Tallying the Cost of Earl

Although Hurricane Earl made its way as far north as the Canadian Maritimes, it didn't pack as much of a punch as forecasters had feared.  It did, however, manage to still wreak considerable havoc nonetheless.  But at the cruise line's headquarters this week, the damage total is still being assessed.

The fifth-named hurricane of 2010 resulted in itinerary changes for over a dozen ships sailing Caribbean, Bermudan, and New England itineraries.  No major cruise line went untouched as ships cancelled calls, headed for the safety of other ports, docked early, or remained at sea in an effort to avoid Earl.

For some passengers, the hurricane turned into an unexpected opportunity: passengers and crew aboard Explorer of the Seas found themselves docked in Portland, Maine for an unscheduled overnight call.  Others, like those passengers aboard Eurodam, which was on the end leg of a Westbound Transatlantic crossing, found themselves with more sea days than they bargained for.  Passengers aboard Celebrity Summit got to enjoy a few extra hours onboard as heavy seas delayed their arrival into Bayonne, NJ.  Passengers embarking on Sunday's voyage to Bermuda probably weren't as patient after finding out embarkation had been pushed to five p.m.

In the end, the total cost may not be known for months, and many corporate and shipboard employees alike undoubtedly endured long days and sleepless nights.  Finding available berth space for a 950-foot long vessel in a port that isn't in the path of a hurricane is no easy task. 

Worse, chances are this will likely happen again before hurricane season officially ends later this year.

What can you as a passenger do should you find yourself on an affected sailing?  Go with the flow.  Know that your destination, ports of call, and indeed entire itinerary may be impacted - but crews are doing so for your safety and the safety of the vessel.  Shipboard crews already have a mammoth task ahead of them; the understanding and goodwill of their passengers will make that job all the easier, resulting in an excellent voyage for everyone.