disney cruise line hurricane lee

• Disney Castaway Club / Disney Cruise Line / Ships

Disney Cruise Line is Modifying Its September 9 Sailing Due to Tropical Storm Lee

by Melissa Roden · September 6, 2023

If you’ve been following along with MickeyBlog you may have heard the news that meteorologists are currently watching a storm system in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Lee.  The storm is expected to reach the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Saturday. As a result, the decision has been made to adjust the itinerary of the Disney Fantasy which is slated to leave Port Canaveral on September 9th. 

Guests already booked on the September 9, 2023 sailing are getting an email from Disney Cruise Line announcing the change.   “Based on the storm’s current forecast track,” the letter reads, “Bermuda and the seas around Bermuda will be impacted over the next week and a half making it unsuitable for cruise travel.”  

With this in mind, Disney Cruise Line has modified the Disney Fantasy schedule.  The cruise will now bypass Bermuda and replace stops there with Cozumel, Mexico, and George Town, Grand Cayman along with a second visit to Castaway Cay. 

The new September 9, 2023, Disney Fantasy Sailing is now making the following stops: 

• Saturday, September 9 – Port Canaveral, Florida
• Sunday, September 10 – Day at Sea
• Monday, September 11 – Cozumel, Mexico (previously Day at Sea)
• Tuesday, September 12 – George Town, Grand Cayman (previously Bermuda)
• Wednesday, September 13 – Day at Sea (previously Bermuda)
• Thursday, September 14 – Disney’s Castaway Cay (previously Day at Sea.) 
• Friday, September 15 – Disney Castaway Cay
• Saturday, September 16 – Nassau, The Bahamas
• Sunday, September 17 – Port Canaveral Florida. 

For those on September 9, 2023, Disney Cruise Line will also be offering a credit of $200 per stateroom to use during this sailing.  The funds will automatically appear in the stateroom account.  The credit can be used toward shipboard services, merchandise, food, beverages, and Port Adventures. 

In addition, each reservation will also receive a 20% discount on future cruise reservations.  This offer is good on sailings taking place BEFORE September 9, 2023.   

Any Port Adventures booked for Bermuda will automatically be removed from your clients’ Cruise Plans.  Port Adventures for the news stops (Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Castaway Cay) can be booked up to three days before sailing or online once boarding the ship. 

Those impacted by the itinerary change but have not heard from Disney are encouraged to reach out to Disney Cruise Line directly.  As of going to print, no further Disney Cruise Line sailings are reporting itinerary changes.  However, we will continue to follow Tropical Storm Lee closely and will keep you posted on any additional updates. 

Have you heard the news? MickeyTravels just earned the incredible distinction of being a Diamond Earmarked Agency! 

Whether its a visit to the  theme parks , a  Disney cruise , a stay at  Aulani  in Hawaii or the trip of a lifetime with  Adventures by Disney,  I can’t wait help you plan your vacation utilizing all of our incredible concierge-level services. This includes discount monitoring, itinerary planning, flexible booking and so much more.   Best of all my services are 100% FREE!

Find out more or get your FREE no-obligation quote at  [email protected]  at 1.800.801.4025 or via  Facebook

Tags: Bermuda Castaway Cay Cozumel Disney Cruise Line Disney Fantasy Future Sailing Discount Grand Cayman Hurricane itinerary change Onboard credit Port Canaveral Tropical Storm Lee

Melissa Roden

As an agent with MickeyTravels and a Blogger with MickeyBlog I enjoy sharing, tips, tricks and advice to help readers and clients get the most out of your time with Disney. When I'm not helping clients plan their perfect holidays or nab those hard-to-get discounts you can find me enjoying a Dole Whip at Disney World with my daughter! Reach out for a FREE, no obligation quote at 1.800.801.4025 or find me on Facebook !

Get a FREE Quote!

Interested in booking a Disney Vacation? Look no further! The award winning agents at MickeyTravels are ready to help you book a truly magical vacation!

• Name * First Last
• Number of Adults *
• Number of Children *
• Ages of Children *
• Select Your Destination * *hold ctrl or shift to select more Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Disneyland Adventures by Disney Aulani Hawaii Disney Special Event Tickets Universal Orlando
• Approximate Travel Dates *

You may also like...

Disney Cruise Line adds Rapunzel Themed Restaurant

December 18, 2017

Disney Fantasy Announces Modified January 25th Itinerary

January 24, 2020

Everything You Need to Know About Rotational Dining On Your Disney Cruise

September 23, 2019

Recent Posts

Marvel Studios Subpoenas Instagram After ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Leak

Benedict Cumberbatch Talks ‘Multiverse of Madness’ Chaos and Dr. Strange’s MCU Future

Marvel’s Head of Streaming Confirms Beau DeMayo Is Not Returning to ‘X-Men 97’

Sign-up for Our Newsletter

Marvel / News

May 18, 2024

Disney Vacation Club / News / Resorts / Walt Disney World

Bay Lake Tower to Begin Lengthy Refurbishment This Fall

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Weather Updates & Information

Tropical weather update.

There are no advisories at this time.

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise news

Major cruise lines change itineraries to avoid Hurricane Lee

Hurricane Lee is displaying a notable increase in strength and size this week, prompting significant attention from the travel industry, particularly major cruise shipping companies operating in the Caribbean and along the USA's East Coast.

As per the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Lee experienced a considerable weakening from its peak as a Category 5 storm on Saturday, followed by a re-strengthening into a major Category 3 hurricane on late Sunday, maintaining this intensity as of Monday.

Weather experts tracking the storm anticipate that Hurricane Lee will commence a northward trajectory in the Atlantic Ocean later this week. This movement is expected to bring rain, wind, and the potential for coastal flooding to regions including Bermuda, Atlantic Canada, and New England USA, although the precise forecast remains uncertain.

While airlines have yet to issue travel waivers, opting to await further developments and storm landfall projections, cruise lines serving the Caribbean have already begun adapting their itineraries in response to Hurricane Lee's progress.

