Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise, Flights, and Hotel Stays Thrown Off as Travel Disrupted by Hurricane Oscar in the Bahamas and Cuba: New Updates You Need to Know

Hurricane Oscar has caused significant disruptions across the travel industry in the Bahamas and Cuba, impacting major cruise lines, flights, and hotel stays. Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory and Carnival Sunshine, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish have all been forced to alter their itineraries due to strong winds, with ships opting for sea days instead of docking as planned. Travelers to the region are also facing flight cancellations and hotel service interruptions as the storm moves through the southern Bahamas and is expected to hit eastern Cuba soon. This latest update provides all the critical information you need to stay informed about how Hurricane Oscar is impacting travel in these areas.

A hurricane warning remains in place for the southern islands of the Bahamas, including Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Ragged Island, and Inagua, causing significant travel disruptions in the region. As of 8:00 am EDT, Hurricane Oscar’s center was just 10 miles southwest of Great Inagua Island and about 375 miles southeast of Nassau, New Providence.

Though airports and cruise ports in the Northern and Central Bahamas, including Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), are still fully operational, travel to the Southern Bahamas has been severely impacted. Travelers with plans to visit this area are urged to remain in contact with airlines and hotels for any potential changes to their itineraries, as the storm progresses and weather conditions worsen.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Aviation, and Investments continues to monitor the situation and will provide ongoing updates to keep travelers informed of the storm’s impact on regional travel.

Cruise Line Itinerary Changes Due to Strong Winds

The storm has also affected several major cruise lines operating in the region. Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, along with Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory and Carnival Sunshine, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish were forced to adjust their itineraries due to the strong winds caused by Hurricane Oscar. Rather than docking as scheduled, these ships offered guests extended sea days as the wind speeds and gusts made it unsafe to dock or disembark passengers.

During the scheduled docking times, winds were recorded at 15-20 mph, with gusts up to 30-35 mph, making it extremely challenging for ships to safely maneuver alongside piers. The windy conditions also caused concern about the stability of guest gangways, as the rocking of the ships could have made them hazardous.