Royal Caribbean Temporarily Closes Perfect Day at CocoCay Due to Tropical Storm Dorian
by Jessica Montevago
The storm is forecast to move pass central and northwestern Bahamas on Friday and Saturday. Photo: Nation Weather Service.
Royal Caribbean will temporarily close its private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, until Sept. 4.
Due to the forecasted path of Tropical Storm Dorian, the cruise line informed guests that it has decided to shut down CocoCay until next Wednesday.
Royal Caribbean said it is currently working to secure alternate ports and will have itinerary updates today at 3 p.m.
Yes it’s true @RoyalCaribbean Guests. We’re closing #CocoCay starting tomorrow. Our CocoCay Team is made up of over 400 Bahamian locals and they need to evacuate to care for their families and secure their homes out of of caution. Further details are in your Stateroom Letters. pic.twitter.com/rBQMmt6RBU
— James Van Fleet (@JamesVanFleet) August 28, 2019
On the forecast track, the center of Tropical Storm Dorian will pass over Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, gusty winds and high surf.
Dorian already battered Barbados and St. Lucia this week, downing trees and power lines.
Southern and Eastern Puerto Rico, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands will receive 4 to 6 inches of rainfall, with isolated 10-inch accumulations, according to the National Weather Service. The rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods.
Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected today, the National Weather Service said, and Dorian is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it approaches the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. At 8 a.m. Wednesday, it was located about 60 miles from St. Croix.
Swells are expected to increase later this morning across the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and along the southern coasts of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, and could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Discover Puerto Rico, the territory’s destination marketing organization, said in a statement that visitors currently in Puerto Rico or with upcoming travel plans should contact their travel providers, hotels, and local businesses directly to inquire about operations and plans for the storm.
After passing north of Dominican Republic Thursday, Dorian is then forecast to move to the east of the Turks and Caicos and the Southeastern Bahamas, and near or to the east of the Central and Northwestern Bahamas on Friday and Saturday. The Bahamas is expected to get 1 to 3 inches in rainfall the southern region, and 3 to 6 inches in the North.
The latest forecast has Dorian as a Category 2 storm with winds at 100 miles per hour just off Florida early Monday.
