Gustav hits cruise lines

There were tens of thousands of travellers at sea on at least fourteen cruise ships which had to change itineraries or saw port calls disrupted by the storm and that effect will continue for several more weeks.

More than 2,500 of those cruise passengers were British, travelling on Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International and Carnival in particular. A large percentage of them are expected to seek compensation for the change of itineraries.

Tourists have already been calling their insurance companies and talking to reps on board ship about their ‘ruined’ holidays – while many are unhappy because this may have been the cruise of a lifetime for them, they may find that booking a cruise in Hurricane Season means their insurance and their cruise line are not liable for extra sea days or disruptions to travel.