Port Canaveral closes as Hurricane Ian approaches, which disrupts cruise operations

Dave Berman, Florida Today
·2 min read

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Port Canaveral has closed, as the impacts of Hurricane Ian start to be felt along the Space Coast.

"Port Canaveral is closed, and has ceased all waterside and vessel shoreside port operations until further notice," the port said in a statement.

The closing will disrupt cruise and cargo operations there this week, with some cruise lines already canceling sailings from Port Canaveral.

Port Canaveral was calm Tuesday morning at dawn, in advance of the arrival of the impacts from Hurricane Ian.
Port Canaveral was calm Tuesday morning at dawn, in advance of the arrival of the impacts from Hurricane Ian.

There are no cruise ships scheduled to be in port on Wednesday, but three Port Canaveral-based ships were scheduled to end and begin cruises on Thursday — the MSC Divina, the Norwegian Getaway and the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas.

Two cargo ships — one carrying lumber and another carrying frozen vegetables — also were scheduled to arrive at Port Canaveral on Thursday.

Another three Port Canaveral-based cruise ships were scheduled to end and begin cruises on Friday — the Carnival Liberty, the Disney Wish and the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas.

A cargo ships carrying lumber was scheduled to arrive at the port on Friday.

Norwegian Cruise Line canceled its Thursday sailing of the Norwegian Getaway.

MSC Cruises canceled its Thursday sailing of the MSC Divina.

Disney Cfusaid Friday's sailing of the Disney Wish has been canceled.

Royal Caribbean said Thursday's sailing of the Mariner of the Seas has been pushed back to Friday, adding that "this situation remains fluid, and we’ll continue to monitor the weather."

Carnival said the storm could delay the Liberty's scheduled arrival at Port Canaveral.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port J.D. Espino-Young late Tuesday announced that hurricane condition "Zulu" was being implemented for Port Canaveral.

"No vessel, regardless of size or service, will be allowed to transit through the port, and all commercial vessels over 500 gross tons are prohibited from remaining at the port," Espino-Young said in her notice.

After the storm passes, port and Coast Guard officials will evaluate the condition of the port — including physical damage. obstacles in the water and channel depths —  before Espino-Young can clear the port for reopening.

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @bydaveberman.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Hurricane Ian closes Port Canaveral, impacting cruise, cargo operations