Hurricane Dorian Update: Storm Set to Hit Florida as Category 3 Hurricane

The latest track for Dorian has the storm hitting the East Coast of Florida over Labor Day weekend as a major Category 3 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center said Dorian should approach the Northwestern Bahamas on Saturday. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but heavy rainfall there could create flash floods.

The system is then expected to bring hurricane-force winds and dangerous storms off the East coast of Florida Sunday into Monday morning.

The storm battered the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday, causing almost 25,000 power outages on St. Croix.

Dorian spared Puerto Rico, without causing any significant damage on the island. Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s DMO, said tourist attractions will resume normal operations on Thursday. Anthony O. Maceira Zayas, the Port Authority’s executive director, tweeted that as soon as the U.S. Coast Guard reopens the Port of San Juan, they will begin to receive cargo ships and passengers scheduled for this week.

Airlines have issued additional travel waivers as the storm continues its track northwest.

Delta Air Lines: Waivers are in effect for travel Aug. 30-31 for the following airports: Georgetown, Bahamas (GGT); Marsh Harbor, Bahamas (MHH); Nassau, Bahamas (NAS); and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS). Tickets must be reissued by Sept. 7.

American Airlines: Waivers have been issued for flights Aug. 30-31 to and from the following cities: Freeport, Bahamas (FPO); George Town, Bahamas (GGT); Marsh Harbour, Bahamas (MHH); Nassau, Bahamas (NAS); and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS). Change fees will be waived if passengers travel by Sept. 7.

Southwest Airlines: Reservations to/from/through Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) through Sept. 1; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL); Fort Meyers, Florida (RSW); Jacksonville, Florida (JAX); Orlando, Florida (MCO); Tampa, Florida (TPA); and West Palm Beach, Florida (BPI) through Sept. 4 will be eligible for rebooking within 14 days of the original travel date.

United Airlines: Waivers are in effect for travel from Aug. 31-Sept. 4 for the following airports: Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL); Ft. Myers, FL (RSW); Jacksonville, FL (JAX); Key West, FL (EYW); Miami, FL (MIA); Nassau, BS (NAS); Orlando, FL (MCO); Sarasota, FL (SRQ); Tampa, FL (TPA); and West Palm Beach, FL (PBI). The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new United flights departing between Aug. 29 and Sept. 11.

JetBlue: JetBlue will waive change/cancel fees and fare differences for customers traveling Sept. 1 to/from Nassau, Bahamas (NAS). Customers may rebook flights for travel through Sept. 7. Customers traveling Aug. 30 through Sept. 3 to/from the following cities: Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL); Fort Myers, FL (RSW); Jacksonville, FL (JAX); Orlando, FL (MCO); Palm Beach, FL (PBI); Sarasota, FL (SRQ); and Tampa, FL (TPA) may rebook flights for travel through September 10.

Cruise changes
Cruise lines have also had to adjust itineraries as the storm strengthens and heads toward the Bahamas.

At Port Canaveral, where many lines dock their ships, The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has set hurricane condition WHISKEY, indicating sustained gale force winds are predicted within 72 hours. 

Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Sunrise will stop at San Juan on Friday, instead of Grand Turk. On Saturday, it will call at Amber Cove instead of San Juan. On Sunday, it will dock in Grand Turk instead of Amber Cove.

Carnival Magic will stay at sea today instead of stopping at Amber Cove, and will stop in Nassau tomorrow instead of staying at sea.

Carnival Sensation will stay at sea on Sunday instead of stopping in Nassau. On Monday, it will head to Grand Turk instead of Half Moon Cay, and will head to Half Moon Cay on Tuesday and Nassau on Wednesday. 

Carnival said in a statement that its “Fleet Operations Center continues to monitor the storm and will make any adjustments as needed as the safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority.”

Royal Caribbean International: The Aug. 26 sailing of Navigator of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas had their days in Perfect Day at CocoCay scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, changed to Nassau, Bahamas.

The Aug. 24 sailing of Empress of the Seas will remain in Cozumel on Friday, followed by a day at sea on Saturday. The extra day in Cozumel replaces a scheduled visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The Aug. 24 sailing of Symphony of the Seas will replace their day in Perfect Day at CocoCay scheduled for Friday with Nassau, Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean said it will announce further itinerary changes later today.