Helene is disrupting cruise schedules as she makes her way across the eastern Gulf of Mexico as heads toward Florida’s panhandle. Currently, five cruise lines–Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages–have adjusted itineraries. With the National Hurricane Center predicting winds of up to 115 mph from Helene, which would classify her as a Category 3 hurricane, other adjustments are sure to follow.
Currently, Royal Caribbean International is the cruise line most affected by Helene and has five ships sailing adjusted itineraries. Serenade of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas have been diverted away from Mexico and are now headed for the Bahamas. Mariner of the Seas skipped her port of call in Cozumel and spent the day at sea, while Wonder of the Seas opted for an Eastern Caribbean sailing instead of her scheduled Western Caribbean sailing.
MSC Cruises has two sailings currently affected. MSC Seascape departed from PortMiami on Saturday and sailed east instead of her scheduled Western Caribbean voyage. MSC Seashore embarked from Port Canaveral on Sunday and is currently extending her sailing by a day before returning home.
Disney Cruise Line adjusted the sailing of Disney Fantasy by skipping Grand Cayman yesterday so she could move further away from Helene. As a result, guests enjoyed an extra day at sea.
Carnival Cruise Line has four ships with adjusted itineraries–Carnival Valor, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Breeze. None of these ships will visit Cozumel and Carnival Horizon will skip Grand Cayman as well. Carnival Valor spent the day at sea, while Carnival Paradise visited Costa Maya in exchange for Cozumel. Carnival Horizon will call on Amber Cove as a replacement call.
Finally, Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady bypassed Cozumel on her current sailing. Sailors will visit Puerto Plata as a replacement port of call.
Helene is on track to make landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Gulf Coast and could be the strongest storm to hit the United States in over a year. If she becomes a hurricane as expected, Helene will be the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the US in 2024.
While disrupted cruises are never ideal, we appreciated all the cruise lines making the safety of its crew and passengers a priority. La Lido Loca wants each of you in the path of Helene to be smart and stay safe.