Update 8/9 6:42 p.m. at end of story.
Update 8/9 4:46 p.m. at end of story.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald has tried to be a ray of light in a dark time. He used his normal Facebook video slot to focus almost entirely on Hurricane Milton.
"So today, I'm afraid, is all about Hurricane Milton," he wrote. "And even though it's not going to affect you, I hope you'll stay because I know the support of so many members of the Carnival Cruise Line family will be so appreciated by everybody who is probably pretty nervous, scared, and worried at the moment. You know that it's a big hurricane when it's the major news here in the U.K.
"It's not what's happening here. It's all about the hurricane and that in itself shows that the world is watching and we are certainly thinking of you," he added.
Carnival cancels a cruise
"Let's start with the ship specifics, shall we please?
"Now, I want to start with what we definitely know. And last night, late last night, Chief Communications Officer Chris sent out a very specific email and notice to those people who are going to be on Carnival Paradise for the cruise, which was supposed to be starting tomorrow, the 10th of October. And I'm going to read just part of it so that you know exactly what was said.
"So, Chris wrote:
Dear Carnival Paradise guests, our Fleet Operations Centre continues to keep a close eye on Hurricane Milton. Given its current track, the storm is expected to directly impact the Tampa area in the coming days and the port of Tampa is now closed in preparation for this. Forecasts are predicting that the hurricane will have a significant impact on the area and storm conditions are likely to be present on Thursday, October the 10th.
Now, once the storm passes, officials then and the Coast Guard have to do a whole checking of the area and the assessment. And that's only then, once that has been done, is the ship likely to be able to be given the permission to safely return to port. Now, we are anticipating this process will take some time to complete.
So to prioritize your safety and well-being, we have made the decision, sadly, to cancel that voyage, the cruise of October the 10th. We know this is disappointing and we are truly sorry for the disruption and we will provide you a full refund for your cruise fare and all pre-purchased items. It then goes into detail about how to do that and what's going to happen.
"So I do want to say a big how very sorry I am message to the people who are booked on Carnival Paradise. We just don't know, to put it in layman's terms, we don't know when the ship is going to be given clearance into the port and now we have enough leeway, I guess, to be able to say, well, now we need to cancel the cruise. We don't want this to be something where, you know, the ship comes in maybe two days after the original date and you're left there not knowing what's going on.
"So with the severity of how this hurricane may be, we thought it was best for your well-being and safety to go ahead and cancel that particular cruise. So I do want to say how very sorry I am for this. I know you're disappointed, but I'm sure each and every one of you will understand that.
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Carnival Paradise is stuck at sea
"And this is, I thought, also important that I relay the message that we are going to be giving the people on the ship as well, because they have to see it from their side as well. And it says, Good evening, Carnival Paradise guests. This would be the captain.
"And this is what he broadcast to Carnival Paradise guests last night:
I hope you were able to enjoy your time in Costa Maya today. This is the captain with an important update about the weather.
We continue to monitor Hurricane Milton as it moves through the Gulf towards Florida in preparation for the storm. The port of Tampa is closed now, given the storm's path. It is now clear that as scheduled, he would have said scheduled return to Tampa will be delayed.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide you with updates as more information becomes available.
"This was then repeated in a letter that was placed inside the cabins as well. And a huge thank you to the crew once again on board Carnival Paradise for the second hurricane in a row in just a few weeks for this extended time.
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Carnival Elation cruises impacted too
"Now, it is a little bit different for Carnival Elation. They have a cruise which is also scheduled to leave Jacksonville tomorrow. And here is the notification that we have sent you.
"And it says our fleet operations centre continues to keep a close eye on Hurricane Milton. Given its current track, the port of Jacksonville will be closing. I'm sorry, repeating the port of Jacksonville will be closing tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9th.
"That's today. Since storm conditions are still likely to present in the area Thursday, October 10th, it is now clear the ship will not be able to return to Jacksonville as scheduled. After the storm passes, we must wait for port officials to conduct a post-storm assessment to ensure the safe return of the ship.
