The Latest Hurricane Milton Travel Updates

Although it’s possible to cancel or reschedule flights, travelers who want to change destinations for this week might be face additional challenges. “I’m afraid it’s pretty late for people to pivot at this point,” says Brett Snyder, president of airline assistance firm Cranky Concierge. “The airlines do have flexibility for people who are traveling around the hurricane to most Florida airports. If people want to delay flights, they can do that with no charge. But if they want to completely change a destination, then they’ll be able to do so only by paying a fare difference.”

Throughout Tuesday, airlines have been adapting by adding additional flights out of Florida and offering travel waivers. After adding five new flights in Tampa and Orlando on Monday, United Airlines also added an extra flight out of Orlando on Tuesday and was using larger planes to accommodate more passengers on two flights from Sarasota. The carrier is also waiving changes fees and fare differences on flights scheduled through October 12 operating to or from most airports in southern Florida. Go to the airline’s travel waiver page for more information.

American Airlines added more than 2,000 seats on flights out of Tampa and Sarasota late Monday night and early Tuesday. The airline also issued a travel alert allowing customers to rebook travel to and from 12 Florida airports with no change fees.

Additional airlines with similar travel waivers in place include JetBlue, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier, and Sun Country.

Cruise disruptions

Port Tampa suspended all vessel operations on Tuesday morning, after the US Coast Guard set a Port Condition Zulu, which means gale-force winds are expected to hit the port in 12 hours. There are three cruise lines scheduled to sail from Port Tampa this week, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Margaritaville at Sea, and Royal Caribbean International.

All three cruise lines have been making itinerary adjustments to keep passengers safe. Carnival said in a Monday afternoon update that all of its ships will continue to sail a safe distance from the storm. Travelers with upcoming cruises departing homeports that could be affected by the storm are encouraged to opt in to the line’s text alerts for the latest information.

Margaritaville at Sea moved the Tampa departure of its Sea Islander ship up by a day to Monday October 7 instead of Tuesday October 8 to avoid the impending storm.

Port Condition Yankee—indicating gale-force winds within 24 hours—was set Tuesday at midnight for the remaining cruise ports in Florida, including Port of Miami, Port Everglades, Port of Palm Beach, and Port of Fort Pierce. As of Tuesday morning, Port Miami remained open and advised travelers to check with their cruise lines for any updates.

If you’re scheduled for a cruise from Florida or within the Gulf of Mexico this week, be sure to monitor emails or text alerts from your cruise line to stay informed of the latest changes.

Hotels and resorts

Numerous resorts along Florida’s Gulf Coast are closing their doors this week in anticipation of the storm. St. Regis Longboat Key is closed and waiving cancellation fees through October 14. Hotels in St. Pete Beach, including Don CeSar, Sirata, and Tradewinds Resort, have all shuttered, according to industry publication Travel Weekly. And of course, hotels in areas under mandatory evacuation orders, like the Tampa Bay area, Anna Maria Island and Fort Myers Beach, are also shutting down. Contact your hotel directly for the latest information on closures, trip cancellations, and refunds.

Site Closures

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closed Tuesday October 8, Wednesday October 9, and Thursday October 10.