Royal Caribbean Ship Delayed Due to Hurricane Helene Impact

Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas will return to Tampa two days later than planned due to Hurricane Helene.

The hurricane, currently affecting the Gulf of Mexico, is forecasted to make landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on Tuesday evening as a Category 4 storm.

Originally scheduled to return to Tampa on September 27, 2024, after a five-night cruise to the Western Caribbean, the ship will now arrive on Sunday, September 29.

“Due to the planned closure of the Port of Tampa and to stay clear of the hurricane, we’ll have to delay our return to our homeport,” Royal Caribbean explained in a statement sent to passengers onboard.

“We’ll now arrive in Tampa on Sunday, Sept. 29, and enjoy some extra sea days along the way. We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority,” the company added.

For passengers who booked through Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea Team, flight arrangements will be automatically adjusted. The company will also cover air change fees for those who booked their flights independently, offering refunds up to $200 per person for domestic flights and up to $400 per person for international flights.

To help guests update their travel plans, Royal Caribbean is offering phone access and providing one complimentary Wi-Fi voucher per stateroom. Guests who purchased internet or beverage packages will have the option to extend these services at a reduced rate, according to the company’s statement.

“Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because our ship can quickly move out of the way of any inclement weather,” Royal Caribbean assured passengers.

In response to the same storm, Carnival Cruise Line has also extended the duration of voyages for two of its ships, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Elation, due to port closures. These ships, originally scheduled to return on September 26, will now arrive in Tampa and Jacksonville a day later.