Once we receive clearance, we will be able to confirm plans for your voyage, which we now know will be a shortened version of the original itinerary. We will provide updates as more information comes along. Here's the important bit for Elation.
With this uncertainty, we recognize that some guests may no longer wish to cruise. So for guests who wish to cancel right now and cancel their reservations, they will receive a 100% future cruise credit. That's FCC, as some people call it, toward another Carnival cruise.
"We will also process a full refund for all pre-purchased items. And then there is the information on how to contact your travel agent, your PVP, or simply call the 1-800 Carnival number. So if you've already decided that because of the weather, the hurricane where you live and you're a bit nervous about getting to Jacksonville, of course, you have that option.
"But please remember, we haven't canceled this cruise. Let me say that again. We have not canceled this cruise.
"And that's because we live in hope that there may be a shortened version that we can do. And if we do that and you decide to cruise, well, we will let you know about the offers and the rebates and all the other things that we give when this sort of thing happens. So whereas for Carnival Paradise, that cruise is canceled because of the certainty of what's about to happen.
"Jacksonville is a little bit different. You have the option to cancel now. And if you decide not to, then, of course, you can, excuse me, you can wait and see and hopefully, we'll be able to get you on the ship for a few days of fun.
More Carnival ships are impacted
"I also want you to know that we have sent notices out and I'll put this in writing as well a little bit later for guests on board some of the other ships and they are Carnival Valor, Carnival Glory and Carnival Sunshine. Now, those cruises leaving Carnival Valor, October 10th, Carnival Glory, October the 11th and Carnival Sunshine, October the 12th. We're asking you to sign up for the text alerts.
"That information is on the top of the Carnival Cruise Line website. At the moment, there are no changes, no cancellations, no anything on that. But we just want to make sure that we can keep you informed through that text alert system.
"And I will, of course, keep you informed as well. And basically what we're saying is the storm may impact other ports as well as it crosses into the Atlantic. And we wanted to make sure that we keep you updated.
"So that's Carnival Valor, Carnival Glory, Carnival Sunshine, text alert. I'll put that in writing once I have finished the video and we'll do the notification of that a little bit later today. So, you know, the captains are keeping everybody informed."
Update 8/9 4:46 p.m.
"I wanted to share the text alerts that our Chief Communications Officer Chris and his team have been sending out in the last few minutes," Heald shared.
Carnival Valor 10/10/2024: The ship will be arriving later than scheduled on Thursday, October 10. We’ll be in touch by 6:00 PM today, October 9, with the revised embarkation plans.
Carnival Sunrise 10/10/2024: The ship will not be returning to Miami on Thursday, October 10. We’ll be in touch by 6:00 PM today, October 9, with more information regarding our operational plans and your options.
Carnival Glory 10/11/2024: The ship will not be returning to Port Canaveral on Friday, October 11. We’ll be in touch by 6:00 PM today, October 9, with more information regarding our operational plans and your options.
Update 8/9 6:42 p.m.
Carnival Valor 10/10/24: Revised Embarkation Plans
The ship will be arriving in New Orleans tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, October 10.
Please check the communication you will be receiving an email from our Chief Communications Officer Chris and his team regarding the new embarkation times.
Carnival Glory 10/11/24: Delayed Return to Port Canaveral
Port Canaveral is now closed.
To remain at a safe distance from the storm, the ship will not be able to return to Port Canaveral as scheduled.
Once post-storm assessments are completed and we receive clearance, we will be able to confirm plans for this voyage, which we now know will be a shortened version of the original itinerary.
Guests may cancel for a 100% future cruise credit – must call by 8:00 PM (ET), Thursday, October 10, if opting for FCC
"Obviously, you have to decide what is best for you and your family. If you decide to cruise, I promise the fun will be waiting for you," Heald added.
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