San Juan Cruise Chaos: Military Moves in Venezuela Leave Thousands Stranded

Passengers Stare at Empty Horizon

San Juan’s usually humming cruise terminal felt like a ghost town at dawn. By 06:00, the Celebrity Summit and Royal Caribbean Adventure were supposed to be easing into Pier 3. Instead, only gulls circled overhead, their cries swallowed by the hot Caribbean wind.

Why the ships never arrived

Overnight, the U.S. Navy diverted every vessel within 200 nautical miles of Venezuela’s northern coast after American forces struck Caracas military targets. The Pentagon cited “credible threats to maritime traffic.” For 7,400 holiday-makers, that translated into sleepless nights on choppy seas.

“We were told at 02:00 we’d be circling indefinitely,” said Maria López, a teacher from Madrid who had booked the cruise to celebrate her 30th anniversary. “No one mentioned Venezuela when we bought the tickets.”

Domino Effect on the Island

San Juan’s economy runs on tourism; roughly 1.8 million cruise passengers inject $250 million annually. With two of this week’s biggest ships barred, local vendors count the cost.

• 200 taxis idled outside the terminal, drivers losing an estimated $150 each in daily earnings.
• Excursion operator GoPuertoRico cancelled 42 bus tours, refunding $86,000 in pre-paid fares.
• Hotels reported 1,100 last-minute room bookings from stranded flyers, but gift-shop sales dipped 35%.

Airport next in line

By mid-morning, Luis Muñoz Marín International saw a 40% surge in re-bookings. American Airlines added two Miami-bound wide-bodies; JetBlue lifted capacity with larger A321s. Yet security lines snaked outside the terminal as TSA agents enforced secondary screening after the State Department elevated the regional threat level to “orange.”

What travellers can do now

Port Authority officials urge passengers to register with their cruise line’s mobile app for real-time updates. Airlines are waiving change fees through Friday, but only for itineraries touching the Eastern Caribbean. Travellers should also:

• Download the free TravelSanJuan alert service (text TRAVEL to 787-11).
• Carry hard-copy ID; spotty Wi-Fi offshore can stall digital boarding passes.
• Book flexible hotel rates—many properties are still honouring day-of cancellations.

‘We just want to go home’

Back at the pier, British honeymooners Tom and Aisha Saunders sat atop luggage, refreshing their inbox. Their ship, now rerouted to St. Maarten, will not return to San Juan until Saturday—three days after their original flight home.

“We’ve maxed out the credit card, we’re almost out of diabetes medication, and honestly, we just want to go home,” Tom admitted, voice cracking.

Government officials promise humanitarian supplies will reach lingering vessels, but with naval assets focused southward, timelines blur. For an island still rebuilding from Hurricane Maria, the fresh blow is both economic and emotional.

Looking ahead

Cruise executives privately warn more disruptions are likely if U.S. operations in Venezuela expand. Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimate every missed San Juan call costs the sector $1.3 million in onboard revenue alone. Until geopolitical seas calm, travellers should pack patience along with their sunscreen.