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- Disney Cruise Line said its Oct. 11, 2024, sailing of the Disney Wish was canceled due to Hurricane Milton.
Ahead of a Hurricane Milton landfall in Florida, what’s going on at the cruise ship ports and cargo ports here?
As of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, Hurricane Milton was forecast to make landfall as a dangerous hurricane in the Gulf Coast of Florida. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said the Category 5 Hurricane Milton would move off the East Coast of Florida over the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday.
Hurricane Milton became a hurricane Sunday, Oct. 6, and strengthened into a Category 5 a day later. On Tuesday, it was briefly downgraded to a Category 4 storm before regaining strength hours later as a Category 5.
How has Hurricane Milton affected Florida ports? How has Hurricane Milton affected vacation cruise packages from Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line or MSC? Here’s what we know as of Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Disney World celebrated 53 years Oct. 1:Ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall in Florida, Magic Kingdom will close, its 11th time ever
The U.S. Coast Guard has a four-step process for setting port conditions during a hurricane or tropical storm, in advance of closing the port:
- Port Condition Whiskey: Implemented 72 hours prior to expected tropical-storm-force winds of at least 39 mph.
- Port Condition X-Ray: Implemented 48 hours prior to expected tropical-storm-force winds of at least 39 mph.
- Port Condition Yankee: Implemented 24 hours prior to expected tropical-storm-force winds of at least 39 mph.
- Port Condition Zulu: Implemented 12 hours prior to expected tropical-storm-force winds of at least 39 mph. When a port is at Zulu, it is closed to all vessel traffic and to ship-to-shore cargo operations, except those specifically authorized by the Coast Guard’s captain of the port.
After a port is closed and the storm passes, officials from the port, Coast Guard and other entities inspect the port’s shipping channel for shoaling and debris to assure the port is safe to reopen for ships.
Hurricane Milton: Are cruise ship ports and cargo ports in Florida closed?
These were the ports at Condition Zulu, which means closed to all vessel traffic and to ship-to-shore cargo operations, except those specifically authorized by the Coast Guard’s captain of the port, as of Tuesday, Oct. 8, according to the Florida Ports Council. Shipping channels have closed at these ports:
- Port of Key West
- Port St. Pete
- Port Tampa Bay, @porttampabay
- SeaPort Manatee
- Port Canaveral, @portcanaveral, will close at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9
- JaxPort (Jacksonville), @jax_port, until Wednesday, Oct. 9
Port Canaveral near Orlando, Florida, to close ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall
Port Canaveral will close at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, as Hurricane Milton approaches. The closing includes all waterside and landside operations, including the restaurants at the port.
The Coast Guard said it is placing the port under “Port Condition Zulu,” meaning no vessels can go in or out of the port.
When the storm passes, Coast Guard and port officials will inspect the port channel to assure it is safe for ship passage, and clear of debris and shoaling. Roadways also will undergo inspection to be sure they are safe for travel.
The arrival and departures of these ships at Port Canaveral are likely to be affected by the temporary shutdown:
- Thursday, Oct. 10: MSC Seashore
- Friday, Oct. 11: Carnival Glory, Disney Wish, Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas and Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas
- In addition, the MSC Meraviglia and Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas canceled their scheduled port-of-call visits to Port Canaveral on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Port officials said the landside closing would include cargo terminal facilities (except essential landside fuel terminal operations), commercial and retail establishments, restaurants and other businesses on port property.
Roadways will be closed, and entry into the port will be restricted to authorized personnel.
Port officials say they did not call for the mandatory evacuation of small crafts from the port area, because they likely would be safe to remain in port, with the storm coming from the west.
However, larger cruise and cargo vessels had to leave the port because of the Coast Guard ordering a temporary closing of the port.
Port Canaveral has set up a special status hotline at 321-394-3411 for general updates about the port’s status.
JaxPort, Jacksonville Port Authority, to close ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall in Florida
Jacksonville Port Authority aka JaxPort issued a Hurricane Milton update on its website and social networks: “JAXPORT is under port condition YANKEE. We expect the @uscgsoutheast to set port condition ZULU at 6 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9. Inbound cargo traffic to JAXPORT’s main gates will stop at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 9, and the port will fully close shortly after. Anticipated closure and reopening information is available at Jaxport.com.”
