The Atlantic hurricane season has been extraordinarily quiet, but that’s looking to change. In late September Hurricane Polo in the Pacific and a nor’easter combined to disrupt some cruises.
Now, a new system spinning up in the Gulf of Mexico looks to not only cause an impact to cruises sailing through the area, but it is also taking aim at a popular U.S. port in New Orleans.
Hurricane Isaias currently sits roughly 180 miles north of Progreso and about 450 miles south of New Orleans. The latest updates have the storm with sustained winds of 85 miles per hour. Current forecasts have the storm moving northeast and then curving north, with the center of the projected path making landfall near Mobile, Alabama.
Not only is the storm set to impact ports, it’s also set to strengthen. Isaias is forecasted to be a category 2 storm with 100 mile per hour winds at landfall. Already tropical storm warnings are in place from New Orleans to Apalachee Bay in Florida. Hurricane warnings are in place from Biloxi, Mississippi to Panama City, Florida.
As of now landfall is expected for late Friday night and into Saturday morning, though these areas will feel the impact earlier than that.
Obviously the Gulf coast is set to bear the brunt of the impact from this storm. It’s also possible — if not likely — it will impact some cruises too.
New Orleans Near the Storm’s Path, But Other Ships Could Be Impacted
As mentioned, this storm sits near the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, meaning ships having to travel across, say from Mexico to Galveston, could have to adjust course or schedule in order to avoid the storm.
In addition, cruise ports, specifically New Orleans, are set to feel the impacts of Isaias. So far we have heard of no cancellations or delays, but know that cruise lines are watching this storm closely. For example, Carnival has listed a number of ships possibly impacted by the storm but as of now, there are no changes announced.
With that in mind, here’s a list of ships that look to be possibly affected. If you’re sailing on one of these trips, your cruise line will be in touch should anything change.
In our opinion, most cruises will be able to sail with minimal interruption given Isaias’ projected path.
It’s cruises from New Orleans that are most likely to be impacted. Sailings from Tampa and/or Galveston might have some rougher weather, but the storm looks avoidable in traveling to and from these ports.
As always, your cruise line will be in touch if you are on a cruise in the area and your trip is affected.
