With forecasts indicating severe weather conditions related to Hurricane Matthew, Port Canaveral CEO John Murray today issued an evacuation order for landside operations. The order affects Jetty Park campers, marinas, and all Port businesses and tenants.

Carnival Cruise Changes

Carnival Victory will come in a day early to debark guests and head back out to sea to avoid the storm, changing the cruise from a four night to a three night.

You can find other cruise itinerary changes here.

Mandatory Evacuation

In addition to the land-side evacuation, the U.S. Coast Guard has given notice that the Canaveral harbor will close by tomorrow afternoon. Under the Captain of the Port order, no vessel traffic–including cruise and cargo ships, as well as recreational and commercial fishing boats –will be allowed in harbor until after the storm passes and the order is lifted.

First Time in Over a Decade

Port Canaveral has not shut down operations due to severe weather since the 2004 storms when the harbor was closed for 11 days to ship traffic.

Source: Port Canaveral

Photo: Carnival