next sailing one day late.
Due to heavy winds and rough seas,
Maasdam cancelled and replaced calls on its
cruise from Boston to Montreal.
NCL delayed the return of Norwegian Gem
to New York to yesterday, while Norwegian
Jewel returned early; and Norwegian Sky
skipped a call at Great Stirrup Cay.
Celebrity Summit set sail one day late from
Bayonne, New Jersey, which means its next
voyage will be shorter than scheduled.
Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess spent a
day at sea yesterday and will visit Halifax
today, with a scheduled call to St John
cancelled.
Royal Caribbean has ditched calls to its
damaged private island, CocoCay – Monarch
of the Seas instead spent Sunday night in
Nassau, and Freedom of the Seas called there
yesterday.
In one of the more controversial moves,
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines left
behind hundreds of passengers in San Juan
last week when their vessels decided to
depart early due to restrictions imposed on
harbour traffic in the evening.
Carnival Pride sailed yesterday from
Baltimore after being diverted on Saturday,
while Carnival Glory, Fantasy, Fascination and
Sensation have altered ports of call on their
respective cruises.
Disney Dream also cancelled a visit to
Castaway Cay on Saturday.
Damage was reported at many cruise lines’
private islands in the Bahamas and the Turks
and Caicos.
MEANWHILE, cruise companies have largely
differed in their policies for affected
passengers.
According to USAtoday.com, in San Juan,
Carnival offered abandoned passengers free
accommodation and flights to the next port,
but Royal Caribbean allegedly only assisted
those who had booked flights through the
cruise line.
NCL reminded passengers that weatherbased
itinerary changes do not qualify for
compensation.
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