Hurricane Oscar Disrupts Travel in Bahamas and Cuba

Hurricane Oscar has caused significant disruptions to the travel industry in the Bahamas and Cuba, affecting major cruise lines, flights, and hotel stays. Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory and Carnival Sunshine, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish have all been forced to alter their itineraries due to strong winds, with ships opting for sea days instead of docking as planned. Travelers to the region are also facing flight cancellations and hotel service interruptions as the storm moves through the southern Bahamas and is expected to hit eastern Cuba soon. This latest update provides all the critical information needed to stay informed about how Hurricane Oscar is impacting travel in these areas.

The southern islands of the Bahamas, including Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Ragged Island, and Inagua, are under a hurricane warning, causing significant travel disruptions in the region. As of 8:00 am EDT, Hurricane Oscar’s center was just 10 miles southwest of Great Inagua Island and about 375 miles southeast of Nassau, New Providence.

While airports and cruise ports in the Northern and Central Bahamas, including Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), are still fully operational, travel to the Southern Bahamas has been severely impacted. Travelers planning to visit this area are advised to remain in contact with airlines and hotels for potential changes to their itineraries as the storm progresses and weather conditions worsen.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Aviation, and Investments is closely monitoring the situation and will provide ongoing updates to keep travelers informed of the storm’s impact on regional travel.

The storm has also affected several major cruise lines operating in the region. Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory and Carnival Sunshine, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish were forced to adjust their itineraries due to the strong winds caused by Hurricane Oscar. Rather than docking as scheduled, these ships offered guests extended sea days as the wind speeds and gusts made it unsafe to dock or disembark passengers.

During the scheduled docking times, winds were recorded at 15-20 mph, with gusts up to 30-35 mph, making it extremely challenging for ships to safely maneuver alongside piers. The windy conditions also raised concerns about the stability of guest gangways, as the rocking of the ships could have made them hazardous.

Utopia of the Seas and Disney Wish had departed from Port Canaveral on Friday, October 18, for 3-night weekend sailings, with planned stops at private islands—CocoCay and Castaway Cay, respectively. Due to the unfavorable weather, it remains unclear if these stops will proceed as scheduled. Similarly, Carnival Glory and Carnival Sunshine, which departed from Port Canaveral and Charleston, South Carolina, respectively, were forced to modify their plans. Carnival Glory was on a 3-night sailing set to visit Nassau on Saturday, while Carnival Sunshine was on a 4-night voyage. Nassau was the only scheduled port for both ships, which instead spent additional time at sea.

Other Bahamian ports, particularly private islands without sheltered harbors, are also at risk of being affected by the storm’s powerful winds, potentially leading to further disruptions for cruise passengers.

Hurricane Oscar, now a Category 1 storm, is expected to remain at this intensity as it moves westward through the Greater Antilles. Early Sunday morning, it made landfall on Great Inagua Island in the southern Bahamas, and a second landfall is possible near Guantanamo or Holguin, Cuba, later today. Hurricane warnings have been issued for both the southeastern Bahamas and eastern Cuba, where conditions are expected to worsen over the next 24-48 hours.

Although Oscar poses no immediate threat to the United States, it is disrupting travel plans in the region with its heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges. Travelers planning to visit the Bahamas or Cuba in the coming days should closely monitor the situation and stay informed about potential travel restrictions or cancellations.

Meanwhile, remnants of Tropical Storm Nadine continue to impact travel across Central America. After making landfall near Belize City on Saturday afternoon with 60 mph winds, the storm has since dissipated over southern Mexico. However, its remnants are still bringing heavy rain and gusty winds across Belize, Guatemala, and parts of southern Mexico, causing further disruptions to travel.

Several airports and transportation routes in these regions could be affected by heavy rainfall and the potential for flash flooding and mudslides. The region is expected to receive between 3 to 8 inches of rain, with some areas possibly receiving more. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and stay informed about potential travel disruptions.