With a number of ships crusing within the impacted space, Royal Caribbean has launched a number of waves of adjustments to accommodate port closures and keep away from the trail of the storm.
However despite the fact that Hurricane Milton has now handed by Florida, the native cruise trade remains to be reeling. Key ports like Port Canaveral and Port Tampa Bay stay closed to maritime site visitors, which is delaying scheduled returns, and in flip, upcoming sailings.
Royal Caribbean has now launched the latest batch of adjustments for the cruise line as of October 10, 2024, at 7 p.m. EST.
Sailings From Port Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay was hit significantly arduous by Hurricane Milton, with wind gusts of 100 mph recorded close to the town of Tampa.
Per the latest replace from the cruise port on October 10 at 11 a.m. native time, injury assessments and repairs are underway in partnership with the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard.
“Whereas the preliminary assessments of the port’s landside and seaside operations are underway, our port is at present with out energy. Some injury was noticed to buildings however there was no vital injury to docks, to this point,” Port Tampa Bay shared on its official web site.
However till the port is up and working, three Royal Caribbean ships will be unable to return from their present sailings, which is delaying their subsequent cruises.
Grandeur of the Seas was purported to return to the port on October 12, however now isn’t anticipated to have the ability to return till October 13, shortening its upcoming 5-night Western Caribbean cruise to 4 nights.
Because of the change, the deliberate name on Costa Maya, Mexico, on October 14, has been faraway from the itinerary.
Equally, Serenade of the Seas was anticipated to embark on her subsequent crusing on October 11, 2024, however has been delayed till October 13, 2024.
Excluding Georgetown, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico, the shortened 9-night Western Caribbean cruise will sail with a distinct itinerary.
The deliberate calls on Colon, Panama, and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, have been changed with Costa Maya, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras.
Learn Additionally: Checklist of All Cruise Ships Impacted by Hurricane Milton
Lastly, Enchantment of the Seas’ subsequent departure has been pushed again from October 12 to Monday, October 14, 2024.
Due to the delay, Roatan, Honduras, and Belize Metropolis, Belize, have been faraway from the itinerary.
As an alternative, the Imaginative and prescient-class vessel will solely name on Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, when all 4 locations have been included on the unique 7-night itinerary.
Boarding Updates at Port Canaveral
As with Port Tampa Bay, Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida) additionally stays closed – however could have fared a bit higher within the storm.
Per Port Canaveral’s newest replace, an preliminary evaluation of the port has been accomplished, however channel surveys should be carried out earlier than the port can re-open to maritime site visitors, which is able to take time.
Due to the closure, Royal Caribbean already introduced that the following sailings supplied by Utopia of the Seas and Journey of the Seas – whose homeport is in Port Canaveral – can be delayed by in the future.
However now, the cruise line can be advising on boarding updates. Each ships have moved up their departure time from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m. on October 12 – which suggests all friends should be onboard no later than 3 p.m. EST.
The arrival appointments friends signed up for throughout their on-line check-in have been moved up by round 4 hours to accommodate the brand new schedule. For instance, those that chosen the three:00 p.m. time slot at the moment are purported to arrive at 10:30 a.m. or 11 a.m.
Impacted friends are inspired to verify their new arrival appointments previous to heading to the cruise port by looking for communication from Royal Caribbean and checking their app.
