Future Tropical Storm Helene

[wolft927]

Well looks like another storm is brewing and will impact the Western Caribbean by late Tuesday the 24th. Looks like there are 9 ships calling on Cozumel the 24th and 25th so expecting canceled calls to the port. Also, looks possible for Landfall on Thursday with modals predicting anywhere from coastal Louisiana to West coast of Florida. 

 

Carnival Valor is schedule to arrive and depart Thursday in New Orleans so depending where it makes landfall this could be heavily impacted for both returning and departing cruise passengers.  

 

Carnival Paradise is also scheduled to arrive and depart from Tampa so again, watching to see which direction the storm turns. It appears the East coast of Florida is safe for now. 

 

 

[0penWater]

Hey Wolft927, 

 

We are flying on Saturday 9/28 from BWI>BHM>MCO then Brightline train to FLL. 

 

Should we anticipate any delays on Saturday if TS Helene makes landfall on Thursday, 9/26?

 

The storm's forecast path has a turn around Atlanta on most maps, so we are working for our connection in Birmingham where we will be picking up our traveling partner around noon. 

[gsmith2424]

20 minutes ago, 0penWater said:

Hey Wolft927, 

 

We are flying on Saturday 9/28 from BWI>BHM>MCO then Brightline train to FLL. 

 

Should we anticipate any delays on Saturday if TS Helene makes landfall on Thursday, 9/26?

 

The storm's forecast path has a turn around Atlanta on most maps, so we are working for our connection in Birmingham where we will be picking up our traveling partner around noon. 

I would say it could be likely. I'm assuming that is Southwest based on the routing. The thing with Southwest has been is they haven't had a good record if things start to get canceled in bulk so I would keep a close eye on it and possibly have alternate travel plans ready if cancelations start to pile up with Southwest.

[wolft927]

17 hours ago, 0penWater said:

Hey Wolft927, 

 

We are flying on Saturday 9/28 from BWI>BHM>MCO then Brightline train to FLL. 

 

Should we anticipate any delays on Saturday if TS Helene makes landfall on Thursday, 9/26?

 

The storm's forecast path has a turn around Atlanta on most maps, so we are working for our connection in Birmingham where we will be picking up our traveling partner around noon. 

I would anticipate delays from Birmingham, The storm is set to make landfall early Friday morning in the northwest corner of Florida then come up through Georgia and the east side of Alabama. Problem will be the planes leaving from effected airports elsewhere. hopefully by Saturday flights will be back to normal but always safe to make alternative plans.  Driving from Birmingham is not horrible, about 8 hours to Orlando. Are you cruising on the 28th or the 29th?

[Cabo Girl 13]

My daughter works about the DCL Fantasy which was in Cozumel yesterday. They were supposed to be in Grand Cayman this morning but looks like they are camping out to the southwest. I haven't heard an update on how last night was but they had already cancelled Cayman and told crew to secure things. 

[llcooltj9]

I am leaving port Thursday after noon from Tampa on Paradise Carnival, has anyone heard anything about cancellations or delays? 

[0penWater]

1 hour ago, wolft927 said:

I would anticipate delays from Birmingham, The storm is set to make landfall early Friday morning in the northwest corner of Florida then come up through Georgia and the east side of Alabama. Problem will be the planes leaving from effected airports elsewhere. hopefully by Saturday flights will be back to normal but always safe to make alternative plans.  Driving from Birmingham is not horrible, about 8 hours to Orlando. Are you cruising on the 28th or the 29th?

 

We sail out of FLL on Sunday 9/29 on Freedom. (The ship leaves at 4:00 pm ET)

 

We have been looking into trip insurance to cover flight interruptions or delays.

(If you have any suggestions on trip insurance or suggestions on coverage clauses to ensure are included)

 

We are mostly worried about wind conditions as most airports shut down around 45mph. 

 

Driving to Fort Lauderdale is an option, but hopefully a last resort. We are looking into other airports (Mobile & Pensacola) that might take us to FLL. 