John Heald ( CCL-Carnival Cruise Line 's Ambassador) shared on Facebook that itineraries for Carnival Venezia and Carnival Magic have been adjusted. Venezia is now slated to visit Half Moon Cay , avoiding areas susceptible to the storm's impact, while Magic's plan is being modified due to the impending storm, although specific alterations were not detailed.

RCI-Royal Caribbean International has also proactively altered itineraries for four of its ships: Adventure of the Seas , Harmony of the Seas , Vision of the Seas , and Wonder of the Seas .

DCL-Disney Cruise Line has likewise made adjustments, rerouting at least one sailing originally scheduled for Bermuda to a Western Caribbean itinerary, effectively bypassing Hurricane Lee's path. The company has indicated its readiness to monitor the situation closely and make further changes as required.

• Sep 7, 2023

Disney Cruise Line modifies its September 9 sailing from Port Canaveral due to Hurricane Lee

As Hurricane Lee rapidly intensifies into a powerful and dangerous Category 4 storm, Disney Cruise Line have modified the itinerary of the Disney Fantasy.

As Florida keeps a watchful eye on Hurricane Lee which is currently churning its way across the Atlantic, Disney Cruise Line have adjusted the itinerary of the Disney Fantasy which is due to set sail from Port Canaveral on September 9.

The Disney Fantasy was scheduled to sail to Bermuda, but as the extremely dangerous Hurricane Lee is expected to be in the vicinity in the coming week, Disney Cruise Line have made the decision to change the itinerary of the ship to avoid the hurricane's projected path.

The cruise will now not visit Bermuda and will replace stops there with Cozumel, Mexico, and George Town, Grand Cayman along with a second say at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

Passengers already booked on the September 9, 2023 sailing have received an email from Disney Cruise Line informing them of the change,

The email informs customers, “Based on the storm’s current forecast track, Bermuda and the seas around Bermuda will be impacted over the next week and a half making it unsuitable for cruise travel.”

Here is the new schedule for the Disney Fantasy, September 9, 2023 sailing:

Saturday, September 9 – Port Canaveral, Florida

Sunday, September 10 – Day at Sea

Monday, September 11– Cozumel, Mexico (previously Day at Sea)

Tuesday, September 12 – George Town, Grand Cayman (previously Bermuda)

Wednesday, September 13 – Day at Sea (previously Bermuda)

Thursday, September 14 – Disney’s Castaway Cay (previously Day at Sea.)

Friday, September 15 – Disney Castaway Cay

Saturday, September 16 – Nassau, The Bahamas

Sunday, September 17– Port Canaveral Florida.

Due to the inconvenience to passengers, Disney Cruise Line is offering a $200 credit per stateroom to use during this sailing. The funds will automatically appear in the stateroom account. The credit can be used toward shipboard services, merchandise, food, beverages, and Port Adventures.

In addition, each reservation will also receive a 20% discount on future cruise reservations.

For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day.

You can also keep up to date on our socials, Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and TikTok .

Plus, subscribe to the Gotta Go Orlando YouTube Channel , your free guide to Orlando.

Planning your next vacation? Check out Top Villas , offering the best vacation homes, in the best resorts.

Enquire or book online. Top Villas guarantee the very best rates on all luxury villas , condos & townhouses.

Please Note:

We are supported by our advertisers via digital ads, sponsored content, and a ffiliate links. A rticles may be paid for, or contain affiliate links where we could earn money if you purchase products or services via a link our site

• Disney Cruise Line
• Central Florida News
• Florida News

  The Latest Orlando News  

Universal Orlando announces first Haunted House for Halloween Horror Nights 33 - Slaughter Sinema 2

25 Fun Things To Do in Orlando this Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend Deals, Discounts & Sales in Orlando 2024

10 Memorable Memorial Weekend Day Trips from Orlando

Save BIG in Orlando this Summer with up to 30% OFF Attractions and Resorts

Battle Of The Bands will see local bands compete for the chance to perform at this years Red, White & Boom

The Hamlin Cruise-in Car Show drives into Horizon West this weekend

FREE Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show returns to Winter Haven this weekend!

Brick Dinos roars into MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry, with dino-mite fun for the whole family!

Come out to The Barn in Sanford for some truck tugs at the Tug-O-Wars!

the disney food blog

food IS a theme park

Read the Latest Posts

Looking for something?

Get the dfb newsletter.

STAY CONNECTED

Everything You Need to Know If You Go on a Cruise During Hurricane Season

By Madison Owens Leave a Comment

It’s still hurricane season on the East Coast of the U.S., and those storms can definitely affect your Disney vacation.

Disney Wish

We’ve seen hurricanes impact things in Disney World before , and they’ve even been so bad as to shut down the parks for a day or two . While Disney World is super prepared for these kinds of events , there’s another type vacation you might be worried about — Disney cruises or cruising in general . So, let’s talk about how cruises can be impacted by hurricanes .

Cruising During Hurricane Season

You might think it’s unsafe to cruise during hurricane season, but that’s not necessarily true . Hurricanes are very well tracked and researched, so they don’t just pop up out of the blue while you’re on a cruise. Meteorologists know about them well in advance and can usually predict the general path of a storm.

Disney Magic

The good news is it’s pretty simple for cruise ships to avoid a hurricane since they know where they’re going to be. They can reroute the ship to go around the storm, wait a few days for the storm to pass, or take a completely different route that doesn’t go near the storm.

Disney Cruise Line

In fact, you might even notice that rates are lower for cruises during the peak of hurricane season (around mid-August to mid-October). This is probably partially due to summer vacation being over, but less people could also be choosing to cruise during this time due to the potential of hurricanes.

Castaway Cay (Disney’s Private Island)

Cruising during hurricane season is generally safe, because your captains aren’t just going to sail you right into the eye of the storm. They have the technology and info that allows them to take any actions they need to in order to avoid a hurricane.

