Hurricane Arthur gives Bermuda tourism surprise

Hamilton, Bermuda (CMC) — Bermuda is set to get a timely tourism tonic — thanks to Hurricane Arthur.

Dockyard, at the island’s west end, will welcome an unexpected extra cruise ship this weekend as the hurricane continues to barrel up the US east coast.

The Carnival Splendor has been forced to travel south to avoid the weather system, officials said.

Instead of heading up towards Halifax in Canada, the liner is now making its way from New York to Bermuda.

It is scheduled to arrive in Dockyard on Saturday morning and berth at Heritage Wharf before setting sail in the evening.

Arthur, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, was no threat to Bermuda. On Friday afternoon it was more than 500 miles to the island’s northwest.

Arthur hit the North Carolina coast early on Friday and weakened as it moved out to sea, causing no deaths or injuries but spoiling July Fourth celebrations for many Americans.

Arthur reached Category 2 status with top winds of 100 miles per hour but weakened to a Category 1 as it moved northeast with 90 mph winds.