Hurricane season continues to disrupt travel this week with tropical storm warnings for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Bermuda, while a new tropical storm is brewing in the Atlantic.
According to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Karen is set to pass near or over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Tuesday, prompting tropical storm warnings for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph, with some fluctuation in intensity expected over the next two days.
Tropical Storm Jerry, meanwhile, is expected to pass near Bermuda Tuesday night, prompting a tropical storm warning for the island. The storm has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph, and it is expected to weaken gradually over the next few days.
Finally, a tropical depression approximately 315 miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands is expected to develop into a tropical storm later Monday.
Cruise Itinerary Changes
A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line tells Travel Agent that, due to Tropical Storm Karen, St. Thomas will be closed for commercial operations on Monday. As a result, the Carnival Fascination’s itinerary has been revised, replacing Monday’s planned call at St. Thomas with a call at St. Maarten. Instead of calling at St. Maarten Tuesday, the ship will call at St. Kitts. Wednesday, instead of calling at St. Kitts, it will call at Dominica.
Royal Caribbean has modified the September 21 sailing on Symphony of the Seas, which will sail to Cozumel on Wednesday. Anthem of the Seas will still sail to Bermuda as scheduled.
There are no itinerary changes for Norwegian Cruise Line at this time, a cruise line spokesperson tells Travel Agent.
Flight Change Waivers
A number of airlines have issued flight change waivers due to the storms.
American Airlines customers scheduled to travel through San Juan, St. Croix or St. Thomas through September 25 can rebook for travel through September 28 between the same city pair in the same cabin (or pay the difference). Customers set to fly September 24 or 25 through Bermuda can also rebook through September 27.
Delta is allowing customers scheduled to fly through Bermuda on September 24 to rebook through September 27, and customers scheduled to fly through San Juan and St. Thomas through September 25 to rebook through September 28.
JetBlue is allowing customers scheduled to fly through Bermuda September 24 or 25 to rebook through September 27.
Southwest Airlines is allowing customers scheduled to fly through San Juan through September 25 to rebook in the original class of service or travel standby within two weeks of their original date of travel between the original city pair.
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