Cruise lines assess damage to private islands

Practical weather has returned to the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Irene, and Nassau, the major cruise port, is open. But the word on the Cruise lines' private islands is still out.

 

The lines continue to assess the damage to their various private Bahamian islands; some were in the direct path of the hurricane. As such, most lines have cancelled planned calls, opting for additional sea days or replacement ports. Here's what we know so far:

 

John Heald, Carnival's blogging cruise director, said on Facebook that the island had "sustained some damage from the storm" and that Carnival Valor would cancel its call Monday, August 29, and call at Nassau instead. Carnival Pride (Thursday, September 1) and Carnival Miracle (Tuesday, August 30) are also cutting their scheduled calls to Half Moon Cay. Miracle will instead spend the day at sea, and Pride will visit Nassau.

 

Half Moon Cay, used by Holland America and Carnival, is southeast of Eleuthera, which was pummeled by Irene. Holland America said in a statement that the line "expects [the island] to be operational for cruise ship visits by Sunday, September 4. Damage was limited and can be easily addressed and all horses are well with no injuries. Repairs will be made to some island structures, vegetation will be replanted in various areas, and the main guest beach will be renewed in those areas impacted by erosion."

 

Norwegian Cruise Line, too, is still evaluating the damage to Great Stirrup Cay, its private island, according to a spokeswoman. Norwegian Sky sailed from Miami as scheduled this weekend but spent a day at sea on Saturday instead of calling at the island. The ship did, however, visit Nassau as scheduled on Sunday, August 28.

 

A statement from Royal Caribbean said: “Regrettably, the island of CocoCay, Bahamas, was impacted by the storm, and we feel our guests' experience ashore would be disrupted.” As such, Majesty of the Seas' scheduled call to the private beach on Saturday was cancelled, as were Monarch of the Seas' call on Sunday and Freedom of the Seas' planned call today. Monarch overnighted in Nassau last night and Freedom will call there instead of CocoCay today.