By
Rebecca Gibson |
Hurricane Sandy forced several cruise ships to alter course as it headed north towards the East Coast of the US.
The hurricane, which had been gathering force as it travelled up the coast from the Caribbean, caused dozens of ships to miss scheduled port calls and also forced others to remain at sea in an attempt to sail in calmer waters.
On 29 October, several cruise ships, including Carnival Magic, AIDAluna, Norwegian Jewel and Explorer of the Seas, were sailing in the region closest to the centre of the storm in an attempt to withstand the most severe weather. Other ships, including Jewel of the Seas, Crystal Symphony and Caribbean Princess, remained docked in Boston Harbour until the worst of the storm passed.
Many departures have also been delayed, rescheduled and cancelled by cruise lines monitoring the progress of the storm, in an attempt to ensure the safety of passengers currently onboard cruise ships and those due to travel over the next few days.
Royal Caribbean International announced that Brilliance of the Seas had cancelled its call to Bar Harbour, Maine and would remain in port at St. John, New Brunswick until 30 October.
Norwegian Cruise Line said that Norwegian Gem was unable to return to the port of New York as scheduled on 28 October and would stay at sea until the US Coastguard determined it was safe to return.