Published on August 18, 2025
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Powerful Hurricane Erin has forced Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival Cruises to cancel ports, announce cancellations, reroute itineraries, and change schedules across the Caribbean, as the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the US East Coast brace for the violent tempest. The Category 5 storm, which later weakened slightly but grew in size, has brought powerful swells, heavy seas, and high winds that make normal sailing routes unsafe. The impact has been immediate, with Bermuda itineraries scrapped, Eastern Caribbean calls cancelled, and ships diverted to safer destinations.
Royal Caribbean has adjusted several voyages, including Vision of the Seas, which dropped Bermuda and shifted to Florida and the Bahamas, and Liberty of the Seas, which turned north to Halifax, Canada. Disney Cruise Line rerouted the Disney Treasure away from Tortola and St. Thomas, instead sending it to the Western Caribbean with calls at Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. Carnival Cruise Line cancelled Bermuda stops for the Carnival Sunshine, substituting Celebration Key and Nassau instead.

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These rapid changes show how cruise lines must act decisively when hurricanes threaten. Passenger safety is always the first priority, but operators also work to keep the holiday experience intact by offering replacement ports and even onboard credits. For travellers, it can be disappointing to miss bucket-list stops, but it also highlights the flexibility and resilience of the industry. With the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the US East Coast preparing for the tempest, cruise lines are proving once again that safety and adaptability define hurricane-season sailing.
Powerful Hurricane Erin has disrupted travel across the Caribbean and Atlantic, forcing major cruise lines to cancel stops, reroute ships, and adjust itineraries. As of 18 August 2025, ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International have all changed course to avoid the dangerous winds and swells. Ports in Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have faced restrictions, and the U.S. Coast Guard has tightened port conditions to protect vessels. For passengers, the changes mean different destinations, revised schedules, and in some cases, unexpected adventures. This article explains which ships are affected, why cruise lines act quickly during hurricanes, and what these decisions mean for the wider travel industry.

Hurricane Erin’s Impact on Caribbean and Atlantic Ports

Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 intensity on 16 August before weakening to Category 3 on 17 August. The storm grew in size, spreading swells and tropical storm conditions across the Turks and Caicos, the southeast Bahamas, Bermuda, and the U.S. East Coast. Even without direct landfall, the storm created dangerous seas.
The U.S. Coast Guard set stricter port conditions for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, restricting movements as the system passed to the north. This meant that inbound cruise traffic had to halt, and operators had to reroute ships to safer waters. Bermuda, often a highlight on summer itineraries, also became unsafe due to high winds and waves.

Disney Cruise Line: Treasure Swaps Eastern for Western Caribbean

The Disney Treasure, which departed from Port Canaveral on 16 August, was originally scheduled for an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, including Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Both destinations were directly affected by Erin’s strong swells and high winds.
To keep passengers safe and the holiday intact, Disney Cruise Line switched the route to the Western Caribbean. The new stops included Cozumel (Mexico), George Town (Grand Cayman), and Falmouth (Jamaica). The ship still plans to call at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, weather permitting.
This reroute is typical during hurricane season. By moving west, Disney avoided the storm while still providing passengers with exciting ports and excursions. Passengers kept their full seven-day cruise experience, even if it was different from what they expected.

Carnival Cruise Line: Sunshine Cancels Bermuda

The Carnival Sunshine, sailing from Norfolk, Virginia, was on a five-night trip to Bermuda. With Bermuda directly in the storm’s path, the visit scheduled for 20–21 August was cancelled. Instead, Carnival replaced the Bermuda stop with visits to Celebration Key in the Bahamas on 19 August and Nassau on 20 August. The return to Norfolk on 23 August remains unchanged.
For many passengers, Bermuda is a highlight, but Carnival prioritised safety. The Bahamas offered an alternative that was accessible and safe within the weather window. This decision shows how cruise lines must balance guest expectations with safety and operational realities.

Royal Caribbean International: Vision and Liberty Adjust Courses

Royal Caribbean made significant changes to two of its sailings.
The Vision of the Seas, which departed Baltimore on 14 August for a nine-night Bermuda and Bahamas cruise, cancelled its Bermuda call entirely. Instead, the ship visited Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island. This ensured passengers still had multiple stops while avoiding dangerous seas.
The Liberty of the Seas, which left Bayonne (Cape Liberty) on 16 August for a five-night Bermuda sailing, was also forced to change. Instead of Bermuda, the ship rerouted north to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for an overnight stay. Passengers received onboard credit ranging from $150 to $400 depending on cabin type as compensation for the change.
These shifts show Royal Caribbean’s dual strategy. When southern routes are blocked by storms, the company can pivot either to Florida and the Bahamas or north to Canada and New England. This flexibility allows cruises to continue, even during hurricane season.