An Overview of EVERY Disney Cruise Line Restaurant

Will your cruise get canceled.

It’s very rare for a cruise to be canceled due to a hurricane, and that’s for a number of reasons that we’ve already mentioned a bit. Cruise lines can simply change the itinerary, route, or departure port in order to avoid a storm instead of canceling a cruise. They can also just delay your trip so that it won’t be impacted by the hurricane in question.

Disney Dream

So, while your trip might not be canceled, it can definitely be changed . You might have to travel to a different port in order to leave or leave a few days later in order to still go on your cruise. So, if this does happen, you will want to look at the cancelation or rescheduling policies for your airline, hotel, rental car, or any other plan you have that isn’t covered by the cruise line.

However, in rare situations, cruises can be canceled , so know that there is a small possibility that it could happen. In this situation, cruises will usually offer guests a full refund and sometimes even offer a discount on your next cruise. Disney Cruise Line will give you a refund if your cruise is canceled .

But remember, if this does happen, you will also need to check out the cancelation policies for your airfare, hotel, rental car, etc. because they can all be different. Make sure you look at these ahead of time! This is also a reason you might want to get some travel insurance for your trip.

What It Costs to Take a Disney Cruise

Cancelation policies.

If Disney Cruise Line cancels your cruise or delays your cruise for more than three calendar days (and you do not accept an alternative cruise or choose not to travel on a delayed cruise), you can request a refund or a cruise credit by emailing Disney Cruise Line at  [email protected] .

These requests must be made within 90 days of the original scheduled sail date and must include a copy of the cruise confirmation, proof and amount of payment, and cancellation or delay notice.

Castaway Cay

If YOU decide to cancel your cruise because you’re worried about a hurricane (meaning you do this before anything has actually changed with the cruise), the normal cancelation policies for that cruise line should apply.

You can cancel your reservation online by signing into your account and going to My Reservations , then select “ Modify Reservation .” From there, you can change your sail date, edit your travel party, modify your stateroom, or cancel your reservation.

Cancellation fees can apply in certain situations . If you have already paid for your cruise in full, booked it with a Future Cruise Credit, or booked it under a restricted rate or concierge category, it’s recommended that you call the Disney Cruise Line Contact Center at  (800) 951-3532 for assistance.

If you booked your cruise through a travel agency, contact your travel agent. And, if you’ve booked it through Disney Vacation Club, contact Member Services at (800) 800-9800 to make modifications.

Here’s a closer look at the cancelation policy :

So, there you have it! That’s what you need to know about cruising during hurricane season. We’d suggest keeping an eye on the weather around the are where you’ll be cruising before your cruise just to stay in the loop. And remember, your cruise itinerary can be changed or the dates could be delayed , so keep that in mind when you’re booking during hurricane season.

Want more about Disney cruises? Check out more about Disney cruises sailing to Australia and New Zealand for the first time , the name and theme for the NEW Disney Cruise Line ship , and  how the COVID-19 testing policy has changed for Disney Cruise Line .

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney Cruise Line news, info, and updates.

The Best Times to Book Your Disney Cruise

What you need to know about disney cruise line, learn all about disney cruise line and its various ships, explore disney’s mega cruise ship – the wish, a full list of what you can’t bring on a disney cruise, these are the best times to book your disney cruise, the best ways to save space in your tiny cruise cabin, 10 things you need on your next cruise (that you won’t think to pack), what it’s like to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest disney news delivered right to your inbox click here to subscribe.

Have you ever had your Disney cruise canceled? Tell us about it in the comments.

TRENDING NOW

Don't make our mistakes! These are the Disney World purchases we regret!

Visiting Disney World in June? Here's what will be CLOSED during your vacation.

After staying at this luxury resort, there's no going back.

From rides to shows to entire parks, it's no fun knowing some of your favorite...

Bob Iger recently took part in a wide-ranging Q&A about the past and future of...

If you're an Annual Passholder, you need to head to Disney World SOON, before six...

Not sure where to start when choosing shoes for Disney World? These are some of...

ibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, we got the best deals on Amazon for you!

A new sign for a dining spot has appeared in Disney World!

A new menu item at a signature Disney World restaurant caught our attention BIG TIME!

If you're planning a Disney World trip keep in mind that these three rides ALWAYS...

More restaurants have been added to the lineup for Disneyland's Fantasmic! Dining Packages!

There's a sneaky way for you to save money on a specific hotel in Disney...

A new nighttime show in Disney Springs is going to change your next trip.

We found 5 NEW Disney items to wear to the Disney parks to make your...

I eat at Disney World all the time for work, but here's what I love...

What you need to know before you apply for a Disney VISA card!

Two NEW Disney popcorn buckets are coming to Pixar Fest -- see them here!

You can't beat these Disney deals!

Okay, so most of these aren't true, but they're fun.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER EBOOKS

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED

Bonus vacation or choppy nightmare? Here's what it's like on a cruise ship stuck at sea during a hurricane

There's always a possibility of bad weather and rough seas when you go on a cruise, but cruise lines are well prepared to change course if an approaching storm could be too dangerous to navigate. There are also contingencies if they are unable to return to port as scheduled. Right now, all those playbooks have been dusted off and are in use.

On Monday, Sept. 26, as Hurricane Ian was closing in on Florida, Disney Wish left Port Canaveral for a four-night Bahamas cruise with planned stops at Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island, before a planned return to Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 30.

But with Hurricane Ian a dangerous Category 4 storm making landfall in Central Florida, Port Canaveral closed and has ceased all operations until further notice.

Without the option to return to Florida as originally scheduled, Disney Wish — along with other cruise ships — is (temporarily) "stuck" at sea.

While staying at sea and away from the storm is the safest decision, travelers still have a lot of questions, concerns and general curiosity about the change of course. The Points Guy spoke with passengers currently on board Disney Wish to learn what it's like being out at sea for a few extra days during a hurricane.

