Cruises impacted after Port Tampa Bay closes due to Hurricane Helene

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Port Tampa Bay closed Wednesday night ahead of Hurricane Helene, which will impact cruise schedules.

At 8 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard set Port Condition ZULU due to impending weather conditions, halting inbound and outbound vessel traffic, according to a news release from Port Tampa Bay.

The shipping channels have been closed, and landside operations will continue as long as it’s safe.

Cruise schedules will also be impacted. Passengers should reach out to their cruise line directly for more information on itinerary changes.

• Carnival Cruise Line: 1-800-764-7419
• Margaritaville at Sea: 1-800-814-7100
• Royal Caribbean International: 1-800-256-6649

Port Tampa Bay will work with fuel terminal operators to ensure that fuel can get to consumers for as long as possible, officials said.

“Port staff will work round-the-clock so we can re-open to full operations as soon as safely possible to support the community and region we serve,” the release reads.

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