Harvey disrupts Galveston cruise operations

Carnival Cruise Line canceled the Carnival Valor voyage that
had been scheduled to depart Galveston on Aug. 26 because of Tropical Storm Harvey. It had hoped to offer a
shortened version of the five-day cruise.

“Unfortunately, as a result of
the delay caused by the weather and considering the short duration of this five-day
cruise, it will now be necessary to cancel this voyage,” a Carnival
statement said.

Guests will get a full refund and a 25% credit toward the
price of a future cruise

Also, Royal Caribbean International canceled the Liberty of
the Seas cruise from Galveston and is sending the ship to Miami to discharge
its current passengers.

The Port of Galveston remains closed for at least another 24
hours because of Harvey, which is expected to dump up to 50 inches
of rain on the Houston area. The storm made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on Aug. 26.

The Carnival statement said heavy rain is impacting the
roads leading in and out of Galveston.

“As you can imagine this is a fluid situation and we
have no way of knowing if the port opening could be delayed further,” the
Carnival statement said.

Some storm tracks predict Harvey’s center will briefly move
out to sea before heading northwest through Galveston in a few days.

Carnival plans to operate shortened itineraries on scheduled
seven-day cruises of the Carnival Freedom and Carnival Breeze. These cruises will
be shortened to a length to be determined when the ships can get back to
Galveston.

The Freedom is currently in position to ender the port as
soon as it reopens, while the Breeze is on its way to New Orleans to make a
short technical stop to replenish water and provisions on Aug. 28, before
resuming its course to Galveston.

The price of the cruise will be pro-rated. Anyone who doesn’t
want to take the shortened cruise can cancel and receive a credit for the cost
of the cruise towards a future voyage.

Royal Caribbean said it anticipates the Liberty of the Seas
returning to Galveston on Sept. 1, conditions permitting. It also is offering a
refund and future cruise credits.

“We are doing all we can to help guests adjust their
travel arrangements and appreciate their patience as we work through this,”
Royal Caribbean said.