After watching computer projections of Hurricane Ike for the past several days, the storm has been downgraded to a tropical storm and is now considerably east of us here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Living in far S.W. Fort Worth we received only a few brief showers and very little wind at all.

Galveston, Houston and other coastal areas were not so lucky but we know it could have been much worse. Storm generated surges, while causing flooding, were not as bad as had been predicted. Carnival reported yesterday that their two ships, CONQUEST and ECSTASY would be altering their itinerary’s.

From the Carnival website:

Tropical Weather Update

SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 – 3:00 PM
We are closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Ike. All of Carnival’s ships continue to operate at a safe distance from this storm. Our number one priority is the safety of our guests and crew.

Based on all the information available to us now, we do not expect the Port of Galveston to be open on Sunday. We will make itinerary adjustments to our Galveston based ships as follows:

Carnival Conquest September 7, 2008 Departure

The ship will remain in Cozumel through Saturday and is now scheduled to return to Galveston on Monday, September 15.

Carnival Conquest September 14, 2008 Departure

We will now operate a 6 day cruise departing on Monday, September 15. This cruise will visit Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Guests that elect to sail on this cruise will receive a 15% refund of cruise fare. In addition, we will provide a 25% discount on a future 3 to 7 day cruise departing prior to December 15, 2009.

There is some chance that the Port of Galveston will remain closed on Monday. If that occurs, we will operate a 5 day cruise departing on Tuesday, September 16.
We will send a communication to all guests on this cruise no later than 7:00 PM (CDT) on Sunday to advise any changes to our plans to operate the 6 day cruise on Monday, September 15.
Carnival Ecstasy September 15, 2008 Departure

We are planning to operate this cruise as scheduled with departure on Monday, September 15.

There is some chance that the Port of Galveston will not be open on Monday.  If that occurs, we will operate a 4 day cruise departing on Tuesday, September 16.

We will send a communication to all guests on this cruise no later than 7:00 PM (CDT) on Sunday to advise any changes to our plans to operate the scheduled 5 day cruise on Monday, September 15.

We want to thank all of our guests for sailing with us.  We look forward to welcoming you aboard the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy on Monday.

Of course depending on the damage done to the Port of Galveston this may change as officials determine if the port is capable of receiving any ship traffic by Monday.

This reinforces the benefits of a cruise vacation. Had someone booked a land vacation they would have had to evacuate. Those on the ship still had a vacation, they only moved away from the storm. Last week it was reported on several cruise forums that guests on CARNIVAl MIRACLE staged a protest because of missed ports which caused the ship to finally make port in Rhode Island. I don’t have a lot of patience for people like that. Sure there was bound to be disappointments at not being able to hit the ports originally scheduled but the master of the vessel and officials at the cruise line made the decision to do what was safest for the passengers, crew and vessel.

If one needs more convincing, Carnival’s Ticket Contract reads as follows:

7.  CARNIVAL’S RIGHT TO INCREASE FARES, CANCEL OR CHANGE VOYAGE

(c) The Vessel shall be entitled to leave and enter ports with or without pilots or tugs, to tow and assist other vessels in any circumstances, to return to or enter any port at the Master’s discretion and for any purpose and to deviate in any direction or for any purpose from the direct or usual course, and to omit or change any or all port calls, arrival or departure times, with or without notice, for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to safety, security, adverse weather, strikes, tides, hostilities, emergency debarkations of Guests or crew, or late air, sea, car or motor coach departures or arrivals, all such deviations being considered as forming part of and included in the proposed voyage. Carnival shall have no liability for any compensation or other damages in such circumstances.