5:06PM EDT October 23. 2012 - As Tropical Storm Sandy picks up strength south of Jamaica, cruise lines are adjusting their Caribbean itineraries.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, the late season storm is expected to become a hurricane as it nears Jamaica on Wednesday.
Taking steps to avoid the storm are Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, the world's largest passenger ship, as well as the Carnival Valor, Carnival Pride and Carnival Glory.
Allure of the Seas will skip a call at Falmouth, Jamaica on Wednesday and instead stay at sea, said spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez.
Meanwhile, Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said the Carnival Valor itinerary has been adjusted to bypass Montego Bay, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. The ship will instead head to Costa Maya, Mexico on Wednesday and Cozumel, Mexico on Thursday.
The Carnival Pride, which cruises from Baltimore, will skip calls at Half Moon Cay and Freeport in the Bahamas on Wednesday and Thursday and instead add a port call at Port Canaveral, Fla. on Friday.
The Carnival Glory, cruising from Norfolk, will skip a call in Freeport, do a shortened stay in Nassau, Bahamas tomorrow and then add Port Canaveral on Friday.
READ MORE : Jamaica braces as Tropical Storm Sandy approaches
This item was written by Fran Golden, a cruise expert and Trip Coach for Budget Travel magazine. Golden is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.
