Carnival Dedicates three ships to Hurricane

[js2003]

Carnival Dedicates 3 Ships to Katrina; Cancels Voyages
Carnival, in a move widely rumored, has finally confirmed that it will charter three of its ships to the U.S. government to serve Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The designated ships are Ecstasy, Sensation and Holiday. All three will serve for six months.

Ecstasy, based in Galveston, will halt cruises beginning with Monday, September 5. The ship will be docked in Galveston. Sensation, which normally homeports in New Orleans, will also sail its last cruise this weekend –- and will dock as well in Galveston. Holiday, which homeports in Mobile (which, ironically, is the first hurricane-impacted port to be up-and-running as of today), will depart on its last cruise today and will be pulled from service as of Thursday, September 8. It will stay in Mobile.

According to Carnival's statement, issued this morning, the cruise line's representatives will begin immediately to contact travel agents and passengers booked on any of the impacted vessels. As well, "all guests whose bookings have been cancelled will be offered full refunds and will have the opportunity to re-book their cruise on any Carnival ship. Guests who re-book on any Carnival ship will receive a $100 per person shipboard credit."

As a result of the charters, Carnival is making an effort to offer a handful of alternatives in addition to regularly scheduled itineraries on the rest of the fleet. "The Elation, which currently operates seven-day cruises from Galveston, will offer a one-time six-day voyage departing Sept. 4, then take over the Ecstasy's four and five-day Galveston program effective Saturday, Sept. 10. Guests on the Elation's six-day voyage will receive a 15 percent refund and a $50 per person shipboard credit."

"All guests originally scheduled to sail on the Ecstasy during the affected six-month period will be automatically moved to the Elation. The Ecstasy and Elation are sister ships with identical layouts. Guests will be assigned to the same cabins on Elation that they had booked on the Ecstasy."

As the ships are being chartered to the Military Sealift Command on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Carnival was not able to provide details on the specific functions these ships will provide.

Carnival's crew on Holiday, Sensation and Ecstasy will continue to staff the ships.

[Mattp]

We received a call from the Sr. VP of Carnival this morning informing us that
they had made the decision to loan The Federal Emergency Management Agency the
Sensation, Holiday and Ecstasy ships for the next six months to assist in the
Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Carnival will issue a press release today that in part reads:

Carnival Cruise Lines has chartered three of its cruise ships to the Military
Sealift Command (MSC) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) for six months as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The three cruise ships are the Ecstasy, Sensation and Holiday.

The Ecstasy, normally homeported at Galveston, Texas, operating four- and
five-day cruises, and Sensation, normally homeported in New Orleans operating
four- and five-day voyages, will be pulled from service effective Monday, Sept.
5. Initial plans are for both vessels to be docked in Galveston.

The Holiday, which is homeported at Mobile, Ala., operating four and five-day
Mexico cruises, will be pulled from service effective Thursday, Sept. 8.
Initial plans are for the vessel to remain docked in Mobile.

"We sincerely apologize to those guests whose vacations have been impacted by
these voyage cancellations," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.
"However, given that Hurricane Katrina is the worst natural disaster in U.S.
history, we trust our guests will understand that the decision to enter into
these charters was the right one. This
inconvenience to our guests will provide desperately needed housing for
thousands of individuals affected by this tragedy," he added.

[Jim Bragg]

This information is posted on the homepage under the "news" heading.
Jim

[js2003]

I wanted the full story...and not the abbreviated one.

[JeanS]

Well, that's very giving of Carnival to do this, but I wonder about the employees who work on these ships that depend only upon tips for their income. Is Carnival going to pay those workers? Are those workers still going to staff the ship??

It would not be good to create more misery to relieve misery. I hope Carnival pays them!!!

[js2003]

Well, they won't be losing as much as the people in NO will they?

[DalTX]

Im booked on the Ecstasy Oct 8th sailing ..Im willing to give up my ship to help those in need...but am I understanding that right?? We will just be transfered over to the Elation??Tried to call my TA,but she wont be in until tomorrow.

I just booked my EZcruise parking spot just 5 mins before reading this post! Ha..

Jim,is that what Im reading?? Thanks,Dot

God Bless CCL for this generous gift. These people need our help and those people who may lose a vacation will, i hope, understand that their small sacrifices may mean the difference between life and death to others.

The crew will lose tip income. For many crew members tip income exceeds pay from the cruise line.

Well that is very good of carnival..

[sevenseaster]

3 CCL Ships to Aid FEMA

September 3, 2005 1pm

Carnival Cruise Lines has chartered the Sensation, Holiday, and Ecstasy* to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As a result, we have cancelled:

All Sensation departures from September 5, 2005 through and including March 2, 2006

All Holiday departures from September 8, 2005 through March 4, 2006

All Elation departures from September 11, 2005 through February 26, 2006.

