While Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on Florida throughout the weekend, more than 4,000 passengers rode out the storm on a luxurious cruise ship called Escape.
The Escape, and another Norwegian Cruise Line ship called the Norwegian Sky, were scheduled to return to port in Miami on Saturday and Friday, but the Hurricane caused a change of plans. Both the Escape and the Norwegian Sky returned to Miami early on Thursday to avoid cruising through the path of the storm. Passengers who wished to disembark were free to do so, but because many of them had no hotel rooms and no flights out due to the change of plans, the cruise allowed them to stay on the ship to ride out the storm, free of charge.
Norwegian spokeswoman Vanessa Picariello told USA Today Friday that the Escape would spent the next few days sailing west of Florida out of Hurricane Irma’s path.
Picariello said the company hopes to return to port in Miami by Tuesday, but the Escape’s return depends on when Miami’s ports re-open after the storm. Until that time, the few thousand passengers will enjoy unlimited alcohol and food, spa access and everything else the luxurious cruise ship has to offer.
“At this point the plan is to go west,” Picariello said. “We’re making every effort to have at least one port of call. If not, it will be a cruise to nowhere and everyone will have a good time.”