Just two weeks after parts of the US were ravaged by Hurricane Helene, another storm is heading to America’s southeast – and threatening the travel plans of thousands of holidaymakers.
Dubbed Hurricane Milton, the category five storm is likely to have a major impact on travel in the region, particularly in Florida, where flights and cruises are already being affected.
Milton, which the New York Times reports is the strongest Gulf storm since 2005, is currently over the Gulf of Mexico but is expected to make landfall on Florida’s West Coast on Wednesday (local time).
As it approaches the US, Florida has declared a state of emergency for large parts of the state.
Impact on travel
In anticipation of Hurricane Milton, many airports in Florida will close. According to the Miami Herald, impacted airports include:
- Tampa Airport: Closes Tuesday at 9am for an undetermined time. Main terminals won’t be open to the public and no emergency services will be available. Travellers should check with their carriers for flight updates.
- Orlando Airport: Halting commercial and private flights starting Wednesday morning. Its reopening time is unspecified.
- Sarasota-Bradenton Airport: Closes Tuesday at 4pm.
- St. Pete-Clearwater Airport: Closes after the last Tuesday flight through Thursday.
- Miami Airport: Open with minimal impact as of Monday but expects potential disruptions later.
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport: Open, but travellers should check with airlines for updates through Wednesday.
Meanwhile, airlines are preparing for Milton’s impact, with carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Southwest issuing waivers that allow travellers to change tickets for Florida airports at no extra charge, including basic economy fares.
Customers should visit their airline’s website for specific travel advisory details.
In a statement issued Monday evening (local time), American confirmed it would operate extra flights with more than 2,000 seats late Monday evening and early Tuesday morning from TPA (Tampa) and SRQ (Sarasota).
“American also issued a travel alert for 12 airports in Florida, allowing customers whose travel plans are impacted by Hurricane Milton to rebook without change fees,” it stated.
“If an American flight has been cancelled or excessively delayed, customers may cancel their itinerary and request a refund by visiting our website.
Customers who booked through a travel agent should contact their travel agency directly.
“American will continue tracking Hurricane Milton with customers’ and team members’ safety top of mind.”
A category 5 hurricane, Milton is also significantly affecting cruise itineraries.
According to USA Today, current impacted cruises include:
Royal Caribbean International:
- Grandeur of the Seas: Departing from Tampa on Monday, now visiting Nassau instead of Costa Maya and Cozumel.
- Utopia of the Seas: Leaving Port Canaveral on Monday, adjusting its itinerary to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay on Tuesday and Nassau on Thursday.
- Harmony of the Seas: Left Galveston on Sunday, replacing a stop in Roatan with Costa Maya on Wednesday.
- Symphony of the Seas: Sailing from Bayonne, NJ, replacing stops with Puerto Plata and Labadee instead of Port Canaveral, CocoCay, and Nassau.
- Wonder of the Seas: Departed Port Canaveral, skipping Roatan and Costa Maya, adding a Falmouth stop on Wednesday and shifting Cozumel visit to Friday.
- Independence of the Seas: From Miami, will visit Puerto Plata instead of Cozumel.
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Reflection will visit Nassau instead of Key West on Tuesday.
Carnival Cruise Line:
- Carnival Pride: Moved Bermuda visit up by one day.
- Carnival Paradise: Replacing Cozumel with Costa Maya.
- Carnival Valor: Replacing Cozumel stop with a sea day.
Disney Cruise Line:
- Disney Magic adjusts visits to Lighthouse Point and Nassau.
- Margaritaville at Sea: Departing Monday from Tampa with adjustments pending.
MSC Cruises: MSC Magnifica modifies its stops, visiting Puerto Plata and skipping the Bahamas.
Virgin Voyages: Valiant Lady adds Cozumel stop, skips Bimini for a sea day.
Port Canaveral is open but may close later this week due to Hurricane Milton, halting cruise and cargo traffic, Florida Today reported. It’s currently under Coast Guard “Condition X-Ray.”
“Port Canaveral remains open, and conducting normal port operations, but anticipates limited waterside and vessel shoreside port operations will follow as conditions change,” an advisory states.
Meanwhile, theme parks also remain on alert after a state of emergency was declared for every county – including for those of every major theme park in Florida.
The biggest drawcards, Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort were operating normally on Monday, but are both closely monitoring Hurricane Milton.
In August, the American southeast was also hit by Tropical Storm Debby, which forced the cancellation of thousands of flights and impacted cruise holidays.