You'll get frequent updates from the captain

When Disney Wish set sail on Sept. 26, the captain made an announcement that the ship might return to Port Canaveral later in the day than originally planned based on the projected forecast at that time. Matt Roseboom, editor and publisher at Attractions Magazine , is on board the sailing and captured video footage of the initial announcement.

The captain notified guests with flights leaving before 3 p.m. on Sept. 30 to contact their airline to depart later in the day, if possible. He also advised that they were watching Hurricane Ian carefully and would continue to keep passengers updated on the weather throughout the voyage.

Lizzie Meeks, a Disney travel advisor in Nashville, is also on the sailing and explained to TPG that the captain told guests "the port authority will need to assess any damage before giving the ship the green light to move into port and the cruise terminal."

Your itinerary might be adjusted

A cruise ship's schedule of port visits and sea days can be adjusted midcruise for a number of reasons. The weather is certainly one of those reasons — even absent a full-fledged hurricane. But when a hurricane is churning, it is very possible that the ship's itinerary will change.

Related: When will cruise ports in Florida reopen?

For Disney Wish, a port change announcement came on the morning of Sept. 28 when the ship was scheduled to dock at Castaway Cay for the day. Rather than head toward Disney's private island, and toward the storm, the ship turned toward the eastern edge of the Atlantic Ocean where seas would be calmer.

Meeks shared that the winds near Castaway Cay were too strong, with little hope for improvement, so the captain made the decision to sail away from the area.

A day at port became a day at sea, but Disney conjured a bit of its famous "Disney magic" and added more activities throughout the day, according to Roseboom. "They made an announcement and told us to close out of the Disney Cruise app and reopen it to see the new schedule of activities," he said. Mickey and his friends still wore their island outfits to greet guests, even if everyone had to stay on board.

"They've really made an effort to make it a special day," Meeks said. "There have been a ton of new character meet and greets throughout the day, including Marvel, 'Star Wars' and Halloween characters that are typically reserved for special event cruises. New group games and trivia themes have been added, as well as additional times for drink tastings like Champagne, bourbon, gin and more," she added.

Related: What happens when a hurricane hits Disney World

Your cruise might be extended

If a hurricane strikes while you are at sea, it's also possible that you may end up with an extended sailing and extra days on the ship.

That's currently the situation for Carnival Paradise, Carnival Elation, Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Getaway, MSC Cruise's MSC Divina and Disney Wish. With several Florida ports closed due to the storm, the ships cannot return to disembark passengers on schedule.

In such cases, cruise lines have two options: head to a different port up or down the coast to disembark passengers or remain at sea until the ship's home port reopens. Docking at a different port creates a whole new set of issues for passengers who need to return to cars, homes or airports near the originally scheduled port — so that option is rarely used.

Related: At least 5 cruise ships stuck at sea as Hurricane Ian closes Florida ports

In the case of Disney Wish, the first announcement came on the evening of Sept. 27 as the storm moved closer to shore. Based on updated forecasts, the captain announced the ship would not return to port until Saturday or Sunday, after the storm had passed and they could better assess the situation at Port Canaveral. That meant passengers would remain on board one or two days longer than expected.

Before he could even complete the announcement, cheers erupted through the ship, as seen in the below video.

In a subsequent announcement on the afternoon of Sept. 28, the captain updated guests that Disney Wish would return to Port Canaveral on Sunday instead of Friday and that the ship should be able to dock at Castaway Cay on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Even before the extension of this sailing was formally announced, Disney Cruise Line canceled the upcoming Disney Wish sailing that was set to depart Port Canaveral on Friday, Sept. 30, as a safety precaution.

Extra days are generally a good thing

As that announcement was made, audible cheers confirmed that most guests were thrilled that their vacation was just extended indefinitely. "The general sentiment is that people are content and happy about the extra day(s)," Roseboom said.

Cruise ships can easily avoid storms by sailing away from them and chasing better weather. For Disney Wish, at least, the weather has been fairly calm. "The current weather is sunshine with some humidity. We had choppier waves this morning [when the ship was closer to the storm], but from where we are now, you wouldn't even know there was a hurricane in the distance," Meeks said.

Plus, the crew is prepared to innovate to accommodate the extra days. The entertainment staff will schedule more sea-day activities, just as they did when Castaway Cay got canceled.

Guests don't need to worry about running out of food, as cruise ships carry more than just one sailing's worth of food on board. In a pinch, the cruise ship can find a way of picking up provisions in the islands. With two extra days at sea, the ship might run out of specific perishables, like berries, but passengers will still have plenty of choices at every meal.

Because Disney Wish employs a rotational dining schedule, in which passengers are assigned nights at each of the ship's main restaurants, guests must now wait to be told which restaurants they should dine in on the additional nights of the sailing. "Since Disney Cruise Line uses rotational dining, they simply assigned us two more nights of a restaurant. It's really operating like normal in many ways," Meeks said.

You'll have to rearrange travel plans

Roseboom, who resides in Central Florida, is enjoying the extra day or two of vacation, but is equally worried about his house and friends and family back home in the wake of Hurricane Ian. "For cruisers who live outside of Florida, they seem to be mostly happy, but they do have to figure out how to change their flights," he shared.

For Meeks, reality set in as the cheers subsided.

"Some people, including myself, found the news concerning because of travel logistics — changing transfers and flights, booking a hotel room just in case our flights are canceled and communicating with family back home are all stressful and you could feel the tension late last night," she said.

Not only is Port Canaveral closed until Hurricane Ian passes and the wind calms, but Orlando International Airport (MCO) has also shuttered during the storm .

Even once the airport reopens after the storm has passed, it will take some time for planes and crews to get back into position, and longer still to accommodate all of the passengers who have been temporarily stranded in the Central Florida area.

This is one of the reasons why when cruising during hurricane season, it's very important to seriously consider travel insurance, or at least book your trip using a credit card that conveys some built-in trip protections to help minimize the financial impact.

