Cruise Passengers Disappointed as Itinerary Shifts to Boston Due to Hurricanes
In an unexpected turn of events, passengers aboard the Norwegian Escape found themselves docked in Boston instead of their anticipated Caribbean destinations due to the dangerous paths of Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Imelda. Despite the beautiful city backdrop, many onboard expressed their dismay over the abrupt itinerary change that left them scrambling for alternative plans.
Passenger Reactions
Adrian Miller, a traveler hailing from Nassau, voiced his frustrations about the lack of communication regarding the itinerary changes. “We weren’t informed in advance. It felt chaotic because many of us weren’t prepared for a trip in Boston,” he lamented. “They could have provided us with options to reschedule our trip for a later date. Instead, we were left to navigate this surprise.”
Many passengers only discovered the change when they boarded the ship in New York City and were handed a revised itinerary on a piece of paper, leaving them unsettled and uninformed. Juliann Montague, a young traveler, added, “Some people were unaware of the changes at all. It’s a bit disheartening, but I suppose avoiding hurricanes is more important.”
Jocelyne Nemorin expressed her predicament, noting, “I prepared for a sunny Caribbean vacation, not a chilly Boston experience. I had to purchase a sweatshirt just to stay warm.”
Statement from Norwegian Cruise Line
Addressing the situation, a spokesperson from Norwegian Cruise Line acknowledged the decision to alter the sailing itineraries, emphasizing safety. “The well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit remains our foremost priority. Given the projected trajectories of Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto, we felt compelled to modify the routes for both Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Escape.”
According to the new schedule, the Norwegian Aqua, which set sail from New York on September 27, will not be making its original stop in Bermuda, now redirecting to Portland, Maine; Boston; and St. John, New Brunswick. Similarly, the Norwegian Escape, which departed on September 29, has completely reshaped its itinerary, making stops in Boston, Portland, and Eastport, Maine, before planning a trip to Bermuda the following week.
Future Scheduling and Support
Customers affected by the changes continue to communicate their desire for better notification methods. Passengers reported being left in the dark, particularly regarding updates in the cruise line’s app. As the cruise line resolves these adjustments, they assured that ongoing monitoring of the storms would dictate any further changes to the schedules, and additional updates will be communicated as necessary.
| Cruise Ship | Original Destination | New Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian Escape | Caribbean | Boston, Portland, Eastport |
| Norwegian Aqua | Bermuda | Portland, Boston, St. John |
As the weather situation continues to evolve, passengers hope for clearer communication from the cruise line and express their hopes for a more stable travel experience moving forward.
