What the situation in Venezuela means for Caribbean cruises

Recent US military action in Venezuela has caused short-term disruption. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily closed large parts of Caribbean airspace in the immediate aftermath.

That situation left many travellers – including British cruisers on fly-cruise packages – facing delays and cancellations. Some flights were turned back mid-air or cancelled entirely, while some cruise passengers couldn't fly home after their cruise.

While the FAA has since lifted the flight restrictions, a broader cautionary Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) remains in effect in certain airspace regions until later in February, meaning uncertainty around schedules persists.

For UK travellers, the situation does not affect the safety of cruising. Cruise ships are not sailing to Venezuela, and popular Caribbean destinations remain open and operating normally. However, ongoing uncertainty around regional airspace means flight schedules may remain more vulnerable to change than usual in the coming weeks.

Travellers with upcoming Caribbean cruises, particularly those booked as fly-cruise packages, are advised to check flight details and stay in contact with their cruise line or tour operator. Allowing extra time for connections and ensuring travel insurance covers delays and cancellations is also recommended.

Key takeaways for UK travellers:

• Cruises are sailing: Ships are not cancelling departures due to the situation. Ports such as San Juan, St. Thomas and Barbados continue to operate normally for cruise calls.
• Flight disruptions remain the main risk: Many UK fly-cruise passengers were affected by cancellations and reroutes at the weekend, and a NOTAM remains in place until late February.
• Financial protection matters: Passengers travelling on a package holiday will be protected by the ATOL scheme if anything goes wrong. Travellers booking flights and a cruise separately should ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance covering delays and cancellations.
• The situation may change: Continued military action could cause further disruptions – travellers are advised to follow the situation closely.