Further Caribbean Itineraries Affected by Hurricane Beryl

After moving past Jamaica on Wednesday, Hurricane Beryl continues to disrupt cruise ship schedules in the Caribbean. 

AccuWeather reports that the tropical storm is currently traveling through the area with wind speeds reaching up to 165 mph.

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander is one of the ships affected by Beryl. Initially set to cruise to the Western Caribbean, the 2,100-passenger ship is now heading to the Bahamas after departing from Tampa Bay on July 2.

“Our Captain, engineering team, and crew have been actively monitoring the progress of Hurricane Beryl across the Southern Caribbean and potential impacts to our currently scheduled itinerary,” Margaritaville at Sea stated in a message to passengers on board.

“Due to the storm’s currently projected path, and for the safety and comfort of all our passengers and crew, the destination port for our sailing has changed,” the company explained.

Instead of stopping in Progreso, Mexico, the Islander will now visit Nassau in the Bahamas, with an additional confirmed stop in Key West. Royal Caribbean International’s Grandeur of the Seas also had to modify its itinerary. The ship, which sails from Tampa to Cozumel and Costa Maya, adjusted the order of its port visits.

The Enchanted Princess faced disruptions as well, canceling a planned stop in Belize. The ship’s new schedule now includes a visit to Nassau and an earlier stop in Cozumel.

Carnival Cruise Line announced changes to the itineraries of the Carnival Horizon and the Carnival Liberty. The company assured guests that no further modifications to cruises or homeports are currently planned. In a statement issued on July 3, Carnival noted that its Fleet Operations Center in Miami and onboard teams are continually monitoring Hurricane Beryl’s potential impact on sailing routes.

“The safety of our guests and crew is paramount, and we are continuing to monitor forecasts and factor in guidance from the National Hurricane Center, U.S. Coast Guard, and the local port authorities,” Carnival stated.

“Our thoughts are with those who are being impacted by the storm,” the company added, assuring guests that they will be informed of any further itinerary changes.

In Jamaica, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has held several urgent strategy meetings to address the hurricane's impact. Bartlett discussed preparation plans with local authorities and businesses and maintained communication with cruise lines and airlines.

“I urge all tourism stakeholders to remain vigilant and to follow all safety guidelines to ensure the protection of life and property,” he emphasized.