On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:37:52 -0500, MTV
wrote:
>It was announced that Carnival will be leaving the Galveston docks and
>move up to the Houston Bayport Cruise Terminal.
Hi Everyone,
As was earlier rumored I received this press release from and thought
it would be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings,
they are available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Carnival Cruise Lines' Two Galveston-Based Ships to Operate From Port
of Houston
Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ecstasy to Arrive at Houston's Bayport
Terminal Later This Week
MIAMI, Sept. 16
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.
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. |