Cruise ports along the Florida coast are facing another blow as an incoming massive storm threatens cruise itineraries.
*Update: The U.S. Coast Guard issued a warning to the Port of Tampa Bay at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The Ports of Miami, Everglades and Palm Beach also issued warnings at midnight, and the Port of Jacksonville issued a warning at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
when milton became Category 5 hurricaneIt is expected to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday.
port canaveral yes Expected to close this week As the storm gets closer. This will stop all cruise ship traffic in and out of the port.
Florida cruise ports are currently undergoing “condition X-ray” inspections marked by the U.S. Coast Guard. This designation means high winds are expected over the next 48 hours.
This also means that merchant ships with a gross tonnage of more than 500 must be ready to leave port.
While Port Canaveral remains open for now, port officials expect waterside operations to be limited and told operators to “have necessary plans in place to protect vessels, crews and/or facilities.”
Port Canaveral is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. Just this morning, there were five cruise ships in port: Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Glory, Disney Wish, and My Schiff.
Tomorrow, two cruise ships are scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral as a port of call. MSC Legend and Symphony of the Seas are both on the itinerary, but Symphony of the Seas has changed its schedule and will skip port and instead enjoy a day at sea.
Even after a hurricane passes, the U.S. Coast Guard, in addition to port officials, will be required to inspect ports. Only after the wreckage has been cleared and is deemed safe can the ship enter or exit the port again.
2023 was Port Canaveral's busiest year ever, with 6.8 million passengers boarding ships at the port.
Cruise ship passengers who may be affected by Hurricane Milton should contact their respective cruise lines. As the storm approaches, Cruise Rush will keep readers updated.
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