There’s a certain irony in the fact that, just as Carnival has begun to reveal details of its newest cruise ship, Carnival Breeze, somewhat stronger winds are disrupting schedules in the Caribbean.
Tropical storm Irene is expected to develop into a hurricane later today and is heading towards the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands – where a state of emergency has been declared – and the Bahamas.
Carnival Miracle spent yesterday at sea instead of berthing at San Juan, Puerto Rico, will be at Grand Turk today instead of St Thomas, and is expected at Half Moon Cay tomorrow. Carnival Liberty’s itinerary has also been affected; she will also be at Grand Turk today and may to cancel calls at San Juan and St Thomas later in the week.
Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, Oasis, Freedom and Serenade have all changed course to avoid the worst of the storm which is forecast to be blowing at winds of up to 70 mph. It is expected to make landfall in Florida by Thursday.
Lightning from an associated storm is believed to be responsible for starting a fire which has destroyed the main building on Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, in the British Virgin Islands. Kate Winslet was among guests who fled the blaze in the Great House last night.
► Back to Carnival Breeze, which is being built at a shipyard near Trieste in Italy and will be launched next June. It’s the first Carnival ship in years which has not had interiors designed by the extravagant Joe Farcus, and computer-generated images are now on display for the first time at Carnival’s website and on Facebook.
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