RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — Several passengers are back on solid ground in Palm Beach County after their scheduled cruise was unable to return to port because of Hurricane Dorian.
The Grand Celebration, which is based at the Port of Palm Beach, set sail Friday on a scheduled two-day trip. The storm forced it to stay at sea near Cuba.
Thursday morning the ship arrived back at port.
“It was very scary for me, it was my first cruise,” said Walter Simmons, who cruised with his wife for the first time. “You worry the whole time, but we made it thank God.”
The ship usually holds 1,700 people, but only 288 boarded Friday. Passengers had the option to get a refund or to reschedule, and those that chose to sail knew the return date was up in the air.
Some said it was unnerving having a hurricane on their doorstep but they felt safe and didn't feel any rough weather.
"There was some worry people were joking we have Stockholm syndrome cause we didn't know when we would get back," Lina Toro said.
"We were happy to be in a safe place but also very concerned about what was going on in the Bahamas how was it going to affect us, was it going to affect us?" said Kami Kreaps.
Toro says the staff was accommodating, and they made the best of the situation.
"The captain kept us really safe and kept us in calm waters," Toro said.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line says the Grand Celebration will leave at 8 p.m. Thursday for Freeport on a humanitarian cruise.The ship will be filled with food, water, and other supplies, as well as first responders and volunteers. The cruise line says the ship will transport Bahamian residents who were stranded in South Florida home. The previously scheduled planned departure of the cruise has been canceled.
Anyone who wants to donate should drop off supplies by 6 p.m. at the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Riviera Beach warehouse at 301 Broadway Ave., Bay #7, in Riviera Beach.
