Royal Caribbean Makes Last-Minute Reroute for Cruise Ship to Avoid Hurricane Ernesto

Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the SeasPhoto byPressfoto | Dreamstime

Hurricane Ernesto has forced significant changes to the itineraries of multiple cruise ships operating in the Caribbean and surrounding waters.

The storm, currently a Category 1 hurricane, has prompted cruise lines to prioritize passenger safety by altering their original plans.

Royal Caribbean International has been particularly impacted, with four of its ships adjusting their routes to avoid the storm.

According to news reports, Liberty of the Seas, which departed on a nine-night Bermuda and Eastern Caribbean cruise on August 15, has been redirected.

Hurricane Ernesto's projected pathPhoto byNOAA

Instead of visiting Bermuda, the ship will now spend an extra day in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, before resuming its original itinerary.

"Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we've been monitoring the track of Hurricane Ernesto along our intended path," said a Royal Caribbean spokesperson in an email to booked passengers.

"In order to stay safe and clear of this hurricane, we will now skip our visit to Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, and travel west of the storm and south to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos."

To accommodate the itinerary change, passengers who had pre-booked shore excursions in Bermuda will receive automatic refunds.

While altering cruise itineraries due to severe weather is not uncommon, the impact of Hurricane Ernesto has been particularly widespread.

Other cruise lines, including Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line, have also made adjustments to their sailing schedules.

Carnival Magic and Carnival Pride have revised their itineraries, and the company is closely monitoring the paths of Carnival Freedom and Mardi Gras.

Norwegian Cruise Line has implemented changes for Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Joy.

The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Ernesto is currently centered about 600 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and is moving north at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.

While not expected to directly threaten the United States mainland, the storm is on a path towards Bermuda and could intensify into a major hurricane by Friday.

Cruise lines emphasize that passenger safety is their top priority and that being onboard a ship is often the safest place to be during inclement weather due to the vessel’s ability to maneuver away from the storm.

As the situation evolves, passengers are advised to stay informed through official channels and follow the guidance provided by the cruise line.