 

[travelbug1054ab]

1 hour ago, llcooltj9 said:

I am leaving port Thursday after noon from Tampa on Paradise Carnival, has anyone heard anything about cancellations or delays? 

I haven't heard anything about the cruise schedules. but they are expecting the storm to be the worse on Thursday (I'm in Tampa)  And I'm guessing there will be no ships sailing the Tampa port on Thursday.  I'm thinking the Sunshine skyway bridge will be closed.  only guessing. 

[travelbug1054ab]

6 minutes ago, travelbug1054ab said:

I haven't heard anything about the cruise schedules. but they are expecting the storm to be the worse on Thursday (I'm in Tampa)  And I'm guessing there will be no ships sailing the Tampa port on Thursday.  I'm thinking the Sunshine skyway bridge will be closed.  only guessing. 

just found this for those cruising soon out of Tampa. https://www.porttb.com/2024/9/tropical-weather-update-tropical-cyclone-9

 

[wolft927]

Problem will be ports possibly closing for traffic. Tamp looks like it will most likely close on Thursday so Paradise may get stuck out longer then planned. 

[tpokels]

Officially TS Helene now.   Our daughter is on Carnival Paradise and they stopped in Costa Maya today instead of Cozumel.   Havent heard what Carnival's plan is for tonight.

[llcooltj9]

[All4Him!]

7 hours ago, Cabo Girl 13 said:

My daughter works about the DCL Fantasy which was in Cozumel yesterday. They were supposed to be in Grand Cayman this morning but looks like they are camping out to the southwest. I haven't heard an update on how last night was but they had already cancelled Cayman and told crew to secure things. 

Thank you so much Cabo Girl 13!  Our son and daughter-in-law are aboard this sailing on Fantasy and I don't believe they have the WiFi package and have rather gone off line for the cruise.  Can you tell me any updates from your daughter on the conditions of the sea and if the ship and the guests are doing ok?  Rough sea, not very rough?  I appreciate any updates.  I can see the location of Fantasy on Cruisemapper and saw they would be missing GC.  Thank you again!

[toad455]

Any new updates today?

[llcooltj9]

looking for the same information. I sail out of Tampa Thursday (26-Sept). I am guessing we will end up being pushed back a day?

[travelbug1054ab]

1 hour ago, toad455 said:

Any new updates today?

Posted this morning at Port of Tampa

https://www.porttb.com/2024/9/tropical-weather-update-tropical-cyclone-9

 

[travelbug1054ab]

49 minutes ago, llcooltj9 said:

looking for the same information. I sail out of Tampa Thursday (26-Sept). I am guessing we will end up being pushed back a day?

Posted this morning at Port of Tampa

https://www.porttb.com/2024/9/tropical-weather-update-tropical-cyclone-9

 

[llcooltj9]

19 minutes ago, travelbug1054ab said:

Posted this morning at Port of Tampa

https://www.porttb.com/2024/9/tropical-weather-update-tropical-cyclone-9

 

I saw that, but I did not understand the meaning of YANKEE, so found this link

 https://homeport.uscg.mil/Lists/Content/Attachments/2539/PCIB 06-14 Port Condition IV.pdf

 

We are at YANKEE. sounds like that means they will not let paradise dock during this period. If I understand this right. 

 

I am assuming they will announce "ZULU" late today? 

 

Carnival seems to give very limited information, so just trying to search for everything I could find. 

Edited Wednesday at 03:04 PM by llcooltj9

[YeaRick]

So far, Royal Caribbean has not made any decision about returning and sailing out of Tampa on this coming Friday, September 27th.    We fly out tomorrow via Houston, which I feel we will stay until the Tampa airport reopens, hopefully on Friday.    My gut tells me that the Serenade will not come in to Tampa on Friday, but will wait till Saturday.    My gut may be wrong, but as of now that is my thinking.

[toad455]

There's no way the Port of Tampa will be open tomorrow.

