While Florida looks to pick up the pieces after a large part of the state dealt with the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Milton, multiple Carnival Cruise Line are still affected by the storm.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald has been doing his best to keep passengers and the people worried about them up to date with what's happening. That's a challenge because the cruise line does not make all the decisions that affect its passengers and the people looking to board the next cruise on those ships.
The Coast Guard, for example, decides when the cruise ports reopen, and those decisions will play a big part in when Carnival can bring its ships home in order to send them out again.
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Carnival shares some key info
"Thank you for your patience. Here is the first of the latest hurricane updates from our Chief Communications Officer Chris and his team." Heald wrote.
CARNIVAL PARADISE
Heald shared a letter that was sent to passengers in Carnival Paradise.
October 10, 2024
Dear Carnival Paradise Guest,
We hope those of you in areas impacted by Milton are safe.
Our Fleet Operations Center is actively monitoring Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on the west coast of Florida last night, before moving across the state. The storm has been downgraded to a Tropical Cyclone and is now making its way into the Atlantic.
The Tampa area is still experiencing storm conditions and once it is safe to do so, officials must complete a post-storm assessment before giving us clearance to return to port.
Related to your cruise, provided the Port of Tampa is still closed, we plan to embark in Port Canaveral instead. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide you with timely updates as more information becomes available. Updates will also be added to Carnival.com.
In the meantime, to stay up to date on our operational plans, please sign up for our text alert service by visiting Cruise Manager on Carnival.com, or by texting CCL7 to CRUISE (278473).
Thanks for your understanding. We look forward to welcoming you aboard for a fun and memorable cruise.
"So let's see what will happen with Tampa and if the ship is not able to dock there we will see you in Port Canaveral. Either way, the FUN will be waiting for you," Heald added.
CARNIVAL ELATION
Carnival Elation 10/10/2024: "We are now planning to operate this voyage as a 2-day cruise, departing Saturday, Oct. 12.
"Given the shortened duration, there will be no port visit. An email will be sent today, Oct. 10, with operational details and your options.
"I know this will be a disappointment but I am sure everyone understands. When you receive your details I hope you will see what we are offering will bring you two days of brilliant FUN," Heald posted.
CARNIVAL SUNRISE
Carnival Sunrise 10/10/2024: We are now planning to operate this voyage as a 3-day cruise, departing tomorrow, Friday, October 11. Ports visited will remain as originally scheduled. An email will be sent today, October 10, with operational details and your options.
Emails to follow from Chris and the team.
"Thank you so much for all of your patience with all of this extensive replanning. I hope you will look forward to having a wonderful time and the crew will be ready to make sure that you do," wrote Heald.
