Challenge and Change

[MimiDo]

Looking at the footage on the news this morning, it's hard not to believe that this may be the end of crusing in the Caribbean.

 

It's not just how these islands will clean up from Irma and Maria, or how the cruise lines will adjust their schedules this season (like the cruise we are booked on in October).

 

How can cruise lines market autumn cruises in the Caribbean in the future knowing that catastrophic weather may dramatically increase their costs? Will vacationers still be willing to book Caribbean cruises knowing that weather systems may shorten or alter or even cancel their planned vacations? So far we haven't had a ship get caught up in one of these horrific storms -- what will be the impact if that happens?

 

How will the ports and island nations who have developed economies so reliant on cruise traffic recover from these 2 storms? Will they be able to get the financing to rebuild? This is indoubtedly an opportunity to upgrade infastructure -- but how long will that take?

 

I think Irma and Maria have changed this industry forever. And when is the next cateogry 4 or 5 storm -- next week? Next month? Next year?