Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled an additional sailing due to Hurricane Irma.
Norwegian Sky’s four-day cruise departing September 11 from Miami is now cancelled. The cruise line said it will be providing a full refund to all guests, plus a 50 percent future cruise credit. Norwegian Sky’s September 8 and Norwegian Escape’s September 9 sailings from Miami are also cancelled.
Norwegian has also amended Norwegian Escape’s seven-day western Caribbean cruise that departed September 2 from Miami to a five-day itinerary that is set to return Thursday afternoon. The cruise line is strongly encouraging guests who did not fly to PortMiami and are unable to secure a flight back home to remain on the ship, which will set sail from Miami Thursday evening on a course away from the storm.
“While we are unable to confirm at this time when and where the ship will return to port, we welcome all guests to remain onboard to stay safe and secure,” the cruise line said.
Norwegian Sky’s four-day Cuba cruise that departed Miami September 4 was likewise shortened to a three-day cruise, returning September 7.
Norwegian Cruise Line reports that its Miami headquarters will close at 2 p.m. Thursday, to reopen as soon as it is safe.
“To help ensure that we continue to operate with all the necessary shoreside support, key staff members are being relocated out of Miami and the storm zone,” the cruise line said. “Our call centers will be operating remotely, so please be advised that hold times in our call center may be longer than normal. Our website will remain available 24/7. Travel agents should use our dedicated booking portal on NCLU and guests can view their booking information on the My NCL portal. As soon as this major weather event is clear of the region and we can bring our staff back to Miami, we will re-open the offices. Additional updates will be posted at NCL.com.”
Carnival Updates
Yesterday Carnival Cruise Line reported that Carnival Sensation’s four-day cruise from Miami departing September 7 would be modified to replace a September 8 call at Key West with a sea day. Carnival Ecstasy’s five-day cruise from Charleston that departed September 4 has also been modified, while Carnival Liberty’s September 7 three-day Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral and Carnival Victory’s September 8 three-day Bahamas cruise from Miami have both been cancelled. 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.”
Royal Caribbean Updates
Royal Caribbean has also reported that the line has 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, Enchantment of the Seas' September 11 Bahamas cruise and Majesty of the Seas' September 11 Bahamas cruise are all currently being evaluated.
The following Royal Caribbean sailings are currently departing as scheduled:
- Adventure of the Seas: September 9 Southern Caribbean cruise
- Grandeur of the Seas: September 7 New England/Canada cruise
- Liberty of the Seas: September 10 Western Caribbean cruise
- Serenade of the Seas: September 10 New England/Canada cruise
- Vision of the Seas: September 7 New England/Canada cruise
Related Stories
The Caribbean Islands Impacted the Most by Hurricane Irma
Katia, Jose Now Hurricanes; Mexico, Leeward Islands Under Threat
JetBlue, AA Offer Cheap Flights to Escape Hurricane Irma
Travel Insurance 101: How to Protect Your Trip From a Hurricane