Cozumel to Get Crowded as Cruise Routes Redrawn in Irma’s Wake

After Hurricane Irma devastated popular Caribbean islands like the Bahamas, St. Thomas and Cuba, cruise lines will have to reassess their tours for the foreseeable future.

As they seek new ports, Mexico is likely to jump up as an option. For example, Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings Inc.’s sailings through November will now only make stops in the western Caribbean, the company said in an emailed statement. Norwegian’s Escape ship, with 4,000 passengers who had been cruising the Caribbean before Irma hit, was diverted to Cozumel, Mexico, to avoid the storm.