Cruise Lines keep calling to Puerto Rico after a major 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean island.
Puerto Rico Earthquake, the Impact on Cruises
On Tuesday morning a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico causing extensive damage and sadly killing at least one person, it’s the strongest quake to hit the island in 102 years.
With the majority of the impact on the southern part of the island, cruise ships are still able to dock at San Juan including ships from Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Carnival Cruise Line stated:
We are closely monitoring the situation in Puerto Rico following the earthquakes that were reported and are in touch with local authorities and the US Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard issued a news release late this morning confirming that all ports in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are open for business.
There are no changes to our itineraries that call at San Juan or to sailings of our San Juan-based ship, Carnival Fascination. The epicenter and most damage are on the south side of the island, away from where our ships call and our guests visit. Carnival Conquest will make today’s call in San Juan and power is being restored after the grid was taken down in an abundance of caution.
Our thoughts remain with those affected by the earthquake.
There were fears of a tsunami with a warning going out but thankfully the warning was later canceled. According to the US Geological Servey, the quake hit just south of the island at a depth of 10 kilometers. Power is being restored to the US territory after being taken down has a precaution.
Royal Caribbean responded in a tweet that cruise ships are expected to continue sailing to the island as normal but if any changes are made guests will be kept updated.
There are three cruise ships calling in San Juan today, January 7, including Nieuw Amsterdam from Holland America Line, Carnival Conquest from Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Encore from Norwegian Cruise Line. Its good ships are still calling to the island, especially after the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017, which Puerto Rico is still rebuilding from.
It has been really tough fro Puerto Rico recently with the Hurricanes, major debt and the recent protests over Governor Ricardo Rossello and corruption. All the cruise industry can do is remain committed to helping inject much-needed funds from passenger spending.
