Category: Carnival

Hurricane Milton Closures

Storm Closures

As of Monday, October 7, 2024, Hurricane Milton has been upgraded to a Category 5 and is projected to make a direct hit across Tampa, Orlando, and most of Florida later this week.

Evacuation orders have already been given to several areas near Tampa. Orlando and Tampa airports have announced closures. Some attractions have announced closures and changes to cancellation policies. Of course, more changes will likely be made as it gets closer. Check with your specific transportation, lodging, cruise, and attraction source.

For the latest information on the following locations, please visit these sites:

If you have a trip to Florida planned through the upcoming weekend, it will most likely be affected. Please modify your travel plans or check for changes if you still have to travel. Work with your travel sources or your travel agent.

Of course, it is more important for everyone to stay safe. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for everyone in the path of the storm. Be careful!

Hurricane Helene Closures

Storm Closures

Due to the impending landfall of Hurricane Helene in Florida on Thursday, September 26, 2024, some attractions have announced several closures already. Of course, more changes may be made as it gets closer.

Update Thursday September 26, 2024

Tampa International Airport suspended all commercial and cargo operations beginning at 2 a.m. Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene, with the Airport remaining closed to the public until it can assess any damage after the storm. 

Walt Disney World has announced the following changes for Sept 26th:

  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is cancelled. Guest tickets will be refunded.
  • The Magic Kingdom Park will close at 8pm. The other parks will operate within their usual hours as of now.
  • Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be closed.
  • Miniature golf courses will be closed.

For the latest information, check the Disney Weather Updates page.

Disney has stated that they are “closely monitoring the path of the storm as we continue to prioritize the safety of our Guests and Cast Members.”

Universal Orlando has announced the following closures for Sept 26th:

  • Volcano Bay will be closed.
  • Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled.
  • Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure will close at their regularly scheduled times – with Universal Studios closing at 5 p.m. and Islands of Adventure closing at 8 p.m.
  • Universal CityWalk will close early at 8 p.m.
  • Our hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.

If you have a Halloween Horror Nights single night dated ticket or Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass for Thursday, Sept. 26 it will be automatically honored for a single night use through Sunday, Sept. 29.

For the latest information, check the Universal Orlando Weather Updates page.

The SeaWorld family of parks has announced the following changes for Sept 26th:

  • SeaWorld Orlando will close at 2pm.
  • Busch Gardens Tampa will be closed.
  • Adventure Island will be closed.
  • Aquatica Orlando will be closed.
    All date-intended tickets for closure days have been extended through September 30, 2024 and requires no action to be taken.
  • Discovery Cove will be closed.

For the latest information, check the SeaWorld Orlando Weather Updates page.

Orlando International Airport is currently operating as usual, but check your airlines’ flight status for flight changes from the airlines.

For the latest information, check the MCO site and your airline’s site.

If you have an upcoming cruise, check with your specific cruise line’s site for any changes to your cruise.

Port Canaveral has made the following statement:

Because of the effects of Hurricane Helene, we are anticipating cruise vessels scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 27 will be delayed. These delays will likely impact guest embarkation times for outbound sailings. All cruise guests planning to sail from Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 27 or Saturday, Sept. 28 are advised to contact their cruise lines to confirm their embarkation and ship’s departure time.

If you have a trip planned through the upcoming weekend, some components of your trip may be affected. Please check for changes before traveling and work with the vendors or your travel agent. Of course, it is more important for everyone to stay safe. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for everyone in the path of the storm. Be careful!

Cruises impacted by Hurricane Ian

Disney cruises impacted by Hurricane Ian

Disney Cruise Lines has confirmed that the Disney Wish sailing currently out at sea will be delayed returning to Port Canaveral. Instead of returning this Friday as scheduled, it will now likely return on Saturday or Sunday, depending on when Port Canaveral reopens.

Unfortunately, that means the Wish sailing scheduled to start sailing on Friday will now be cancelled. If you were booked on that sailing, you should’ve gotten an email from DCL today with details on refunds and credits.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has also cancelled it’s Thursday sailing on the Norwegian Getaway.

Carnival Cruise Line cancelled its sailings out of Tampa and Jacksonville scheduled for Thursday on the Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation.

The sailings of those ships that are out at sea now are going to be extended until their ports reopen as well.

Royal Caribbean, MSC, and Celebrity Cruises have announced route and port changes to several of their ships currently out at sea. I imagine most cruise lines with sailings thru the Caribbean will have route and port changes as well.

Chances are, if you have a sailing into or out of ports in Tampa, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville this week, you will be impacted. Check with your cruise line for the latest changes.

Mask mandates lifted on many cruise lines

Mask

As a follow-up to my post the other day about Disney Cruise Line lifting their mass mandate, it looks like most other cruise lines have also lifted their mask mandates.

Of course, this could also change anytime so make sure to check the policy for your particular cruise line at the time when you’re cruising.

I found this article from Cruise Critic that has a good summary of the requirements for most of the cruise lines out there. Credit goes to them.

More cruises cancelled

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), of which Disney and most other cruise lines are a member of, has decided to suspend cruises sailing from U.S. ports until October 31, 2020. If you have a cruise currently booked through early November, check with that cruise line to see how they’re handling cancellations. If you would like help with your cruise plans, please feel free to contact me.

Cruise Updates

Sadly, cruise sailings out of all U.S. ports have been suspended until September 15th for now. If you had a trip booked, check how your cruise line is handling the current situation. If you want any help with your cruise trips, feel free to contact me.