As Category 4 Hurricane Beryl batters the Caribbean, several major cruise lines are being forced to change course or reroute.
The hurricane, which has set a new record for the fastest Category 4 and 5 hurricane on record, has already killed six people in the eastern Caribbean. The deadly hurricane is now moving toward Jamaica and is expected to make landfall on Wednesday. From there, the storm could travel as far north as Texas, according to National Weather Service forecasts.
As a result, some Caribbean cruise ships are changing their plans to keep passengers safe.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, is among the ships changing their itineraries, the travel site reports. cruise The website said the country would now suspend visits to the two southeastern Caribbean islands.
Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas also canceled calls to Roatan and Costa Maya, opting to sail to Nassau as Hurricane Beryl continues to wreak havoc, the cruise line said.
A Royal Caribbean spokesman declined to disclose the exact number of ships that would be affected but said passengers would be notified directly about any changes to their itineraries.
“The safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is our top priority,” the spokesperson said. “Together with our chief meteorologist, we are closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Beryl and are adjusting some of our Caribbean voyages for the comfort and safety of our guests and crew.”
Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line has made almost complete changes to its week-long itinerary on the Norwegian Breakaway.
“In order to avoid the path of Hurricane Beryl and the forecasted severe weather, we have decided to take a safer alternative route,” the cruise line said in a letter to passengers. “Despite our best efforts, due to weather disturbances beyond our control, we have cancelled calls to Roatan Bay Islands in Honduras, Harvest Caye in Belize, and Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.”
Passengers have been sharing their experiences on social media.
“We departed this afternoon on Harmony of the Seas but the itinerary was changed to avoid the storm… The cruise director said the captain and crew found great clear weather and had planned plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy on board during the three day voyage,” one passenger wrote on Facebook.
“This is why I never cruise during hurricane season,” posted another user.
Hurricane Beryl caused widespread devastation, destroying hundreds of homes and causing power outages in several areas.
The storm killed at least three people in Grenada and Carriacou, including one in Grenada’s capital, St. George, when a tree fell on his home.
“This is a shocking turn of events,” Premier Deacon Mitchell said, “and the individual who passed away is in fact a relative of someone who has spent the last 36 hours here at the National Emergency Operations Centre.”
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves announced Monday that one person had also died in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Meanwhile, authorities reported two people were killed and five were missing in northern Venezuela after heavy rains from the hurricane caused by the storm, the Associated Press reported.