Tag Archives: Norwegian Sky

Cruise lines to help evacuate Irma-ravaged St. Thomas

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A picture shows a wrecked car in the streets of Marigot,
Damage caused by Hurricane Irma

Two cruise lines on Saturday said they were diverting ships to the hurricane-ravaged island of St. Thomas to drop relief supplies and evacuate stranded travelers.

Norwegian Cruise Line said it was sending the 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky to the island with the goal of retrieving as many as 2,000 vacationers who were unable to leave before Hurricane Irma hit on Wednesday. The ship currently is off the coast of Mexico and should arrive in St. Thomas by late Monday.

Royal Caribbean said it was redirecting its 2,350-passenger Majesty of the Seas to the island to similarly evacuate several thousand travelers and also to drop water, food, ice and other provisions that are needed. The ship is off the west coast of Cuba and expected to arrive in St. Thomas on Tuesday.

The two ships are based in Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., respectively, and currently are sailing without passengers. The lines previously had canceled their weekend sailings due to the approach of Irma and sent the ships toward Mexico to seek shelter from the storm.

Royal Caribbean also plans to redirect its 3,114-passenger Adventure of the Seas to the hard-hit island of St. Martin on Sunday for an unscheduled stop to drop relief supplies. The vessel is departing San Juan, Puerto Rico late Saturday on a previously scheduled cruise to the Southern Caribbean and is loading on provisions that are needed for a mounting relief effort.

Norwegian and Royal Caribbean Cancel Sailings Ahead of Irma

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NOAA

With Hurricane Irma potentially heading to South Florida and key destinations in the Caribbean, cruise lines are scrambling to make changes to itineraries and have also cancelled a handful of sailings.

Norwegian Cruise Line has axed the Sept. 8 sailing aboard the Norwegian Sky. Guests get a full refund, plus a 50 percent future cruise credit.

The Norwegian Escape’s week-long Sept. 9 voyage from Miami is also cancelled. Guests get a full refund, plus a 50 percent future cruise credit.

For the Escape’s current Sept. 2 sailing, the ship will be returning to Miami on Thursday.

“Those guests who are residents of South Florida, who drove to PortMiami or who have travel plans already confirmed that will return them safely home by Friday afternoon may disembark the ship on Thursday if they wish to do so. For those guests who did not drive to PortMiami and are unable to secure a flight back home, we strongly encourage them to stay onboard the ship,” said Norwegian in a prepared statement.

Norwegian Escape will set sail from Miami on Thursday evening on a course away from the storm. While we are unable to confirm at this time when and where the ship will return to port, we welcome all guests to remain onboard to stay safe and secure.”

Royal Caribbean has employed similar tactics, and has cancelled the September 8 sailings on the Majesty and Enchantment of the Seas. Guests will receive a full refund and 25 percent future cruise credit.

Royal Caribbean said it will provide an end-of-day update on Tuesday regarding sailings aboard the Allure, Anthem, Empress, Harmony and Oasis.

The cancelled sailings will impact third quarter earnings.

Norwegian Cruise Line arrives in Havana

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Photo credit Dave Jones; Norwegian Sky leaving the Port of Miami.

Norwegian Cruise Line made the first call in Cuba in its 50-year history, as the 2,004-passenger Norwegian Sky arrived in Havana Harbor shortly after 7 a.m.

The ship docked at the Sierra Maestra Terminal in Old Havana alongside the Adonia, the Fathom ship making one of its final calls in Cuba. Also at anchor in the harbor was the Celestyal ship Crystal.

Sailing roundtrip from Miami on a four-day itinerary, Norwegian Sky will overnight in Havana, allowing two full days of tours before sailing to Great Stirrup Cay on Thursday and returning to Miami on Friday.

The Norwegian Sky docked at the Sierra Maestra Terminal in Old Havana. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
The Norwegian Sky docked at the Sierra Maestra Terminal in Old Havana. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst

In remarks to a group aboard, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chairman Frank Del Rio said it is appropriate that Norwegian travel again to Cuba after cruise lines have been out of the market for 50 years, because Norwegian is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Del Rio noted that he left Cuba when he was 7 years old, “and then 55 years later I popped in to say hello,” when a ship from NCLH’s Oceania brand made its first call to Cuba in March. NCLH’s Regent Seven Seas Cruises line has also been to Cuba.

“Now this is our third ship, our third brand, our biggest brand, our most important brand. You guys are going to love Havana,” Del Rio said.

The Norwegian Sky will sail weekly to Havana on the four-day itinerary through November.