Disney Cruise Line canceled an upcoming 3-night cruise onboard Disney Wish because of the expected impacts of explosive Hurricane Milton.
Passengers booked on the October 11, 2024, sailing were informed that their cruise would not proceed as scheduled.
"We have been closely monitoring Hurricane Milton and its projected path, which is expected to move through Central Florida later this week," the email to confirmed guests reads.
"Due to the weather conditions most recently forecasted for Port Canaveral and Central Florida and the impact that it might have on port operations, we have made the difficult decision to cancel your sailing."
All passengers will receive a full refund to their original form of payment, as well as a 20% future cruise discount.
Disney Wish's October 11 sailing wasn't the first Disney itinerary to be adjusted because of Milton.
Disney Magic's original 5-night cruise that departed on October 7 was scheduled to visit Castaway Cay on Tuesday, followed by Nassau on Wednesday, Disney's Lighthouse Point on Thursday, and a magical day at sea on Friday.
Because of Milton, however, the itinerary was changed and rerouted Disney Magic to Lighthouse Point after Castaway Cay before scheduling a day at sea and calling at Nassau on Friday.
Read more: Disney Wish ship guide
At least 14 other cruise ships have had their itineraries impacted because of Hurricane Milton
Milton reached Category 5 status on Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 180mph. As of the National Hurricane Center's 10:00am CDT update, Milton had weakened to a Cat. 4 storm with winds of 150mph.
Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall along Florida's Gulf Coast before barreling across the state, bringing dangerous conditions, including heavy rainfall, powerful storm surges, and devastating winds.
Because of its projected path, over 10 other cruise ships have adjusted their itineraries.
Vessels ranging from Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, to Sun Princess, the cruise line's newest ship, have altered their courses to avoid the worst of the storm.
Many cruise lines have rerouted ships to alternative ports. Celebrity Reflection's October 7 sailing, for example, canceled their scheduled call at Key West, Florida. In its place, guests were informed that they'd visit Nassau, Bahamas, on October 8.
Similarly, passengers onboard Independence of the Seas' October 5 cruise will no longer head to Cozumel, Mexico, trading the popular Western Caribbean port for Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
In some cases, an alternative port wasn't available. For instance, Mariner of the Seas' 5-night cruise from Galveston, Texas, couldn't visit Mexico due to the port's closure. Instead of replacing the port, guests were told they'd spend an extra day at sea.
Read more: Here's What Happens If There's A Hurricane During Your Cruise
Hurricane Milton follows devastating Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene was the ninth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Since forming in the Gulf two weeks ago, Issac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, and Milton have also made their presence felt in the Atlantic, contributing to an active season.
Milton, the season's strongest storm so far, is expected to roar into Florida on Wednesday night. Not only that, but it's the strongest hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Rita in 2005.
The storm appears headed for Tampa, where the National Hurricane Center warns up to 15 feet of storm surge is possible.
A state of emergency has been declared in dozens of Florida's counties, and evacuations are underway, leading to backed-up highways and interstates.
This powerful monster comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread destruction from Florida through Western North Carolina.
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.
