As Hurricane Beryl barrels its way through the Caribbean, a slew of cruise ships are scrambling to dodge the storm’s ferocious path. Among these is the Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, which departed from Galveston, Texas, and is expected to return this Sunday. The cruise line has hastily altered its itinerary to ensure the safety and comfort of its guests and crew, leaving some passengers both relieved and disappointed.
Dodging the Storm: A Necessary Detour
Gregory Renoud, a Houston-area teacher and travel agent, shared his experience aboard Harmony of the Seas with KHOU 11 News. “The beauty of a cruise ship is that it moves, so if there is bad weather, they can move us out of the way,” Renoud said. His sentiment is shared by many who find solace in the ship’s mobility, a stark contrast to being stuck on land during a hurricane.
Upon boarding, passengers were promptly informed of the route change via loudspeaker announcements and written updates. Instead of the planned stop in Roatan, Honduras, the ship would now make earlier stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. This alteration also means more days cruising at sea, which for some, like Renoud, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “I’m not too disappointed. A lot of people come on the cruise to see the ports, I have a lot of fun on the ship itself.”
The Impact on Ports and Passengers
While the rerouting ensures passenger safety, it also raises concerns about the impact on the port cities themselves. Renoud voiced a common worry among travelers: “That’s a big concern for us, we love supporting the local economy and we’re always worried about them in times like this. If there’s a big storm, it’s almost like it’s happening to your family.”
The disruption affects thousands of passengers across various cruise lines. Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, Carnival, and Disney have all confirmed changes to their scheduled stops. According to CruiseMapper.com, at least two dozen cruise ships were still docked in the Caribbean or at Mexican ports as of late Monday afternoon. These changes, while inconvenient, are deemed necessary for the “comfort and safety” of everyone on board.
What It Means for Future Cruises
The Port of Galveston is closely monitoring Hurricane Beryl’s trajectory, though it’s too early to predict if it will affect port operations. This scenario underscores the unpredictable nature of cruise vacations, where itinerary changes can happen at a moment’s notice due to weather conditions. For seasoned cruisers like Renoud, who has over 40 cruises under his belt, such adjustments are part and parcel of the cruising experience. “I’ve dealt with route changes before and I knew it was a possibility this time around.”
Leave a Reply