Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky has been deployed to St. Thomas on a mission to assist with humanitarian efforts there in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The effort is being organized by the government of St. Thomas.
Norwegian also reports that it has cancelled this week’s scheduled sailings onboard its Miami-based ships, the Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Escape. The Norwegian Escape is sailing at full capacity with 4,000 displaced guests who were unable to secure flights back home ahead of the storm. That ship is currently alongside in Cozumel, Mexico, where it will remain until Sunday morning. Guests able to secure a flight home can disembark in Mexico.
Due to the devastation in the Caribbean caused by Hurricane Irma, Norwegian has also modified all of Norwegian Escape’s upcoming eastern Caribbean sailings will be altered to a western Caribbean itinerary until November.
Hurricane Irma struck Florida Sunday morning as a powerful Category 4 storm with sustained winds near 130 mph. The storm is tracking farther west than expected, and is forecast to pass near or on the state’s west coast as a powerful hurricane later today through tonight.
Cruise ports and airports in the state are shut down, and a number of cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, have closed their Florida-based headquarters, evacuated personnel and cancelled or modified cruise itineraries.
Related Stories
Hurricane Irma Update: Island-by-Island Hotel Damage Assessments
Disney World Battens Down for Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma Update: Turks and Caicos Sustains Minimal Damage
Hurricane Irma Mapped: The Science Behind Why This Storm's Path Is the Worst Possible