Hurricane Matthew

[MizDemeanor]

We have Jamaica coming up in two weeks....or maybe not. I hope that everyone fares well over the next few days.

[kearney]

We have sailed in rough weather before being essentially chased by hurricane Denis a number of years ago. Cruise ship captains will do everything that they can to provide a safe and enjoyable experience. However, a borderline Cat 5 storm is not your typical hurricane and I am wondering just how well any captain can avoid some the the strong wave action that they are likely to encounter. Since OP is not a frequent cruiser, I would hate for you to have a bad experience which would turn you off to future cruises... I would seriously look at your travel insurance policy to see if there is a way to postpone this cruise to another time. If you do stay on the ship, you might investigate securing a cabin that is central and low... to minimize motion. That might at least make the trip more comfortable should you hit high waves.

[evelyn51]

We have sailed in rough weather before being essentially chased by hurricane Denis a number of years ago. Cruise ship captains will do everything that they can to provide a safe and enjoyable experience. However, a borderline Cat 5 storm is not your typical hurricane and I am wondering just how well any captain can avoid some the the strong wave action that they are likely to encounter. Since OP is not a frequent cruiser, I would hate for you to have a bad experience which would turn you off to future cruises... I would seriously look at your travel insurance policy to see if there is a way to postpone this cruise to another time. If you do stay on the ship, you might investigate securing a cabin that is central and low... to minimize motion. That might at least make the trip more comfortable should you hit high waves.

 

Good sound advice. Stay safe.

[Seamingo]

Hi! This is my first ever cruise. We are supposed to go on the Majestic that leaves Port Canaveral this up coming Monday Oct 2. We have a toddler with us. Our goals were to snorkel and dive this trip so water clarity is important to us. My dad cruises a lot and on this same boat some years ago was rerouted and stuck on that boat for days during a storm. He said they were told to stay in their rooms and the boat rocked a lot, the pools emptied out on the decks and people were seasick everywhere. He loves cruising and encouraged me to finally go on one. We paid extra for the protection plan from Royal Caribbean, & I may be able to get my doctor to sign a note since I did just get diagnosed with a disease this week and started treatment. So that could cover our money coming back to us. I did really want to go back to Nassau. We booked our own excursion that has a money back guarantee with 24 hours cancellation notice. How bad is it when you've gone out like this? Also, have any of y'all canceled successfully before using medical reasons? Thanks!

 

RCI just announced they changed Majesty from the Bahamas and is going to Key West. What did you decide to do?

Edited October 2, 2016 by Seamingo

[ckb523]

Just left AOS on Saturday and we were re-routed last week due to Matthew. Missing St Lucia and Barbados, but got St Maarten, St Croix and St Thomas instead. Got three great beach days instead of rain and seeing people sick. ;)

[temple1]

Update from the Royal Caribbean website:

 

ITINERARY UPDATES

 

 

Hurricane Matthew Weather Update

October 1, 2016

6:00p.m. E.S.T

 

 

Royal Caribbean International continues to closely monitor the path and progress of Hurricane Matthew to ensure guests have an enjoyable and comfortable cruise. Given the storm’s current location and projected path, we are rerouting some of our ships to ensure the safety of our guests and crew.

 

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas will be able to visit its original ports of call however, we are modifying her call dates and times. Allure of Seas revised itinerary:

 

Sunday, Oct. 2 - Depart from Port Everglades, Florida at 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 3 - At Sea

Tuesday, Oct. 4 - Cozumel, Mexico at 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - At Sea

Thursday, Oct. 6 - Falmouth, Jamaica at 7:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7 - Labadee, Haiti at 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8 - At sea

Sunday, Oct. 9 - Arriva at Port Everglades, Florida at 6:15 a.m.

 

Freedom of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas will now be calling on San Juan, Puerto instead of her scheduled call to CocoCay, Bahamas. Freedom of the Seas revised itinerary:

 

Sunday, Oct. 2 - Depart from Port Canaveral at 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 3 - At sea

Tuesday, Oct. 4 - San Juan, Puerto Rico at 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas at 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6 - Philipsburg, St. Maarten at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7 - At sea

Saturday, Oct. 8 - At sea

Sunday, Oct. 9 - Arrive at Port Canaveral, Florida at 6:00 a.m.

 

Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment of the Seas will not be able to call to either port in the Bahamas. Instead Enchantment of the Seas will now call to Cozumel, Mexico. Enchantment of Seas revised itinerary:

 

Monday, Oct. 3 - Depart from Port Miami, Florida at 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 - At sea

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - Cozumel, Mexico at 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6 - Key West, Florida at 1:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7 - Arrive at Port Miami, Florida

 

If you have not done so already, we strongly suggest guests complete their online check-in as soon as possible, including the section requesting your preferred method of contact while traveling. You can access online check-in at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/onlinecheckin.

