Hurricane Milton closes Florida ports, alters cruise line plans

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel on Oct 9, 2024

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Cruise lines have shifted plans as Florida’s ports have either closed or limited traffic as Hurricane Milton bears down on the state.

Port Canaveral, the Port of Tampa, Port of Palm Beach and Jaxport are all closed, under the U.S. Coast Guard’s Port Condition “Zulu” while PortMiami and Port Everglades are under Port Condition “Yankee” as of 8 a.m. Wednesday limiting vessel traffic.

MSC Seashore, Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas, Disney Wish and Carnival Glory are all slated to arrive back to Port Canaveral on Friday.

“Port operations will be re-opened after assessment of the roadways and waterway,” Port Canaveral posted on its website.

Two ships canceled their port of call visit to Port Canaveral on Tuesday as well with both the MSC Meraviglia and Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas skipping their visit.

Already, Disney Cruise Line has canceled the Disney Wish sailing that was set to leave Port Canaveral on Friday.

“Refunds will be automatically processed back to the original form of payment used for the cruise booking. An email with more information will be sent to booked guests or their travel agents,” the line posted on its website.

Carnival Cruise Line lists a bevy of changes and cancellations in its weather update page.

The Carnival Paradise that sailed from Tampa is currently at sea on a four-night sailing and will not be able to return to Tampa on Thursday. The line canceled the next planned sailing that was supposed to depart Thursday with a full refund for customers.

The Carnival Elation sailed from Jacksonville is currently at sea on a five-night voyage. It took will not be able to return to Jacksonville on Thursday, and the line hopes to offer a shortened itinerary for its next sailing that was supposed to depart Thursday.

At Port Canaveral, Carnival Glory is amid a four-night sailing and may not be able to return as scheduled on Friday. The line asks customers to not go to the cruise terminal for the next sailing that is supposed to leave Friday until Carnival has sent confirmation.

While PortMiami is open, Carnival Sunshine currently on a five-night sailing may not be able to return Thursday, and the line asks customers on that planned next sailing to not go to the cruise terminal until receiving confirmation from Carnival.

The line has other ships that could be affected sailing out of New Orleans and Charleston, South Carolina.

For now, Royal Caribbean has no itinerary changes posted to its weather update site.

“We’re closely monitoring Hurricane Milton along with our chief meteorologist. We are committed to keeping you informed as the situation evolves. As always, please know that the safety and comfort of our guests are always our highest priority. Please check back for any potential changes,” it reads.

MSC Cruises has a weather update site with Milton’s affects out of both Port Canaveral and PortMiami.

MSC Seashore departed Port Canaveral on a four-night sailing last Sunday, but will not be able to return to the port until it is opened by the Coast Guard, currently expected to be Friday at a time to be determined. The ship’s planned Thursday departure will be pushed to Friday then.

“Should Port Canaveral receive clearance from the U.S. Coast Guard to reopen on Friday, October 11 at a reasonable time, we will proceed with an abridged two-night sailing, visit Ocean Cay on Saturday, October 12, and return to Port Canaveral on Sunday, October 13 as planned,” the line stated.

As for Miami, the MSC Magnifica left the port on Monday for a four-night sailing, and while the path of Milton altered its ports of call, it is expected to return as planned on Friday morning with the next sailing not affected as well.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have a weather update section on its website.