…

Hurricane Beryl headed for several Western Caribbean destinations on popular cruise itineraries, forcing some ships to change routes. The storm became the first Category 5 hurricane to form during the Atlantic hurricane season when its winds reached 157 mph on Tuesday. Conditions on the Windward Islands, including Grenada and parts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, have already been devastating.

The storm, which has since been downgraded to a Category 4, is expected to reach Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Hurricane Center. If it continues on its current path, the storm could affect the popular cruise ports of Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth in Jamaica; Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands; Belize City and Harvest Caye in Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Cozumel and Progreso in Mexico.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s Cruise Newsletter.

Seven cruise lines have changed port calls for 11 ships scheduled in potentially affected areas in the coming days:

Carnival Cruise Line

• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Liberty

Celebrity Cruises

Disney Cruise Line

Margaritaville at Sea

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Norwegian Breakaway
• Norwegian jade

Princess ship

Royal Caribbean

• The majesty of the sea
• Sea Sup
• Wonder of the Seas

A handful of ships have changed calls in the affected areas to the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and ports of call in the US and British Virgin Islands. To avoid the storm, others have changed the order of ports where they will call.

In statements emailed to TPG, all lines said they are closely monitoring the situation on the current voyages of the aforementioned ships and will make decisions for future voyages when they know more about the storm’s path.

MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages also have ships in the area. At press time, they told TPG they haven’t made any changes yet but are actively evaluating the situation.

Hurricane Beryl is the first Category 5 hurricane in the National Hurricane Center’s recorded hurricane season history, joining only Hurricane Emily (July 2005) as one of two Category 5 hurricanes to develop in July. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, with peak storm activity typically occurring from mid-August to mid-October. Activity typically peaks in September, particularly September 10, known to industry insiders as Hurricane Day because the namesake hurricane is always active in the Atlantic on this date.

to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, The NHC’s latest advisory Says the storm is about 75 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica and will bring maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. The storm is forecast to reach Jamaica by Wednesday evening and the Cayman Islands overnight on Thursday.

This NHC said in a post on X That Hurricane Beryl is producing “destructive hurricane-force winds, life-threatening storm surge, and damaging waves,” as well as “life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.”

Hurricane warnings are in place for all of Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac; and the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula from Costa Maya to Cancun. Hurricane watches and tropical storm watches and warnings are in place for parts of the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as parts of Haiti and Belize.

If you’ve booked a cruise or are considering booking a cruise during hurricane season, make sure you’re prepared with these resources: