Port Tampa Bay has resumed vessel operations and our port’s shipping channels are officially re-opened, with vessel movements restricted to daylight hours, the port announced on Saturday.
Throughout the storm, Port Tampa Bay coordinated with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the maritime community, to respond to the impacts of Hurricane Milton.
In coordination with the Port Heavy Weather Advisory Group, and following detailed assessments of the port, waterways, and channels, the U.S. Coast Guard has reopened the port and set the port condition to normal, with a daylight hour restriction and one-way travel. Port staff fully assessed the docks, wharves, and terminals for safety.
Some of the first vessels to return will be fuel tankers, cruise ships and vessels carrying perishable cargo.
There will be changes to the following cruise schedules: Carnival Paradise, Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas and Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
Royal Caribbean International is cancelling the upcoming cruise of the Icon of the Seas to carry out unscheduled repairs onboard the 2023-built vessel.
“We are currently conducting unplanned maintenance onboard the Icon of the Seas. While our crew is working hard to address this as quickly as possible, there is still some work that needs to be done over a few days while the ship is docked,” the company said in a statement sent to booked guests.
Departing from PortMiami on Sep. 28, 2024, the cruise was set to sail to destinations in the Western Caribbean, including Cozumel, Costa Maya and Roatán, as well as Royal Caribbean’s private destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
“We understand the disappointment this news may bring and we’re truly sorry for the impact on your vacation plans,” the company added.
According to its statement, Royal Caribbean is issuing a 100 per cent refund for affected guests, which includes taxes and fees, as well as pre-paid packages, gratuities, amenities and shore excursions.
Passengers who paid for the cruise with Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) will receive a new credit certificate, as well as a refund of any new funds paid beyond previously certified amounts.
“Additionally, we want you to come back and sail with us, so we’re providing you with an FCC in the value of 100 per cent of your cruise fare paid to be used towards another sailing,” the company added.
Flights booked directly through Royal Caribbean will be automatically refunded, the company added, while passengers who made independent travel plans will also be entitled to reimbursements.
The company said it will cover any travel change fees up to $200 per guest for domestic travel and $400 per guest for international travel.
Royal Caribbean is also updating the current itinerary of the Icon of the Seas, which sailed from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean on Sep. 21, 2024.
“The ship is currently undergoing maintenance and will sail at a reduced speed. Unplanned maintenance happens, and our teams are hard at work to quickly address it,” the company told passengers onboard.
“As a result, we’ll have to skip our visit to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and enjoy a sea day instead,” Royal Caribbean added.
As compensation, passengers will receive an onboard credit equivalent to one day of the paid cruise fare, the statement said.
The ship’s itinerary also included visits to St. Maarten and Perfect Day at CocoCay, which are set to take place as scheduled, Royal Caribbean added.
The construction of Royal Caribbean International’s new Star of the Seas is making progress at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
Part of the company’s Icon Class, the 250,800-ton ship is scheduled to enter service in the Caribbean in mid-2025.
According to a recent update shared by Meyer Turku, a significant milestone was reached with the lifting of the ship’s AquaDome.
The feature, added to the top deck of the ship, is the single largest glass and steel structure lifted onto a ship in one piece, the shipyard said.
The lifting process took several hours to complete, Meyer Turku added, and required extreme precision, as the entire structure had to remain level.
After debuting onboard the Icon of the Seas earlier this year, the AquaDome became a hallmark feature of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, the shipyard said.
The space offers 220-degree ocean views and houses a selection of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues, including the company’s signature AquaTheater.
According to Royal Caribbean, the 363-ton dome is one of the most anticipated features of the Star of the Seas, standing at 82 feet tall and 164 feet wide.
Sailing to both the Western and the Eastern Caribbean, the seven-night itineraries feature visits to Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as other destinations, including Cozumel and Puerto Rico.
Following the Star of the Seas, a third yet-unnamed Icon-class ship is set to debut in the spring of 2026.
Royal Caribbean recently confirmed its plans to build a fourth ship in the series at the Meyer Turku in Finland.
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