Bottom line

"There are certainly worse places to be 'stuck,'" Meeks told us. "A lot of people have the perspective that we are safe and have much to be thankful for," she added. Crew and passenger safety is the reason cruise lines make the decision to stay at sea past the end of their scheduled itinerary. Yes, it can be inconvenient, but cruise lines do go out of their way to make the most of the experience for their guests, and safety is always the top priority.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line During Hurricane Season: Worth the Risk?

Hurricane season in the Atlantic basin and Gulf of Mexico runs from June to November, but the storm season often hits its stride in August, September, and October. Powerful tropical waves advance across the Atlantic Ocean from the Cape Verde Islands and become hurricanes as they reach the warm Caribbean Sea. Low pressure systems organize off the coast of Mexico and quickly strengthen into wind and rain machines over the bathwater temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico.

(Not at all) coincidentally, this is also when some great bargains show up for Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line vacations. Free Dining? A fall staple. September cruise sailings? Significantly less expensive than June.

So what’s your vacation savings worth to you—in terms of financial risk? The fact is, those gorgeous waters around Florida and the Caribbean Sea are nurseries for powerful cyclones. These storms can disrupt your vacation in a variety of disastrous ways: shutting down airports and shipping lanes, flooding interstates and cutting off power, closing theme parks and damaging ship moorings.

Then again, nothing could happen.

So how do you make that call when you see a great deal for late summer travel? Is it worth the risk of a hurricane blowing it all away? How can you soften the potential loss of a rain-out from a cyclone?

Luckily, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line have also considered these risks. Hurricane protection policies exist to help you plan, rebook, or cancel your vacation— all depending on what the weather is doing.

Walt Disney World’s Hurricane Protection Policy

Walt Disney World has a specific Hurricane Policy to address the potential for storm-related cancelations. This became necessary as strong hurricanes affected Central Florida with more frequency in the early 2000s.

Structured around official hurricane warnings issued by the National Hurricane Center, the hurricane policy allows you to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney World package or room reservation with no fees. Going to one of Disney’s beach resorts? The policy also includes Disney’s Vero Beach and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resorts .

How does Disney’s hurricane policy work? You can cancel or reschedule your Disney vacation if a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center within seven days of your scheduled arrival date. The hurricane warning can be for Orlando (or Vero Beach, or Hilton Head Island) or it can be for your place of residence. So if you’re from the Outer Banks of North Carolina and need to stay home to prep for an approaching storm, you can utilize this hurricane policy as soon as the hurricane warning is issued.

This is not a great deal of advance warning time. A hurricane warning advises of hurricane conditions affecting an area within forty-eight hours. Generally, you won’t get official word on whether you can utilize the Hurricane Policy until you’ve already pulled down your suitcases and started prepping for your trip.

If the hurricane warning is issued, you’ll need to call in advance to change your reservations. Block out some time for that phone call if the hurricane warning is for Orlando—Disney’s phone lines can get bogged down quickly. You’ll also be responsible for cancelling everything else that can trigger a no-show fee, like dining reservations and recreation bookings. Most of these can be done online.

If you’re just rescheduling your Disney vacation package, Disney will waive the fee. That’s great, but what about that awesome offer you booked for the slow fall season?

Sorry, that’s not coming with you. Switching your September bargain week to a full-price week in April won’t carry your discount over to the new reservation. Disney will apply everything you’ve paid already to your new vacation package, but you might find you owe more.

If you booked airfare through Disney, they’ll assist you with changing your flights, but airfare is not covered through the Hurricane Policy.

Group bookings, sports groups, and convention bookings are not covered under Disney’s hurricane policy. They also aren’t covered by third-party bookings and online travel agents (OTAs) like Expedia, Southwest Vacations, or similar providers. For these instances, you’ll want to read the fine print of your booking partner, and possibly consider additional travel insurance.

If you booked with a third party instead of directly with Disney, you’ll be subject to the third party’s cancellation policies, not Disney’s. Some OTAs, like Expedia, have hurricane policies which waive fees for changes.

Hurricanes and Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line’s hurricane strategy is a little more fluid. Cruise lines will usually try to shift an itinerary to avoid a hurricane rather than simply canceling the sailing. So your Eastern Caribbean itinerary might become a Western Caribbean with just a few days’ notice. If DCL can operate safely and take passengers away from the storm, that will be their first choice.

However, in 2017 three DCL cruises were canceled due to Hurricane Irma. In each case, guests were given a full refund plus a discount on their next booking.

What isn’t covered by these refunds? Everything that isn’t Disney’s: your airfare, rental car, and pre-cruise hotel, if you’re staying near the port. To get your money back on these bookings, you’ll want to check their individual hurricane policies, and look into travel insurance.

Airline Changes during Hurricanes

Airlines typically waive change fees for a brief window of time when a hurricane threatens. However, your mileage with these policies may vary, especially if you decide to reschedule your vacation instead of canceling or shortening it. You’ll probably be offered a window of time in which to move your flight—for example, instead of leaving Tuesday, you’ll now leave Friday. No charge for that convenience, what a deal!

On the other hand, most airlines will not allow you to move your September flight to April without a change fee, hurricane or no hurricane. While each hurricane poses different challenges to the airlines, their policies are generally designed to help you travel hassle-free during the hurricane warning period, not to help you reschedule your entire vacation. To move your flight, you’ll probably be charged a change fee, which could be several hundred dollars per ticket. Check that fine print before you book. You’ll want to know your risk factor.

Should you buy travel insurance?

Travel insurance can be a traveler’s best friend, especially in Florida and the Caribbean, especially in late summer and autumn. That is, if you can find a policy that covers your vacation for the right price.

