Inspiration 2/3

[lindan1020]

Anyone with update information on the Inspiration? I'm tracking it because I'm booked to sail today but it looks like it is stopped and being delayed due to severe fog. Anyone know?

[FLCruiser001]

A fog delay seems to be the case. Are you near the port in a hotel? There really is no way, at this time, to know how long the delay will last. Unfortunately, Carnival doesn't control the fog or the Coast Guard, who makes the decision to halt maritime traffic in Tampa Bay.

[FLCruiser001]

Based on the view from this Tampa webcam, it looks like the fog may be lifting or breaking up.

 

 

http://cam01.hillsboroughcounty.org/user/JViewer.html

[scubadavedl]

I am on this ship today.After all the problems from coming from up north this is only par for the course.

[lindan1020]

Fortunately I live in Charlotte County FL so I'm able to stay home and monitor the situation. This happened a couple years ago and we didn't know until we got to the port and it was a mess waiting around then trying to get on the ship.

[jackg962]

I am on the Inspiration too. Coming down from Gainesville. Thanks for the up date.

[ohitssunshine]

We're leaving on her Monday so get your butts on that boat and go! Get her back to us safe and sound : )

[PianoSidekick]

Hopefully the fog will lift soon. From what I see on the webcam, there are still some pretty thick patches blowing by. NOAA has an advisory in effect until 10:00.

 

The ship was also scheduled for a Coast Guard drill today, but perhaps that will be postponed until next Tampa.

 

Apparently no communications are available from the ship, either. No word from Rick yet - well, unless they're using this time to "practice" for the drill and he's tied up with that. Has anyone else heard from anyone on this cruise?

 

Carnival is wonderful about making up for lost time in circumstances such as this. I'm sure everyone booked to sail today will be on their happy way this afternoon as scheduled. Getting home, however, might be a different bag of cats. :D

[lindan1020]

Last time this happened the ship didn't leave port until after 6 or 7--no casino that night--hopefully that won't be the case this time:eek:

[ChrissyC]

My husband just got back from trying to pick up his parents. The police at terminal 2 told him that it isn't likely to even get into the dock until afternoon since it was out in the gulf this morning due to fog and it takes 3-4 hours to get in, through the bay and docked. He guessed maybe it would be in around 2-3 if the fog lifts by 11 and we would be getting the parents somewhere maybe 3-5. So my guess is those of you going out tonight will be a little late?

[LDR]

We were delayed by fog getting back from our NYE cruise out of Tampa. The ship got back to the port around 1pm and they were able to start letting pax off around 2pm. We missed our flight home and had to stay in Florida one more night, which was fine with us:)

[PianoSidekick]

It's after 10:30, and apparently there is still nothing moving out there except Coast Guard and the occasional tug. :(

 

Curious - why was there no casino on the delayed cruise?

[PianoSidekick]

My husband just got back from trying to pick up his parents. The police at terminal 2 told him that it isn't likely to even get into the dock until afternoon since it was out in the gulf this morning due to fog and it takes 3-4 hours to get in, through the bay and docked. He guessed maybe it would be in around 2-3 if the fog lifts by 11 and we would be getting the parents somewhere maybe 3-5. So my guess is those of you going out tonight will be a little late?

 

 

Has your husband and his parents been able to communicate via phone or internet?

[lindan1020]

No casino on the previously delayed cruise because it was going to be too late by the time we got to international waters.

[ChrissyC]

He has had no communication, he drove down ther from Orlando, saw that the ship was not there and went and asked the cops who were there what was going on. So, no cell or Internet. We called Carnival too but they knew less than the cops.

[PianoSidekick]

It's almost noon and still nothing's moving out there.

 

When they finally do get to port, they'll have to debark all of the current passengers and prepare the ship for the next group, then get them all on board and situated, along with the massive amounts of luggage and supplies.

 

Yes, this will be a VERY late one. :(

 

When the fog finally does lift, the way the ships are stacked up around Tampa Bay there is no telling the pecking order of who gets to go when. Even when things start moving it could be quite some time for the Inspiration - and if they're near the top of the stack, hopefully they aren't depending on supplies from a ship that's at the bottom.

[PianoSidekick]

Just heard from Rick via ship phone. They're still parked.

 

He said that the ship opened phones for guests for free, so if you have loved ones on the ship then keep the phone handy.

 

No word from on board as to when they'll be moving again.

[klmorg]

Just heard from Rick via ship phone. They're still parked.

 

He said that the ship opened phones for guests for free, so if you have loved ones on the ship then keep the phone handy.

 

No word from on board as to when they'll be moving again.

 

Maybe we should know, but... who is Rick?

[ChrissyC]

Can you keep us posted? We still can't get through by phone and my husband is worried about his elderly parents getting off. Thanks

[lindan1020]

According to marinetraffic.com the Inspiration is moving!!

[PianoSidekick]

Maybe we should know, but... who is Rick?

 

 

Rick is my SO. He's the current piano bar player on the Inspiration.

 

Yes, the ship is moving. It's slow going though. ETA to port is between 6-6:30 pm.

 

There is a rumor - mind you, a rumor - that the ship may have to stay the night in port. If anyone hears anything more about this, please post and I'll do the same.

[PianoSidekick]

They're in!

 

They're going to try to offload and reload.

 

Happy sailing!!

 

:D

[lindan1020]

Thanks for all the info!!

[PianoSidekick]

It will be a VERY late sailing. Back on board for crew isn't until 11:00, which means they plan to sail at midnight.

 

But everyone scheduled to work is working on schedule, even piano players. He'll start at 9:00, so plenty of entertainment will abound in port (even if the casino can't open)!

 

:cool:

[flahagan]

A very, very late sailing indeed, as my cousin called me about 20 minutes ago and said they were STILL on the ship, that customs was dragging their tails clearing the ship. He said it was a bad ending to their first-ever cruise and didn't seem to be handled very well. Would like to know what others' impressions are.