Cruise lines forced to change plans as Hurricane Beryl moves through the Caribbean

Hurricane Beryl has forced several major cruise lines to divert and change their itineraries as the Category 4 storm barrels through the Caribbean.

The storm, which broke records as both the earliest Category 4 and Category 5 hurricane, has already killed six people in the eastern Caribbean. Now, the life-threatening hurricane is moving towards Jamaica, where it‘s expected to hit on Wednesday. From there, the storm could reach as far north as Texas, according to predictions from the National Weather Service.

As a result, several Caribbean cruises are changing plans to keep their passengers safe.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, is among those changing their itineraries, the travel site Cruise reports. It will now forgo visits to two islands in the southeastern Caribbean, according to the site.

The line’s Wonder of the Seas has also cancelled stops in Roatán and Costa Maya, instead opting to sail to Nassau as Hurricane Beryl rages on, according to Cruise.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean did not provide the exact number of ships impacted but said guests will be notified directly about itinerary changes.

“The safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority,” the spokesperson said. “Along with our Chief Meteorologist, we are closely monitoring the progression of Hurricane Beryl, and are making adjustments to some of our Caribbean sailings for the comfort and safety of our guests and crew.”

Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise Line almost entirely altered its week-long itinerary for the Norwegian Breakaway ship.

“To circumvent the path of hurricane Beryl and forecasted inclement weather, we have made the decision to take a safer, alternative route,” the cruise line said in a letter to passengers. “Despite our best efforts, and with the weather disturbances out of our control, we have canceled our calls to Roatan Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.”

Passengers have been sharing their experiences on social media.

“We left out on Harmony of the Seas this afternoon and they changed our itinerary to avoid the…