There are many good reasons to purchase travel insurance, from medical emergencies to job lay-offs, and you can learn more about it with this Touring Plans article . But hurricane season has its own concerns. Figuring out the added cost of a worst-case hurricane scenario can help you determine if you need to add an insurance policy, and how much you should pay for one. Add up all of your non-refundable bookings, things like airfare, rental cars, pre-cruise hotel rooms and the like, to find out what you’d be on the hook for if your vacation is disrupted by a hurricane.

Then, take a good look at your options. Will you book along with your Disney package, or can you find better rates and coverage?

When you book a Walt Disney World travel package, you’ll be offered travel insurance through their preferred vendor, which can change from year to year. The travel insurance is a flat rate per person, and can be added right onto your package price up until your final payment date. While you don’t need travel insurance to take advantage of the hurricane policy for your room and tickets, you might benefit from its flight coverage—even if you don’t book your airfare through Disney.

Disney Cruise Line offers travel insurance as well, but it’s priced at 8% of your total cruise cost, and it doesn’t cover your flights. For larger parties or more expensive bookings, you might find a better rate elsewhere.

Third party insurance companies, airlines, AAA and some credit cards also offer travel insurance, but always check for a hurricane policy you can live with included in your coverage.

What about after the storm has passed? Once the hurricane warnings have expired and the coast is clear, hurricane policies cease to cover travel. Unless a region remains under a mandatory evacuation or the airport is still closed, your vacation is back on. Walt Disney World recovers quickly from storms; chances are if you arrive a couple of days after a hurricane, you may only notice some extra landscaping work being done. Disney Cruise Line might make itinerary adjustments based upon damage to ports and destinations, which could take days or weeks to put right. But as long as Port Canaveral or whichever scheduled port DCL is using remains operational, cruises will get back on schedule quickly.

Essentially, travel insurance during hurricane season is worth the research. Figuring out your potential risk and checking the hurricane policies of each plan open to you takes a little time, but could save you a lot of money later on.

Walt Disney World’s Unexpected Hurricane Costs

Let’s say you’ve determined your risk factor, you’ve decided which insurance to buy, and you’re ready to travel as long as the airports or roads stay open.

Hurricane season vacations do include one extra layer of risk: the accidentally extended vacation.

That’s what happens when you’re already happily at your resort and a hurricane warning is issued for either Orlando or your hometown. Suddenly, your flight home in two days is canceled. You’re calling the front desk and securing your room for an additional night or two—surely that will be enough time for the storm to pass and the airport to reopen and the airlines to recover from the domino effect of cancellations. Then, you have to decide what you’re going to do with your extra vacation time.

Working at a Disney resort front desk in past years, I’ve seen guests add on bonus expenditures like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets, dining at signature restaurants, and additional days on their theme park tickets—even if the theme parks will be impacted by the hurricane. The mentality is easy to understand: if you have to be here, you might as well enjoy yourself. And where better to be stranded by bad weather than at Disney World?

Sure, this can happen anywhere, but the potential to really rack up the extra spending on “just one more day” at Disney is pretty serious—especially with larger parties!

If you’re going to travel despite a hurricane warning in your area, or in Orlando, know ahead of time what you can afford to spend if you have to extend your stay. When Orlando is threatened by a hurricane, it does not take long for the resort hotels to fill up with extended stays. Are you going to add two nights to your Polynesian stay, or should you try to move to the All-Star Resorts for those nights? Do you want to move to a hotel with interior halls, like Animal Kingdom Lodge, so that you’re not stuck in your room during the storm? Do you need to make additional dining reservations, or are you happy with quick-service for the rest of your stay?

You won’t be the only ones changing plans in a hurry if a hurricane warning is issued, so it’s best to make these decisions ahead of time.

The chances of good weather during hurricane season are immeasurably higher than the chances of a hurricane. But hurricanes pose the potential of so much disruption—to air travel, to shipping lanes, to ports, to theme parks, to interstates—that they rightfully occupy our minds with all of the what-ifs. Their last-minute nature and unpredictability add fuel to the fire. It’s never going to be straightforward when your vacation is affected by a hurricane. But you can ask yourself questions about what how to reduce your risk, and be sure that your great vacation bargain doesn’t turn into a stressful money pit.

You May Also Like...

It is officially official. The NBA will be finishing its 2019-20 season at the Walt Disney World Resort. The season will…

Although nuiMOs may have taken the spotlight for some, Wishables continue to be a popular mini plush at Walt Disney World.…

We love being in the parks, and enjoy bringing you along with us through our social media posts. With so much…

We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you…

• Dress to Impress for Galaxy’s Edge with a Darth Vader Dress
• Episode 31: Annual Passes with Jen Lefforge

Natalie Reinert

One of those Florida locals who can usually tell you if it's going to rain by the sun angle and the feel of the air, I'm an avid weather fan and a certified weather spotter for the National Weather Service's SkyWarn program. I tweet about Central Florida weather at @WeatheratWDW. As I work for Walt Disney World, please note all of my views are my own, and do not represent the views of The Walt Disney Company. All information shared in my posts comes from publicly available sources.

12 thoughts on “ Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line During Hurricane Season: Worth the Risk? ”

We’re driving down and staying in a relative’s timeshare, so our only upfront cost has been park tickets. Does Disney let you reschedule your dated park tickets pretty easily? I haven’t bought trip insurance because I don’t know if there’s any point.

Julie, I’ve never seen any info on park tickets. You’ll have to check directly with Disney unless anyone else has any insight on that.

From https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_GB/ticket-booking-updates/ :

Are tickets able to be modified – what happens if a guest needs to change their date?

Yes, for the first-time, most tickets can be modified online or through the My Disney Experience app up until the ticket start date. Guests can also modify their tickets up until the ticket start date by calling the Disney Reservation Center.

If the ticket is changed to a higher-priced date, guests will be responsible for paying the difference in price. There will be no refunds for changes to lower-priced dates. If modifications are needed after the ticket start date, guests must visit any ticket or Guest Relations window at Walt Disney World Resort.

Thanks so much!

