Tropical Storm Debby has caused at least 3 cruise ships to adjust their itineraries.
As of 8:00am EST on Sunday, August 4, Tropical Storm Debby was about 155 miles off the western coast of Florida and is predicted to make landfall on Florida’s Big Bend south of Tallahassee. Debby's recent path indicates the storm will strengthen into a category 1 hurricane by 2:00am on Monday. Moreover, the storm will bring heavy rainfall to Georgia and the Carolinas, with tropical storm watches issued for much of the Georgia and South Carolina coast.
The National Hurricane Center said hurricane conditions are expected Monday along portions of Florida's Big Bend region, with tropical storm conditions beginning later on Sunday evening.
"Doppler weather radar...reveals both the lack of a closed radar center and highest winds away from [the] center. We will watch today for that to take place but until it does, only slow intensification is likely," wrote Craig Setzter, Chief Meteorologist of Royal Caribbean Group, on X.
"The effects for the west Florida coast will be very windy conditions despite the center being well offshore, with passing squalls, flooding rains, [and] some brief tornadoes."
Read more: How cruise lines are preparing for an active hurricane season this year
Though not a powerful storm like Hurricane Beryl, cruise ships are altering course to keep passengers and crew safe
The first ship to have its itinerary changed was Margaritaville at Sea's Islander. Rather than returning to Tampa on Sunday, the ship was initially supposed to return on Monday, August 5. However, as the Port of Tampa remains closed, the ship is now slated to return on Tuesday, turning a 5-night cruise into a 7-night one.
Shortly after, guests onboard Symphony of the Seas' August 2 sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey were notified that they'll be skipping the scheduled stop in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
"Due to expected adverse weather coming into Florida early next week, and after exploring all options, we will skip our visit to Orlando (Port Canaveral) on Day 3 and have a Sea Day instead. To help make up for this change, we've added some time to our visit in Nassau, Bahamas, and will not arrive at 8:00 am," the letter reads.
Read more: 9 Best Reasons to Get Off Your Cruise Ship in Nassau
"Kindly note, while we'll make a brief technical stop in Orlando (Port Canaveral) on Wednesday, guests will need to remain onboard. Some of our venues, like our Casino Royale and retail stops, will be closed during this time and will reopen once we enter international waters."
Royal Caribbean also informed guests they'd provide all passengers with one hour of complimentary internet use from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on August 3 to allow them to make any changes to independent tours.
Read more: 4 things I loved about Carnival Elation (and 4 I didn’t)
Carnival Elation's August 1 sailing will return to Jacksonville, Florida a day early. "Latest weather update... @CarnivalCruise #CarnivalElation will return/ depart Jacksonville on Sunday Aug 4 instead of Monday to avoid #TropicalStormDebby. #Cruise passengers that can arrive a day early will get a free additional day added to their sailing," @CruiseGuy shared on X.
According to Cruise Mapper, Carnival Elation sailed from Jacksonville on August 1 on a 4-night cruise to The Bahamas with scheduled stops in Freeport and Bimini.
Finally, like Margaritaville at Sea's Islander, Carnival Paradise was unable to return to the Port of Tampa on Monday. Cruise Mapper shows both vessels floating off the coast of Florida.
"In the gulf SW of Hurricane Debby. The view from Carnival Paradise. The port is closed. We’re delayed but this old girl is doing her thing though. Thank you captain! #cruising #Carnival," shared @Sheslap1 on X.
Tropical Storm Debby is the fourth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
One month into the 2024 season, Hurricane Beryl made history as the earliest Category 4 in the Atlantic Ocean and the only Category 4 in June on record. As a result, at least ten ships had their itineraries altered, including the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.
In April, Colorado State University (CSU) released its 2024 forecast, predicting 23 named storms. As such, cruise lines shared how they were preparing for a "very active" season.
Craig Setzer, for example, took to social media to share a simulation to prepare Royal Caribbean Group's team for a rapidly developing storm.
"This year’s simulation was with a storm that rapidly intensifies as it approaches South Florida," he explains on Linkedin, "This scenario is entirely possible and has happened before in history. Most folks think we will have days and days to watch and prepare. The caveat here was that this system began developing within 3 days of reaching Miami, putting everyone behind the planning curve from the beginning."
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
