Sailing out of Tampa offers some strong positives: The city has a highly-rated airport and it's not nearly as packed with traffic as Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
There are, however, some negatives since the size of the ships sailing from the port is limited by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. In addition, ships can get stuck at sea or in port when weather conditions make passing under the bridge dangerous or impossible.
Related: Carnival and Royal Caribbean share Hurricane Milton updates
Over the past few months Margaritaville at Sea's Islander has had major changes across multiple sailings. Islander has gotten stuck at sea multiple times, which has forced late departures for the next sailing.
The developing Hurricane Milton is also expected to slam into Tampa, and MAS has proactively made a major change that's going to be challenging for some customers.
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Image source: Matthew Frankel/Come Cruise With Me
MAS Islander is leaving a day early
Margaritaville at Sea shared some challenging information with passengers sailing on the Oct. 8 Islander sailing.
Islander will now depart one day sooner, on Monday, October 7.
Guests who would like sail on Monday, October 7 may do so with no additional taxes, fees, port expenses or gratuities added as a result of this extension.
Please be advised that due to navigation changes, the schedule for the sailing now departing October 7, 2024 is likely to be adjusted from the original Key West and Cozumel schedule. More information regarding the adjusted itinerary will be made as plans are confirmed.
We are currently expected to depart according to normal operations schedule on Monday, October 7, 2024. Guests should plan to arrive according to previously assigned arrival time.
If guests have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Team at 877.691.2587 to make alternative arrangements.
The cruise line also shared that information on its website. MAS has not said what will happen to passengers who cannot get to the port to leave a day early. They are likely to be offered a cruise credit to sail at a later date.
MAS has said the change was needed because of a move made by the port.
"Captain Athanasios and our marine team have been actively monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Milton in the Gulf of Mexico and the potential impacts on upcoming sailings of the Margaritaville at Sea Islander," it said. "Due to the storm’s currently projected path, Port Tampa Bay has issued a preliminary closure of all port operations on Monday, October 7, 2024."
Basically, the ship needs to leave before the closure or it might not be able to leave at all.
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Passengers on the previous sailing had their cruise shortened by one day. The cruise line communicated what that will mean financially directly to those passengers.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which sails out of West Palm Beach, has not been affected yet, although the cruise line said to expect further news on Sunday (Oct. 6) morning. It has yet to share an update.
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