We were due to arrive at WDW in Sep 2017, the day before Irma was scheduled to arrive. Cancelled less than 24 hours before arrival. Disney and Southwest were both very accommodating!! Easily rescheduled for the following Jan but had to pay for food as our original booking included Free Dining.

It wasn’t fun watching the weather constantly for days and the stress of making the decision was tough. Seeing my then 8yo cry as she tried to understand was difficult but I’m glad we made that decision. We were not discouraged from booking Sept trips though…we’re headed down in 12 sleeps! 🙂

I was at Disney World a couple years ago when a hurricane hit a couple days after my arrival. It meant I lost a couple days of park time, between the hurricane and cleanup the day after (and I only got to spend one day at Universal instead of the two I’d planned), but Disney took great care of me and holing up in my hotel room was not a problem, the parks were virtually empty immediately before and after the storm and recovery.

I’m going again in mid to late October and hoping for reasonably fair skies. It sucks that my favorite time of year falls in the latter part of hurricane season, and extending my stay would be unpleasantly expensive, but Disney built the place with hurricanes in mind and a lot of my plans are locked in. Fingers crossed.

Storms can come with a silver lining too. We visited Volcano Bay the day before Irma was due – one of the Universal team members told us at 11am that the park only had a couple hundred people in total. We got to ride Krakatau with no queue and ride again without getting off!

Truly some of my best theme park days have been pre-hurricane or even during tropical storm events!

Really good points to consider and CYA if traveling this time of year. Personally for us- NO is always the answer. We don’t enjoy the heavier rains and high heat of summer/early fall so we stick to winter and early spring travels.

The heat index is 105 right now, May… what’s not to love??

Haha you might be making the right call skipping summer!

Depends on the hurricane I guess. We were there once when a hurricane visited, unexpected on our part. We weren’t thinking along those lines. We were staying in Fort Wilderness and lost less than a day. Parks closed at 6 in the evening, re-opened the next day at 2pm.

You couldn’t be more right about that, Len! After all, in at least one recent hurricane, Fort Wilderness has been closed and evacuated.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

NOAA Predicts an Near-Normal 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season

June 1st marks the official start of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season which will continue through November. On May 25th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published their outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA predicts that the 2023 Atlantic basin hurricane season will be near -normal due in part to El Niño, and above-average Atlantic temperatures.

Forecasters at NOAA’s  Climate Prediction Center , a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season.

For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 12 to 17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 5 to 9 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

“Thanks to the Commerce Department and NOAA’s critical investments this year in scientific and technological advancements in hurricane modeling, NOAA will be able to deliver even more accurate forecasts, helping ensure communities have the information they need to prepare for and respond to the destructive economic and ecological impacts of Atlantic hurricanes.”  Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo

The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be less active than recent years, due to competing factors — some that suppress storm development and some that fuel it — driving this year’s overall forecast for a near-normal season. 

After three hurricane seasons with La Nina present, NOAA scientists predict a high potential for  El Niño to develop  this summer,  which can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity . El Niño’s potential influence on storm development could be offset by favorable conditions local to the tropical Atlantic Basin. Those conditions include the potential for an above-normal west African monsoon, which produces African easterly waves and seeds some of the stronger and longer-lived Atlantic storms, and warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea which creates more energy to fuel storm development. These factors are part of the longer term variability in Atlantic atmospheric and oceanic conditions that are conducive to hurricane development — known as the high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes — which have been producing more active Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1995. 

Colorado State University’s (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Sciences which published their report in April , is similar to NOAA’s outlook as they to anticipate the 2023 Atlantic basin hurricane season will be slightly below-average activity. The report for 2023 estimates about 6 hurricanes, 13 named storms, and 2 major hurricanes.

CSU anticipates that the 2023 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have slightly below-normal activity. According to the CSU forecast, current neutral ENSO conditions look fairly likely to transition to El Niño this summer/fall. However, there is considerable uncertainty as to how strong an El Niño would be, if it does develop. Sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are much warmer than normal, so if a robust El Niño does not develop, the potential still exists for a busy Atlantic hurricane season. Larger-than-normal uncertainty exists with this outlook. CSU forecasters anticipate a near-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted

Below is a comparison of the NOAA and Colorado State University’s predictions along with the 1981-2010 long term average, 1991-2020 long term average, and final numbers for 2012-2022. As you can see, the 2023 NOAA high comes in well below the record setting 2020 season which had 30 named storms develop in the Atlantic Basin. CSU predictions are above the new long term average. NOAA’s low end predictions for total storms match the old long term average.

2023 Atlantic Basin Tropical Cyclone Names

NHC’s tropical cyclone advisory archive for the following potential named storms can be viewed here .

• Followed by the greek alphabet, if needed.

New for this year, NOAA will implement a series of upgraded and improvements to products and services that will improve hurricane forecasting during the 2023 season.

• The National Hurricane Center’s  Tropical Weather Outlook graphic, which shows tropical cyclone formation potential, has expanded the forecast range from five to seven days.
• Over the last 10 years, flooding from tropical storm rainfall was the single deadliest hazard. To give communities more time to prepare, the Weather Prediction Center is extending the  Excessive Rainfall Outlook  an additional two days, now providing forecasts up to five days in advance. The outlook shows general areas at risk for flash flooding due to excessive rainfall.
• The National Weather Service will unveil a new generation of forecast flood inundation mapping for portions of Texas and portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast in September 2023. These forecast maps will extend to the rest of the U.S. by 2026. Forecast flood inundation maps will show the extent of flooding at the street level.