Port Tampa Bay closes ahead of Hurricane Milton landfall in Florida
In a notice on its Instagram and social channels on Tuesday, Oct. 8, Port Tampa Bay said it was “working with the National Weather Service, U.S. Coast Guard and state and local partners to monitor the potential impact of Hurricane Helene in the Gulf. At 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the U.S. Coast Guard set Port Condition ZULU, meaning the possibility of gale force winds could impact our maritime operations within 12 hours. Inbound and outbound vessel traffic to our port has ceased. The port’s shipping channels have closed, but landside operations will continue as long as safely possible.
“The Tampa Bay port community has initiated the Port Heavy Weather Advisory Group, which closely monitors impacts to the port and waterways, engages with the U.S. Coast Guard and various operators that make up the local maritime community, and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on Hurricane Port Conditions.
“The storm will have an impact to our cruise schedule. If you have any questions about a specific sailing, we recommend you contact your cruise line directly as all changes to itineraries will be communicated by your cruise line. The customer service lines for cruise lines sailing from Port Tampa Bay this week are:
- Carnival Cruise Line: 800-764-7419
- Margaritaville at Sea: 800-814-7100
- Royal Caribbean International: 800-256-6649
“We will work with our fuel terminal operators and partners to ensure gas and other fuels move out of our port and to consumers as long as possible. Additionally, port staff will continue to work round-the-clock so we can re-open to full operations as soon as safely possible to support the community and region we serve.
“Port Tampa Bay is doing all it can to prepare for Hurricane Milton, and to ensure safety of life, protection of the environment, and maritime commerce resiliency.”
Visit Port Tampa Bay for more storm-related updates at porttb.com.
Hurricane Milton: Which cruise ship ports in Florida are operating ahead of Florida landfall?
These were the ports at Condition Yankee, as of Tuesday, Oct. 8, according to the Florida Ports Council:
At 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, Carnival Cruise Line posted a weather update regarding Hurricane Milton. Carnival said it will post another update by 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, Oct. 9.
“Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami continues to monitor Hurricane Milton. The safety of our guests and crew is our priority and our ships will always maintain a safe distance from the storm. Given Milton’s forecasted track over the next several days, the following homeports and itineraries are currently under watch:
Jacksonville – The port is expected to close Wednesday, Oct. 9.
- Carnival Elation 10/05/2024 – The ship is now sailing on a 5-day voyage. The visit to Princess Cays was canceled today, Tuesday, October 8, due to unfavorable weather (unrelated to Hurricane Milton). The ship will visit Freeport Wednesday, October 9, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Given the storm’s current track, the ship will not be able to return to Jacksonville Thursday, October 10.
- Carnival Elation 10/10/2024 – This voyage will not depart Thursday, October 10, and we are hopeful we will be able to operate with a shortened duration. We will provide more information about operational plans for this voyage as soon as more information becomes available, following the reopening of the port and after completion of a post-storm assessment. Please check our email for full details about your options. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL1 to CRUISE (278473).
Port Tampa Bay – The port is currently closed.
- Carnival Paradise 10/06/2024 – The ship is now sailing on a 4-day voyage. It visited Costa Maya (instead of Cozumel) today, October 8 (from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Given the storm’s current track, the ship will not be able to return to Tampa Thursday, October 10.
- Carnival Paradise 10/10/2024 – This voyage is cancelled, and a full refund is being issued. Please see our email for details.
Port Canaveral – The port is expected to close Wednesday, Oct. 9.
- Carnival Glory 10/07/2024 – The ship is now sailing on a 4-day voyage. The visit to Bimini was cancelled today, Tuesday, October 8, due to unfavorable weather (unrelated to Hurricane Milton). The ship will visit Nassau Wednesday, October 9, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Given the storm’s current track, we may not be able to return as scheduled to Port Canaveral Friday, October 11.
- Carnival Glory 10/11/2024 – Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you have received confirmation from us on operational plans for your cruise. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL5 to CRUISE (278473).
