Tropical Storm Debby is making its way through the Gulf of Mexico and pounding Florida with strong trains. The fourth storm of the 2012 hurricane season is causing cruise ships to change their itineraries.
Tropical Storm Debby might not be a hurricane, but it is still bringing some harsh weather conditions to those in Florida and the Gulf area and it continues to make its way north. Debby carries winds from 50 to 65 miles per hour, heavy winds, and even some tornadoes. The storm is predicted to become a hurricane by Wednesday as it heads further north, reaching winds over 74 miles per hour.
Due to its rain and winds, some cruise ships are changing their plans to avoid the storm. Carnival Ecstasy, which left Port Canaveral on Saturday, was set to make port in Key West on Sunday, however as the storm toys with the Florida panhandle, Carnival is trying to miss getting hit by Debby. The ship skipped Key West and stopped in Nassau, Bahamas instead. On Monday, it will be making a stop in Freeport Bahamas, Cruise Fever reports.
The ship will then make its way back up north to the originally planned stop of Key West on Tuesday, in hopes that the storm already passed by. It will then spend a day at sea before returning to Port Canaveral in Florida.
Currently, Carnival Ecstasy is the only ship itinerary that Carnival has had to make changes to due to Tropical Storm Debby. Other changes may be necessary depending on the strength and direction of the storm as the week goes on.
Other major cruise lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Disney, and others, have not reported any changes due to the storm. However those sailing around the Gulf of Mexico can expect to face rougher waters and higher winds.
Those who are supposed to be cruising during hurricane season should contact the cruise line to see if the ship is delayed or an itinerary has changed.
Cruises are rarely cancelled due to Tropical Storms and hurricanes. However captains do try to keep their ships at a safe distance from storms, which is why itineraries are sometimes changed.
For the latest updates on Tropical Storm Debby, visit the National Hurricane Center.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
