Hurricane Sandy causes cruise cancellations, delays
Hurricane Sandy has caused dozens of cruise ships to miss port calls and several cancellations, as ships seek safe harbor — or at least calmer seas.
The Port of New York was closed down last night, delaying today's scheduled arrival of the Norwegian Gem. The ship will remain at sea until the U.S. Coast Guard determines it is safe to return to port, according to Norwegian Cruise Line.
Meanwhile, cruise lines are dealing with damage at their private island and beach facilities, caused when Hurricane Sandy roared through the Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean says there was damage at its CocoCay, the tiny Bahamas island formerly known as Little Stirrup Cay.
"Regrettably, the island of CocoCay was impacted by the storm, with damage being sustained to some of our facilities and the beach areas," Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez told USA TODAY.
Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas skipped calls at the island over the weekend. Restoration teams are on the ground and Royal Caribbean expects the island to reopen for guests on Wednesday, Martinez said.
A spokeswoman for Disney Cruise Line said officials were still assessing the impact of Hurricane Sandy on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island and most popular port of call. The next scheduled call at the island is tomorrow, she said.
Norwegian Cruise Line was in the process of assessing damage to its private Bahamas island, Great Stirrup Cay, a spokeswoman said.
Holland America says its private Bahamas island Half Moon Cay sustained minor damage when Sandy passed over the Bahamas last week. Spokesman Erik Elvejord says repairs are expected to be made quickly, with only "minimal impact" on normal operations.
"The island staff are well, as are the horses that are kept on the island for popular beach excursions. Repairs will be made to some structures, some vegetation will be replanted and the main guest beach will be renewed in those areas impacted by erosion," he says.
Carnival Cruise Lines canceled sailings on Sunday by the Carnival Glory from Norfolk and Carnival Pride from Baltimore.
Royal Caribbean delayed until Tuesday a departure of the Jewel of the Seas that had been scheduled for Saturday, instead tying up the ship dockside in Boston to ride out the storm.
The Emerald Princess, on a Quebec sailing, docked in Port Saguenay to avoid rough seas, much to the thrill of locals, reports the Ottawa Citizen newspaper.
What's it like to be at sea in waters churned by Hurricane Sandy? A CNN producer posted this video.
This item was written by Fran Golden, a cruise expert and Trip Coach for Budget Travel magazine. Golden is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.