MSC Cruises has become the latest cruise line to cancel an upcoming cruise and divert one of its ships and as hurricane Irma wreaks havoc across the Caribbean.
MSC Divina will now head directly to Miami where she will arrive Thursday morning, ahead of the port’s likely closure on Friday, the cruise line said.
Guests will be able to disembark to go home. The ship will sail to Cozumel, Mexico, beyond Irma’s reach, allowing those guests that wish to remain on board to continue their cruise. Divina will remain there until it is safe to return to Miami.
MSC Divina’s next cruise originally scheduled to sail on September 9 has been cancelled. Guests due to travel be able to rebook or receive a full refund as well as a 25% discount voucher on the price of a future cruise.
Hurricane Irma was upgraded to the highest category five level and is the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade.
A state of emergency has been called across a number of islands in the area and Florida.
Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line have also cancelled cruises.
Meanwhile, the tourist board for Antigua said business and hotels remain largely unscathed. The V C Bird International Airport is due to re-open by 7pm today (Weds).
Conditions on Barbuda are not fully clear, but preliminary reports indicate no loss of life and only some damage to private property and one government facility.