NOAA will expand the capacity of its operational supercomputing system by 20%. This increase in computing capability will enable NOAA to improve and run more complex forecast models, including significant model upgrades this hurricane season:

• In late June, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) will become operational. HAFS will run this season in tandem with the currently operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecast Model System and Hurricanes in a Multi-scale Ocean-coupled Non-hydrostatic model, but eventually will become NOAA’s primary hurricane model. Retrospective analysis of tropical storms and hurricanes from the 2020-2022 seasons show that this model has a 10-15% improvement in track forecasts over existing operational models. This new model was jointly created by NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory  Hurricane Modeling and Prediction Program  and  NOAA’s National Weather Service Environmental Modeling Center .
• The Probabilistic Storm Surge model  upgrade  on May 2, advances  storm surge  forecasting for the contiguous U.S. and new forecasts for surge, tide and waves for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Forecasters now have the ability to run the model for two storms simultaneously. This model provides forecasters with the likelihood, or probability, of various flooding scenarios including a near worst-case scenario to help communities prepare for all potential outcomes.

It is important to keep in mind that these annual forecasts are just predictions, not what will happen. Mother Nature can, and will do whatever she wants and even the best forecast models will be thrown for a loop. It is imperative to stay alert in the event a system develops and for those living in coastal areas to be prepared. NOAA’s outlook is for overall seasonal activity and is not a landfall forecast

We will continue to track tropical systems that have the potential to impact cruise itineraries, as well as frequent Caribbean and Bahamian ports of call. We strive to provide accurate and updated information, but ultimately the best source of up to date information on these systems the National Hurricane Center and your local National Weather Service offices . Basically, what I am saying is that we should not be used as official forecast information. The goal is to share the information from the NHC and how it relates or impacts it may have on sailings and ports of call.

We have been covering hurricane season since the website launched and have a dedicated Tropical Weather page .

Historical Hurricane Season Outlooks

• 2013 – NOAA Predicts an Above Average 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2014 – NOAA Predicts Near to Below Normal 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2015 – NOAA Predicts Below Normal 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2016 – NOAA Predicts Near-Normal 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2017 – NOAA Predicts Above-Normal 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2018 – NOAA Predicts Near or Above-Normal 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2019 – NOAA Predicts Near-Normal 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2020 – NOAA Predicts an Above-Normal 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2021 – NOAA Predicts an Above-Normal 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2022 – NOAA Predicts an Above-Normal 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• 2023 – NOAA Predicts an Near-Normal 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Search Travel Market Report

• Packaged Travel
• Hotels & Resorts
• Destinations
• Retail Strategies
• Niche & Luxury
• Training & Resources
• Brian Israel
• Briana Bonfiglio
• Dan McCarthy
• Dori Saltzman
• Jennifer Arango
• Kelly Fontenelle
• Keri-Anne Slevin
• Louis Intreglia
• Sarah Milner
• Tom McCarthy

Hurricane Lee Intensifies to Category 5: Caribbean and U.S. Impact Uncertain

Hurricane Lee's position east of the Caribbean. Photo: NHC

Less than 24 hours after being categorized as a Category 1 storm, Hurricane Lee is now “a dangerous Category 5 hurricane,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its 5 a.m. advisory on Friday morning.

Lee picked up 85 mph in that 24-hour period, tying Hurricane Matthew from 2016 as the third fastest rapid intensification in the Atlantic. There are still questions as to what impact, if any, the storm will have in the Caribbean on the U.S. as a lot depends on the storm's path.

The NHC said that Lee is expected to “move well north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico this weekend and early next week.” That area should still expect some impact, mainly “dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents” that could start as soon as Friday and last through the weekend.

Lee is currently moving at neat 14 mph toward the west-northwest, a general motion that will continue through early next week. The storm is then expected to slow down “considerably” over the southwestern Atlantic, which could lead to even more intensification.

The storm is then expected to head north, but questions remain as to what exactly its path will be. The NHC is saying that “it is way too soon to know what level of impacts, if any, Lee might have along the U.S. East Coast, Atlantic Canada, or Bermuda late next week.”

Some models from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have the storm moving far out into the Atlantic as it moves north, while others have it closer to the East Coast of the U.S. Those along the coast, or traveling through the area, should be aware of the potential impact over the next week.

Travel update With so much uncertainty, no airlines have issued waivers for Hurricane Lee’s potential impact, but one cruise line has made a change to its schedule. 

Disney Cruise Line’s Fantasy’s Sept. 9 sailing has been switched from a Bermuda itinerary to a Western Caribbean itinerary due to Hurricane Lee. In a message to guests this week, Disney said that it had been closely monitoring” the storm and has decided to make the change ahead of its arrival.

The ship sailing out of Port Canaveral is bypassing Bermuda but adding Cozumel and George Town along with a second visit to Castaway Cay.

More changes could come, too, as ships including Oceania Insignia, Cunard’s Queen Elisabeth, Seven Seas Mariner, Royal’s Vision of the Seas, Carnival Magic, Mariner of the Seas, and more, are all scheduled to call on Bermuda ports over the next week.  

MOST VIEWED

• Report: Delta Air Lines Plans to Drop Baggage Recheck on Arrival to U.S.
• Catering Strike Causes Delays at Toronto Pearson Airport
• Op-Ed: Why I Won’t Use Costco for Travel Again
• U.S. State Department Updates Warnings for Two European Destinations
• Hawaii Set to Ban Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals State-Wide
• California Bans Drip Pricing: What It Means for Travel Advisors
• Carnival Corp. Changes Advertised Pricing Policy & Cancellation Fee Structure to Comply with Calif. Law
• Holland America Group Resigns USTOA Membership
• DOT Imposes Unsustainable Refund Obligations on Travel Advisors
• American Airlines Pushes AAdvantage Change for Travel Agencies
• Travel Industry Acronyms Advisors Need to Know
• Roundup of Global Travel Advisor Day Appreciation Promotions

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

The partnership between the TSA and CLEAR continues to expand.

There’s been a major shakeup at one of the signature U.S. DMCs. 

The new Victory Cruise Lines will launch on the Great Lakes in the spring of 2025.

This year’s Memorial Day weekend will be the busiest one for travel in almost two decades.

The airline pulled its Porter Escapes program, which paired flights with hotels and attractions.

Once signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2024.