 

Royal Caribbean International will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will provide updates as soon as they become available.

[laginog]

I keep thinking.....sounds like Labadee might take a pretty hard hit. Wonder if it will be out of commission for a while. Just enjoyed a beautiful day there a couple weeks ago. Plus....I'm praying for those poor people in Haiti. So many already homeless.....and this will be devastating.

 

 

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[sublarry]

We were on the Carnival Valor once when two tropical storms met together. I think it was Michael and Nicole. We missed our stop at Grand Cayman and had to go to the old side of Honduras which was not a good spot.

 

The ship rocked hard enough we were woken by the drawers slapping in and out on the dresser, but if not for the noise we would have slept straight thru.

 

We were not told to stay inside, but the rain kind of handled that for them. It was pretty neat to us watching the water splashing out of the pool. I just hated the sea day with nothing going on outside. Only so much bingo and art auction or casino before you get a little stir crazy.

 

Be safe and enjoy the adventure.

 

 

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[Respiraman]

Terrible situation.:(

[cleagle]

Terrible situation.:(

 

Safe travels

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Hope everyone is safe and secure.

 

Latest hurricane path map and information posted here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=51220631#post51220631

[CRUISEFAN0001]

There is a "LATEST WEATHER INFORMATION" banner link at the top of the royal Caribbean website that includes the most current information on cruise changes.

 

This was posted as of yesterday afternoon:

 

Hurricane Matthew Weather Update

October 2, 2016

1:00p.m. E.S.T

 

 

Royal Caribbean International continues to closely monitor the path and progress of Hurricane Matthew to ensure guests have an enjoyable and comfortable cruise. Given the storm’s current location and projected path, we are rerouting some of our ships to ensure the safety of our guests and crew.

 

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas will be able to visit its original ports of call however, we are modifying her call dates and times. Allure of Seas revised itinerary:

Sunday, Oct. 2 - Depart from Port Everglades, Florida at 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 3 - At Sea

Tuesday, Oct. 4 - Cozumel, Mexico at 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - At Sea

Thursday, Oct. 6 - Falmouth, Jamaica at 7:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7 - Labadee, Haiti at 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8 - At sea

Sunday, Oct. 9 - Arriva at Port Everglades, Florida at 6:15 a.m.

 

Freedom of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas will now be calling on San Juan, Puerto instead of her scheduled call to CocoCay, Bahamas. Freedom of the Seas revised itinerary:

Sunday, Oct. 2 - Depart from Port Canaveral at 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 3 - At sea

Tuesday, Oct. 4 - San Juan, Puerto Rico at 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas at 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6 - Philipsburg, St. Maarten at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7 - At sea

Saturday, Oct. 8 - At sea

Sunday, Oct. 9 - Arrive at Port Canaveral, Florida at 6:00 a.m.

 

Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment of the Seas will not be able to call to either port in the Bahamas. Instead Enchantment of the Seas will now call to Cozumel, Mexico. Enchantment of Seas revised itinerary:

Monday, Oct. 3 - Depart from Port Miami, Florida at 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 - At sea

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - Cozumel, Mexico at 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6 - Key West, Florida at 1:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7 - Arrive at Port Miami, Florida at 7:00 a.m.

 

Majesty of the Seas

We are rerouting Majesty of the Seas. Majesty will now call to Key West, Florida, instead of her scheduled call to Nassau, Bahamas. Majesty of the Seas revised itinerary:

Monday, Oct. 3 - Port Canaveral, Florida at 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 - At sea

Wednesday, Oct. 5 - Key West, Florida at 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6 - CocoCay, Bahamas at 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7 - Port Canaveral, Florida at 7:00 a.m.

 

Royal Caribbean International will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will provide updates as soon as they become available.

[temple1]

Instead of posting the schedule changes daily, here is a link to the Royal Caribbean website:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/itineraryUpdates.do

 

We are watching very closely - we are supposed to leave out of Port Canaveral on Sunday to go to Labadee, Falmouth, Georgetown and Cozumel. Looking like the only two not affected - Cozumel and Georgetown.

[waterbug123]

Instead of posting the schedule changes daily, here is a link to the Royal Caribbean website:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/itineraryUpdates.do

 

We are watching very closely - we are supposed to leave out of Port Canaveral on Sunday to go to Labadee, Falmouth, Georgetown and Cozumel. Looking like the only two not affected - Cozumel and Georgetown.

