Cruise lines alter routes because of Hurricane Helene

At least four cruise lines have been affected by Hurricane Helene.

Several cruise ships were unable to return to port as scheduled, had to cancel excursions or in some cases remain at sea because of the worsening storm conditions closing ports.

Several of the delays were down to the US Coast Guard ordering Port Canaveral to temporarily close from midnight on September 26 because of anticipated high winds.

Port Canaveral was subsequently reopened by the US Coast Guard following an inspection on the morning of September 27 as the hurricane made land and moved to Georgia.

MSC confirmed two of its ships’ itineraries had been impacted by the category four storm

MSC Seashore was due to arrive a day later than originally scheduled on September 27 because of the closure of Port Canaveral.

Earlier in the week MSC Seascape’s Caribbean itinerary was also altered to “ensure the safety of our guests and crew”.

Royal Caribbean has had to delay Adventure of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas sailings from Port Canaveral.

It has also pushed back Serenade of the Seas sailing from its homeport in Port Tampa from September 27 to September 29 because of the port being closed.

In an advisory on its website, the line asked passengers for the cruise to arrive during their original window they selected for an on-time departure.

It added: “This situation remains very fluid, and we’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.”

Carnival Cruise Line had to adjust the itineraries for eight of its ships in the region because of the path of the hurricane.

Carnival Paradise could not return to its homeport of Tampa on September 26 and was waiting for clearance to proceed into port sometime on September 27 following a post-storm assessment.

Carnival Elation’s return to its homeport Jacksonville will also be delayed until the port reopens, which was “tentatively anticipated” to be some time on September 27 also following an inspection.

Carnival Glory’s arrival to Port Canaveral was similarly delayed, while Carnival Sunrise arrived on schedule to Port Miami on September 26, but will remain docked “until weather conditions improve”, which was expected to be early on September 27.

Carnival Freedom, Carnival Valor, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Breeze all had to cancel visit to Bimini, Grand Cayman or Cozumel, which were replaced with alternatives on three of the ships.

Carnival’s travel update on its website confirmed its fleet operations centre in Miami “is actively monitoring the situation”.

The update advised guests with upcoming cruises in the area of the storm’s projected path to monitor emails and opt in to text alerts.

Disney Wish also had to “make necessary operational adjustments” and delay its arrival into Port Canaveral according to a travel update on Disney Cruise Line’s website.

In the same update, it asked guests sailing on the ship on September 27 to postpone their arrival at the terminal by five hours after their scheduled port arrival time, but no later than 7pm.

The firm added guests will not be able to access the cruise terminal or parking facility in Port Canaveral until four hours after their selected port arrival time.

Galveston, New Orleans, PortMiami and Port Everglades are still open and not expected to be closed.