Cruise route changes due to Hurricane Milton: Icon of the Seas and other ships affected

Bild: CNN
After Tropical Storm Helene, Hurricane Milton has now also reached the Caribbean, once again forcing numerous cruise ships to change their planned routes. Among the ships affected is the Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, which was only recently put back into service after unexpected repairs. Other ships are also affected by the adjustments.

The Icon of the Seas is currently on a week-long cruise that began in Miami on October 5, 2024 and is heading to the Eastern Caribbean. A stop at the shipping company's private island of Coco Cay in the Bahamas on October 11, 2024 was planned, but unfortunately this had to be canceled. Instead, the ship will remain at sea on that day. To make up for the cancellation, the stops in Basseterre on St. Kitts have been extended by one hour and in Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas by three hours.

Royal Caribbean International had already adjusted the routes of several other ships, including the Grandeur of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Passengers on the Grandeur of the Seas, which is based in Tampa, will be particularly affected. Instead of the originally planned destinations in Mexico, the ship is now heading for the Bahamas on its five-day short voyage.

Carnival Cruise Line has also been forced to change itineraries for several of its ships. The ships affected include the Carnival Dream, Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Pride and Carnival Sunrise.

All shipping companies currently sailing in the Caribbean are closely monitoring the weather situation. Such route changes are particularly frequent during hurricane season. Hurricane Milton was detected early, so that many ships were able to adjust their course in time to avoid the storm. The hurricane is currently moving from the western Caribbean towards the coast of Florida and could then also reach the Bahamas.