Cruise Ships Divert To Avoid Hurricane Joaquin

Four Carnival Cruise Line vessels have altered their itineraries, together with Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway, Disney Cruise Lines’ Disney Magic and Disney Dream and Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess.

Over 25,000 passengers were forced to divert as Hurricane Joaquin strengthened across the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean International was reported to be monitoring the situation but had so far not made any changes to itineraries, USA Today reported.

Missed ports include those cruise lines’ private islands in the Bahamas.

Joaquin was about 75 miles south of San Salvador, Bahamas and moving to the west-southwest at five miles per hour.

The hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour, up significantly from the day before.

Joaquin was described by the US National Hurricane Center as being “extremely dangerous” having been upgraded to a category 4 hurricane out of a scale of 5.

Hurricane conditions were forecast to continue over the central Bahamas, with the US east coast put on flood alert.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned that Hurricane Joaquin “may bring hazardous sea and weather conditions to parts of the east coast from around the beginning of October.

British travellers were advised to monitor updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of the local authorities.

States of emergency were declared in New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and North and South Carolina.

In its latest update, the US National Weather Service said: “Many portions of the eastern U.S. are currently experiencing heavy rains and gusty winds associated with a frontal system.

“These heavy rains are likely to continue for the next few days, even if the center of Joaquin stays offshore.

“The resulting inland flood potential could complicate preparations for Joaquin should it head toward the coast, and even more substantial inland flooding is possible.”

Generally October is the rainy season for Florida and the Caribbean so any flooding and heavy rain fall is expected. However if you are travelling around these parts soon, make sure you keep up-to-date.

Do you want to know what the weather is like where your are going? Click HERE