Bermuda cruise cancellations ripple post-Imelda

Published on Oct 2, 2025, 9:19 am CDT

5 min read

Cruise lines are rapidly revising itineraries after Hurricane Imelda forced the closure of L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) and left rough marine conditions around the island. Bermuda's Emergency Measures Organization said winds will ease through Thursday, but port assessments and hazardous swells are delaying a full restart. Multiple voyages that had Bermuda on the schedule are now pivoting to Canada and New England, while others are trimming time in port once conditions allow. Expect rolling updates from cruise lines throughout October 2 as agencies complete inspections and publish revised plans.

Key points

Why it matters: Evolving safety assessments are prompting same-week Bermuda cruise cancellations and diversions.
Travel impact: Expect rebooked port calls in Portland, Boston, and Saint John, plus shorter stays where seas stay high.
What's next: Lines will post final itineraries after harbor checks and as winds subside on October 2.
NHC says Imelda is moving away, with conditions gradually improving around Bermuda.
Airport, public transport, and some government services remained closed pending inspections.

Snapshot

Imelda's fast-moving core battered Bermuda late October 1 into early October 2, knocking out power, closing the airport, and prompting widespread safety closures. While the storm has moved away, the island remains under post-storm advisories with strong northerly winds and rough seas that complicate tender and docking operations. Cruise lines began preemptively rerouting ships earlier in the week, with some voyages now calling at Portland, Maine, Boston, and Saint John, New Brunswick, instead of Bermuda. Others are signaling shorter port windows once harbor authorities clear arrivals. Travelers should monitor line-specific alerts, as shore-excursion refunds and onboard credit policies differ by brand and voyage.

Background

Bermuda issued hurricane warnings ahead of Imelda's approach, then downgraded to a tropical storm warning as the system accelerated away. Officials closed schools, government offices, ferries, and L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) during the height of the storm, and deployed military support for cleanup and safety. The National Hurricane Center's Thursday morning update noted improving conditions but cautioned about lingering hazardous seas. Cruise brands had already begun adjusting itineraries due to the twin-storm setup with Humberto in the basin, a pattern that pushed ships toward more sheltered New England and Atlantic Canada ports. These shifts typically trigger automatic excursion refunds for canceled calls and case-by-case onboard credits.

Latest developments

Cruise lines reroute Bermuda calls to Canada and New England

Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed that Norwegian Aqua's voyage departing September 27 dropped Bermuda and will instead visit Portland, Boston, and Saint John. Additional Norwegian itineraries have been modified, and the line is processing automatic refunds for affected shore tours. Carnival Cruise Line has warned guests on select Bermuda sailings, including Carnival Venezia, to expect diversions to Canadian ports and to pack accordingly. Portland, Maine officials reported welcoming weather-diverted calls on October 2. Guests should watch for line emails and app notifications as revised port times and final manifests publish through Thursday.

Airport, marine operations, and harbor assessments

As of Thursday morning, Bermuda authorities stated that airport and many public services remained closed pending assessments, with winds forecast to gradually ease and veer northeast during the day. Harbor masters are inspecting marine facilities and channel conditions, a prerequisite for resuming regular cruise tender or docking operations. The National Hurricane Center's 8:00 a.m. advisory indicated Imelda was moving quickly away, supporting a phased restart once seas subside. Travelers should expect itinerary postings to sequence behind these safety checks.

Flight delays and airport impacts: October 2, 2025

Analysis

Post-storm recovery in Bermuda tends to hinge less on rainfall totals and more on sea state, wind direction, and debris in approach channels. Even with Imelda moving offshore, the residual northerly fetch and swell will keep tender operations challenging and may force lines to use alternate berths or skip calls entirely. Diversions to Canada and New England are operationally logical: ports like Portland, Boston, and Saint John can absorb unscheduled calls, offer berth availability on short notice, and provide shore-excursion capacity comparable to Bermuda for short-lead visits. For travelers, the near-term playbook is straightforward. Monitor your cruise app for push alerts, confirm any auto-processed excursion refunds, and check revised all-aboard times because condensed port windows are common after weather delays. Air travelers booked in or out of BDA should maintain flexible plans until airport status is green-lit and carriers reissue reaccommodation options. Given NHC guidance, sea conditions should progressively improve into the weekend, but operators will prioritize safety over schedule.

Final thoughts

With safety inspections and improving weather, Bermuda calls could resume as seas settle, but schedule certainty will lag harbor and airport clearances. Expect more Canada and New England swaps, shorter stays, and rolling notifications through October 2. If Bermuda was the highlight of your itinerary, request automatic refunds for canceled excursions and review any goodwill credits. Keep monitoring for reissued port times, as some ships may still secure abbreviated calls once pilots and harbor masters give the all-clear. For now, the prudent expectation is continued Bermuda cruise cancellations or Canada-bound reroutes as Imelda's aftereffects unwind.