by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:30 AM ET, Mon September 11, 2023
Hurricane Lee continues to strengthen as it grows larger this
week, but the storm’s projected path has the travel industry—and the cruise
lines especially—in the Caribbean and along the east coast of the United States
on notice.
According to the National
Hurricane Center, Hurricane Lee weakened significantly on Saturday from its
maximum strength as a Category 5, but restrengthened back into a major Category
3 hurricane late Sunday and remained at that intensity on Monday.
Experts tracking the storm said Hurricane Lee will begin to move
northward in the Atlantic Ocean later this week, according to Weather.com,
bringing rain, wind and coastal flooding to Bermuda, Atlantic Canada and
eastern New England, but the forecast remains uncertain.
While airlines have yet to start issuing travel waivers as
they wait to see if and where the storm is expected to make landfall, cruise
lines serving the Caribbean have been forced to alter itineraries and will
continue to do so as Hurricane Lee cuts through the region.
On Facebook, Carnival Cruise Line Ambassador John Heald
revealed that itineraries planned for Carnival Venezia and Carnival Magic have
been altered. Venezia is now scheduled to visit Half Moon Cay instead of areas
possibly impacted by the storm, while Magic’s plan would be “adjusted due to
the storm,” but no additional details were provided.
Another company making preemptive changes is Royal Caribbean
International, which has altered itineraries for four ships so far, including
Adventure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Vision of the Seas and Wonder of
the Seas.
“To ensure we have a safe and smooth journey, and to stay
well away from Hurricane Lee's path, we've adjusted our itinerary,” a cruise
line spokesperson told RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com.
Disney Cruise Line also revealed that at least one sailing scheduled
for Bermuda has been altered to Western
Caribbean itinerary to avoid Hurricane Lee. The company also said it would
monitor the situation and change plans accordingly.
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