Caribbean Princess unable to leave port today :(

[traveling psych nurse]

After all the fog delays this year, I didn't think I could be

any less interested in sailing from Houston.

 

I was wrong.

 

Sailing from Houston in 3 weeks. Looking to have a good time. Stuff happens.:)

Edited March 23, 2014 by traveling psych nurse

[Smokeyham]

I'm curious as to how a situation like this is handled on board.

 

What facilities are open? I assume the bars can be, because I know you can get drinks before the ship sails, but what about the shops and the casino?

 

Also, if people want to get off the ship just to walk up and down the pier are they allowing that?

[Dolvin]

At least you guys are aboard, and able to eat, relax, and enjoy your families. That's the key to vacation...could be much worse!

 

(Plus, your internet and phones are still free while you're in the port...not that much of a silver lining, but there it is!)

[Rancher Dave]

Not going to Bayport, true, but still blocked. And if necessary, Bayport could be used for debarkation for one of them if they needed to get other ships into Galveston once the blockage clears.

 

 

Bayport is way up channel....Galveston is first left turn out of main channel. Thus the two ships at sea buoy would just go to Galveston when allowed in.

[Melcoug]

Found this in a news article;

 

"A local official said the channel was expected to be shut for all of Sunday and possibly Monday. The official asked not to identified as the information had not yet been made public."

 

Looks like we might have yet another day ties up at the pier. :(

[chipmaster]

Enjoyed two good meals and tea at the moment, hopefully we get out tomorrow and only miss one port ...

[spyro1952]

I would now put some money on this cruise being cancelled and passengers will be disembarking in the am. They need to get those 2 ships back in the harbor and let those people get off before they worry about letting this ship get out on what now would be a very short cruise.

I'm sure it's all up to the CG and they will inform Princess what's going to happen and what it needs to do, not the other way around. Too bad, sounds like they need to give up on Houston as a port - too many issues. Sorry guys.

[douglinc@msn.com]

Just found this over at Galveston.com

 

 

galvestoncom Mod • 4 minutes agoThis just in:

The US Coast Guard has allowed access to the Port of Galveston for cruise ships at this time. Embarkation times are pending. Royal Caribbean anticipates that most guests will be on board by midnight. Carnival will debark tonight and embark new passengers from 8am to noon on Monday. There is discount lodging for passengers!! Call 888-939-8680 or book online via Galveston.com!

 

Maybe the CB will be able to get out later tonight.

 

Doug

[Colo Cruiser]

I would now put some money on this cruise being cancelled and passengers will be disembarking in the am. They need to get those 2 ships back in the harbor and let those people get off before they worry about letting this ship get out on what now would be a very short cruise.

I'm sure it's all up to the CG and they will inform Princess what's going to happen and what it needs to do, not the other way around. Too bad, sounds like they need to give up on Houston as a port - too many issues. Sorry guys.

 

I don't believe they will cancel, why leave the ship sitting in port until next Sat? :confused:

[gerbobs2]

Praying hard, cause I really would like to sail out in 6 days... I know selfish but I need the vacation.. As many of us do..

[Cruzin-K]

I also don't think they'll cancel. They've already let the other two cruise ships head to Galveston, it's not a stretch that they'll find a way to let this one out tomorrow.

[Colo Cruiser]

I also don't think they'll cancel. They've already let the other two cruise ships head to Galveston, it's not a stretch that they'll find a way to let this one out tomorrow.

 

They have to, with all the cargo coming/going there is alot more at stake then just cruise ships.

Edited March 23, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[Dolvin]

http://www.vesselfinder.com has about 60 ships waiting to come in.

[Galveston Cruiser]

I would now put some money on this cruise being cancelled and passengers will be disembarking in the am. They need to get those 2 ships back in the harbor and let those people get off before they worry about letting this ship get out on what now would be a very short cruise.

I'm sure it's all up to the CG and they will inform Princess what's going to happen and what it needs to do, not the other way around. Too bad, sounds like they need to give up on Houston as a port - too many issues. Sorry guys.

 

Princess is at the Bayport terminal in Houston; Carnival Magic and Royal Caribbean Navigator dock in Galveston.

One has nothing to do with the other.

Navigator will take on new passengers this evening, while Carnival plants to board in the morning.

Do not when Princess will sail from Houston.

[Melcoug]

I just called my travel insurance asking what our policy might cover in this scenario if we get cancelled. The official answer was nothing. Man-made disasters are not covered, however, they are telling all their customers to file claims anyway. Hoping we can eventually get out and salvage something of this vacation.

[caribill]

I just called my travel insurance asking what our policy might cover in this scenario if we get cancelled. The official answer was nothing. Man-made disasters are not covered, however, they are telling all their customers to file claims anyway. Hoping we can eventually get out and salvage something of this vacation.

 

If the cruise gets cancelled, Princess would likely refund the cost of the cruise and might forget about any onboard charges.

 

Possibly insurance might cover other lost costs such as airfare or port parking.

Edited March 23, 2014 by caribill

[shastatroy]

Port of Houston has a great live cruise terminal cam.

 

http://www.portofhouston.com/cruise-information/live-cruise-terminal-cam/

[bjkTX]

We were on the Caribbean Princess and left her yesterday morning. Friday evening the Captain advised us that fog was expected in the morning and he was going to step on it and try to get us in before the fog - which he did at 2am! We were still a bit late getting off the ship due to Customs delays - but looking at this mess I guess it could be worse! We were on the Navigator last month and had an 8 hour delay getting into Galveston so I'm glad we didn't have that all over again.

[Swappie]

Latest update from the Houston Chronicle. Sounds a bit dismal, sorry . . .

 

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-City-dike-closed-after-barge-and-ship-5341213.php?cmpid=htx#photo-6060952

[caribill]

The barge collision was the third story on ABC national news (after the mudslide in Washington and the bad storm heading to the northeast),

 

At the end of the report they said the coast card was allowing cruise ships to come into port on a case-by-case basis, but did not mention allowing any cruise ships to depart.

 

They interviewed a Carnival cruiser in Galveston who said he has to find a hotel room for tonight since he cannot board his ship until tomorrow.

[slc22]

... Too bad, sounds like they need to give up on Houston as a port - too many issues. Sorry guys.

 

Geeze, Spyro - why do you feel the need to keep dogging this port?!

 

I hope Princess stays in Texas. There are many passengers that will sail from here.

 

Sue

[slc22]

Sailing from Houston in 3 weeks. Looking to have a good time. Stuff happens.:)

 

 

Agree! Have fun!

 

Sue

[Loonbeam]

Given where the bottleneck is, Galveston and Bayport are pretty much identical in terms of how they are being handled. The only difference is that Princess' berth won't be needed in case on of the other ships had to divert for some reason. Regardless of which terminal they are going to, all ships have to pass the point of the incident, both inbound and outbound.

 

There's also no guarantee the Magic and Navigator will be allowed back out...

[Loonbeam]

Carnival has just advised the Triumph will be delayed tomorrow as well, and inbound traffic is being given priority.

[Cindy]

Given where the bottleneck is, Galveston and Bayport are pretty much identical in terms of how they are being handled. The only difference is that Princess' berth won't be needed in case on of the other ships had to divert for some reason. Regardless of which terminal they are going to, all ships have to pass the point of the incident, both inbound and outbound.

 

There's also no guarantee the Magic and Navigator will be allowed back out...

 

The Galveston ships do not have to pass the accident...my understanding is the concern is the spill is drifting that way, and the ships might disperse it further.