Hurricane damage to private islands prompts more itinerary changes

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This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former travel editor of Coastal Living magazine and The Dallas Morning News. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.

 

 

Christopher Stubbs, 69, shovels debris from a road in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene on Cat Island in the Bahamas on Aug. 26, 2011. CAPTIONBy Lynne Sladky, APHurricane Irene may be gone, but crews are working to repair damage sustained last week when the storm hit the Bahamas.

 

The private island of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, will remain closed until Sept. 4, forcing three Carnival ships to miss stops there this week.

 

Holland America Line, which owns the island, said damage was limited and its horses, used for riding excursions, were uninjured in the storm. Over the next several days, repairs will be made to structures, vegetation will be replanted and beach erosion caused by the storm will be corrected.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay received some damage to the beaches and landscaping, as well as the structure that housed the dive center, but expects to reopen by Saturday to host Norwegian Sky.

 

"We have a team of people on the island who are working diligently to put the island back into operation," the line said in a statement.

 

It has canceled two visits: Norwegian Jewel's call tomorrow and Norwegian Sky's call on Wednesday. The ships will instead spend an extra day at sea.

 

The storm also closed Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay, but damage was minimal. Dream will change its itinerary, rescheduling a Tuesday stop until Wednesday, giving crews an extra day to freshen up the popular call.

 

In addition, Royal Caribbean's private island CocoCay will be open tomorrow when Monarch of the Seas calls. Freedom of the Seas will skip its scheduled stop today and instead will visit Nassau