Sue Mullen wrote:
>
>
> Ray Goldenberg wrote:
>> On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:15:40 -0400, Sue Mullen
>> wrote:
>>
>>> What I was questioning was that MTV said that the switch to Houston
>>> had been announced already.
>>
>> Hi Sue,
>>
>> There has not been any Carnival announcement yet.
>
> This is what I thought and why I questioned the OP. Most of the time if
> such an announcement had been made, I would of seen a press release from
> you or someone else reliable.
>
> sue
here ya go Sue: :-)
Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ecstasy to Arrive at Houston’s Bayport
Terminal Later This Week
MIAMI (September 16, 2008) – As a result of the closure of the Port of
Galveston due to damage from Hurricane Ike, Carnival Cruise Lines’ two
Galveston-based ships, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy, are
scheduled to operate their regular cruise programs from the Port of
Houston’s Bayport Cruise Terminal effective with this weekend’s departures.
The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will resume its four- and five-day
Mexico schedule from the Port of Houston starting with a five-day cruise
departing Saturday, Sept. 20. Beginning with the departure of Sunday,
Sept. 21, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest will depart Houston on
seven-day cruises to the western Caribbean.
Both vessels are currently docked in New Orleans where they were
deployed following the closure of the Port of Galveston. Carnival
Conquest will arrive at the Port of Houston on Thursday, Sept. 18, and
Carnival Ecstasy on Friday, Sept. 19, to disembark those guests who
opted to remain aboard the vessels following their previous voyages.
“We are pleased to continue our Texas operations from the Port of
Houston, which will be a convenient option for guests who have already
made travel arrangements for previously scheduled Galveston departures,”
said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “We are especially
grateful to the Port of Houston for their responsiveness. Many of their
personnel involved in making this happen were dealing with the aftermath
of Hurricane Ike but set that aside to work with us on very short notice
to assure that these vessels would continue to have a Texas homeport and
with minimal disruption to our guests,” he added.
Cahill indicated that the company plans to return to Galveston as soon
as the necessary repairs to the port facilities are completed. “The Port
of Galveston has been a valued and important partner since we launched
year-round cruising from there in 2000. We look forward to bringing both
the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy back to the city as quickly
as we can. We have enjoyed an outstanding relationship with Galveston
over the years and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of this
wonderful city during this difficult time,” he said.
Carnival’s two Houston-based ships will operate the same itineraries as
they did from Galveston. Carnival Conquest will sail seven-day western
Caribbean voyages departing Sundays to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and
Cozumel. Carnival Ecstasy will depart Thursdays on four-day cruises to
Cozumel, and on Mondays and Saturdays on five-day voyages to Cozumel and
Progreso.
The Port of Houston’s newly opened Bayport Terminal is an $81 million
state-of-the-art facility with 96,000 square feet of space. It is
conveniently accessed from both of the city’s airports, and a variety of
fine restaurants and shops are located nearby. The Carnival Conquest and
Carnival Ecstasy will be the first cruise ships to utilize the new facility.
Carnival’s 22-vessel fleet operates three- to 18-day voyages to the
Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal,
Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America. The line
currently has two new ships scheduled to enter service between now and 2009.
For additional information contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL
or visit carnival.com.
###
Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:
CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of the exclusive World’s Leading
Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line,
Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of
Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to
quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles
and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations
to the world’s most desirable destinations
Bill |