Just weeks after Hurricane Helene, Floridians are bracing for another powerful storm. This time, Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 4 after being downgraded from a Category 5. It is expected to hit the Tampa Bay area the hardest, but its effects will be felt even in non-coastal parts of Florida. As a result of the storm’s severity, Disney World will be closed, and several Florida cruise ports have been shut down, leading to the cancellation of cruises.
Port Tampa: Closed
Port Tampa Bay has been closed since Tuesday, October 8. The US Coast Guard has set Port Condition ZULU, which means the possibility of gale-force winds to impact maritime operations within 12 hours. The cruise lines affected by Port Tampa Bay’s closure are Carnival Cruise, Margaritaville at Sea, and Royal Caribbean.
Due to the closure, Carnival Paradise will not be able to return to Tampa by October 10th. Consequently, the October 10th sailing of Carnival Paradise has been canceled, and passengers have been offered a full refund.
Port Canaveral: Closed
Port Canaveral is also closed. The US Coast Guard declared Port Condition Yankee on Tuesday, October 8th, and then escalated it to Port Condition ZULU on October 9th. Ships are being warned that there are “no safe havens identified near the Canaveral area for a vessel to safely survive hurricane force winds or storm surges without creating a threat to safety of the port and public welfare.”
Several cruise ships are expected to arrive at Port Canaveral on Friday, October 11th. Hopefully, the port will reopen by then. The scheduled cruise ships for October 11 are MSC Seashore, Utopia of the Seas, Disney Wish, Adventure of the Seas, and Carnival Glory. If you’re planning to sail on any of these cruise ships, it’s advisable to sign up for your cruise line’s text notifications to receive the most current updates.
Carnival Glory’s return to Port Canaveral on October 11th will be delayed. Passengers sailing on Carnival Glory on 10/11 are requested not to proceed to the cruise terminal until further details are confirmed. Cruise passengers are advised to check their email and sign up for Carnival Cruise text alerts by texting CCL5 to CRUISE (278473).
MSC Seashore’s return to Port Canaveral will also be delayed. Its anticipated return date is Friday, October 11th, but this is still being determined.
Disney Wish’s October 11th sailing from Port Canaveral has been canceled. Guests will receive a full refund, and Disney Cruise Line is offering each guest a 20% discount on a future cruise.
Additionally, several cruise ships are scheduled to arrive on Saturday, October 12th. These include the Disney Fantasy, Mardi Gras, and Carnival Freedom. Hopefully, the port will be opened by then, so there will be no delays.
Jacksonville Cruise Port: Closed
The Jacksonville cruise port is currently closed and is at Port Condition ZULU. It is expected to remain closed on Thursday, October 10th, with hopes of reopening on Friday.
Due to this closure, Carnival Elation will be delayed and unable to return to Jacksonville on October 10th. Passengers scheduled to board the Carnival Elation on October 10th should check their email and sign up for Carnival Cruise text alerts by texting CCL1 to CRUISE (278473).
Miami Cruise Port: Open
Miami Cruise Port remains open but has limited operations. Cruise lines are preparing for potential closures and interruptions.
Carnival Cruise has warned that Carnival Sunrise, scheduled to return to Miami on October 10th, may be affected. Consequently, passengers planning to sail on the Carnival Sunrise on October 10th are advised to await confirmation before heading to the cruise port. Passengers are also encouraged to subscribe to the Carnival Cruise text alert service by texting CCL3 to CRUISE (278473).
Fort Lauderdale Cruise Port (Port Everglades): Open
Port Everglades, located in Fort Lauderdale, is currently operational and is at Port Condition YANKEE. If the weather worsens, the next level is Port Condition ZULU, which would result in the port closing.
In the event of a closure, the following cruise ships may be impacted: Viking Neptune (10/10), Celebrity Reflection (10/11), and Sun Princess (10/11). Passengers booked on these cruises should stay updated and subscribe to cruise alerts for any developments.
Tips for Sailing During Hurricane Season
Here are some tips if you have a cruise booked during hurricane season. Suburbs 101 participates in affiliate programs including the Amazon Associates Program and may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Don’t book Non-Refundable Shore Excursion
It’s safest to book shore excursions directly from the cruise so you can get a full refund if cruise ports are canceled. You never know if your cruise will cancel ports.
Buy Travel Insurance
It’s worth it to buy travel insurance if you are cruising during hurricane season. You just don’t know what will happen, and you want to make sure you get reimbursed for travel delays and cancellations.
It’s also worth it to buy Travel Insurance with the CFAR clause (cancel for any reason) so that you can receive a refund if you decide to cancel your cruise due to concerns about stormy weather, even if the cruise itself is not canceled.
Opt-In to the Cruise Line’s Text Messages
You should sign up and opt-in to the cruise line’s email and text notifications. You want to make sure you have the most up-to-date information regarding your cruise.
Bring Extra Prescription Medicine
You never know if your cruise will be delayed due to a hurricane, potentially leaving you stranded on the cruise ship or at port. Make sure you bring extra prescription medication for a few days to a week, just in case.
Bring Anti-Seasick Medicine
Even though the captain will navigate at a distance from the storm, you may still experience the impact of stormy weather and rough seas. Bring seasickness medication and wear seasickness wrist bands to combat seasickness! Check out 36 Essential Things to Pack When Going on a Cruise During Hurricane Season
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11 Mistakes People Make When Cruising During Hurricane Season
It’s Hurricane Season, How to Keep Bad Weather from Ruining Your Cruise Vacation
Should You Go on a Cruise During Hurricane Season? Pros and Cons