Carnival Cruise Line announced on it’s web site this evening; http://carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/Weather_Updates08.aspx that the Galveston based CARNIVAL CONQUEST and CARNIVAL ECSTASY would be re-routed to New Orleans LA. The announcement states:
TROPICAL WEATHER UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2008 – 6:00 PM
We are closely monitoring the situation in Galveston and the impact from Hurricane Ike. We do not currently have a lot of information about the status of the shipping channel, cruise terminal or the port access infrastructure. Local communication has been very challenging and there are restrictions against incoming traffic into the Galveston area.
We do not expect the Port of Galveston to be open on Monday and there is tremendous uncertainty about when the port will be available to us next week. Due to this situation, we will now cancel the following cruises:
• Carnival Conquest September 14, 2008 departure that was re-scheduled to a 6 day cruise departing on Monday, September 15.
• Carnival Ecstasy September 15, 2008 departure
Guests will receive a full refund of cruise fare and we will process these refunds within three weeks.
• Carnival Conquest September 7, 2008 Departure
The Carnival Conquest cruise that departed on September 7 will return to New Orleans on Monday, September 15. Guests will be able to debark on Monday or Tuesday. Guests will also be able to remain onboard and sail back to Galveston with the ship. However, we are uncertain about when the Port of Galveston will re-open.
• Carnival Ecstasy September 11, 2008 Departure
The Carnival Ecstasy cruise that departed on September 11, 2008 will return to New Orleans on Tuesday, September 16 (2:00 PM arrival). Guests will be able to debark on Tuesday or Wednesday. Guests will also be able to remain onboard and sail back to Galveston with the ship. However, we are uncertain about when the Port of Galveston will re-open.
We sincerely apologize to our guests that are impacted by these cancelled or modified cruises. Most importantly, we hope that all of those that reside in the areas impacted by Hurricane Ike were able to remain safe. We also wish a speedy recovery to those that may have sustained damage homes or businesses.
I especially like the part about guests already aboard may remain and sail back to Galveston, however, as the piece mentions, Carnival is unsure as to when the port will re-open. For those who have flexibility in their schedules, this is an outstanding opportunity to extend their vacation.
6 Comments
September 16, 2008 at 9:29 am
My wife and I were on the Conquest that departed on Sept. 7th. Carnival extended our stay in Cozumel Mexico by 1 day. That was the first time they have ever stayed over in a port.
We were rerouted to New Orleans, arriving at 5am Monday morning. We rented a car and drove from New Orleans to Oklahoma City, where a friend picked us up and took us on to Weatherford.
People were given the choice of staying on the ship until it could dock in Galvestion. Don’t see that happening anytime soon. There where a lot of irate people on the ship but it wasn’t Carnival’s fault. When you book a cruise you sign a contract that they are not liable for bad weather. After all it is an act of God/nature.
In spite of the hurricane we had a wonderful time and will remember it for years to come.
Oh by the way, my new truck, of 2 weeks, was parked in the La Quinta Inn & Suites parking lot across the street from the sea wall in Galveston. I’m sure it is totaled and will never see it again.
September 16, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Thank you for the first hand report, I certainly appreciate it. I’m so sorry to hear about your new truck. I hope that you can get that situation resolved quickly.
You mentioned that there was a lot of irate passengers on the ship. What were some of the comments you heard?
I, too, wonder if people actually read the “fine print.”
Thanks again for the comment and glad you had a great time. Oh, we’re only about 20 minutes or so from Weatherford.
Dan
September 20, 2008 at 12:46 pm
My two sisters and I were on the Conquest and one of my sisters lost her brand new Durango that was parked at the pier. However Carnival handled the situation in a great way. They went over and beyond to aid all passengers and there were many more satisfied travelers than gripping/complaining ones. I commend Carnival and the crew of the Conquest on the way this sad situation was handled. It is the ones who do not read the fine print and who expect everything to be done and/or handled for them that were dissatified. While the end was stressful and sad we still had a great time and will continue to cruise on Carnival.
September 20, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I’m sorry about the loss of the new vehicle but am glad that everyone on the ship was safe. Too often people don’t educate themselves about what is expected of them as consumers and are among the first to complain when things don’t go their way.
You comment summed it up perfectly. Thanks for sharing.
September 26, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I too was on the Conquest of 9/7/08. I too parked my car at the La Quinta across from seawall blvd. We were at the one at 8720 on the west end. I still haven’t heard a thing about my car either. Maybe they are together?? Anyway the cruise was great, the only thing I was very disappointed in was that we didn’t get to go to Grand Cayman. I was really looking forward to it, but nobody was at fault, the ship was very careful about keeping everyone safe. If anyone sees a silver Mitsubishi with Oklahoma plates on it, let me know!!
September 26, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Jeri,
If you can have this type of attitude after what you’ve been through, I believe you can handle just about anything life throws at you.
I read of a passenger who got off at the Houston Cruise Terminal stating that the money he had paid to park his vehicle for the week should have been used to tow it and others to a safer location.
The Caymans are beautiful, perhaps this will give you an excuse to go again sometime in the future.
Good luck!