Will the oil spill interfere with my upcoming cruise?

It doesn’t seem to affect all those research and clean up ships – I doubt it will have any effect.

I live right there (Fairhope, AL), so I get plenty of news. Florida is worried about the oil spill because of a circular, shifty current that could pick up some of the slick and send it to Florida’s coasts, and the current could feed into another that goes through the Keys and the Bahamas. I’m not sure how long it will take before the current picks up any oil, if it even does, so if you remind me, I’ll keep you posted. If you were to leave right now, you would have no problems and the oceans would be as beautiful as ever, considering the Bahamas themselves aren’t even in the Gulf of Mexico. But don’t think not much can happen in 2 months.

@Fred931 Thanks a bunch. I appreciate that info. And if I remember, I’ll ask you for an update when the date is closer.

Mercifully, oil doesn’t gum up ship propellers, and AFAIK sea water doesn’t pass through the engines. If anything, I’d expect them to turn more easily. But oil isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing substance to drive your customers through. Odds are good that they’ll at least consider changing the route.

My goodness, but there’s a trigger-happy mod here!

The NCAR released today this video, which shows where the oil from the spill could go in the next two months. The oil could reach that strong current and explode across the Eastern coasts of America and far into the Atlantic. On top of all this, this particular current is what causes that always-gray sky in Great Britian. However, I have heard that the oil would be thin enough not to cause any substantial damage, though there is always the problem of medical safety, and cruise lines are going to try to avoid any liability when risks to passengers are involved.

That sudden movement into the current could happen, according to the model in the video, in as soon as 35 days. At least you might have plenty of time beforehand to cancel the trip.

But which island(s) are you going to? Some of those bigger islands to the east in that video seem to repel the oil because the current is sucking water closely along Florida’s coast. You might get off completely unaffected if your itinerary relies on those Eastern islands.

It’s hard to imagine that an oil spill would adversely affect your cruise ship. However, you might contact your travel agent or the cruise line to ask for specifics. Have a great trip!

The oil is slowly moving along the panhandle now, as well as shifting east from the middle of the slick. Be forewarned.