As Hurricane Beryl barrels through the Southern Caribbean, cruisers are understandably concerned about how their vacations might be affected.
This powerful Category 5 storm, with winds reaching 130 mph, is heading towards several popular cruise destinations, prompting swift responses from local governments and cruise lines.
This is a developing news article – we will add information to it as the story develops – please check back regularly for updates.
Current Impact and Forecast
Beryl is expected to severely impact the Windward Islands, including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.
The storm brings life-threatening winds, a significant storm surge, and heavy rainfall. Airports in Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Lucia have been closed, and local governments have issued various warnings and advisories.
An update from “The Rockley” hotel near St Lawrence Gap in Barbados reports that the eye of the storm has passed beneath the island.
They are currently experiencing rainy and windy conditions with some higher gusts. Fortunately, no major damage has been reported, and all utilities, including water and electricity, are still available.
The hotel expects the all-clear to be given early in the afternoon, depending on weather changes.
Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are also preparing for Beryl. Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rosselló has declared a state of emergency and opened 424 shelters.
The island, still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017, is bracing for power outages and flooding, although Beryl is expected to weaken as it approaches the island.
Potential Impact on Cruise Lines
Cruise lines operating in the Caribbean are closely monitoring Beryl’s progression. The storm’s path through popular cruise destinations has already led to some itinerary changes and cancellations.
Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line have already adjusted their routes where necessary to avoid the storm, ensuring passenger safety.
Specific changes include rerouting ships to less affected areas and delaying departures until the storm passes.
In a recent update from Carnival Cruise Line’s Ambassador, John Heald, he highlighted that the Fleet Operations Center, the ship’s Captains, and other relevant personnel work together to monitor the storm.
Heald emphasized that itinerary changes are not made days in advance to try and give guests the cruise they booked.
As of yesterday (Monday 1st July) the only change made by Carnival has been for the current cruise of Carnival Liberty, which will be doing the scheduled ports in reverse order. He assured guests that if there are any changes, they will be contacted through the usual channels.
Today (Tuesday 2nd July) John Heald gave a further update:-
What This Means for Your Cruise
For cruisers, this means there might be some adjustments to their itineraries, but the goal is to ensure safety while trying to maintain as much of the planned experience as possible.
Passengers are advised to stay in close contact with their cruise operators for the latest updates on itinerary changes and safety measures.
The unpredictability of Beryl’s path means that further adjustments may be necessary as the situation develops.
For future cruises, cruisers should expect some damage and cleanup operations in affected port areas.
Current Cruises Impacted By Hurricane Beryl
The following cruises have had itinerary or route changes as a result of the hurricane. This list will be updated as news develops.
| Cruise Ship | Details of Change |
| Carnival Liberty | Itinerary reversed |
| Carnival Horizon | Grand Cayman port visit canceled and will arrive in Ocho Rios, Jamaica earlier than planned |
| Disney Fantasy | Planned stop in Jamaica has been canceled |
| Norwegian Jade | Sailing Eastern Caribbean instead of Western |
| Norwegian Breakaway | Sailing Eastern Caribbean instead of Western |
| Celebrity Beyond | A reversal of the planned stops at Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba |
| Harmony of the Seas | Skipping Roatan and arriving in Costa Maya a day earlier. |
| Icon of the Seas | Visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya instead of St Thomas and St Maarten |
| Wonder of the Seas | Stops at Roatan and Costa Maya canceled. Rerouting via Coco Cay, Cozumel and Nassau |
Safety Precautions and Preparations
For residents and tourists in the affected areas, local governments have emphasized the importance of preparation. This includes securing homes, having emergency supplies ready, and staying informed through reliable sources like the NHC and local meteorological services.
For those on cruises, adhering to the guidance provided by the cruise staff and staying updated via official channels is crucial.
As Beryl continues its journey through the Caribbean, the focus remains on minimizing damage and ensuring the safety of all affected communities. The NHC continues to provide regular updates on Beryl’s progression, which can be accessed through their official website.
For more detailed and up-to-date information, you can visit the National Hurricane Center’s website here and StormCarib’s local reports here.
Stay safe and prepared, and keep an eye on updates to ensure your cruise experience remains as enjoyable and safe as possible.
Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this storm.
