Many cruise passengers book their cruise with careful attention to where their ship is sailing. Some people have a favorite port while others like to experience as many new destinations as possible.
Cruise ships, however, face weather concerns that can sometimes force itinerary changes. On rare occasions this can be extreme, like a ship sailing from New Jersey switching to a Canada and Maine itinerary from a Caribbean one.
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In most cases the changes are relatively small, but they can still upset passengers. If you love the beach in Bimini (it's a really nice beach) you probably will be angry when your ship can't stop there even when a substitute location is added.
In a recent edition of her "Captain's Log" YouTube and Instagram series, McCue shared why itinerary changes are made and what she tries to do when that happens.
Why a Celebrity Cruises' ship may change itineraries
McCue opened the show with: "Today's Captain's Log is about changing itinerary, something that we needed to do today."
Weather is generally the top reason a ship will change itineraries (although not the only one, as engine trouble can force changes, too).
"I've mentioned that we keep an eye on the weather forecast seven days in advance, and the closer the port call comes, the more we're monitoring the weather to make sure that we have the latest and greatest information," she explained.
Every ship has limits to what weather it can maneuver through and there are some added levers captains can pull.
"When those weather conditions exceed what the ship can handle, we're doing things like ordering tugboats, because that's the cheapest insurance, we're looking at alternative ports or, worst case scenario, we have to cancel the port," she said.
The port itself plays a role in the decision.
"For our upcoming call to Bimini, the weather conditions are not favorable, and since they don't have tugboats available, and the port is exposed to the elements, there's nothing to block the wind or the seas. So we are canceling our port call to Bimini," McCue added.
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Celebrity Cruises does try to make it up to passengers and Celebrity Beyond will add longer stays in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
"And I understand nobody wants to change itineraries, but there are certain things that are out of our control, the weather being one of them, and so we try to make the best situation out of what we've got," she said.
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