ORLANDO/FLORIDA
Most major cruise lines and popular theme parks planned to resume service on Sept. 12 in Florida, after closing for multiple days as Hurricane Irma passed through the region. Irma’s last minute westward movement meant that it caused less damage in Orlando and cruise ships have altered itineraries to avoid the hardest hit areas.
Susquehanna Financial analyst Rachael Rothman wrote in a note to Bloomberg that the effect of storms, such as Harvey and Irma, on cruise lines typically “don’t recur or last much beyond the actual event.”
Royal Caribbean and Carnival planned to resume sailings on Tuesday after a four-day hiatus, according to USA Today. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have been allowing customers booked on Tuesday's trips to cancel without penalty and they are providing full refunds in the form of a future cruise credits.
Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines received media attention after they used cruise ships to evacuate employees away from the path of Hurricane Irma and deliver supplies. Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean went into “hurricane relief mode” to support Caribbean destinations.
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando facilities all planned to open on Tuesday, Sept. 12, after dodging major Hurricane Irma damage, but air travel to the area still remains difficult.