[ATLfuzzy]

For anyone it her path, please be safe! 

[toad455]

Reminder when Cruise Critic was good about providing updates about hurricanes? Guess not anymore.

[toad455]

JACKSONVILLE – The port is currently closed.    

 

Carnival Elation 09/21/2024 – The ship is currently sailing a safe distance from the storm, en route to Jacksonville. Given the storm’s current location and track, it will not be able to return to Jacksonville today, Thursday, September 26. Once the storm passes and the port reopens, officials will be able to fully conduct a post-storm assessment before giving clearance to return. We are very tentatively anticipating sometime Friday, September 27, possibly Saturday, September 28.  

Carnival Elation 09/26/2024 – This voyage will not be departing Thursday, September 26. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL1 to CRUISE (278473).

TAMPA – The port is currently closed.    

 

Carnival Paradise 09/21/2024 – The ship is currently sailing a safe distance from the storm, en route to Tampa. Given the storm’s current location and track, it will not be able to return to Tampa today, Thursday, September 26. Once the storm passes and the port reopens, officials will be able to fully conduct a post-storm assessment before giving clearance to return. We are very tentatively anticipating sometime Friday, September 27, possibly Saturday, September 28.  

Carnival Paradise 09/26/2024 – This voyage will not be departing Thursday, September 26. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL2 to CRUISE (278473).

PORT CANAVERAL – The port is currently closed.    

 

Carnival Glory 09/23/2024 – The ship is currently sailing a safe distance from the storm, en route to Port Canaveral. Given the storm’s current location and track, it will not be able to return to Port Canaveral as scheduled tomorrow morning, Friday, September 27. Once the storm passes and the port reopens, officials will be able to fully conduct a post-storm assessment before giving clearance to return. We are very tentatively anticipating sometime Friday, September 27.  

Carnival Glory 09/27/2024 – This voyage is expected to depart tomorrow Friday, September 27, with revised operational plans. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. To stay up to date, please sign up for text alerts by texting CCL3 to CRUISE (278473).

 

NEW ORLEANS – The port is currently open.

 

Carnival Valor 09/21/2024 – Returned to New Orleans this morning, as scheduled. 

Carnival Valor 09/26/2024 – This voyage will depart on its planned 4-day cruise today.

GALVESTON – The port is currently open.

 

Carnival Breeze 09/23/2024 – The ship is sailing a 5-day voyage and is visiting Progeso today, Thursday, September 26. It is set to return to Galveston, Saturday, September 28.  

MIAMI – The port is currently open but, due to periodic strong winds and safety, local pilots will not be able to operate until early tomorrow morning, Friday, September 27.

 

Carnival Horizon 09/22/2024 – The ship is sailing on a 6-day voyage and is visiting Amber Cove today, Thursday, September 26. It is set to return to Miami, Saturday, September 28.   

Carnival Sunrise 09/26/2024 – The ship is now embarking in Port Miami but will remain docked until weather condition improve early Friday morning, September 27. This revised departure will not affect the ship’s arrival in Half Moon Cay, Saturday, September 28.    

 

We will post another update by 9:00 AM (ET), Friday, September 27, 2024.

[toad455]

Weather Update - Hurricane Helene

Last Updated September 25, 2024 - 7:30PM EDT

 

Serenade of the Seas: September 27, 2024, sailing from Tampa

 

Due to Hurricane Helene and the planned closure of Port Tampa, our previous sailing will be delayed in returning. As a result, our sailing will now depart on Sunday, September 29 at 4:00pm. We kindly ask that you arrive during the arrival window you originally selected for an on-time departure.

 

We’re sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather. To ensure we provide you with an exceptional port program on our shorter sailing, we've updated our itinerary. Please see below:

 

 

 

 

 

This situation remains very fluid, and we’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you onboard Serenade of the Seas this Sunday.

 

 

[toad455]

Margaritaville's Islander is currently at sea and scheduled to return on Sunday, September 29.