How Carnival and Royal Caribbean prepare for Hurricane Milton
TAMPA (BLOOM) – As Florida braces for the potential impact of Hurricane Milton, both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have taken precautionary steps to ensure passenger safety. With the storm expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane, Tampa's West Coast is in the projected path, prompting cruise lines to adjust their itineraries and provide updates to their passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line, through its Brand Ambassador John Heald, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the storm's exact path but emphasized that passenger safety remains the top priority. The company has begun issuing precautionary updates to guests aboard certain ships, including the Carnival Paradise, which is currently monitoring the storm's progress. In an onboard announcement, Captain Persico assured passengers that Carnival's Fleet Operations Center in Miami is closely watching Milton's development in the Gulf of Mexico and will make adjustments if necessary.
Heald also expressed his sympathy for those still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which recently left many without power. With two hurricanes striking back-to-back, the concern in Tampa and along Florida's West Coast is growing as preparations for Milton intensify.
Royal Caribbean, which employs a full-time chief meteorologist, Craig Setzer, has been providing frequent updates on Milton's trajectory via social media. Setzer reported that the current forecast suggests Milton will make landfall along Florida's West Coast as a Category 3 storm, potentially affecting Tampa's ports. He emphasized that the storm's turn to the northeast on Tuesday could have significant implications for where it ultimately hits. While South Florida is not expected to be in the direct path, outside bands could still cause disruptions depending on the storm's shift.
Setzer stressed the importance of beginning preparations now, with Tampa remaining at the center of the potential impact zone. "Whether Milton makes landfall north or south of Tampa will depend on the timing of the storm's northeast turn," Setzer explained, urging the region to brace for a potentially significant hurricane event.
Cruise lines are continuing to monitor the situation, with both Carnival and Royal Caribbean remaining in close contact with meteorologists and operational teams to provide timely updates. Passengers are encouraged to stay informed through official channels as further changes may be announced in the coming days.
With the hurricane season in full swing, Tampa's cruise industry is on high alert, ensuring that both passengers and crew are safe while maintaining a level of flexibility to adapt to the changing weather conditions.
