Cruise lines operating in the Caribbean are modifying itineraries and departures due to the recent turmoil in Venezuela, according to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.
Due to US military action in Venezuela, some cruise lines have adjusted itineraries to avoid calls at destinations close to the country, while some departures were delayed as passengers’ flights to embarkation ports were cancelled due to the temporary closure of airspace in the region.
ABC island calls cancelled
Calls to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, island destinations in the southern Caribbean near Venezuela, have been cancelled by multiple cruise lines, due to security concerns.
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady replaced its Aruba and Curaçao calls with stops in Barbados and St Lucia, while Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky also cancelled its call in Curaçao.
Delayed sailings
Virgin Voyages, Norwegian Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises and the Carnival Corporation’s P&O, Princess and Carnival Cruises have delayed departures from San Juan, Puerto Rico, because of cancelled flights and airspace closures in the region.
As a result, some of the cruises’ itineraries have been adjusted and other port calls have been cancelled because of the shortened duration of the cruises.
The US Federal Aviation Authority has since lifted its complete ban on Venezuelan airspace, however safety warnings remain in place by US and European aviation authorities.
"Cruise lines continue to work closely with global security experts and government authorities, actively monitoring planned routes and itineraries and making adjustments, when necessary, with safety and security always remaining the top priority,” Michele Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association told Seatrade Cruise.
