In this Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 photo, passengers aboard the Norwegian Escape cruise ship relax in a pool just hours before the huge vessel returned to Miami, two days earlier than scheduled due to powerful Hurricane Irma. Some passengers disembarked Thursday, while others chose to remain on board the ship, which was scheduled to leave later that evening for safe waters. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)
The Associated Press
MIAMI (AP) - When they first boarded the Norwegian Escape a week ago, passengers knew exactly where they were going. But now they have no idea.
After making two stops in Honduras and Belize, the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship skipped ports of call in Mexico and returned to Miami on Thursday, two days early.
That allowed hundreds of passengers to disembark - including Floridians who were anxious to secure their homes before the arrival of Hurricane Irma, which is expected to hit Florida on Sunday.
Thousands of others, however, decided to accept an invitation to stay aboard. Now they are floating at sea on a "cruise to nowhere."
Ship officials have told passengers that where they go and when they return will be largely up to Irma - which path she decides to take and how long she will linger.
In this Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 photo, Barbara Engel, of Dallas, Texas, talks about deciding to stay on the Norwegian Escape cruise ship as it pulls back into the Port of Miami two days early due to Hurricane Irma. Engel said she was unable to get a flight home and felt staying aboard the ship was her best option because it was well-supplied and can get away from the storm. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)
The Associated Press
In this Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017 photo, Margaret Cunningham, of Battle Ground, Wash., poses aboard the Norwegian Escape cruise ship, shortly before the huge vessel returned to port in Miami, two days early due to Hurricane Irma. Cunningham and her husband, Mike, were staying aboard the ship, which was headed to safe waters that evening. While it was unknown when or where the ship would return due to the powerful storm, Cunningham said she is assured the ship will be a safe and heavily-supplied haven at sea. (AP Photo/Brian Witte)
The Associated Press