PortMiami – The port is currently open, but operations will be limited as storm conditions impact the area.
- Carnival Sunrise 10/05/2024 – The ship is now sailing on a 5-day voyage. The return to Miami may be impacted by conditions from the storm.
- Carnival Sunrise 10/10/2024 – Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you have received confirmation from us on operational plans for your cruise. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL3 to CRUISE (278473).
Itinerary changes (without homeport impact)
- Carnival Pride 10/06/2024 – The ship is now sailing on a 7-day voyage. Forecasts for the storm show it moving in a generally northeasterly direction, across Florida and into the Atlantic, possibly impacting conditions in Bermuda later this week. Given this track, we have modified our itinerary to visit Bermuda. The call will be from 3:00 PM, Tuesday, October 8, to 1:00 PM, Thursday, October 10.
- Carnival Sunshine 10/07/2024 – The ship is now sailing on a 5-day voyage. The return to Charleston may be delayed as we navigate a safe distance from the storm.
- Carnival Sunshine 10/12/2024 – Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you have received confirmation from us on operational plans for your cruise. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL6 to CRUISE (278473).
- Carnival Valor 10/05/2024 – The ship is now sailing on a 5-day voyage. The return to New Orleans may be delayed as we navigate a safe distance from the storm.
- Carnival Valor 10/10/2024 – Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you have received confirmation from us on operational plans for your cruise. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL4 to CRUISE (278473).
Will Hurricane Milton affect my Disney cruise from Florida? Disney Wish cruise ship cancellation
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Disney Cruise Line posted a tropical weather update on its DCL information page: “Disney Cruise Line is closely monitoring Hurricane Milton as we continue to prioritize the safety of our guests and crew members.”
At 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Disney Cruise Line posted a tropical weather advisory about one of its ships, the Disney Wish: “The October 11 sailing of the Disney Wish is cancelled. 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. We are continuing to closely monitor Hurricane Milton and will provide updates as necessary.”
Disney Wish sails out of Port Canaveral, Florida, an hour east of Orlando, which is home to Walt Disney World Resort’s four parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
For assistance with a Disney Cruise, call 800-951-3532.
Hurricane Milton impact on Royal Caribbean International cruise line ships sailing out of Florida?
Royal Caribbean Cruises posted a weather advisory at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8: “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.” Visit royalcaribbean.com.
Yes, Hurricane Milton will impact Florida. Parts of the state already were experiencing rain, thunderstorms and flash flooding days ahead of landfall. Most counties were listed in a state of emergency, with the potential for tropical tornadoes.
Expect life-threatening storm surge and damaging hurricane-force winds along the coast of the Panhandle and Florida’s Gulf Coast and West Coast.
Don’t focus on the center of the storm. Impacts from Hurricane Milton will be felt hundreds of miles away, especially on the north and east sides.
The graphic above from the National Hurricane Center shows coastal watches and warnings along with the forecast cone for the center of Hurricane Milton. The graphic will automatically update with each advisory from the hurricane center.
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Milton was forecast to become a large hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Earlier tropical weather advisories had forecast landfall for Wednesday evening or early Thursday, but the forecast is regularly changing on the timing.
A look back: Hurricane Milton strengthened into a hurricane Oct. 6, then upgraded to a Category 5 a day later. It was briefly downgraded to a Category 4 storm Tuesday, Oct. 8, but later regained its Category 5 status. Landfall will be Wednesday or Thursday, Oct. 9 or 10, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Refundable airfare?For Florida flights impacted by Hurricane Milton, what do if flight is delayed, canceled
Weather radar: Will we get showers, thunderstorms, rain in Florida today?
Shown is the National Weather Service radar for the Southeast United States, which shows conditions in real-time. The current date and time show up on the bottom right of this radar embed; otherwise, you may need to clear your cache.
Where is Hurricane Milton? What is the track, path of Milton in Florida?
Shown is the seven-day graphical tropical weather outlook from the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The above graphic will automatically update with each advisory from the hurricane center.
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Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at facebook.com/dave.berman.54
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
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