Barreling eastward across the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Milton, now a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to strengthen over the next few days before making landfall mid-week along Florida's central west coast. Many hurricane models show Tampa Bay as the most likely landfall spot, but the storm could come ashore as far south as Naples or even a bit farther north of Tampa. On Sunday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who'd previously declared a state of emergency for 35 counties, expanded that to 51 counties.
On Sunday night, major Florida cruise homeports, including the Port of Tampa, JAXPORT (Jacksonville), Port Canaveral, Port Everglades and PortMiami, also said that the U.S. Coast Guard has set their port conditions at a "X-ray" level. That means that gale force winds (39 mph to 46 mph) could impact maritime operations within 48 hours. Ports remain open but cruise ships must report their intention to remain in port or depart. If they are departing, they must do so within 12 hours of gale-force winds.
Some cruise lines have already shifted schedules. Embarkation for Margaritaville at Sea's weeklong Islander cruise from Tampa on October 8 has been shifted to Monday, October 7, while Royal Caribbean International shifted schedules for four ships sailing from multiple ports.
Governor De Santis told The Associated Press that while it remains to be seen just where Milton will strike, it’s clear that Florida is going to be hit hard. “I don’t think there’s any scenario where we don’t have major impacts at this point,” he said. Making matters worse, a separate storm arrived Sunday in South Florida in advance of Milton's arrival. It's expected to cause some street flooding in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the Florida Keys, all under a flood watch.
More Cruise News
On a separate front, AmaWaterways pushed back the launch of its new river cruises on Colombia’s Magdalena River to March 15, 2025. The Magdalena is a totally new river cruise region. As the first major river line beginning service there, AmaWaterways has been collaborating closely with local communities and officials as they create what's needed for new infrastructure. The luxury river line is offering those guests impacted by the delay a choice of rebooking for a different destination or postponing their Magdalena trip to later in 2025.
Atlas Ocean Voyages announced that James Rodriguez, president and CEO, who has helmed the small-ship, luxury expedition line for two years, will step down from his role in late 2024 “to pursue other opportunities.” Atlas praised Rodriguez for leading the line through a high-growth period, expanding its global footprint, and “redefining luxury expedition cruising.” Under Rodriguez, the brand developed a robust selection of Epicurean and Cultural Expeditions for nonpolar itineraries. The company is now searching for a new president and and plans to name a successor by year's end.
Steve Smotrys, well-known to advisors as Seabourn’s former VP of global sales and trade relations, is the new managing director and senior vice president of commercial for HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) in the Americas. That followed on the heels of the expedition line's largest ever travel advisor familiarization cruise. In early September, HX welcomed more than 200 travel advisors on a short cruise from Vancouver, B.C., to Seattle, WA.
Last week, Sea Cloud Cruises also expanded its North American sales team with two new sales managers—Amy Kreston and Macen Stripling—to handle consortia, travel advisors and groups. They’ll report to Kevin Smith, vice president of sales.
Celebrity Cruises announced that it will host its first Grand Voyage in 2026-2027, a 110-night sailing aboard the newly refurbished Celebrity Solstice. Other itinerary highlights include the new Celebrity Xcel’s first European season, offering the line’s first overnight in Madeira, a Portuguese autonomous region. Plus, Celebrity Millennium will homeport out of the new Narita terminal near Tokyo’s city center.
Other Cruise Developments
Ensemble launched a new Hotel Cruise Amenity Program for its members. The new pilot program offers exclusive hotel benefits along with private port transfers for clients embarking on cruise vacations. First offered in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Seattle and Vancouver, it will expand to other cities in the near future. Ensemble members can offer their clients such luxury hotel amenities as room upgrades, breakfast, early check-in and late check-out, but also private transfers to their cruise port.
Recently, Travel Agent sailed on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady and found the dining concepts a top differentiator. That ship is also getting drydock enhancements to both dining and other spaces later this year.
The historic SS United States, which has languished for many years at a Philadelphia dock, will be making its final journey soon. Florida's Okaloosa County has approved a $10.1 million plan to acquire the historic liner, transport it and sink it in waters offshore from Destin-Fort Walton Beach, according to Cruise Radio. The former liner will become the world's largest artificial reef. The county is partnering with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and others on the project.
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