Tropical Storm Rafael Cancels Flights and Causes Cruise Ship Changes in the Caribbean

Tropical Storm Rafael, the 18^th storm of the 2012 hurricane season, is causing disruptions for travelers on flights and on cruises.

Rafael formed around the eastern Caribbean and was about 105 miles east-southeast of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Saturday afternoon, according to the Washington Post. The storm reached winds up to 50 mph and is moving north-northeast at 12 mph. It is expected to pass over or near the U.S. Virgin Islands on Saturday night as it gains strength.

Being a popular tourist destination, tourism to the islands is being affected as some flights and a cruise ship had to make some changes and cancellations.

According to the Washington Post, Cape Air and regional carrier LIAT cancelled flights that were scheduled to leave from Puerto Rico's main international airport on Saturday.

Carnival's Carnival Victory was supposed to make a stop at St. Maarten on Saturday, but the ship spent the day at sea instead, according to Cruise Critic.

Tropical Storm Rafael is not expected to turn into a hurricane.

While Rafael is not as threatening as other storms this hurricane season, it is expected to cause heavy flooding and possibly mudslides as it may drop three to 10 inches of rain in 48 hours.

Rafael already caused some flooding and a power outage at the airport in the Caribbean island of Trinidad, forcing a flight to be cancelled.

There is a tropical storm warning in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands , the British Virgin Islands, Culebra and Vieques, Anguilla, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat, St. Maarten, St. Martin, Guadeloupe and other areas.

There is also a tropical storm watch for Puerto Rico.

It is rare for a cruise to be cancelled due to a storm, but some cruise ships may have to make an unplanned stop at a different port or have an unscheduled sea day to avoid a storm.

In August, Hurricane Isaac caused about a dozen ships to change their itineraries as it affected Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Florida and New Orleans.