Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus Health
  • Chicago ranks as 161st worst city for crime in new national survey Chicago
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Kat Abughazaleh raises over $520,000 in Q2 of 2025 with more than $630,000 cash on hand for 2026 Democratic primary election elections
  • Silent Threat: The True Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries — How to Stay Safe and Respond to a Battery Fire Fire
The "Norwegian Gem", a cruise ship operated by the "Norwegian Cruise Line" and built in Papenburg, Germany 2006-2007. The photo was taken in Freeport, Bahamas at the 13th of March, 2008.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cruise industry responds to Hurricane Irma, Harvey destruction

Posted on September 14, 2017September 14, 2017 By Ray Hanania No Comments on Cruise industry responds to Hurricane Irma, Harvey destruction
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Cruise industry responds to Hurricane Irma, Harvey destruction

The Cruise Industry responded to the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey by cancelling dozens of cruises and coming together to help collect supplies and food for the victims. This update is provided by Alan Fox, Chairman & CEO of Vacations To Go which helps guests book cruise vacations

Hurricane Irma left a trail of death and devastation across the Caribbean last week before slamming into Florida and spreading across the southeastern U.S. At this writing, there have been at least 38 confirmed deaths in the Caribbean and 23 in the U.S. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who have been impacted by this storm, the largest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Caribbean is the world’s most popular region for cruises and Florida is home to the three busiest cruise ports in the world (Port of Miami, Port Canaveral and Port Everglades), so Hurricane Irma’s impact on the cruise industry has been as enormous as the storm itself. In this cruise newsletter, I’ll explain what we know so far.

First, Hurricane Irma caused widespread destruction to a string of Caribbean islands, including numerous cruise destinations.

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas luxury c...
Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas luxury cruise ship. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The hugely popular port of St. Thomas, USVI, was devastated. Power is still out, food is running low and the airport was destroyed. Nearby St. John was hit equally hard but somehow St. Croix was spared significant damage.

The British Virgin Islands suffered massive damage. I’ve seen unofficial reports that up to 90% of houses, businesses and boats were destroyed.

Up to 70% of the homes in the Dutch territory of St. Maarten have been severely damaged or destroyed and there is also severe damage on the French side of the island, St. Martin.

Also hard hit was the tiny island of Barbuda, where Irma first made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph. An estimated 95% of the island’s structures were damaged and the island’s prime minister described the scene as “total carnage”.

Scheduled port calls to these destinations have already been canceled on numerous sailings and this will likely roll out to other ships and dates. Some cruise ships will continue to call solely to deliver food and supplies.

All of these islands depend heavily on tourism, and the sooner they can reopen their shops, restaurants and resorts, the faster they will recover. Right now, they are in desperate need of food, water, medicine and clothing. Complete recovery is likely to take years.

In addition, numerous islands sustained significant damage but their tourist infrastructure emerged intact and they are–or will soon be–open for business. Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Nevis, St. Barts, Anguilla, Antigua, Haiti, St. Kitts, the Turks and Caicos and Cuba fall in this category.

English: The "Norwegian Gem", a crui...
The “Norwegian Gem”, a cruise ship operated by the “Norwegian Cruise Line” and built in Papenburg, Germany 2006-2007. The photo was taken in Freeport, Bahamas at the 13th of March, 2008.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fortunately, Irma missed some islands completely. Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Grand Cayman, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are among those that were not impacted at all. Cruise ports in Mexico and Central America were also not affected.

After ravaging the Caribbean, Irma hit the Florida Keys as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph, leaving behind extensive damage in the 113-mile-long chain of islands. FEMA has reported that about 90% of houses in the Florida Keys were damaged and 25% were destroyed. Port calls at Key West have been canceled.

Irma made its second U.S. landfall at Marco Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico along Florida’s southwest coast.

Irma continued north along Florida’s west coast, bringing high winds, heavy rain and storm surge to both coasts of Florida as well as Georgia and South Carolina. Nearly 15 million homes and businesses in the southeastern U.S. lost power and 6 million are still in the dark.

Carnival Victory in Hudson River.
Carnival Victory in Hudson River. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Throughout Hurricane Irma’s short but lethal life, cruise lines kept their ships well away from the storm to ensure the safety of passengers and crew and to provide as enjoyable a cruise experience as possible.

As Irma bore down on Florida, the headquarters of the world’s largest cruise lines–Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line–and many smaller ones, were closed and employees evacuated.

Royal Caribbean opened the Enchantment of the Seas to 2,700 Florida-based employees and families in need of shelter; the ship sailed out to calm, safe seas to wait out the storm.

Florida’s ports were closed. Some cruises were extended, at no additional charge to passengers, while others were canceled, delayed or had their itineraries altered. Here’s a partial list of these changes.

