Heavy fog over Tampa Bay has prompted Coast Guard to close parts of the Bay on Sunday, December 30, meaning cruise liners and other vessels could not get to/from Port Tampa FL.
According to Coast Guard officials, around noon the Bay waters had "reopened" and vessels would start moving again.
Earlier today, there were over ten ships staying in the Gulf off the southern Pinellas County waiting to get into the cruise port. MS Rotterdam, Carnival Miracle, and Norwegian Pearl were among the ones anchored off the coast.
There were also cruise ships stuck at Tampa port, not able to depart for their itineraries.
Royal Caribbean Line's Rhapsody of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas were both due to depart on Saturday, December 29. Due to the closure, both vessels had to sit at the cruise port for around 24 hours with no movement.
The USCG warned that foggy conditions could return Sunday night.