Hurricane Sandy continues to play havoc with cruise ship itineraries, and at least one voyage was outright cancelled due to problems created by the massive storm. Carnival Cruise Lines cancelled the Oct. 28 departure of the Carnival Glory from Norfolk, where high winds and tidal flooding were expected. Carnival said the cruise terminal is located behind a flood gate that was expected to close when the storm hit, closing off access to the ship. The line said refunds will be processed to the original form of payment within two weeks.
Norwegian Cruise Line expected the Norwegian Jewel to embark guests in New York and depart as scheduled on Oct. 28. The U.S. Coast Guard planned to close the Port of New York at 6 p.m. on Oct. 28, thereby delaying Norwegian Gem’s arrival in New York on Oct. 29; the ship will remain at sea. It is unknown when the port will reopen, so guests scheduled to sail on Norwegian Gem’s Oct. 29 departure were asked to continue to check the cruise line’s webpage for updates.
The Carnival Sensation’s Oct. 28 departure from Port Canaveral was delayed to Oct. 29. The cruise was shortened by a day and will operate as a three-day cruise visiting Nassau and Freeport. Guests will receive a pro-rated cruise fare refund.
The Carnival Miracle’s Oct. 29 cruise from New York was to depart a day early to avoid the storm. Carnival said it was unable to reschedule the delivery of food, beverages and other supplies, so it changed the itinerary so it could get provisions at the first port, which will be Port Canaveral on Oct. 31. Carnival said it will pay the extra day’s gratuities for guests and will reimburse them for additional parking expenses at the port.
The Carnival Dream’s Oct. 27 departure was delayed a day from Port Canaveral and the cruise was shortened to six days. The call at Roatan was cancelled. The line will refund a pro-rated amount of cruise fare and government fees and taxes for Roatan. Pre-paid shore excursions purchased for Roatan will be automatically refunded, and gratuities will be adjusted to reflect the shortened voyage.
Also delayed by one day was Carnival Ecstasy’s Oct. 27 departure from Port Canaveral. The five-day cruise was shortened to a four-day voyage visiting Nassau and Freeport with a call at Key West cancelled. Guests will receive a refund of the pro-rated cruise fare and government fees and taxes for Key West. Pre-paid shore excursions purchased for Key West were automatically refunded, and gratuities adjusted.
Royal Caribbean International said the Jewel of the Seas will not depart Boston Oct. 28 as scheduled, but will remain docked in port until Oct. 30. Due to the delayed departure, the itinerary will be modified; guests will be informed of the changes once on the ship.
Holland America Line’s Eurodam was forced to dock at a cargo pier in Jacksonville, Fla., to wait out the storm. Disembarking passengers were taken by motorcoach to Fort Lauderdale, where the Oct. 14 cruise was scheduled to conclude on Oct. 27. Passengers booked on the “Malt Shop Memories” cruise were bused to Jacksonville to board the ship.
Princess Cruises said the Oct. 26 Emerald Princess cruise from Quebec to Fort Lauderdale cancelled calls to Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport, R.I., and replaced them with Port Saguenay and Corner Brook.
Disney Cruise Line said the Disney Fantasy left Port Canaveral on Oct. 27 for a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage. Its itinerary was altered to replace a stop in Grand Cayman on Oct. 29 with a day at sea, and a call in Costa Maya on Oct. 30 with a stop in Grand Cayman.
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