The movement of Hurricane Gustav into the Gulf of Mexico has forced two Carnival ships to remain at sea for at least another two days. The cruise liners were scheduled to return to their ports along the Gulf on Monday.

According to company officials, the stay of Carnival Fantasy based in Mobile, Alaska and Carnival Ecstasy based in Galveston, Texas will be extended by two days at sea in order to escape the churning waters of Gulf of Mexico stirred up by Hurricane Gustav.

The delayed return of the two cruise liners to their home ports will lead to a restricted schedule of upcoming voyages. The five-night cruise on Carnival Ecstasy scheduled to start on Monday will be cut down to three nights while the itinerary of Carnival Fantasy will be shortened to a four-night cruise. Customers however will be able to claim a refund of 50% and 25% for the respective shortened cruises or an entire refund on cancellation of a trip.

Among other Carnival cruises which have had to change their routes to avoid being barreled by the approaching hurricane are Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Conquest.

Yet another developing storm in the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Hanna, has forced Royal Caribbean to change the schedule of three of its Florida-based liners while Norwegian Cruise has altered the destinations of its New York-based Norwegian Spirit and Miami-based Norwegian Sky.