How Hurricane Ernesto Could Impact Your Travels

Hurricane Ernesto, then a tropical storm, knocked out power for half of Puerto Rico on Wednesday and is moving toward Bermuda with increased strength.

A hurricane warning is currently in effect for the British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. “Expect building swells and dangerous surf with rip currents to develop by Friday in advance of the onset of tropical storm to hurricane force winds,” the Bermuda Weather Service advisory reads.

While the storm is staying clear of the continental United States, the swell from Ernesto is likely to cause “cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions” at beaches along the East Coast of the US this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said in a public advisory on Thursday.

In Puerto Rico, tropical storm conditions have passed, according to a Thursday travel advisory from Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s Destination Marketing Organization. However, parts of Vieques, Culebra, and the eastern coast of Puerto Rico are still recovering from heavy rains, flash floods, and tropical winds. The Puerto Rico Ferry Service to Vieques and Culebra is suspended until later this week, when ocean conditions are expected to fully improve.

“Safety remains our top priority for travelers and residents, and visitors should avoid all bodies of water and areas prone to flooding, such as beaches and rivers,” the Discover Puerto Rico advisory continues. “Major airports are operating fully, but may experience interruptions or cancellations due to the storm’s passing. Visitors currently in Puerto Rico or with upcoming travel plans should contact their airlines, travel providers, lodging operators, and local businesses directly to inquire about changes in operations and plans during the storm.”

As of late afternoon on August 15, nearly 86% of flights through San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) were delayed, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Only one SJU flight was canceled. In Florida, Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) and Miami International Airport (MIA) saw delay rates of 88.35% and 91.11% respectively, while Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ ) saw 100% of flights delayed.

Several cruise ships have altered itineraries in the Caribbean this week in order to avoid the storm, listed below:

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Pride departed Baltimore and arrived in Bermuda on August 13, one day earlier than scheduled. Carnival Magic, which is sailing an Eastern Caribbean cruise from Miami, cancelled a visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Instead, a visit to Nassau, Bahamas was added on Friday, Aug. 16. Two additional ships sailing Caribbean itineraries, Carnival Freedom and Mardi Gras, are being closely monitored for potential changes, but no changes have been made at this time, the cruise line said in a weather update.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Three Norwegian Cruise Line itineraries have also been modified as result of Hurricane Ernesto. “Norwegian Breakaway’s Aug. 11, 2024 Eastern Caribbean voyage has been modified to a Western Caribbean itinerary, and will now call to Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and our private resort-style destination, Harvest Caye, Belize,” a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line tells Condé Nast Traveler. “Norwegian Sky’s Aug. 12, 2024 Eastern Caribbean sailing was also replaced to sail to the same aforementioned Western Caribbean destinations as well as George Town, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Norwegian Joy’s Aug. 11, 2024 sailing has also been adjusted, and it will arrive to Bermuda on Aug. 13, 2024, a day earlier than scheduled. The ship will [stay] overnight at the Royal Naval Dockyard for two days, however it will now depart on Aug. 16, 2024. We will continue to monitor the storm and update guests as needed.”

Royal Caribbean International

As for Royal Caribbean, Liberty of the Seas’ August 15 sailing will now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos in place of Bermuda. The mega ship Icon of the Seas switched its August 10 Eastern Caribbean sailing with a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary visiting Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Mexico. Meanwhile, the Rhapsody of the Seas’ has swapped the order of its ports of call for its August 11 cruise to avoid the storm and the Symphony of the Seas’ August 9 sailing will visit Nassau, The Bahamas in place of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available.