A cruise ship off the coast of Florida has turned around, with hundreds of passengers on board, to avoid Hurricane Milton.
The Sun Princess was due to dock in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, yesterday but after increasing warnings for Hurricane Milton across Florida, the ship stayed off the coast.
Ports in South Florida, including Tampa and Sarasota, were closed yesterday ahead of the hurricane as thousands race to evacuate the area.
Ezra Freeman, who works aboard the ship, posted an update on Facebook sharing the status of the cruise, she said: ‘We were meant to arrive in Ft Lauderdale today to round out our transatlantic crossing, but due to these devastating hurricanes, all ports in South Florida have been closed until further notice.’
The ship was eight miles off the coast to medically evacuate passengers on a helicopter after ports in South Florida have restricted access
Freeman said: ‘Morale on board is high, and I’m praying for all of those who are in line of the hurricanes and the devastation, as well as the guests who evacuated today’
The ship pulled up just eight miles next to the port in order to medically disembark three guests onboard by helicopter, according to Freeman. After the first helicopter evacuation, emergency services switched to tender boat transportation, she added.
The Sun Princess was on track to finish their first transatlantic crossing after her debut in February 2024.
Through X on Monday evening, Princess Cruises said: ‘Due to the Hurricane Milton’s approach to Florida, the U.S Coast Guard has restricted ship access to all ports in South Florida effective at midnight tonight including Fort Lauderdale, where we were scheduled to disembark on Tuesday.’
Princess Cruises said: ‘Due to the Hurricane Milton’s approach to Florida, the U.S Coast Guard has restricted ship access to all ports in South Florida effective at midnight tonight including Fort Lauderdale, where we were scheduled to disembark on Tuesday’
Source: dailymail