The following sailings were canceled:
9/7 Carnival Liberty
9/8 Carnival Victory
9/9 Carnival Ecstasy
9/9 Carnival Splendor
9/10 Carnival Liberty
9/11 Carnival Paradise
9/11 Carnival Victory
9/8 RCI Enchantment of the Seas
9/8 RCI Majesty of the Seas
9/9 RCI Empress of the Seas
9/11 RCI Enchantment of the Seas
9/13 RCI Empress of the Seas
9/13 RCI Majesty of the Seas
9/8 Norwegian Sky
9/9 Norwegian Escape
9/11 Norwegian Sky
9/8 Disney Dream
9/9 Disney Fantasy
9/11 Disney Dream
9/9 MSC Divina

The following sailings were delayed and modified:
9/9 Carnival Conquest — changed to depart 9/12
9/9 Carnival Glory — changed to depart 9/13
9/9 Carnival Magic — changed to depart 9/13
9/9 Carnival Vista — changed to depart 9/13
9/11 Carnival Sensation — changed to depart 9/13
9/9 RCI Harmony of the Seas — changed to depart 9/12
9/10 RCI Allure of the Seas — changed to depart 9/13
9/10 RCI Oasis of the Seas — changed to depart 9/13

The following sailings in progress were extended until passengers could safely disembark:
9/2 Carnival Conquest
9/2 Carnival Magic
9/2 Carnival Splendor
9/2 Carnival Glory
9/2 Carnival Vista
9/4 Carnival Victory
9/4 Carnival Sensation
9/2 RCI Harmony of the Seas
9/3 RCI Oasis of the Seas
9/3 RCI Allure of the Seas

The following sailings were cut short:
9/4 Carnival Victory
9/3 Carnival Magic
9/2 Disney Fantasy
9/4 Disney Dream
9/2 Norwegian Escape
9/4 Norwegian Sky

As soon as damage reports came trickling in, several cruise lines deployed ships to battered Caribbean islands, to deliver relief supplies and assist in evacuation efforts.

Royal Caribbean International sent the Adventure of the Seas and the Majesty of the Seas to St. Maarten and St. Thomas to deliver supplies and to transport evacuees to safety. The Empress of the Seas stands ready to assist in relief efforts in Key West once the impact of the storm is known.

Norwegian Cruise Line dispatched the Norwegian Sky to St. Thomas to bring supplies and assist in humanitarian efforts. The current plan is to use the vessel to evacuate 2,000 people to Miami.

Carnival Cruise Line is working with officials in Caribbean islands to coordinate the delivery of supplies as part of scheduled port calls on both an immediate and long-term basis.

Vacations To Go is the world’s largest seller of cruises, including Caribbean cruises. If you’re holding a Caribbean cruise reservation (booked through Vacations To Go) to any of the affected islands, your VTG cruise counselor can provide the current status of your itinerary and answer any other questions you may have. Please call us at 1-800-338-4962 if we can be of service.

Again, our hearts and prayers go out to all who have suffered due to Hurricane Irma.

Sincerely,

Alan Fox
Chairman & CEO
Vacations To Go
5851 San Felipe Street, Suite 500
Houston, TX 77057

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families - October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat - October 29, 2025
  • Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens - October 29, 2025
NPV: 103
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Features, News, Travel Tags:Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise lines, Cruise ships, destruction, devastation, Florida, Florida Keys, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Norwegian Cruise line, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Philipsburg, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, St. Maarteen, St. Martin

Post navigation

Previous Post: CTA, Chicago merge Ventra and Library Cards into ID
Next Post: Flanagan’s Wake returns to Chicago at new location

Related Posts

  • Argo teachers, board at odds News
  • Chicago Wolves hockey player Oscar Dansk. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Wolves rally for shoot-out win over Milwaukee Admirals News
  • No injuries reported at Orland Park retail store fire breaking news
  • Lyons demolitions funded News
  • Genesis delivers impressive concert Entertainment
  • Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad wins more parenting time, safeguarding his children Arthur Kallow

More Related Articles

The Orland Fire Protection District hosted a media availability on Thursday May 25, 2023 to review their many achievements as one of the region's and State of Illinois' best Fire Districts. Lifesaving achievements focus of media presentation by Orland Fire Protection District officials Features
Heron Egret at Candlewick Lake in Illinois, near the Wisconsin Border south of Janesville in State cautions residents about Blue-Green Algae threat in lakes Environment
FEMA Flooding updates on how to get post flood services Oct. 21, 2023 The Importance of Checking Your Furnace, Winter is Coming! Cook County
Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo Robin Kelly details what Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill means for Illinois Federal
Congressman Sean Casten Sean Casten launches new TV Ad slamming extremists in 6th District race Civil Rights
Cicero homes covered in snow during the February 2021 snow storm. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero Fire hydrants had to be dug out by firefighters while fighting apartment blaze breaking news

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat
    October 29, 2025
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    October 29, 2025
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured
    October 28, 2025
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday
    October 26, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme