Tropical Cyclone 18: Travel Disruptions and Hurricane Watch Updates

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring a low-pressure system in the western Caribbean that is already impacting travel in the region and could reach the U.S. later this week.

The storm, currently classified as Tropical Depression 18, would be named Rafael if it strengthens into a tropical storm or hurricane. Forecasters expect it to reach tropical storm status today, with the system projected to gain strength and pass near Jamaica from Monday night into Tuesday.

While its exact path remains uncertain, the NHC advises residents in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the Florida Keys to “closely monitor this system.”

“The system could be near or at hurricane intensity when it passes near the Cayman Islands and Cuba,” the NHC said.

Heavy rainfall could affect Florida and the Southeastern U.S. later in the week.

Watches and warnings

As of Monday morning, a Hurricane Watch was in effect for the Cayman Islands, which means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. There’s also a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Jamaica, meaning tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 24 hours.

Next up could be Cuba and the Florida Keys, which could see storm warnings later on Monday.

Cruise ship changes

With the current position of the storm and its expected path, a number of cruise ships are already altering course.

This includes four different Royal Caribbean ships:

• Brilliance of the Seas, on a Nov. 2 sailing out of New Orleans, is skipping Grand Cayman and visiting Belize City this week instead.
• Freedom of the Seas, on its Nov. 3 sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale, is now visiting Labadee on Tuesday and George Town on Thursday, reversing the original schedule.
• Radiance of the Seas, on a Nov. 2 sailing out of Tampa Bay, is switching to the Western Caribbean, altering from stops at Bimini, Freeport, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, to Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City, and Costa Maya.
• Vision of the Seas, on an Oct. 31 sailing out of Baltimore, is skipping The Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay, instead spending more time in Bermuda and stopping at Port Canaveral.

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines confirmed to TMR on Monday that there were no changes yet for any of its scheduled Caribbean itineraries.