Hurricane Milton’s destruction continues as it moves further inland in Florida. The hurricane made landfall Wednesday night as a category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120mph near Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota. It caused catastrophic damage and flooding and led to the closure of several Florida cruise ports, leaving numerous cruise ships stranded at sea with no place to dock.
Which Cruise Ports are Closed?
Several cruise ports, including Jacksonville, Tampa, and Port Canaveral, have been closed due to Hurricane Milton. The U.S. Coast Guard has enforced Port Condition “ZULU” to indicate closure because of the expected sustained gale-force winds in the next 12 hours. All incoming and outgoing vessels are canceled, and port operations have been suspended until further notice.
Port Tampa and Port Canaveral have been closed since Tuesday. Jacksonville Port is also closed and is anticipated to reopen on Friday.
On the other hand, two other major cruise ports, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and Miami Cruise Ports, are still open. Port Everglades is currently operating and is at Port Condition YANKEE. If the weather deteriorates, the next level is Port Condition ZULU, which would lead to the port closing.
Port Miami is open, and the US Coast Guard has lifted port condition YANKEE. Which means it is now unlikely to close.
What Happens When Cruise Ships Are Left Stranded at Sea?
Safety comes first. When the cruise ship’s homeport closes and ships are left stranded at sea, the captain will sail the ship to calmer waters and get it ready for an easy return to port once it reopens.
The cruise director typically organizes a variety of onboard activities to keep passengers entertained. Additionally, some cruise ships may provide complimentary WiFi to all passengers, allowing passengers to stay connected with friends and family. In certain cases, beverage packages may also be extended at no extra charge. The cruise line will do everything possible to make it comfortable for passengers left stranded on the ship.
Four Carnival Cruise Ships Stranded
Four Carnival cruise ships are currently stranded at sea, sailing at a distance from the storm and awaiting clearance to head back to their homeport.
Carnival Elation
Carnival Elation is currently stranded at sea and awaiting the reopening of Jacksonville Port. It won’t be able to return on October 10 as planned but is sailing at a safe distance from the storm.
The upcoming sailing of Carnival Elation will be delayed. Passengers are encouraged to watch for text alerts from Carnival Cruise. To receive Carnival Cruise text alerts, you can sign up by texting CCL1 or CRUISE to 278473.
Carnival Paradise
Carnival Paradise is currently stranded at sea and cannot return on October 10 as planned. The ship is waiting for Port Tampa to reopen so it can sail back.
Due to the closure of the Tampa port, the upcoming sailing of Carnival Paradise has been canceled, and all cruise passengers have been given a full refund.
Carnival Glory
Carnival Glory cannot return to Port Canaveral on October 11 due to the current storm conditions. The ship is currently sailing at a safe distance from the storm and is waiting for Port Canaveral to reopen. Carnival hopes that the ship will be able to dock in Port Canaveral on October 12.
As a result, the upcoming sailing of the Carnival Glory will be delayed and will not depart as originally planned. Passengers on the cruise are advised to keep an eye out for text alerts from Carnival Cruise. If you want to receive Carnival Cruise text alerts, you can sign up by texting CCL5 or CRUISE to 278473.
Carnival Sunrise
Carnival Sunrise is currently stranded at sea and won’t be able to return to Miami on October 10. Although Port Miami is open, its operations are limited due to storm conditions. Carnival Sunrise is expected to dock in Miami on Friday, October 11.
Due to the delay, the next Carnival Sunrise sailing will depart on October 11 and will be shorter than planned. Cruise passengers have been notified via email with available options. They have also been encouraged to stay informed by signing up for text alerts. To receive these alerts, passengers can text CCL3 to CRUISE (278473).
MSC Seashore
The MSC Seashore is stranded at sea and cannot return to Port Canaveral due to its closure. The ship’s return date is uncertain and will depend on when Port Canaveral reopens. They hope to return on Friday, October 11th, but this is highly dependent on the storm.
Disney Wish
Disney Wish is currently waiting for Port Canaveral to reopen. As a result, the sailing scheduled for October 11th from Port Canaveral has been canceled, and guests will receive a full refund.
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.
Buy Travel Insurance
You should always buy travel insurance if you are cruising during hurricane season. 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) to receive a refund if you decide to cancel your cruise due to concerns about stormy weather, even if the cruise itself is not canceled.
Never book Non-Refundable Shore Excursions
When you’re on a cruise during hurricane season, there’s always a possibility that your cruise might be canceled or a port visit might be skipped. That’s why it’s best to book shore excursions directly through the cruise line so that you can receive a full refund if the ports are canceled.
Opt-In to the Cruise Line’s Text Messages
When going on a cruise during hurricane season, you should always subscribe to the cruise line’s email and text alerts. It keeps you informed of the latest updates about your cruise.
Bring Extra Prescription Medicine
It’s important to prepare for unexpected cruise delays caused by hurricanes, which could leave you stuck on the ship. It’s a good idea to pack extra prescription medication in case you are stranded on the ship for a few extra days.
Bring Anti-Seasick Medicine
Although the captain will steer clear of the storm, you might still feel the effects of the turbulent weather and rough seas. Bring seasickness medication and wear seasickness wrist bands to combat seasickness! Check out The Worst Months to Go on a Cruise
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