Guests on board Carnival Magic This week they won’t be sailing on their expected 6-night cruise to Bermuda, but instead, the ship will visit three destinations in the Bahamas.
Due to the track and intensity of Hurricane Franklin, which is currently in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Bahamas, it is expected to move northward and turn towards Bermuda within the next 2-3 days.
Carnival Magic Never been to Bermuda
Carnival MagicIt is currently homeported Norfolk, Virginia, will not be able to travel to Bermuda as planned this week. Instead, the ship will sail a 6-night Bahamas cruise, departing Virginia on August 27, 2023.
This complete change in trajectory is due to the persistence of Hurricane Franklin, which is currently about 620 miles (998 kilometers) east of NASA and moving north-northwest at 8 miles per hour (13 kilometers per hour).
“Our Naval Operations Center is currently actively monitoring Hurricane Franklin in the Atlantic.” An email notification to guests reads. “Due to the projected path of the storm, we will have to modify the itinerary for your trip. Unfortunately, we will not be able to visit Bermuda.
After a day at sea, the ship will head to Carnival Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas. Half moon kTuesday, continued Nassau Wednesday and Freeport on Thursday, before another day at sea, bringing the ship back to Norfolk on Saturday 2 September.
Carnival Magic It was scheduled to call at Bermuda for an extended two-day cruise from 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 31.
By Tuesday afternoon, however, Hurricane Franklin — a major Category 3 or possibly a Category 4 storm — will come closest to Bermuda before turning east and around the island.
Because of the track, Bermuda could feel the storm’s impact exactly when Tuesday afternoon through early Thursday. Carnival Magic Scheduled to be in port.
“We were looking forward to providing you with the itinerary you expected and share your frustration with this weather-related change.” Reading email. “We hope you understand that this decision was made with everyone’s safety in mind.”
128,000-gross ton Dream-class Carnival Magic Offers Bermuda, Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from Norfolk. In late October, the ship will reposition to Miami to offer a mix of Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries.
Due to the dramatic change in itinerary, Carnival Cruise Line is offering a $200 (USD) domestic charge per stateroom. All pre-purchased shore excursions for the Bermuda area are automatically refunded to guests’ Sail & Signature accounts.
Available for onboard purchase with new cruise options for Bahamas ports of call Carnival Hub app or by visiting the Shore Excursions desk on Deck 3 on the port side of the Magic Lobby outside the Showtime Theater.
Franklin Hurricane Watch
Hurricane Franklin has already affected many ports of call and cruise lines. Closing both Amber Cove and Dino Bay in the Dominican Republic A tropical storm moved across Hispaniola last week – and this one affected the former Carnival Magic the ship By diverting the ship from its Eastern Caribbean itinerary to three calls in the Bahamas.
Right now, Hurricane Franklin has maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (137 kph), making it a confirmed Category 1 storm. It is expected to continue to strengthen as it moves north across the warm waters of the Atlantic toward Bermuda.
The storm is forecast to become a major Category 3 or Category 4 storm by Monday morning and begin a gradual eastward curve on Tuesday.
If the storm reverses earlier or turns sharper than expected, Bermuda could be hit more strongly, or the storm could gradually move closer to Newfoundland.
Also Read: More Hurricanes and Storms May Affect Ships in 2023
During hurricane season, all guests traveling June 1 through November 30 should be aware of storm systems and stay in close contact with their cruise team regarding possible itinerary changes, delays, or other changes as their sailing date approaches.
Being flexible with cruise expectations is critical, and whenever a cruise ship has to make drastic changes like this, it’s always important to prioritize the safety of the ship, guests, and crew members.
