Bermuda cruises diverted to Bahamas?

[gszach]

Are Bermuda cruises ever diverted to the Bahamas instead of to Canada/New England? Hurricane Bertha is currently heading toward Bermuda. It looks like a cruise ship could be diverted South though to the Carribean/Bahamas instead of North. Does that ever happen?

[jmsway]

Typically, how long does it take to reach Bermuda? We are due in on 7/14

[iheartbda]

Don't know if it's ever happened but there needs to be a place for unscheduled ships to dock. Most places run a pretty tight schedule with the ones who are already due to dock.

 

The Bahamas are quite busy now and Canada is not.

[iheartbda]

Typically, how long does it take to reach Bermuda? We are due in on 7/14

 

Depends in where you're leaving from. Your docs have the itinerary, i.e. what time you leave the home port and arrival in Bermuda.

[smeyer418]

Because the way most Hurricanes go the normal route is to divert to Canada. Its closer. the Bahamas are slightly further away. Because the water in Canada is colder most Hurricane's peter out before they get there. Bahamas has had direct hits as well.

[wrp96]

It is less likely for a Bermuda cruise to divert to the Bahamas than Canada/New England. It is more likely to become a cruise to nowhere than go to the Bahamas, especially those Bermuda cruises that are less than 7 nights due to the length of time it takes to get down to the Bahamas. I believe that in previous discussions when Bermuda cruises have diverted to Canada, someone pointed out that it takes at least 1.5 days to get to the Bahamas from the NYC area. On a 5 night cruise, with that kind of transit time, by the time you get to the Bahamas you would have to immediately turn around again, maybe getting half a day in a port. 7 night cruises have more options due to the length of the cruise, but then it comes down to what ports have availability of docking.

 

Best advice though is to realize that your cruiseline and your Captain want you to have the best cruise vacation possible. If they do have to divert either to Canada or elsewhere, they are doing it in your best interest. Their preference is the same as yours - to keep to the original itinerary, but when that can't be done safely they make the best decision based on the options presented to them at the time.

[jackdiamond]

I would guess that all of the Captains are aware of the situation; and, that you will not be in harms way. As you probably already know, she is a cat. 3, and will escalate to a 4. I hope that this does not portend trouble, but in 1997, a hurricane impacted Bermuda and her name was Bertha.

[trvlgrl422]

I know I had the same hopes about possbily going to the Bahamas. I'm really looking forward to going somewhere tropical. Canada such doesn't sound as exciting. I'm so sad. This cruise has costed so much money. I've been looking forward to it for ages. Anyone ever go on a cruise to Canada in the summer. Any advice in case I'm headed there. When do you think the cruiseline would make this call?

 

All said, I would not want to ventureout in rough seas or visit Bermuda after a hurricane. I've been through a hurricane and know what type of damage it causes. The aftermath of a hurricane isn't pretty. It's downright sad. We'll have to wait and see.

[montekat]

I know I had the same hopes about possbily going to the Bahamas. I'm really looking forward to going somewhere tropical. Canada such doesn't sound as exciting. I'm so sad. This cruise has costed so much money. I've been looking forward to it for ages. Anyone ever go on a cruise to Canada in the summer. Any advice in case I'm headed there. When do you think the cruiseline would make this call?

 

All said, I would not want to ventureout in rough seas or visit Bermuda after a hurricane. I've been through a hurricane and know what type of damage it causes. The aftermath of a hurricane isn't pretty. It's downright sad. We'll have to wait and see.

Canada is a great place to visit, we have been there on 3 cruises. The people are super friendly and don't "mob" you and harrass you to buy their wares. It is a different experience than the Caribbean and certainly not as warm, but at least you would be out of harm's way. We have been to Halifax,Nova Scotia, St. Johns, New Brunswick and St. John's, Newfoundland. As the cruise gets closer, the cruise lines will be making their decisions as to where to go. A lot will depend on the storm track. Good luck, I hope you enjoy your cruise where ever it goes.

[Josie2]

I live in Canada, and I certainly don't want to pay thousands of dollars to come here on a cruise!!!! We have insurance, but I know from past experience you have no choice but to go where the ship takes you. I still believe they won't divert a 9 day Caribbean cruise to Canada/New England especially when its only Bermuda that may (big question mark still) be in harms way - not the Caribbean.

[iheartbda]

I still believe they won't divert a 9 day Caribbean cruise to Canada/New England especially when its only Bermuda that may (big question mark still) be in harms way - not the Caribbean.

 

I think people are talking about 5 or 7 day cruises that go ONLY to Bermuda.

If it's one of the longer Caribbean itineraries with Bermuda as one port among several and the Caribbean is not affected, they would probably just skip Bermuda.

[smeyer418]

I know I had the same hopes about possbily going to the Bahamas. I'm really looking forward to going somewhere tropical. Canada such doesn't sound as exciting. I'm so sad. This cruise has costed so much money. I've been looking forward to it for ages. Anyone ever go on a cruise to Canada in the summer. Any advice in case I'm headed there. When do you think the cruiseline would make this call?

 

All said, I would not want to ventureout in rough seas or visit Bermuda after a hurricane. I've been through a hurricane and know what type of damage it causes. The aftermath of a hurricane isn't pretty. It's downright sad. We'll have to wait and see.

