The arrival of several cruise ships to Florida ports has been severely impacted by Hurricane Milton, forcing these vessels to remain at sea while assessments and repairs are undertaken. Due to the storm’s impact, Port Tampa Bay was closed on October 10, leading to a flurry of scheduling adjustments and cancellations that affect multiple cruise lines and guests alike.
As Tropical Storm conditions persist, Port Tampa Bay officials are collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard to evaluate damage and determine a timeline for reopening. Although preliminary reports suggest several building structures have sustained some damage, no significant impairment to the docking facilities has been confirmed. However, ongoing power outages raise concerns for seafood and other perishable operations within the port. Travelers seeking to enter the port are advised to remain vigilant, as surrounding roads are subject to closures and flooding.
Carnival Cruise Line’s flagship, the Carnival Paradise, which operates out of Tampa, is currently docked at sea, awaiting clearance to return after a scheduled four-day voyage that began on October 6. Other vessels owned by Carnival, as well as Royal Caribbean, are facing similar hurdles. The cruise line has canceled the Paradise’s October 10 sailing in wake of the port’s closure.
Royal Caribbean’s fleet in Tampa is also affected, with three ships including Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas unable to guarantee timely arrivals. Enchantment is on a seven-day voyage set to return on October 12, while Grandeur and Serenade both conclude five-day cruises around the same date. The situation is complicated further as guest disembarkation is put on hold pending port clearance.
Meanwhile, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander altered its itinerary, departing a day early on October 7 to navigate around the impending port shutdown. This vessel is now set to dock back in Tampa on October 13. The cancellation of cruise departures has extended to Port Canaveral space, where fantasies and plans are being reshaped.
Port Canaveral also announced closures, leading Disney Cruise Line to cancel the departure of the Disney Wish that was scheduled for October 11. For the ongoing seven-day Disney Fantasy voyage, the return to port on October 12 is under stringent monitoring, as operators wait for updates on the storm’s trajectory.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean both anticipate delays for other ships, including the Carnival Glory, which is hoping to reach Port Canaveral on October 12, just one day later than initially planned. Additionally, the Adventure of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are facing postponed returns, with now rescheduled arrivals also slated for October 12. The adjusted plans entail skipping previously included destination stops to ensure the safety and efficiency of the voyage.
MSC Cruises joined the reshuffle by canceling the MSC Seashore’s three-night sailing from Port Canaveral on October 10. Guests of the Seashore’s current voyage are expected to disembark as soon as the U.S. Coast Guard grants clearance for the port’s reopening.
As the storm continues to loom, Miami’s port is still operational; however, Carnival has noted that limited marine activities will affect incoming cruise schedules. The Carnival Sunrise is now reallocated to return to Miami on October 11 instead of its initially planned docking on October 10. Similarly, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas now faces delays, having its landing postponed to October 11, with an amended itinerary ditching Labadee in favor of an extra sea day.
Port Everglades, too, will receive the Sun Princess well after its expected arrival date, with plans now set for October 11. The Carnival Elation finds itself delayed in Jacksonville, once again indicating that customers will likely see altered itineraries for these popular cruising options.
Hurricane Milton has significantly disrupted cruise operations throughout Florida, forcing shipping companies to make difficult revisions to their plans and many passengers to adjust their expectations. As nautical authorities continue to assess the damage and determine a safe reopening timeline, the ripple effects of the storm will be felt for some time downstream, serving as a reminder of the challenges posed by nature to the tourism and maritime industries. As the dust settles, remaining vigilant for updates and advisories remains crucial for all involved.