Hurricane Milton Effects Tourism, Impacting Flights, Cruises, And Theme Parks

The Gulf of Mexico is currently experiencing the wrath of a Category 5 hurricane- Hurricane Milton. It is expected that soon this will land on the west coast of Florida by Wednesday. Understanding the situation, the National Hurricane Center has issued surge watches for several regions that might be affected. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also declared a state of emergency across 51 counties, including major theme parks.  

Updates on Airports and Airlines 

Currently, major airports are operating but closely monitoring the situation. Tampa International Airport might halt operations starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, while St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will close after the last flight on Tuesday night and will remain shut down at least until Thursday. Similarly, Orlando International Airport has also announced to reduce operations on Wednesday morning. However, Tampa and Orlando airports will reopen if conditions are safe.

The airlines have adjusted their itineraries. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines have announced to allow travelers to change their tickets without incurring extra fees, even for basic economy fares, for flights to or from certain Florida airports starting Monday. 

Note: It is advised to check the airline’s website for specific travel advisory details. Do not travel if it is not essential, and if the flights are canceled during that time for any reason, passengers will get a refund as per Department of Transportation regulations. 

Updates On Theme Parks And Attractions

Theme parks and other attractions in Florida are under the impact of the hurricane. While most of the places are operating fully now, they might halt the operations or stop taking any reservations for the time being. Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort are closely monitoring the storm and are keeping the guests updated with advisories and other needed information on their respective official websites. Here are the updates on other theme parks and attractions:

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The tickets for these days can be used anytime through the end of the year.
• Busch Garden Tampa Bay's sister water park, Adventure Island, is closed.
• SeaWorld Orlando is open and actively monitoring the hurricane. 
• Discovery Cove Orlando is closed for Wednesday and Thursday and has rescheduled all the tickets to another date for the season.
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. They will accept limited resort reservations for now.

Note: If the National Hurricane Center gives a hurricane warning for Orlando or any area where guests reside within seven days of their planned arrival, they can cancel or modify their vacation packages or hotel bookings made directly through the official travel company

without any fees. Unused tickets will retain their value, and guests can also amend the dates for future use. Please check regular updates shared on the respective official social media accounts of all the companies. 

Updates on Cruise Line

Many cruise lines are bracing for the impact of the storm, changing their itineraries. Royal Caribbean International has adjusted itineraries for six of its ships. Ships such as Grandeur of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Harmony of the Sea, Wonder of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas have made major changes in their routes, adding new places to the itinerary.
 

• Grandeur of the Seas
  New Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean- Nassau
  Old Itinerary: Western Caribbean- Costa Maya and Cozumel

• Utopia of the Seas
  New Itinerary: Perfect Day at CocoCay on Tuesday and Nassau on Monday
  Old Itinerary: Both destinations on Monday.

• Harmony of the Seas
  New Itinerary: Costa Maya on Wednesday
  Old Itinerary: Roatan, Honduras

• Symphony of the Seas
  New Itinerary: Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Labadee, Haiti
  Old Itinerary: Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau

• Wonder of the Seas
  New Itinerary: Falmouth, Jamaica on Wednesday, and a Cozumel on Friday
  Old Itinerary: Roatan on Thursday and Costa Maya on Friday

• Independence of the Seas
  New Itinerary: Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday
  Old Itinerary: Cozumel

Other Cruise Line itinerary details are as follows:

• Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Reflection
  New Itinerary: Nassau on Tuesday 
  Old Itinerary: Key West on Tuesday 
• Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic 
  New Itinerary: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on Tuesday. 
  Old Itinerary: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on Wednesday

• The Margaritaville at Sea Islander
  New Itinerary: Depart on Monday from Tampa 
  Old Itinerary: Depart on Tuesday from Tampa

• MSC Cruises’ MSC Magnifica’s Monday

New Itinerary: Puerto Plata on Wednesday

Old Itinerary: stops at the line’s Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas on Tuesday and Nassau on Thursday

• Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady 

New Itinerary: Wednesday stops at Cozumel, Thursday sea day

Old Itinerary: Wednesday sea day, Bimini in the Bahamas on Thursday