Why Bermuda Cruises Are Most Affected

Bermuda sits far out in the Atlantic, directly in the path of storms moving from the Caribbean to the U.S. East Coast. Even when storms do not make landfall, Bermuda often faces heavy swells. These make docking dangerous, and tender operations impossible.
As a result, Bermuda itineraries are among the first to be cancelled or rerouted when a hurricane develops. Ships are often redirected south to the Bahamas or north to Canada, depending on the storm’s track. This explains why all three major cruise lines pulled Bermuda from their August schedules during Erin.

Port Restrictions and the Role of the Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard plays a vital role in managing storm impacts. Ahead of Erin, the Coast Guard declared Port Condition WHISKEY, then X-RAY, and in some cases YANKEE for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These conditions restrict movements of commercial vessels and prepare ports for heavy weather.
By restricting entry, the Coast Guard reduces the risk of ships being trapped or damaged. This forces cruise lines to reroute in advance, giving passengers alternative destinations before boarding or early in the trip.

The Passenger Experience: Safety First, Flexibility Required

For passengers, storm-related changes can be disappointing. Many book cruises specifically to visit Bermuda or the Virgin Islands. However, safety is always the priority. Cruise lines communicate changes through apps, emails, and onboard announcements.
In most cases, passengers still get a full holiday, just with different ports. Some lines, like Royal Caribbean, provide onboard credit when major changes occur. Others adjust shore excursion bookings automatically, refunding cancelled tours.
Passengers are reminded during hurricane season to expect flexibility. Cruise contracts clearly state that itineraries can change at any time due to weather. For most, the chance to continue cruising, even on a new route, is preferable to cancellation.

The Broader Impact on the Cruise Industry

Hurricanes like Erin highlight the challenges of operating in the Caribbean. Cruise lines invest heavily in contingency planning, building flexibility into schedules. Private islands in the Bahamas, like Castaway Cay and Perfect Day at CocoCay, play a big role. These islands can often be visited when other destinations are unsafe, ensuring lines can still deliver a beach day.
The impact also extends to port economies. Bermuda loses valuable visitor spending when calls are cancelled. By contrast, substitute ports like Nassau gain extra arrivals. For local businesses, hurricane season means unpredictable swings in visitor numbers.

Lessons from Hurricane Erin

Several key lessons emerge from Hurricane Erin’s disruption:

1. Safety comes first: Cruise lines never risk passengers or crew when storms threaten.
2. Flexibility is vital: Lines use a mix of southern, western, and northern alternatives to keep cruises running.
3. Communication matters: Passengers need clear, timely updates to reduce frustration.
4. Private islands help: Exclusive destinations give cruise lines more control over itineraries.
5. Local economies are affected: Port towns gain or lose depending on storm tracks.

Looking Ahead to the Rest of the Season

Hurricane Erin is unlikely to be the last storm of 2025. The season runs through November, with August to October the busiest months. Cruise passengers should expect further itinerary adjustments.
The industry has shown that it can adapt. Ships are mobile and can move away from danger. Lines have invested in technology, forecasting, and partnerships with agencies like the Coast Guard. While storms will continue to disrupt, they are unlikely to stop cruising altogether.

Conclusion

Hurricane Erin has forced Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International to cancel Bermuda stops, reroute ships, and change itineraries. The Disney Treasure moved to the Western Caribbean. The Carnival Sunshine replaced Bermuda with Celebration Key and Nassau. Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas shifted to Florida and the Bahamas, while Liberty of the Seas rerouted to Halifax, Canada.
These changes reflect the reality of sailing in hurricane season. Safety is the priority, and flexibility ensures cruises continue. Passengers may not reach their original ports, but they still enjoy full experiences. For the cruise industry, Hurricane Erin is another reminder of the importance of adaptability.
As of 18 August 2025, the message is clear: cruising continues despite storms, but itineraries will change. The industry’s ability to reroute and adapt ensures travellers still get memorable holidays, even in the face of unpredictable weather.

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Tags: Carnival Cruises, cruise cancellations, disney cruise line, Hurricane Erin, royal caribbean

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