Sunday, August 28, 2011

Cruise News: Puerto Rico & The Bahamas Welcome Visitors Following Hurricane Irene

Puerto Rico

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) says that the Island is open for business and fully operational for tourists after Hurricane Irene passed through last week. All hotels, casinos, airports and ferries are operating as normal on the main island as well as Culebra and Vieques. Cruise ships and airlines are arriving and departing as scheduled. Beaches are open and the water is safe for swimming. The majority of roads have been reopened and electricity has been restored across most of the Island.

PRTC's tourism service line (1-800-981-7575) will operate on its normal schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am until midnight and Saturday-Sunday 9:00am until midnight, all times Eastern Time) and tourist information centers on the Island are available during regular business hours to offer support to tourists who need it.

The Bahamas

Hurricane Irene passed 60 miles to the east of the major tourist centers of Nassau and Paradise Island and 100 miles east of Grand Bahama Island before making its way out of Bahamian waters last Thursday evening, Aug. 25. Cruise ports in Nassau and Grand Bahama Island are open. The first cruise ship operated by Disney returned to Nassau Friday morning, Aug. 26, and other ships have resumed calls to both ports.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism assures us that major tourism areas in Nassau and Freeport, Grand Bahama Island have reported limited damage and are returning to normal operations, with visitors already returning to the beaches. Attractions throughout The Bahamas are open, including the country's largest resort, Atlantis. For updates and news regarding The Islands of The Bahamas, please visit Bahamas.com.

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