For those wishing to adjust their travel plans in response to the current week’s forecast, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Though it is feasible to cancel or reschedule flights, those wanting to alter their destinations might face significant setbacks. Brett Snyder, the president of an airline aid company, stated that any adjustments at this stage might prove troublesome. Nonetheless, airlines retain faint leniency for travelers seeking to fly around the approaching hurricane to the majority of Florida airports. For individuals considering rescheduling their flights, they can do so at no additional cost. However, those attempting a complete destination alteration may need to bear a fare difference.
Throughout the week, airlines have been showing flexibility by implementing additional flights departing from Florida and presenting travel waivers. Following the addition of five new flights in Tampa and Orlando on Monday, United Airlines also integrated an extra flight leaving Orlando on Tuesday. The company has been utilizing bigger planes to host more passengers on two flights originating from Sarasota. This airline company is also disregarding changes in fees and fare differences on flights scheduled up through October 12 operating to or from most airports in southern Florida.
American Airlines increased flight availability by adding more than 2,000 seats on flights departing from Tampa and Sarasota late Monday night and early Tuesday. The company also issued a travel alert which allows customers to reschedule travel to and from 12 Florida airports exempted from change fees.
The companies of JetBlue, Delta, Southwest, Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier, and Sun Country have also put similar travel waivers in position.
In addition to the airlines, several cruise lines also face disruptions. Following the US Coast Guard’s decision to set a Port Condition Zulu, which indicates the expectation of gale-force winds at the port in 12 hours, Port Tampa suspended all vessel operations on Tuesday morning. This week, there are three cruise lines scheduled to sail from Port Tampa: Carnival Cruise Lines, Margaritaville at Sea, and Royal Caribbean International.
All three cruise lines have been making a series of itinerary adjustments to ensure the safety of passengers. Carnival announced that all its ships would continue to sail a safe distance from the storm. They advised travelers to join the company’s text alerts for updated information on their upcoming cruise trips.
A gale-force winds announcement, known as Port Condition Yankee, was announced on Tuesday at midnight for the remaining cruise ports in Florida, including the Port of Miami, Port Everglades, Port of Palm Beach, and the Port of Fort Pierce. As of Tuesday morning, Port Miami remained operational and advised travelers to seek updates from their cruise lines.
On the other hand, countless resorts alongside Florida’s Gulf Coast have decided to close down this week due to the incoming storm. St. Regis Longboat Key resort has closed and is waiving cancellation fees through October 14. Hotels in St. Pete Beach, such as Don CeSar, Sirata, and Tradewinds Resort, have all closed. It is important to check with your hotel’s direct contact to obtain the latest information on closures, trip cancellations, and refunds. Notably, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be closing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week. It is essential to be proactive, remain informed, and make necessary adjustments to ensure a safe travel experience during these challenging times.
