Port Canaveral closed Wednesday, as Hurricane Milton approaches

Port Canaveral closed at 6 a.m. Wednesday, as Hurricane Milton approaches.

The closing includes all waterside and landside operations, including the restaurants located at the port.

The Coast Guard placed the port under "Port Condition Zulu," meaning no vessels can go in or out of the port.

When the storm passes, Coast Guard and port officials will inspect the port channel to assure it is safe for ship passage, and clear of debris and shoaling. Roadways also will undergo inspection to be sure they are safe for travel.

The arrivals and departures of these ships at Port Canaveral are likely to be affected by the temporary shutdown:

Thursday: MSC Seashore.

Friday: Carnival Glory, Disney Wish, Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas and Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas.

On Tuesday, Disney Cruise Line posted this advisory about the Disney Wish: "The Oct. 11 sailing of the Disney Wish is canceled. Refunds will be automatically processed back to the original form of payment used for the cruise booking. An email with more information will be sent to booked guests or their travel agents. We are continuing to closely monitor Hurricane Milton and will provide updates as necessary."

Port Canaveral's Jetty Park campgrounds area closed at 3 p.m. Monday because of the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton.

In addition, the MSC Meraviglia and Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas canceled their scheduled port-of-call visits to Port Canaveral on Tuesday.

Port officials said the landside closing would include cargo terminal facilities (except essential landside fuel terminal operations), commercial and retail establishments, restaurants and other businesses on port property.

Roadways will be closed, and entry into the port will be restricted to authorized personnel.

Port officials say they did not call for the mandatory evacuation of small crafts from the port area, because they likely would be safe to remain in port, with the storm coming from the west.

However, larger cruise and cargo vessels had to leave the port because of the Coast Guard ordering a temporary closing of the port.

Port Canaveral has set up a special status hotline at 321-394-3411 for general updates about the port's status.

Jennifer Sangalang contributed to this story.

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com , on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Port Canaveral closed Wednesday, as Hurricane Milton approaches