Hurricane Erin Alters Cruise Itineraries
As Hurricane Erin disrupted travel plans, cruise lines adapted routes and schedules across the East Coast and Caribbean, underscoring the industry's responsiveness to severe weather events.
Enchanted Princess and other cruise ships from Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have been making significant adjustments to their itineraries due to seasonal transitions and unexpected weather disruptions, including Hurricane Erin. These adaptations demonstrate the dynamic nature of cruise operations, particularly in regions like the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, and the Caribbean.
Enchanted Princess Begins Canada and New England Season
The Enchanted Princess, with a capacity of 3,660 guests, embarked on a 14‐night repositioning cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to New York City in early August 2025. The original itinerary featured stops at vibrant Caribbean destinations including Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Barbados, Dominica, St. Maarten, and Puerto Rico before reaching New York.
Upon arrival, the ship was scheduled to commence a series of seven‐night roundtrip cruises along North America’s East Coast, visiting historic ports such as Newport, Boston, Portland, Halifax, and Saint John through early November before heading back to the Caribbean for the winter season. However, due to the impact of Hurricane Erin, significant adjustments were necessary.
Hurricane Erin Forces Itinerary Modifications
On August 20, 2025, Hurricane Erin necessitated changes for three prominent cruise ships: the Enchanted Princess, Island Princess, and Holland America Line's Zuiderdam. The changes included delayed arrivals, canceled port stops, and modified routes to prioritize safety.
Enchanted Princess: Delayed New York Arrival
The Enchanted Princess encountered Hurricane Erin while en route to New York City. Originally set to dock on August 23, the arrival was postponed to August 25. The storm forced the cancellation of scheduled port stops in Dominica and St. Maarten. Instead, the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale, where passengers had the option to disembark on August 22. Consequently, the seven‐night roundtrip cruise from New York was rescheduled to begin on August 25, with a revised itinerary to be confirmed by Princess Cruises.
Island Princess: Extended Stay in New York
After embarking guests on August 19, the Island Princess extended its stay at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal for three days because of unsafe sailing conditions. Its revised itinerary removed planned stops in the Caribbean and instead featured a three-day visit to Kings Wharf in Bermuda before returning to New York on August 29.
Zuiderdam: Halifax Stop Replaces St. John's
Holland America Line's Zuiderdam, operating the final leg of its Voyage of the Vikings itinerary, replaced its scheduled overnight visit in St. John's (between August 19 and 20) with an overnight stay in Halifax on August 20 to avoid the adverse effects of Hurricane Erin.
Other Cruise Operations in Canada and New England
Princess Cruises has also expanded its offerings in the region for 2025 by deploying the Enchanted Princess, Island Princess, and Majestic Princess. The Island Princess provides itineraries from New York City, including trips to Bermuda, Greenland, and other East Coast ports. Meanwhile, the Majestic Princess, repositioned from Europe, is operating cruises from Boston and Quebec City to explore northeastern U.S. and eastern Canadian destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which ports will the Enchanted Princess visit during its Canada and New England cruises?
During its fall foliage itineraries, the Enchanted Princess is set to visit Newport, Boston, Portland, Halifax, and Saint John. Note that due to Hurricane Erin, the schedule was adjusted, and the revised departure from New York is now on August 25.
How did Hurricane Erin impact cruise itineraries?
Hurricane Erin forced major schedule changes for the Enchanted Princess, Island Princess, and Zuiderdam. Adjustments included delayed arrivals in New York, canceled port stops, and modified routes to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Will passengers receive compensation for delayed or canceled cruises?
While specific compensation details were not provided in the original reports, cruise lines have historically offered affected passengers refunds, future cruise credits, or alternative arrangements.
What changes occurred for the Island Princess due to Hurricane Erin?
The Island Princess extended its stay in New York City for three days after passengers embarked on August 19. Its revised itinerary now includes a three-day visit to Kings Wharf in Bermuda, with the ship scheduled to return to New York on August 29.
How do cruise lines adapt during hurricanes?
According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), operators work closely with the National Hurricane Center and maritime authorities to reroute, delay, or substitute ports as necessary. This coordinated effort helps ensure safety for everyone on board, with passengers being notified directly through official communications.