*PLEASE NOTE: Elation will be taking over Ecstasy's sailings between September 10, 2005 through March 2, 2006.

Ecstasy's September 5, 2005 sailing has been cancelled.

The Carnival Conquest cruises departing September 11, 2005 and beyond will now operate roundtrip from Galveston, Texas.

Please call 1-800-CARNIVAL for further information or visit this page shortly for more details.

NEW ORLEANS CRUISES

The Sensation September 1, 2005 cruise departed and will return to Galveston, Texas.

Please note that all in-coming access into New Orleans and the Port remains closed at this time. Guests that parked at the pier in New Orleans will not be able to access their cars until access is re-opened. The Port of New Orleans hotline (1-866-476-7866) will provide updated information about access to the port area as it becomes available.

The Carnival Conquest cruises departing September 11, 2005 and beyond will now operate roundtrip from Galveston, Texas.

TAMPA CRUISES

The Carnival Miracle August 28, 2005 cruise scheduled to depart from Tampa departed from Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale). The ship will return to Tampa as scheduled on September 4, 2005.

The Inspiration August 29, 2005 cruise scheduled to depart from Tampa departed from Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale). The ship will return to Tampa as scheduled on September 3, 2005.

We sincerely apologize to our guests impacted by these itinerary changes. Rest assured, we will make every effort to minimize this inconvenience and provide you with a great cruise experience.

[Jim Bragg]

Dot, that is apparently what is going to happen. I must assume that they will notify you and if you do not wish to sail then you should be given a complete refund. I would call your TA as soon as possible to get your options.
Jim

[Jim Bragg]

I am not sure what they will do for thoise crew that depend on tips for a living. I would hope that the suggested tips are included under the contract the US Government is paying.
Jim

[DalTX]

"do not wish to sail" ??? ...Who cares what the name of the ship is!! If I get to sail I will be very happy..if not..I will try to look at the big picture..my Ship helping others in need is greater than my days at sea..

This is one of the best things I have heard in the past few days. I am sure Carnival will take care of all of there staff. We should all book a Carnival cruise in the future to show our support for them. Also PLEASE donate to help your fellow people www.redcross.org They need your help. I have supported Carnival for years and will still support them. J
JD NJ

11/18/2005 RCL Cancelled will be in the gulf states working for FEMA
10/2005 Sensation Cancelled bot will be helping our fellow americans
5/29/2005 Carnival victory
4/2005 Carnival Pride
12/2004 Imagination
6/2004 Carnival Miracle
11/2003 Sensation
6/2003 Dawn
5/2003 Carnival Legend
6/2002 Sensation
7/2001 Sensation
5/2001 Carnival Destiny
72000 Sensation
4/2000 Carnival Triumph
5/1999 Carnival Destiny
5/1998 Imagination
5/1997 Sensation

Are any other cruise lines offering a ship or two??? I am so proud of Carnival cruise lines..... All my cruising will be with Carnival always......

[Lisa]

Carnival was the only line contacted by the US Government.....do not fault the other cruise lines when they weren't even asked.

I sure hope Carnival will reimburse passengers who paid for their own air arrangements to get to these cruises or pay the fees for changes if they decide to do a different cruise (assuming they can even get on a cruise at this time.....)

[karessamom]

Amen to Carnival! A very generous offering and very grateful indeed for those affected!
Hopefull bit by bit these poor people can begin to rebuild their lives. Such a devistating disaster--i've been watching the news so much lately and can't beleive this has happened as i was just there in NO not 4 weeks ago. My sincere prayers are with all these people and God Bless.

[JeanS]

yes, it is a wonderful thing that Carnival is doing...we will always give them first preference when arranging a cruise! I was even more surprised to see that they were giving *3* cruise ships to help the victims....

...and I sincerely hope that the crew does get paid their tips....it would be terrible to find out they did not....

As far as Carnival being the only one asked, it's probably because they are the largest crfuiseline. But who is to say that other cruiselines can't offer their help also?? C'mon, now!

Hopefully with time and help these poor people will get back to some sense of normalcy, whatever that may be!

[Cynda]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9188316/

I applaud Carnival...they'll get my future business before the other cruiselines....I know FEMA pushed the issue...but this is just unbelievably gracious on Carnivals part.

[Dorothy]

Lisa, unless people booked an air package with Carnival, then I very much doubt Carnival will be reimbursing them anything for change in airfare, if then.

It's why insurance is such a good idea, particularly if you sail during hurricane season.

dorothy

[Melody]

I'm sure our government will be paying carnival a nice price that will cover the wages for all of the employees. I'm sure some of the staff will be placed on other ships that work in the casino and entertainment areas. I hope other companies and cruise ships step up and help these people that were effected by Katrina.


