Port of Miami, Port Everglades and Port of Tampa to close tonight as Tropical Storm Isaac approaches

With the likelihood of Tropical Storm Isaac becoming a category 1 hurricane very soon, the three most affected cruise and shipping ports will close tonight. In military speak, it’s a Port Readiness Condition Zulu. That’s one step up from Condition Yankee, the current status. Both the Port of Miami and Port Everglades will close at 11pm this evening. A 3am close time is planned for the Port of Tampa. What about a refund on your cruise? Did you purchase travel insurance from an actual travel insurance company?

What compensation, if any, will the cruise lines offer to their guests for a disruption to their cruise that was not the fault of the cruise line? So far, Carnival and Royal Caribbean have come up with something to appease those who are affected. Read through each cruise lines’ update to determine if this will apply to you.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE UPDATE

CARNIVAL VALOR – 8/18/12 DEPARTURE
The Port of Miami will close by 11:00 PM on Saturday. Weather permitting, the port will reopen on Monday at noon. The Carnival Valor will remain at sea a safe distance away from the storm until the port reopens.

CARNIVAL VALOR – 8/26/12 DEPARTURE
Our scheduled 6 day cruise will be shortened to a 5 day cruise visiting Grand Cayman and Montego Bay. Unfortunately, this means we will cancel our call in Key West. Check-in for your cruise is now scheduled on Monday August 27, 2012, from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM, and sailing is set for 8:00 PM. The times in Grand Cayman & Montego Bay remain unchanged.

We sincerely apologize for this disruption to your cruise. Here are your options.

• Sail with us and receive a:
– One-day pro-rated refund of your cruise fare (refunded within the next 2 weeks)
– $50 per person on board credit
– Refund of $13.11 for the government fees and taxes for Key West
– Gratuities will also be adjusted to reflect the shortened voyage
– Shore excursions purchased for Key West will be automatically refunded
– Refunds will not be provided for flight changes, hotel accommodations, meals, transfers or other incidental costs.

Guests with Pre-purchased transfers:  Transfers from Miami Airport will be available from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM on Monday.

CARNIVAL LEGEND – 8/19/12 DEPARTURE
The Port of Tampa is expected to close by 3:00 AM on Sunday. At this time, they are uncertain as to when the port will reopen. Therefore, we have made arrangements to dock at Port Canaveral instead, where we will arrive at 8:00 AM on Sunday. Busses will be available to take guests to the Port of Tampa or the Tampa airport. The parking garage at the port will be open. It will take approximately two and a half hours to the Port of Tampa from Port Canaveral.

CARNIVAL LEGEND – 8/26/12 DEPARTURE
Due to the expected port closure in Tampa, the Carnival Legend will dock in Port Canaveral on Sunday. We ask that guests proceed to the Port of Tampa and plan to arrive between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. The parking garage at the port will be open to park your vehicle. We will have busses available to take you and your luggage to Port Canaveral. Please do not proceed to Port Canaveral directly as the ship will be docking in Tampa when we return next week.

It will take approximately two and a half hours to Port Canaveral from the Port of Tampa and no adverse weather is expected. The last bus will depart from Tampa at 4:00 PM and we expect to sail at 8:00 PM.

At this time, our itinerary remains unchanged. However, there is a possibility we may have to make changes, depending on the path of the storm.

CARNIVAL IMAGINATION – 8/24/12 DEPATURE
The Port of Miami will close by 11:00 PM on Saturday. Weather permitting, the port will reopen on Monday at noon. The Carnival Imagination will remain at sea at a safe distance from the storm until the port reopens.

CARNIVAL IMAGINATION – 8/27/12 DEPATURE
Check-in for the Carnival Imagination is set for 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM.

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From ROYAL CARIBBEAN

Given Tropical Storm Isaac’s current location and projected path, and the forecasted weather for South Florida, Allure of the Seas’ next sailing will now begin on Tuesday, August 28. We ask that guests who are scheduled to sail on Allure of the Seas on Sunday, August 26, not arrive at the port until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28. We kindly ask that guests come to the terminal between 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 28, for check-in and boarding.

Regrettably, the delayed departure will have an impact on the scheduled itinerary. Allure of the Seas will now spend Wednesday, August 29, at sea, call to Cozumel, Mexico, on Thursday, August 30, spend Friday, August 31, at sea, and Nassau, Bahamas, on Saturday, September 1. If you are sailing on Allure of the Seas’ next sailing and you feel you will not be able to arrive on Tuesday, please call us at 888-829-4050 in the U.S., and 408-926-9002 internationally.

**There is good news, however. I was just informed that Royal Caribbean will provide each stateroom with an onboard credit. A letter with the credit amount will be delivered to their stateroom. Royal Caribbean will also be providing each guest with a future cruise certificate for 10% of the cruise fare paid for the August 26 Allure of the Seas sailing. This certificate may be used for a future cruise on any Royal Caribbean ship.

Majesty of the Seas
The Port of Miami has informed us that they will close the port at 11:00 p.m. this evening and plan to reopen on Monday, August 27. Because of this, there is a possibility thatMajesty of the Seas’ boarding on Monday will be delayed. We encourage guests sailingMajesty of the Seas continue to monitor this website for any additional updates.

Monarch of the Seas
We also suggest that guests sailing on Monarch of the Seas on Monday, August 27, also continue to monitor this website for any additional updates.

From NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE – no changes since yesterday afternoon

Norwegian Sky will depart Miami today as scheduled on a three-day cruise to the Bahamas. The ship is cancelling its call to Great Stirrup Cay on Saturday. The ship will now call Nassau on Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm and spend Sunday at sea. Depending on the path of the storm, the ship may have a delayed arrival to Miami on Monday.

Norwegian Dawn will depart Boston as scheduled today to Bermuda. In order to maximize guests’ time ashore, the ship will arrive at 8 am on Sunday, three hours earlier than scheduled. Depending on the path of the storm, the ship may need to depart Bermuda earlier than scheduled.

Norwegian Gem will depart New York as scheduled on Saturday to the Bahamas & Florida. The ship will change the order of its ports, calling on Great Stirrup Cay on Tuesday, Nassau on Wednesday and Port Canaveral on Thursday.

From DISNEY CRUISE LINE –
At this time, we have not made any changes to the following itineraries:

• Disney Dream  August 29th, 4-night sailing to the Bahamas