Hurricane Beryl Path and Travel Disruptions: Latest Updates

A day after making landfall in Grenada as a strong Category 4 storm, Hurricane Beryl continues to make its way through the Caribbean, aiming at Jamaica on Wednesday.

Beryl hit Grenada mid-day on Monday, causing power outages across that island and St. Lucia, and bringing heavy winds, rain, and waves to the shores.

According to Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, at least one person died in the storm, and communications were down for most of the day. Mitchell has since issued an all clear and the island’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) plans to reopen at 10 a.m. EST on Tuesday. Lauriston Airport (CRU) in Carriacou remains closed.

Where is Beryl headed and when?

As of 5 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Beryl was located about 370 miles southeast of Isla Beata in the Dominican Republic and about 695 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, moving west-northwest at 22 mph.

The storm continues to strengthen and is now a Category 5 storm, the earliest one on record by two weeks, with 165 mph winds and even higher gusts. The expectation from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is that the storm will weaken starting later today. Still, it will remain at “major hurricane intensity” as it moves first near Jamaica on Wednesday, and then near the Cayman Islands on Thursday.

According to the NHC, hurricane conditions could begin on Thursday across the Cayman Islands.

What’s the flight impact?

Some airlines issued waivers for travel through hubs in Beryl’s path this week, and many carriers have added even more in light of Beryl’s movement.

Air Canada has a waiver out for four airports on July 2—Bridgetown (BGT), Fort-de-France (FDF), Sangster International (MBJ), and Norman Manley (KIN) in Jamaica—and two of those on July 3—Kingston and Montego Bay.

American Airlines has issued a waiver for travel through Argyle International (SVD) in St. Vincent, Ian Fleming International (OCJ) in Jamaica, Grantley Adams (BGI) in Barbados, Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in Grand Cayman, Maurice Bishop (GND) in Grenada, Hewanorra International (UVF) in St. Lucia, and Sangster International (MBJ) and Norman Manley (KIN) in Jamaica.

American is allowing those with flights scheduled through those airports through July 5 to rebook for new flights through July 10.  

Caribbean Airlines canceled four flights on Tuesday and rerouted two more. It’s waiving all fees for tickets rebooked in the same cabin, and allowing rebooking up to July 28 with no penalty.

Delta Air Lines has a waiver for flights through Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize, Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in Grand Cayman, Sangster International (MBJ) in Jamaica, and Norman Manley (KIN) in Jamaica.

Delta’s waiver includes travel scheduled through July 4 to, from, or through those airports, and allows for rebooking for travel through July 7 without change fees or fare differences.

JetBlue has a waiver for travel through July 5 for Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize, Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in Grand Cayman, Sangster International (MBJ) in Jamaica, and Norman Manley (KIN) in Jamaica. Travel can be scheduled through July 8.

United Airlines has a waiver for travel through July 4 through Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in Grand Cayman and Sangster International (MBJ) in Jamaica. Travel can be rebooked without change fees or fare difference through July 10.

What’s the cruise impact?

Celebrity Cruises has adjusted the current itinerary for Celebrity Beyond, which departed Fort Lauderdale on June 29. All ports remain the same but the order of arrival has changed. Instead of Bonaire (Tues), Curacao (Wed), and Aruba (Thurs), the itinerary will be Aruba (Tues), Curacao (Wed), and Bonaire (Thurs).

Disney Fantasy, which is currently on a seven-night sailing that also departed Florida on June 29, will no longer call on Falmouth, Jamaica this Wednesday. The ship will instead spend the day at sea.

Carnival Horizon has canceled its scheduled stop at Grand Cayman on July 3 and replaced it with a day at sea. Carnival Liberty will visit Cozumel on July 2 instead of July 5, now a day at sea.

Norwegian Cruise Line has also made two changes so far. Norwegian Breakaway, which left Miami on June 29 is swapping out all its ports for new ones. Instead of visiting Roatan, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, the ship will stop at Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay.

Norwegian Jade, which departed Port Canaveral on June 29 did visit Great Stirrup Cay as scheduled on Sunday but is replacing its remaining port of calls. Instead of Falmouth, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, the ship will stop at San Juan, Tortola, and Puerto Plata.