Tag Archives: Hurricane season

Norwegian Escape to Extend Call in NYC to Avoid Hurricane Erin

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Norwegian Escape to Extend Call in NYC to Avoid Hurricane Erin

The Norwegian Escape is extending its visit to New York City due to the impact of Hurricane Erin on the East Coast.

After repositioning from Miami, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was scheduled to sail from its new homeport on Wednesday.

Initially set to offer a ten-night cruise to the Caribbean and Bermuda, the Escape is now set to remain in New York City for three days before operating a revised itinerary to the Bahamas and Bermuda.

“Due to the impact of Hurricane Erin and the severe weather it’s bringing to the East Coast, we’ve made the difficult decision to change the itinerary for Norwegian Escape’s August 20, 2025, sailing,” the company said in a statement sent to guests.

According to Norwegian Cruise Line, the change prioritises the safety and comfort of everyone onboard the ship.

“As a result, the Norwegian Escape will remain docked in New York until 5:00 PM on August 21, then anchor in the port before officially sailing at 11:59 PM on August 22, 2025,” the company added.

While the cruise’s original itinerary included visits to Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Maarten, Tortola and King’s Wharf, the Norwegian Escape is now set to head to Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay and King’s Wharf after departing from New York City.

“We understand how disappointing it can be when a long-anticipated vacation is disrupted,” Norwegian added.

“We thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we navigate this situation with your safety and experience in mind.”

According to the statement, shore excursions booked through Norwegian will be automatically cancelled, with full refunds credited to onboard accounts.

Earlier this week, Norwegian Cruise Line also changed the itineraries of the Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Aqua due to the impacts of Hurricane Erin.

Hurricanes cost Royal Caribbean $55M, but Q3 profit still rises

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Royal Caribbean’s three Oasis-class ships.Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. reported an 8.6% increase in third-quarter net profit despite costs from the most destructive hurricane season in its history.

Net income rose to $752.8 million from $693.3 million. If not for five hurricanes in September, including two in the Pacific, Royal Caribbean said that net profit would have been $55 million more.

“That made it by far the most expensive hurricane season in our 45-year history,” chairman Richard Fain said in a conference call with analysts.

Royal Caribbean said strong close-in demand for cruises in July and August and higher onboard spending helped it offset hurricane-related costs and lost revenue from cancelled cruises and a decrease in bookings.

Fain said demand fell “precipitously” during September, both for cruises that month and for future bookings. The softness lasted about six weeks but bookings for virtually all itineraries are back to normal now, Fain said.

Fain said he thinks that travellers have become “inured” to disruptions such as hurricanes or terror attacks so that they are affecting booking patterns for shorter time periods than in the past.

Royal Caribbean said its forecast of adjusted full-year earnings of up to $1.59 billion still holds.

In the third quarter, revenue advanced slightly to $2.57 billion from $2.56 billion a year earlier.  Onboard revenue was up 5%, led by increases in internet usage and shore excursions.

Cruise lines alter plans because of Hurricane Joaquin

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Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 3 storm packing winds of 120 mph, has forced several cruise lines to alter itineraries. The storm was battering the Out Islands of the Bahamas on Thursday morning.

The Carnival Valor is skipping a stop in Grand Turk on Thursday and will have a sea day. The Carnival Pride is bypassing Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas and will remain at sea.

Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess is bypassing a stop at private island Princess Cays. The Norwegian Getaway will stay at sea Thursday instead of calling in Nassau.

The Disney Magic will substitute a call in Key West, Fla., and bypass Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.

American relaxed its change-fee policy for customers on flights to Nassau or Freeport through Oct. 2.

Different forecast models predict Joaquin will either veer northwest and hammer the mid-Atlantic states this weekend or track northeast over the Atlantic.