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Chile earthquake forces cruise itinerary alterations

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck in Chile killing more than 700 people has forced cruise firms to alter itineraries for their ships.


The earthquake, one of the most powerful ever recorded, struck on Saturday with the regions of Maule and Concepcion worst hit. The country has suffered a number of aftershocks, with the strongest measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale.


While fears of a tsunami across the Pacific have abated, cruise companies have been changing itineraries to ensure customer safety.


Princess Cruises changed some ports of call on Saturday and Sunday but expects Star Princess to safely dock in Valparaiso tomorrow, when one cruise ends and another begins. Sapphire Princess was late to depart from Los Angeles over the weekend as the port had been closed by the tsunami warning.


Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Pride of America stayed at sea following the earthquake for safety reasons and docked late in the Hawaiian islands. It is expected to begin its next sailing as planned. Norwegian Sun remains unaffected.


Holland America had four ships in the Pacific, which were all unaffected, while Silversea has not announced any changes to Silver Shadow’s itinerary.


Four British backpackers who were staying in the surfers’ resort of Pichilemu remain missing. The families of Kirsty Duff, Dave Sandercock, Andre Lanyon and Laura Hapgood have not heard from them since the quake struck on Saturday.

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