 

 

The Canada cruises are in fact more expensive that most of the Carribean ones. Its a short season. I have done this(Canada) twice. The first time was involuntarily when we were diverted to Canada instead of Bermuda. We had a great time. the people were happy to see us(as it was before the regular season) and we had saw a lot. I always had wanted to go to Halifax which may have been the singular most interesting port I have even been to, but it wasn't a Carribean vacation-which tends to be a lot of beach time. The ship was great and Canada was really fun.... If any one wants I can post pictures..

[iheartbda]

The ship was great and Canada was really fun.... If any one wants I can post pictures..

 

Please do.:)

[tci1212]

I know I had the same hopes about possbily going to the Bahamas. I'm really looking forward to going somewhere tropical. Canada such doesn't sound as exciting. I'm so sad. This cruise has costed so much money. I've been looking forward to it for ages. Anyone ever go on a cruise to Canada in the summer. Any advice in case I'm headed there. When do you think the cruiseline would make this call?

 

All said, I would not want to ventureout in rough seas or visit Bermuda after a hurricane. I've been through a hurricane and know what type of damage it causes. The aftermath of a hurricane isn't pretty. It's downright sad. We'll have to wait and see.

We are scheduled to leave for Bermuda on July 12th on the Majesty. I have also cruised to Canada in July. We had a good time. We went to Halifax and Nova Scotia and St Johns. We walked around the towns, found a casino and spent some time there. Did some shopping. It is cooler and it was foggy most of the mornings in Canada.

[bonitah69]

Several years ago, I was on a 7 day cruise to Bermuda. A hurricane was coming up the coast (don't remember which one). Most ships headed to Canada, but our ship went to the cruise lines private island & Nassau. My friend that was traveling with me, really wanted to see Bermuda, but was thrilled to be on a cruise & enjoyed it very much. Little did either of us know, she would die of cancer a few years later. I'm glad she got to experience what we all know is the thrill of cruising. Sorry to go off track, and to answer your question, yes sometimes the ships do go to Bahamas instead of Canada.

 

Bonnie

[trvlgrl422]

Thanks for all the input on a cruise to Canada/New England. I'm sure that we would enjoy ourselves. It would be a beautiful place to see. Actually, I was originally planning on going there. I've been doing research on excursions. It's just tough not knowing what's going to happen or how to pack. It'll be an adventure either way!

 

Bonnie, I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'm glad that you have those happy memories with her. In the big scheme of things, an itinerary change isn't that important. Thanks for helping me gain some perspective.

[trvlgrl422]

The Canada cruises are in fact more expensive that most of the Carribean ones. Its a short season. I have done this(Canada) twice. The first time was involuntarily when we were diverted to Canada instead of Bermuda. We had a great time. the people were happy to see us(as it was before the regular season) and we had saw a lot. I always had wanted to go to Halifax which may have been the singular most interesting port I have even been to, but it wasn't a Carribean vacation-which tends to be a lot of beach time. The ship was great and Canada was really fun.... If any one wants I can post pictures..

I would love to see pictures! You have made me even more interested in this cruise. Even if the ship isn't diverted, I may have to plan on cruising there!

[smeyer418]

I would love to see pictures! You have made me even more interested in this cruise. Even if the ship isn't diverted, I may have to plan on cruising there!

 

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbsWrRu1ctGhW

 

ok you asked for it. This is a small number. Also not shown here are pictures of Peggy's cove(lighthouse)...the central Park(which name I forget). Also Halifax is the scene of the largest Man-made explosion prior to the dropping of the Atomic Bomb. During WWI an ammunition ship another ship collided and it exploded killing almost as many people as the 9-11 attack did- a very interesting place. the pictures of the headstones are fropm people who were killed on the Titanic...including a J. Dawson. The headstones themselves are set out as an outline of a ship.

[trvlgrl422]

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbsWrRu1ctGhW

 

ok you asked for it. This is a small number. Also not shown here are pictures of Peggy's cove(lighthouse)...the central Park(which name I forget). Also Halifax is the scene of the largest Man-made explosion prior to the dropping of the Atomic Bomb. During WWI an ammunition ship another ship collided and it exploded killing almost as many people as the 9-11 attack did- a very interesting place. the pictures of the headstones are fropm people who were killed on the Titanic...including a J. Dawson. The headstones themselves are set out as an outline of a ship.

Thanks! I really enjoyed looking at your pictures! I hope I'll get a chance sometime to visit those places.

[gszach]

The cruise I am considering leaves for Bermuda on Sept 20, 2008. It's one thing to be diverted to Canada during July or August. But in late September Canada is just cold. All those people who come into NYC a day or two early or travelled to get here will only have shorts and short sleeves for the cruise.

[CastawayCruiser]

I have done this(Canada) twice. We had a great time. I always had wanted to go to Halifax which may have been the singular most interesting port I have even been to. The ship was great and Canada was really fun....

 

smeyer - I am so glad you enjoyed my home town of Halifax - I think we have a lot to offer but as you pointed out it is not the Caribbean. Just to set everyones mind at ease we are having fantastic weather right now. It has been sunny and hot near or above 30 degrees celcius (I think that is about 86 F). I hope everyone gets to their port of choice but if not we are ready to serve in Halifax!