Hurricane Joaquin has been declared a Category 4 hurricane as of 2 PM. The storm has been lingering over the Bahamas since yesterday and continues to strengthen. The power of the storm has been increasing rapidly, and its lingering over the Bahamas will likely cause damage to the islands.
A great deal of uncertainty surrounds the future path of the storm. Tracks range from showing Joaquin making landfall near Savannah Georgia to as far north as New Jersey. Other tracks have it sweeping around to strike Bermuda.
Carnival Cruises Valor and Pride have cut calls in the Bahamas out of their itineraries, as has the Norwegian Getaway. Currently no other cruise ships have announced changes, but that may change going into the weekend. Flooding is expected in parts of the US eastern seaboard and cruise passengers are advised to be alert for further alterations in itineraries as well as disruptions in flight patterns.
It is advisable that those living in areas that may be affected by Hurricane Joaquin as well as associated weather patterns take precautions to secure their persons and property from harm and damage.
Update:
Disney Cruise Lines has announced itinerary changes for three of its ships.
Disney Magic will skip Castaway Cay and Nassau. Instead the ship will visit Key West today, Cozumel tomorrow, and have a sea day on the third. Disney Dream will spend the day at sea instead of Nassau tomorrow. It will call at Castaway Cay as planned on the third. Disney Fantasy will skip Castaway Cay and return to Port Canaveral on Sunday.
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