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Can I go cruising in the Caribbean this winter?

Some key islands on cruise itineraries, such as Barbados and St Lucia (pictured), have been unaffected by the hurricanes - This content is subject to copyright.
Some key islands on cruise itineraries, such as Barbados and St Lucia (pictured), have been unaffected by the hurricanes - This content is subject to copyright.

Given widespread news reports of the devastation following hurricanes Irma and Maria, which caused catastrophic damage to some of the islands in their paths, it would be understandable if a Caribbean cruise was not something you were considering for the near future.

Among the hardest-hit islands were some major cruise stops, including Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, St Maarten and Dominica.

But the hurricane damage should not put you off sailing to the region in the near future. The Caribbean is still very much open for cruising, with the majority of ports fully operational. You may also have the opportunity to visit islands that are not normally featured on cruise itineraries. And a warm welcome will be guaranteed. 

The cruise lines’ booking conditions generally allow for changes to their itineraries if these are considered necessary and they offer no guarantee that a ship will visit every port on its stated route.

At a glance | Atlantic hurricanes
At a glance | Atlantic hurricanes

That said, if you are unhappy with a new or adjusted itinerary you should discuss alternatives. If the cruise has been booked as part of a package holiday and the changes are deemed “significant” (often a grey area), you are entitled to a refund or a different holiday.

Here are answers to some of the other questions you may have.

Which islands weren’t affected by Irma and Maria?

The Caribbean Sea covers more than a million square miles and the islands hit by the hurricanes were all in the eastern region. Consider a cruise to the western Caribbean (Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel off Mexico’s Yucatan coast and Belize) or the southern Caribbean (including the Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, plus Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines). All were a long way from the paths of Irma and Maria. 

Even within the eastern part of the Caribbean, some key islands on cruise itineraries, such as Barbados and St Lucia, were unaffected. Others that sustained minimal damage, such as the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas and Antigua, are back to normal or getting there.

Tropical Paradise beach in the Dominican Republic - Credit: WEDDING FOTOGRAPHER BLOG.AZZFOTO.COM/ANDREI KOVNIR www.AZZfoto.com
Islands that have sustained minimal damage, such as the Dominican Republic (pictured), are back to normal or getting there Credit: WEDDING FOTOGRAPHER BLOG.AZZFOTO.COM/ANDREI KOVNIR www.AZZfoto.com

What’s the situation on hurricane-hit islands?

The economies of many Caribbean islands are heavily dependent on visits from cruise ships, so getting ports up and running again as soon as possible is a priority.

A few ports on badly damaged islands have managed to reopen remarkably quickly. Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, did so earlier last month, with round-trip sailings from there on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas. The port at Key West (not in the Caribbean but on many itineraries to the area) also reopened fast, despite extensive damage to the Florida Keys.

Carnival’s ships are scheduled to return in early November to Grand Turk island in the Turks and Caicos, while some smaller ships, such as SeaDream, are due to visit hurricane-thwacked St Barts and Anguilla this month. 

Sunset at the port in Key West, Florida - Credit: GEtty
The port at Key West (pictured here before the devastation of the hurricanes) also reopened fast, despite extensive damage to the Florida Keys Credit: GEtty

Elsewhere, at the time of writing, the situation is far less clear. Dutch St Maarten, St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands were making noises about aiming to be ready for cruise ships next month. But for Dominica there is no indication when cruise ships may return. And importantly, even if a port has reopened, a cruise line may well delay its return if it reckons an island’s infrastructure has not recovered sufficiently to be ready for holidaymakers.

If you choose a cruise that calls at a recovering island, remember that not all parts will look pristine, some excursions may not be available and some restaurants may be closed. On the other hand, by spending money there you will be providing the best possible support and the locals should be happy to see visitors.

View of the damage caused the hurricanes in Roseau, Dominica this past September - Credit: Getty
View of the damage caused the hurricanes in Roseau, Dominica this past September Credit: Getty

Are itineraries being changed?

Cruise lines are adjusting them to avoid ports or islands that are not ready to accept holidaymakers. In some cases this has meant switching an entire eastern Caribbean itinerary over to the western islands – for example, Norwegian Escape will now cruise there until the end of 2017.

More often, operators have made smaller tweaks, substituting a hurricane-damaged island with a nearby alternative – swapping St Maarten or St Thomas with St Kitts or Antigua, or replacing Dominica with Guadeloupe, Martinique or St Lucia, for example.

Guadeloupe - Credit: This content is subject to copyright./Atlantide Phototravel
Some operators are substituting a hurricane-damaged island with a nearby alternative - such as swapping Dominica with Guadeloupe (pictured) Credit: This content is subject to copyright./Atlantide Phototravel

The alternative islands have lovely beaches and scenery, and good cultural attractions, so in general the cruises should be none the worse for the change. That said, in the coming months these ports may be busier than usual. Some rejigged itineraries include extra time on an island you are already visiting – Barbados, for example, on some P&O cruises.

In terms of how far ahead they announce adjusted itineraries, cruise lines are taking different approaches. Royal Caribbean is informing passengers of changes around four weeks before their cruise departs, while Celebrity, Carnival and Princess Cruises have spelt out changes to the end of the year.

Several luxury small-ship lines have fixed adjustments well into 2018. For example, Seabourn has taken out St Maarten until April 2018, visiting Barbados instead, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises has replaced San Juan, Dominica and St Maarten until March.

14 incredible Caribbean cruise holidays
14 incredible Caribbean cruise holidays

What’s the outlook for the coming months?

The Caribbean’s hurricane season officially runs to November 30, although the peak time for major storms has passed. For detailed, information on the status of ports and changes to cruise itineraries, see cruisecritic.co.uk. You will find more recovery news at caribbeantravelupdate.com, with a donation link to the Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ships have been used in relief and recovery efforts. Royal Caribbean is matching relief-fund donations up to US$1 million, and NCL is doing so up to $1.25 million.