Cruise Lines Private Islands Status After Hurricane Dorian

Image: Royal Caribbean International’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. (Photo via Royal Caribbean International)
Image: Royal Caribbean International’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. (Photo via Royal Caribbean International)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 10:02 AM ET, Sun September 8, 2019

The travel industry continues to move forward in recovery mode following Hurricane Dorian's devastating track through the Atlantic.

Fortunately for major cruise lines and their passengers, the companies' many private islands throughout the Caribbean were mostly spared and should be ready to welcome guests back sooner than later.

Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay was among those closest to the storm's path. It avoided major damage but did experience debris and see trees torn down. "We started working on repairs as quickly as possible but we kindly ask that 'you mind our dust' or sand, as we continue our own recovery efforts," the cruise line told CruiseRadio.net.

CocoCay reopened Saturday with calls scheduled to begin later this month.

Nearby, Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay remains closed as officials work to assess the severity of the damage. Calls to the island are scheduled to start up Friday, September 13.

Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation's Half Moon Cay "suffered minor damage along with some beach erosion," the company confirmed. Holland America Line remains on track to return on October 21 while Carnival Cruise Line is scheduled to commence calls on Thursday, September 12.

Princess Cruises' Princess Cay is also scheduled to open Thursday, September 12.

"Initial reports show only cosmetic damage & beach erosion on #PrincessCays," the cruise line stated on Twitter.

Disney's Castaway Cay is currently closed for cleanup with calls scheduled for Friday, September 13. The cruise line said its needs to clean up the landscaping, make minor repairs to the roof of a covered pavilion area and evaluate the island's pier and ship channel before it can reopen to guests.

Finally, construction on MSC Cruises' new Ocean Cay Reserve off the coast of South Florida is scheduled to resume in the "following days." The private island is slated to begin welcoming guests this November.

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