Hurricane Irma Begins to Disrupt Travel and Cruise Plans
by Richard D'Ambrosio /
As Hurricane Irma continued to sustain winds and rain qualifying it as a Category 5 storm, travel suppliers and destinations in its western path continued to prepare for its arrival.
Irma hit the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands Tuesday night, including Antigua, bringing sustained winds of 118 mph and wind gusts up to 155 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
American Airlines now has issued travel alerts for 27 airports, announcing waivers for customers with travel plans Sept. 5-7 to reschedule without incurring a change fee. The carrier added Florida airports including its Miami International Airport hub, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Key West International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport (Lee County Port Authority) and Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport.
Delta Airlines has announced a similar waiver as part of its travel alert. Cities where travel can be rescheduled include Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Key West, Miami, Sarasota and West Palm Beach, FL. In addition, waivers are being offered for Freeport, Georgetown and Nassau, Bahamas and Havana, Cuba. Travel must be rebooked no later than Sept. 15.
On its website, Miami tourism officials asked visitors to reconsider travel to the city and Miami Beach: “Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez and City of Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine are asking visitors to consider cutting their visits short. Be sure to contact your hotel for updates and any changes in availability.”
The Miami tourism website also highlighted resources for visitors to “track the progress of the storm and to identify resources that may help you make any necessary adjustments to your travel plans.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 5, Key West International Airport announced it will be closed starting the night of Wednesday, Sept. 6 as the islands have issued a mandatory, Keys-wide visitor evacuation.
Anyone visiting the Keys in the near-term must postpone their plans until after the storm has passed and the islands have conducted a thorough infrastructure assessment, local officials said. Travelers and travel agents are being instructed to regularly check the Keys website for updates.
General aviation traffic at Key West and Florida Keys Marathon International Airport will continue until conditions become unsafe to fly.
In the Bahamas, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis ordered a mandatory evacuation of islands in the southern part of the island chain because of Hurricane Irma, including Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay and Ragged Island.
Cruise lines continue to prepare
Every major cruise line that sails the Caribbean is preparing for the storm by altering itineraries and canceling some sailings
Royal Caribbean International has made changes for six of its itineraries.
Royal has canceled the Sept. 8 sailing on Majesty of the Seas, the Sept. 9 sailing on Empress of the Seas and the Sept. 8 sailing on Enchantment of the Seas.
Harmony of the Seas’ Sept. 9 sailing will now depart Sept. 12, shortened from seven to four nights. Passengers who stay on the sailing will get a 50% refundable onboard credit and a 50% future cruise credit.
Allure of the Seas’ Sept 10 sailing from Ft. Lauderdale will now leave Sept 13 and Oasis of the Seas’ Sept. 10 Eastern Caribbean sailing will now leave Sept. 12.
Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled Escape’s Sept. 9 sailing and has shortened its Sept. 2 sailing to five nights. It will return to Miami tomorrow with passengers receiving refunds for missed days as well as change fees for flights and a 25% future cruise credit.
Norwegian has also canceled Sky’s Sept. 8, three-night sailing.
Carnival Cruise Line has canceled the Sept. 7 sailing on Liberty and has announced a revises itinerary for Ecstasy. It also announced alterations to four other Caribbean itineraries on Magic, Splendor, Pride and Glory yesterday.
MSC Cruises will no longer sail a scheduled Eastern Caribbean itinerary on Divina and will now instead sail a Western Caribbean sailing.
Disney Cruise Line has canceled the Sept. 8 and 11 sailing on Disney Dream. It also shorted its Sept. 4 sailing, expecting it to return tomorrow.
Disney also canceled the Sept. 9 sailing on Fantasy. Fantasy had its current sailing shortened by two days and is expected to return to port tomorrow.
With Daniel McCarthy.