NEWS: Disney Cruise Line CANCELS Port Stop Due to Hurricane Beryl

Vacationing in the tropics during summer certainly isn’t anything new — and neither are summer storms.

Storm view from aboard Disney Cruise Line

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, and this year’s season is predicted to be even more active than prior years. In fact, the first Hurricane of the season, Beryl, is already the most powerful one we’ve seen this early in the season in quite a long time. And, after strengthening into a Category 5 storm, Beryl is causing a problem for the Disney Cruise Line.

After barreling through Barbados and Grenada as a Category 4 storm over the weekend and into Monday, Hurricane Beryl has intensified and become a Category 5 as it surges through the Caribbean. The storm is expected to eventually make its way to the Gulf of Mexico where it could have some sort of impact on Disney World, but for now, it has already impacted an itinerary for one Disney Cruise Line ship.

©New York Times

According to USA Today, Hurricane Beryl has forced Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Cruise Line to change itineraries due to the storm’s path.

Disney Cruise Ship

The Disney Fantasy set sail on a week-long cruise from Port Canaveral on June 29th and was originally scheduled to have a stop in Falmouth, Jamaica. Instead, the stop has been replaced with a day at sea. The National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm is expected to “move quickly across the southeastern and central Caribbean Sea today,” passing by Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

The Disney Fantasy

Beryl made landfall on Monday and devastated islands in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a Category 4 storm, with officials reporting one death in each nation. The storm strengthened into a Category 5 after causing “widespread destruction” across Grenada’s three main islands.

The storm is expected to make it into the Gulf of Mexico, but experts say it’s “too soon” to predict what could happen if and when it does. Beryl is the first hurricane of the 2024 season and was downgraded before strengthening again into a Category 4 storm. As of Tuesday morning, sustained wind speeds increased to 165 mph — a Category 5 is classified as having wind speeds of 157 mph or higher. Any storm over 111 mph is considered a major storm.

©NOAA

For now, we’ll have to wait and see where Hurricane Beryl ends up going after it passes by Jamaica and through the Caribbean — potentially into the Gulf of Mexico. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by this storm!

©NOAA

And, if you happen to be in Disney World during a hurricane and Disney considers it unsafe for guests and Cast Members, you may be asked to shelter in place at your resort. This does not happen often as most of the time, the Disney World area just experiences a bit of rain. But it has happened and is something you want to keep in mind when planning a Disney trip during hurricane season.

If you find yourself in this situation, please follow all guidelines from Disney to ensure your safety during your trip. If it is safe to be in the parks, Disney will keep them open with some attractions and restaurants still available. Read more reader tips for riding out a hurricane at Disney World here.