Monday, August 28, 2017

Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cancel Cruises from Galveston dues to Hurricane Harvey

As Tropical Storm Harvey has stalled over the Texas coastline, creating unprecedented flooding in coastal Texas, the Port of Galveston remains closed. Royal Caribbean International has cancelled Liberty of the Seas sailing for August 27, and the ship is heading for Miami.
Carnival Cruise Line has cancelled Carnival Valor's cruise planned for August 27 from Galveston, but still plans to possibly offer shortened voyages on two other ships. Guests on Carnival Valor will receive a full refund It  also cancelled this past weekend's Carnival Valor sailing. Guests on the cancelled cruises will receive full refunds. Carnival is also still planning to possibly operate two shortened voyages from Galveston this week on other ships.

Royal Caribbean International told guests who were slated to board Liberty of the Seas at Galveston last weekend the following: "Due to the severe impact of Hurricane Harvey and Galveston port closure, we unfortunately have to cancel the cruise scheduled for Sunday, August 27. We are sorry for the impact that this storm has had on your vacation and appreciate your patience as we worked through this. Please know that this decision was made with your safety in mind. "Your cruise fare and fees will be 100 percent refunded to the original form of payment. It may take four to five business days to reflect on your account. We are looking forward to welcoming you back, so we are offering a 25 percent future cruise credit, based on your cruise fare, if you choose to book another cruise in the next 30 days.  Liberty of the Seas is expected to return to Galveston on Friday, Sept 1 providing the port is open at that time."

Carnival Cruise Line said on Sunday, Aug 27 "While Hurricane Harvey was downgraded to a tropical storm yesterday, the storm continues to generate significant rainfall in Galveston and Houston, which has caused severe flooding. The heavy rains are impacting the roads leading in and out of Galveston.  "The port announced it will be closed for at least the next 24 hours, so our earliest potential opportunity to debark current guests is on Tuesday, Aug 29, this is a fluid situation and we have no way of knowing if the port opening could be delayed further.  "We will continue to maintain close contact with port officials in Galveston monitoring conditions on Galveston Island, and within neighboring areas including Houston, and will provide ongoing updates as we receive additional information."  They discussed Carnival Valor's planned sailing this past weekend: "Unfortunately, as a result of the delay caused by the weather and considering  this five-day cruise, it will now be necessary to cancel this voyage. A full refund will be automatically processed, ."The refund will be processed to the original form of payment within three weeks. We welcome passengers on a future Carnival cruise where we will apply a 25 percent future cruise credit."  They said in its statement that it still plans to operate short cruises on two other vessels:  "At present, we intend to operate shortened itineraries on Carnival Freedom and Carnival Breeze once we are able to dock in Galveston, weather and local conditions permitting. Carnival Freedom is currently in position to enter the Port of Galveston as soon as the port reopens. Carnival Breeze is on its way to New Orleans to make a short technical stop to replenish water and provisions on Monday. She will then resume her course to Galveston.
"Guests who opt to sail on the shortened itineraries will receive a pro-rated refund of their cruise fare as well as an onboard credit. Specific details on the itinerary and onboard credit amount will be determined  "Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you have received notification from us with additional details. Those who wish to cancel will receive a future cruise credit.

Port of Galveston Parking
Many cruise guests on the ships  parked their personal vehicle at the Port of Galveston's parking lots have been a  concerned. The port assured that the port parking was not flooded .


For more information on ships sailing from Galveston and the impact of Hurrican Harvey or to plan a cruise vacation,  contact The Cruise Professionals at theCRUISEOUTLET.com at 203-288-1884 or email: info@thecruiseoutlet.com .

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