Melody

[Travellingranny]

I am reposting this here, as I feel that most of the feelings expressed in this thread are similar to my own. I thank those of you for not thinking so selfishly. I will continue to support Carnival, and any other business that helps shoulder the burden. Kudos to them. Reimbursement from FEMA and the government will not be close to what the cruiselines would make on a regular cruise. They will lose casino money, drink money, excursion money, etc. But they will be providing shelter, whether it be for those who lost homes, stranded tourists, or those that go in to clean up the mess left behind. But is a warm bed, air conditioning and a small measure of comfort.


First of all, I live in Houston TX and am an ICU nurse. I volunteered as part of the medical Team at the Astrodome. Trust me, it was the most mindnumbing thing I have ever done.

Prior to that, my thoughts were much the same...."why trash a cruise ship", "my vacation this December might be affected", and other heartless thoughts. Then reality slapped the crap out of me. It was stinging, and has still left the ugly sights, smells and sounds with me.... crying elderly, hungry children and sick people all needing relief. Some of the posts I have read throught out this board are disgusting, and sad. We CAN take a vacation, although it may cost a little more. We CAN get away for anywhere from 4 days to a week, and then return to our lives and jobs......the people affected have been moved from there homes for months, years maybe. Some will never return to the places they know and love. Many countless have died, and many more bodies yet to be recovered.

I am sure Carnival will be assisted by FEMA financially in the form of reimbursement, but I applaud them for stepping up to the plate and helping the areas that they call home ports.

I implore you to please remember these things as you worry whether you will have to spend a little extra cash to get to a different ship, or while you are sitting on deck, sipping a pina colada feeling the seabreeze in your face. I know I will when I go on my cruise this December. Yes, I have worked hard for it, and have paid a hefty price for it. But I also have that opportunity to do so. Inthe meantime, I intend to keep helping those in need. And should my ship be called up by FEMA, in a deal with the cruiseline, I will make the necessary arrangements to ADJUST.

Laura aka Travellingranny

I applaud Carnival for doing this, but I do hope that those who have looted, shot at our relief helicopters and raped young girls do not end up on these ships...........they should be severely prosecuted. I have tried to put myself in the place of these poor folks. If Carnival stepped forward and put my family on a cruise ship to live, I would most definitely NOT expect for someone to come make up my room twice a day, serve me my breakfast and dinner and basically be at my beckon call............I would think that these ships would be "manned" by some Carnival crew, but mostly by volunteers just like the shelters are. These ships are going to become shelters and will no longer be cruise ships...................I would certainly think that the Carnival staff who stay on the ship will be compensated by FEMA, but I don't think we need to go thinking that these refugees will be on a six month cruise..............I'm sure the people who live on the tips will have the option of transferring to another one of Carnival's many ships............

My cruise is sept 19 on celebration looking foward to it first time .But if they take our cruise so be it .helping people in need is what we should do Carnival is doing the right thing will book later if we need to .May god be with them all

Carnival Corporation also owns Costa, Cunard, Princess, Holland America, Windstar, & Seabourn Yachts. The 3 Carnival ships operated out of Galveston, Mobile & New Orleans making them the most appropriate vessels to operate as relief shelters. The subsidiary cruise lines will also be impacted by the diversion of the 3 ships to the relief effort.

Im against it. With what the govt is paying Carnival, it works out to something like $180 per night. Not very cost effective. Carnival is making more than they would have with thier own paying customers. Its not like Carnival is doing something noble here. I know they are older ships, but would hate to see the condition of the ships after the six months are done.

[Travellingranny]

kvanriper, I have to disagree with you that they are making more. As I said earlier, there will also be loss of revenue from sales, casinos and shore excursions.minimal staff will need to be kept onboard, for day to day operation of the ship. The ship is sure to endure heavy wear and tear.....more than if it was used for regular cruising. true, the extra money can be used for an earlier refurbish after its 'mission' is completed, but it will not cover everything.

Carnival is a business entity, and will also probably get tax benefits too, but I am sure, when all is said and done, this is not a profit making venture for them.

Laura

I'm going to write here as well, noting that Granny took the same liberty. But, I'll mention a different aspect of all this fuss about Carnival's contribution. Under Maritime law, when a country is in war or under great duress, ships are often subject to eminent domain type of treatment. So, it's not that outrageous to think that a few passenger boats would be confiscated to help in the crisis. Nobody is losing more than those that lost everything.
The flipside: it's kinda ironic that a few thieves and rapists will get to hang out on a luxury vessel for up to six months, and have the freedom to roam about the Galveston city and port to prey upon helpless victims, then return to the ship for a meal and a turned down bed. I wonder what kinda towel creatures the room stewards will be making.

[JoeMo]

kvanriper.....Where did you find financial information about the
Carnival / FEMA deal? The only information I have seen says
nothing about financial arrangements.

Joemo