Port St. Maarten has been informed that the scheduled visit of Freedom of the Season on Thursday, August 25 has been cancelled due to the anticipation of inclement weather expected in the North Eastern Caribbean in the coming days.
The measure was taken out of abundance of safety by the cruise line Royal Caribbean for their passengers, crew and the vessel.
Port St. Maarten is not the only port being affected by this unexpected change in itinerary due to weather.
The Freedom of the Seas was scheduled to visit St. Thomas on August 24 as well as Oasis of the Seas on August 23, but those itineraries have also been cancelled for safety reasons due to the anticipated weather.
The islands of the Lesser Antilles just entered the peak period of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season and destinations need to anticipate that these changes can take place.
Freedom of the Seas can carry up to 4515 passengers double occupancy;1,360 crew; is 160,000 gross tons; 1,112 feet long; 185 feet maximum beam; 28 feet draft; cruising speed of 21.6 knots.