Carnival Modifies More Cruises Due to Hurricane Irma

Carnival Cruise Line reports that it has modified the Carnival Sensations four-day cruise from Miami that is scheduled to depart September 7 due to Hurricane Irma. Instead of calling at Key West September 8, the ship will spend the day at sea before continuing on to Cozumel and another sea day as planned.

Additionally, Carnival Ecstasys five-day cruise from Charleston departing September 4 has been modified to replace the September 6 call at Princess Cays with a call at Nassau.

The move follows Carnivals previous announcement that the line will cancel Carnival Libertys September 7 three-day Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral and Carnival Victorys September 8 three-day Bahamas cruise from Miami. Four additional ships are also scheduled to sail modified itineraries: Carnival Glory, Carnival Magic, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Pride.

Carnival said that the line may also have to shorten the duration of certain cruises scheduled to depart this weekend. The line will inform guests of any departure changes no later than 48 hours prior to the sailing date. Guests sailing on the following ships can sign up for text alerts by texting the codes below to CRUISE (278473):

  • Carnival Paradise  – CCL1
  • Carnival Conquest  – CCL2
  • Carnival Glory – CCL3      
  • Carnival Magic  – CCL4
  • Carnival Splendor – CCL5
  • Carnival Vista – CCL6  
  • Carnival Liberty  – CCL7
  • Carnival Victory 9/11 – CCL8
  • Carnival Sensation 9/07 – CCL9
  • Carnival Sensation 9/11 – CCL10 

Guests on the cancelled cruises will receive a full refund, while guests on shortened cruises will receive a pro-rated refund of their cruise fare. Guests who wish to cancel due to a modified cruise duration will receive a future cruise credit equal to their cruise fare.

In addition, we are making preparations for a potential landfall in South Florida, where Carnival headquarters is located, Carnival said. The safety of our guests and team members is our first priority.

Earlier today, Royal Caribbean also reported that the line had modified sailings on Oasis of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas to keep the ships at sea until after the storm passes. Empress of the Seas September 9 Cuba cruise, Enchantment of the Seas September 8 Bahamas cruise and Majesty of the Seas September 8 Bahamas cruise have all been cancelled, while Anthem of the Seas September 9 Bermuda cruise remains under evaluation.

Late yesterday Norwegian Cruise Line reported the cancellation of two cruises and the alteration of two others on Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Escape. Norwegian Escape shortened its September 2 cruise and is now set to arrive back in Miami Thursday afternoon, where guests will be given the opportunity to disembark. Those without onward travel arrangements are encouraged to remain onboard, as the ship will leave PortMiami Thursday evening on a course away from the storm. Norwegian Sky will shorten its September 4 Cuba cruise by sailing back for Miami following its departure from Havana Wednesday, arriving Thursday morning.

According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Irma is set to pass over portions of the Virgin Islands during the next couple of hours, near or just north of Puerto Rico Wednesday afternoon or night, near or just north of the Dominican Republic Thursday, and near the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas late Thursday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 185 mph, and the storm is expected to remain a powerful category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days.

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