Travel impacts from Hurricane Heléne were less severe than anticipated, with 941 flight cancellations and temporary closures of several airports such as Tampa International, which reopened after no major damage, while others like Charlotte Douglas International faced higher cancellation rates. No Irish flights were affected.
Cruise ports, including Port Tampa Bay and Port Canaveral closed on Thursday but have since reopened, leading to altered itineraries and delayed departures for cruise lines, while some theme parks in the Orlando and Tampa areas also closed or cancelled events.
Cruise ships experienced delays in returning to Florida including those from Royal Caribbean, MSC, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival, had their turnaround schedules disrupted on Thursday and Friday.
Four ships sailing from Port Canaveral, including vessels from Royal Caribbean, MSC, Disney Cruise Line and Carnival, had to delay their turnaround calls on Thursday and Friday.
The port shared: “Port Canaveral is open, but please be aware that arrival and departure times for cruise ships have been delayed, affecting embarkation schedules for outbound sailings.”
The Carnival Elation returned late to Jacksonville, the Carnival Paradise postponed a turnaround in Tampa, and Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas returned to Tampa two days late with an altered itinerary.
Miami-based vessels, such as Carnival Sunrise, Allure of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas, also had to adjust their plans because of adverse weather conditions.
Travelers are advised to stay informed about airline policies on cancellations and changes, as both airlines and ports have issued waivers and emergency declarations, allowing for more flexibility in rebooking trips affected by the storm.
Heléne made landfall as a Category 4 storm in northwestern Florida, causing significant destruction and flooding across Florida’s Gulf Coast, North Carolina, and Georgia, with at least 22 confirmed fatalities by Friday afternoon.
