The upgraded category 1 Hurricane Barry caused issues for multiple Carnival Cruise Line itineraries and two major cruise ports. Now in this updated post, Barry has weakened to a Tropical Storm and some good news for cruisers.
Tropical Storm Barry Affects Carnival Cruise Ships
Carnival Cruise Line has released a new update today for three cruise ships which are based out of the U.S. Gulf coast. Tropical Storm Barry has been causing disruptions to the cruise industry and beyond with Carnival ship itinerary changes and the closure of Port of New Orleans in Louisiana and Port of Mobile in Alabama which have now re-opened.
You can read our previous post about how Tropical Storm Barry was affecting cruise ships right here.
Carnival Fantasy
JULY 13
The Fantasy-class cruise ship which is based out of Mobile, Alabama is supposed to ending her 5-day Western Caribbean cruise on July 13. The Carnival ship is scheduled to depart on the next voyage later today from the port for a 4-day itinerary.
As the Port of Mobile is still closed it is unlikely the regular schedule will take place. The ship will be keeping a safe distance away from the storm and will head to port once it re-opens. Guests who are booked on the July 13 sailing as being told not to make their way to the terminal and to keep checking for updates.
UPDATE (JULY 13, 3:00 PM EST):
Carnival Cruise Line has now posted a new update regarding Carnival Fantasy. The ship’s July 13 departure from Port of Mobile, Alabama will no longer take place. The ship will instead be departing Mobile on Sunday, July 14 and operate a 4-day cruise with a call to Cozumel, Mexico. Guests booked for that sailing are still advised not to make their wait to the port as it could remain closed and Carnival confirms embarkation plans.
A one day refund will be given along with any taxes and port fees from the canceled call at Costa Maya. Any booked shore excursions through the cruise line will also be refunded. A future cruise credit will be offered for any guests not wanting to go through with their vacation aboard the Carnival Fantasy.
UPDATE (JULY 14, 12:00 PM EST):
As conditions have improved today and the Port of Mobile reopened, the Carnival Fantasy was able to arrive back into Mobile this morning. The ship will depart once the embarkation process is completed and will sail her altered 4-day sailing as mentioned further above.
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Carnival Glory
JULY 13
The Conquest-class ship is currently on a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise and is scheduled to arrive back into New Orleans tomorrow morning, July 14. Carnival is monitoring developments of the Hurricane and the ship will dock as soon as the port re-opens.
Guests on the next 7-day Eastern Caribbean July 14 sailing should keep checking for latest updates before making their way to the terminal tomorrow just in case it remains closed.
UPDATE (JULY 14, 12:00 PM EST):
The Port of New Orleans is now open and the Carnival cruise ship already docked there this morning. The ship is set to sail on her regular cruise later on.
Opt-in for text alerts by texting CCL2 to 278473.
Carnival Valor
JULY 13
Carnival Valor is currently on a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise which is scheduled to end at Port of New Orleans on July 15. It is not yet known if the port will remain closed on that day. it all depends on flooding, port damage and any other impact by Hurricane Barry.
Guests booked on the next sailing which is scheduled to depart on the 5-day Western Caribbean cruise should keep checking for updates from the cruise line.
The Carnival cruise ship has already been affected by the storm. The current sailing had to depart from Mobile instead of New Orleans and passengers were transported to the alternative port by bus. They could have to deal with more travel headaches if the Carnival Valor can’t return as normal.
UPDATE (JULY 14, 12:00 PM EST):
The ship will arrive on Monday in New Orleans as normal. The July 15 sailing will go ahead as scheduled.
Opt-in for text alerts by texting CCL4 to 278473.
The Port of New Orleans issued the following statement which did mention that the port is set to re-open on Monday, July 15:
The Port Administration Building is closed for all nonessential personnel on Thursday, July 11, 2019, and Friday, July 12, 2019, in order to prepare for any possible severe weather and should reopen Monday, July 15, 2019 with regular schedules.
The Flood Authority closed all MRL floodgates beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2019. Effective at 5 p.m., Friday, July 12, 2019, the Lower Mississippi River closed to all vessel traffic from mile marker 20 to mile marker 303.
Further updates on how Tropical Storm Barry is impacting the cruise industry will be coming. So far only Carnival Cruise Line is being impacted. Royal Caribbean seems to be in the clear.
Tropical Storm Barry Latest
The downgraded Tropical Storm Barry has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph according to the National Hurricane Center (NOAA).
The Tropical Storm is moving north at 9 mph and is moving further inland. Barry is currently 86 KM Southeast of Shreveport, Louisana.
