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Bermuda Cruise Itinerary Changes, Post Erin Tracker

Calmer seas at Royal Naval Dockyard as cruise operations resume after Hurricane Erin, though Bermuda tendering remains weather-dependent.
6 min read

Most cruise lines are restoring regular calls in Bermuda and the Canadian Maritimes after Hurricane Erin passed offshore. Marine and port services report no widespread closures, and schedules are normalizing for the upcoming week. However, lingering swells and onshore winds can still disrupt tendering around Bermuda, especially on approaches to St. George's and exposed anchorages. Travelers should plan for short-notice adjustments as lines fine-tune routes and port times on August 24. Use the dated change log below to track ship-by-ship updates as post-Erin clean-up continues.

Key Points

  • Why it matters: Erin forced diversions and timing changes, and travelers need one place to verify their ship's latest plan.
  • Travel impact: Most itineraries are returning to normal, but Bermuda tender operations may remain weather-dependent.
  • What's next: Seas subside into the workweek, though another system, Fernand, may keep surf elevated near Bermuda.
  • Where to watch: Bermuda Weather Service updates, Canadian Hurricane Centre marine statements, and port notices.
  • Who is affected: Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, and MSC guests on Bermuda or Canada routes.

Snapshot

Erin became post-tropical on August 22, then accelerated into the North Atlantic, easing direct impacts to the U.S. East Coast and the Canadian Maritimes. Bermuda's Emergency Measures Organisation said business remained open during Erin's closest approach, while the Bermuda Weather Service is now highlighting lingering surf and swell as the main hazard. In Atlantic Canada, the Canadian Hurricane Centre notes routine marine advisories rather than widespread port closures. Cruise itineraries are steadily reverting to plan, with a handful of voyages still carrying earlier diversions or timing trims made during the storm window.

Background

Erin ramped up over open water and steered well offshore of the U.S., but its expansive wind field created days of high seas and rip-current risks along the Atlantic seaboard. Bermuda saw precautionary posture and schedule adjustments rather than a full shutdown, which helped lines keep ships on schedule with reroutes to Canadian ports when needed. Canada's Atlantic ports, including Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, and Charlottetown, remained operational, hosting several unscheduled calls from ships that skipped Bermuda. With Erin now post-tropical, attention shifts to residual swell and to smaller systems like Tropical Storm Fernand that may brush marine zones east of Bermuda.

Latest Developments

Bermuda calls resume, tenders remain weather-sensitive

Bermuda authorities reported normal business operations through Erin, and marine forecasts now emphasize subsiding but still elevated seas into early week. That combination supports a return to published ship calls at Royal Naval Dockyard, with the caveat that tendering to St. George's, typically labeled weather permitting, can still pause when swells build on local cuts and channels. Expect lines to hold contingency plans for ferry or bus alternatives during brief weather windows, and watch for same-day updates to arrival or all-aboard times as captains work around sea state. Travelers should allow extra buffer on independent excursions that rely on tenders.

Canadian Maritimes schedules back on track

With Erin racing away and standard marine advisories in place, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, and Charlottetown are hosting regular calls again. During the peak of the weather window, several ships that had planned Bermuda overnights substituted Canadian ports, including an unscheduled Norwegian Aqua visit to Saint John. Those temporary diversions eased congestion risks and kept port-call experiences largely intact. As seas calm and winds shift, cruise lines are signaling returns to their advertised New England and Canada routings, while keeping a close eye on any short-fused North Atlantic lows that could tweak sea days or time in port.

Rolling Change Log

  • August 24, 2025, 1000 a.m. local Post-Erin operations normalizing in Bermuda and Atlantic Canada. Marine forecasts highlight lingering swell near Bermuda that may affect tenders. Expect occasional same-day timing adjustments. (NHC, BWS, CHC)
  • August 22, 2025: Erin declared post-tropical. NHC ended advisories after warning of continued dangerous surf through the weekend. (NHC)
  • August 20, 2025: Norwegian Aqua made an unscheduled call at Saint John, New Brunswick, after canceling Bermuda on its August 18 sailing. Port confirmed arrival and inaugural plaque exchange. (Port Saint John, media)
  • August 20, 2025: Royal Caribbean adjusted multiple itineraries to avoid Bermuda seas around Erin, including changes affecting Liberty of the Seas. (Royal Caribbean-focused media)
  • August 18-19, 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line altered Norwegian Aqua and Norwegian Jewel itineraries away from Bermuda. Additional timing changes noted for select Princess and Holland America sailings. (Industry outlets)

Analysis

Operationally, Erin was a stress test that the Bermuda and Maritimes cruise corridor largely passed. By keeping ports open where safe and leaning on flexible routings, lines preserved most sea days and protected port time by swapping Bermuda for Canada when seas grew rough. That mitigated large-scale cascade cancellations, and it kept air and hotel rebooking to a minimum. The main continuing sensitivity is Bermuda tendering, which is routine in a swell pattern and is already flagged by lines as weather permitting. With Erin gone and only modest systems in the basin, the risk profile now tilts toward sporadic, short-notice tweaks rather than wholesale itinerary rewrites. Travelers should still monitor official line emails and app alerts on their embarkation morning, since captain's calls on tender safety can shift quickly with local wind and wave direction. Expect schedules to stabilize further as the week progresses and as Fernand remains east of Bermuda.

Final Thoughts

For the coming week, watch sea state near Bermuda more than wind speed. If tenders hold, calls should proceed as scheduled, and Canada calls are already on routine footing. Keep your phone on for late-morning push alerts on arrival and all-aboard times, and build a little slack into independent plans. If you are packing now, plan for normal calls with a conservative backup for tender-dependent activities. Our rolling tracker will continue to reflect the latest Bermuda cruise itinerary changes as the basin quiets down.

Sources