 

Given the impact and the likely aftermath that will affect Labadee and Falmouth, I wouldn't be surprised if those get replaced on your itinerary with Costa Maya, Belize etc.

[JaniceB]

Snorkeling or diving will not be good at any area after a hurricane hits.

[IrishLassie]

I keep thinking.....sounds like Labadee might take a pretty hard hit. Wonder if it will be out of commission for a while. Just enjoyed a beautiful day there a couple weeks ago. Plus....I'm praying for those poor people in Haiti. So many already homeless.....and this will be devastating.

 

 

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Labadee should be OK as it is on the other side & at the end of DR. Will probably get windy & some rough seas, but should be alright. The storm is going between Haiti & Cuba.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Labadee should be OK as it is on the other side & at the end of DR. Will probably get windy & some rough seas, but should be alright. The storm is going between Haiti & Cuba.

Labadee runs the risk of not only high winds...but torrential rain/flooding...so not so sure it will escape so easily....plus the path of Matthew is still uncertain beyond the next 2 hours...Falmouth will almost certainly take a bit hit unless something changes dramatically today.

[CruisingMermaidMommy]

RCI just announced they changed Majesty from the Bahamas and is going to Key West. What did you decide to do?

 

We canceled. Since I did just get diagnosed this week I am using that to get my money back from the policy we bought. I will update y'all on how that process goes. My dad was on this exact reroute last time there was a storm and it was dreadful. As of now we are enjoying Orlando since we booked our room here for the cruise and just extended our stay. It's lovely 🌈.

[SAS21]

Labadee runs the risk of not only high winds...but torrential rain/flooding...so not so sure it will escape so easily....plus the path of Matthew is still uncertain beyond the next 2 hours...Falmouth will almost certainly take a bit hit unless something changes dramatically today.

 

I agree. The entire island is covered with rain and winds. Haiti is taking the worst of it. It doesn't matter where on the island Labadee is located, I think she will suffer significant damage, unless the buildings are built to withstand these strong winds.

 

This is a major hurricane with 145-150 mile winds. This hurricane is almost as big as Hurricane Katrina was in 2006 and she pretty much left nothing in her path in the southern tip of Louisiana where she first made landfall, before causing so much rain that the levees protecting New Orleans were breached. I live south of New Orleans and saw first hand what type of damage a storm of this magnitude can cause.

 

I don't see how Labadee will be reopened soon.

[laginog]

So very sad. Very much appreciating the perfect day we had on Labadee 2 weeks ago.

 

 

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[melnayc]

Heading out on Saturday on Oasis. We were supposed to visit Labadee and Falmouth. I have a feeling we will not be visiting either. Prayers for all of those on the islands. This storm is not going to be good for them. We live just inland from Daytona Beach. They are saying we could get almost 20 inches of rain here from the storm. Saturday cannot get here soon enough!

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Heading out on Saturday on Oasis. We were supposed to visit Labadee and Falmouth. I have a feeling we will not be visiting either. Prayers for all of those on the islands. This storm is not going to be good for them. We live just inland from Daytona Beach. They are saying we could get almost 20 inches of rain here from the storm. Saturday cannot get here soon enough!

Hoping nothing but the best for you....but...I wouldn't be so sure Oasis will even be in a Florida port this weekend if the latest forecasts are true. The "left side" of a hurricane is generally where the biggest wind and water ends up...and based on Matthew's size...they'll still be seeing it's effects on Saturday in Florida.

 

Edited October 4, 2016 by CRUISEFAN0001

[BeachChik]

Hoping nothing but the best for you....but...I wouldn't be so sure Oasis will even be in a Florida port this weekend if the latest forecasts are true. The "left side" of a hurricane is generally where the biggest wind and water ends up...and based on Matthew's size...they'll still be seeing it's effects on Saturday in Florida.

 

 

That is incorrect. As it has been stated on local and national forecasts, the strongest wind and rain is on the east side of the storm.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

That is incorrect. As it has been stated on local and national forecasts, the strongest wind and rain is on the east side of the storm.

That depends on the surrounding conditions.

 

In this case, there will be 2 high pressure fronts EAST (right) of Matthew as it goes up the coast. The last time this happened with Hurricane Sandy, the WEST (left) side caused the biggest damage and flooding.

[tamtot]

We are supposed to leave on Friday from Port Canaveral on Majesty.

 

I've been cruising for a long time, but have never encountered this situation!

Of course I do NOT have travel insurance, but we haven't invested all that much into this 3 night cruise, so we'll be ok.

 

But has anyone ever had a cruise canceled due to weather? Or would one imagine they would just delay the sail date? I'm trying to wrap my head around the possibilities :-)