Keen to stay one step ahead and avoid the eye of tropical storm Arthur, some cruise ships have rearranged schedules and canceled Bahamas port calls.
The Norwegian Gem scrapped a scheduled stop at Great Stirrup Cay and instead left Nassau at midnight "to stay ahead of the storm in more pleasant weather," Norwegian said.
Three Royal Caribbean ships – Majesty of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and Grandeur of the Seas missed out port calls at CocoCay to give extra time at sea and ensure breathing space ahead of the storm, which is expected to reach hurricane force speeds today.
The National Hurricane Center said it would strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane with wind speeds reaching above 74 mph.
The recently launched Florida based Victory Casino cruise ship remained docked at Mayport, Jacksonville yesterday, but may resume sailing later today according to company spokeswoman Elaine Brown.
Arthur is likely to hit North Carolina’s Outer Banks which is planning a mandatory evacuation in some exposed communities.
The local Visitors Bureau estimates up to 250,000 have booked Outer Banks hotels rooms and vacation rentals for the long holiday weekend.
