Hurricane Dorian disrupts cruise and air travel

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Hurricane Dorian, a Category 4 hurricane is bearing down on the Florida and Georgia coasts and is expected to make landfall the evening of 01 September.

The travel industry has collectively activated their emergency action plans. USA Today printed an excellent primer on how to adjust your travel plans and how your plans were being adjusted by the cruise lines or air carriers. See this link: USA Today.

If you have an upcoming cruise which is beginning or ending in Florida from 01 September through 07 September you may be affected.

If you have air travel plans which included Florida from today through mid-September, you may be affected.

What you need to know

Air Travel affected by Hurricane Dorian

American: Travelers between 29 August and 11 September to destinations affected by Dorian may change travel plans without a fee.

Delta: Passengers traveling between 29 August and 10 September to destinations affected by Dorian may change travel plans without a fee.

Southwest: Those flying to Florida through 04 September may adjust their travel plans without a fee.

Spirit: The airline is waving change fees through 03 September.

Frontier: Travelers may make one itinerary change if they are affected by Dorian without a change fee, through 03 September.

United: Passengers who were supposed to travel to, from or through the following Florida cities through Wednesday can rebook without incurring a change fee as long as the flight is rescheduled by Sept. 11

JetBlue: Passengers may change travel planned through 03 September (Tuesday) without a change fee as long as travel is rebooked by 10 September.

Cruise Travel affected by Hurricane Dorian

Royal Caribbean: The cruise line has adjusted the itineraries of Allure sailings of 25 August and 01 September sailings. The 25 August sailing has been extended, while the 01 September sailing has been shortened with boarding occurring on 04 September. The Empress has seen their 24 August sailing extended and The 01 September sailing shortened, with boarding occurring 04 September. The Harmony has seen it’s 25 August sailing extended with a return scheduled for 04 September. As with the Allure and Empress the 01 September sailing is delayed and shortened. The Majesty‘s 28 August sailing is being extended to 04 September and the 02 September sailing delayed and shortened. The Mariner and The Navigator‘s 30 August sailing is extended to 04 September and the 02 September sailing delayed two days. The Symphony‘s 31 August sailing is extended and the 03 September cruise delayed and shortened.

Travelers may contact Royal Caribbean directly at: Call toll free (866) 562-7625

Disney Cruise Line: Disney had already changed Fantasy to a western route. Another ship, Dream, will depart as scheduled on Friday; however, it will now be a five-night sailing with visits to Cozumel, Mexico, and Disney’s private Island, Castaway Cay.

Disney guests booked on those cruises who do not wish to sail as planned must call 866-325-3905 or 407-566-7032 by Friday. They will then have until Oct. 31 to change their departure date without incurring a change fee, although there may be a price difference between their original cruise and their new choice.

Carnival: The cruise line advises, “Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami is actively monitoring Hurricane Dorian’s potential impact on the departures . (Click on link above) Given that storms can be so uncertain, this information reflects our plan for these sailings based on the current forecast.” Carnival is monitoring the following ports - Charleston, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Port Canaveral, Port of Miami and Tampa. They advise they expect Port Canaveral to be the most affected and have extended, canceled and shortened a number of cruises.

Holland America - No updates

Princess Cruise Lines - No updates

Norwegian Cruise Lines: The cruise line advises in their 31 August update that a number of modification to cruise for the Breakaway, Sky and Sun will occur.

Norwegian Breakaway – August 25, 2019 Sailing
As scheduled, Norwegian Breakaway arrived to Cozumel, Mexico on Friday, August 30, 2019. On August 31 at 4 a.m. the ship will depart Cozumel for Miami, Florida. At this time, we are waiting for the United States Coast Guard to confirm that we will be able to dock in Miami on Sunday, September 1.

Norwegian Breakaway – September 1, 2019 Sailing
We are in communication with the United States Coast Guard to confirm if Norwegian Breakaway will be able to return to Miami, Florida on September 1, 2019. We will provide an update by 3 p.m. or sooner on Saturday, August 31.

Norwegian Sky – August 26, 2019 Sailing
Norwegian Sky returned to Miami, Florida a day early on Friday, August 30, 2019. Guests had the option to disembark early or remain on board until 7 a.m. on August 31. Due to the shortened cruise, all guests will receive a 20% refund from the original cruise fare paid.

Norwegian Sky – August 31, 2019 Sailing
Norwegian Sky will depart Miami, Florida on August 31, 2019, as planned. She will sail a modified and adjusted itinerary to accommodate an earlier check in and departure from Miami. She will spend a day at sea on September 1; overnight in Cozumel, Mexico from September 2 to 3; and remain at sea on September 4, before returning to Miami on September 5, as scheduled.

Norwegian Sun - August 29, 2019 Sailing
Norwegian Sun departed from Port Canaveral, Florida on Thursday, August 29, 2019 as scheduled. At this time, we are uncertain if the ship will be able to return to Port Canaveral on Monday, September 2. We are in communication with the United States Coast Guard, as to the availability of Norwegian Sun to return to Port Canaveral on September 2. We will provide an update by 3 p.m. or sooner on Sunday, September 1.