Caribbean cruise ships and airlines react to Tropical Storm Erika

Tropical Storm Erika is beginning to have an impact on travel in the Caribbean. As the storm moves towards the Leeward Islands and forecasters predict it will grow into a category one hurricane cruise ship operators are taking a hard look are rerouting their ships and one Caribbean based airline has already cancelled flights.

Carnival has adjusted the schedule for Conquest which departed Fort Lauderdale August 23. The eight day cruise was set to call at St . Maarten and St. Kitts. The ship will now spend two days in San Juan and then, weather permitting, sail to Grand Turk, and Nassau. This comes on the heals of a number of cruise ship reroutings due to last week’s Hurricane Danny which eventually dissipated with no real impact in Caribbean.

Caribbean based airlines LIAT has cancelled or will cancel a number of flights including airports on islands including Barbados, Antigua, Tortola, St Maarten, St Kitts, Dominica, and San Juan. LIAT advises that customers who are affected by the disruptions will be able to rebook at no charge for a two week period. LIAT also advises that passengers who decide to travel and become stranded will not be provided with meals, transportation, or hotel accommodations. Erika’s fast movement and current track and forecast to arrive in the northern Leeward islands Wednesday night or early Thursday with potential tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain, has generated tropical storm warnings for the northern Leeward Islands.

Cruise ship and airline passengers with trips scheduled in the region are urged to contact their carrier to update status of their trips.