Hello everyone. This press release is due out later today but PA 007 has sent me a sneak peak
HERE IT IS:
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 (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 2011.
For additional information contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
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Thanks PA….I owe you lunch
Blog will be ready later today
Cheers
John
Filed under: Destinations, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ectasy, Galveston, Houston
Hi John/PA007:
Woohoo…The vessels are a little closer to Dallas.
Though i’m sad for our friends in Galveston, its nice to see that Carnival will continue to sail out of Texas.
Thanks for the news.
David
PA007…
ANYTHING YOU WANT!!! ANYTHING!!!
WOO HOO!!!
HOORAY!!!!!
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
I’m cruising this weekend!!! I’m on the CONQUEST!!! GOD BLESS CARNIVAL!!!!
And, for a moment of silence… Lord, bless Galveston and Houston and Port Arthur, and everywhere touched by Ike… I have family who are still displaced… I have friends not in their homes… Bless them and those caring for them! Bless those who will repair what is broken! Bless those who will doctor their bodies! Lord, we think of them and their losses and troubles. We ask for your healing touch!! AMEN!!!!
YIPEEE! Great news for Texas, Conquest and Ecstasy (and those of us cruising in the near future!) I see this as good for Galveston, so they have more time to recover without worrying about the ships going to a distant port. And passengers don’t have to make major changes to travel arrangements in order to get to the ships.
Thanks for the update!
Diane
I was hoping that this would happen, as I am sailing on the Conquest in November and was thinking that I would be driving to New Orleans. Its also much more convienent than driving to Galveston (not by much though). I hope that this will also bring a Carnival ship to Houston full time.
Soooooo wonderful to hear that (one) Our gems are staying in the Great State of Texas WOOOO HOO!!! and (two) that Carnival remains loyal to Galveston and will return home asap!!!!
We continue our prayers for all those affected everywhere by the storms!!
Thanks for great news, John, we needed that!!!
Love to you all!
Floatie
John:
Glad Carnival took my advice!! LOL
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
THATS AWSOME!
Good news for us! Fifteen minutes to the port from my front door. However, to access those “fine restaurants” and “shops” you are going to need a rent car (lol). Unfortunately the “primo” spot–the Kemah Boardwalk–is gone. Hopefully, even though Carnival will go back to Galveston, other lines may see how great this “Port Authority Boondoggle” is in operation and consider moving their lines there. If nothing else, it will give them a chance to “tweak” the facility–sorta a dress rehearsal.
Tucker in Texas
Such grand news!!! Have friends sailing the Conquest 9/21, and they will be so happy and excited. Made my day, and theirs. WOO HOO Crazies are sailing!!
Thanks John,
We sail this Saturday on the Ecstasy and wondered from where.
Isn’t it amazing how fortune turns on a dime?
When it was obvious that Galveston would not be workable last Sunday I was hoping that there would be some way for the Conquest to make Bayport rather than NOLA. Now, here we are in Bayport!!
I was dreading the ten plus hour drive to NOLA from San Antonio!!
I’m thrilled to be one of the first to use the new cruise terminal at Bayport but will be much happier when we return to Galveston.
I applaud Carnival for sticking by Galveston, now more than ever. It’s a wonderful little island with fantastic people. They need Carnival now more than ever.
Thank you.
Host Mach
John:
Of course it would help if I called it the right name.
Bayport….not Baytown (sorry)
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
*** John Please Reply!! ***
We’re sailing on the Conquest on Oct 19th, and need to make hotel reservations. Do you have any information on when the switch back to Galveston will be? Even a general time frame?
Thanks!!!
Scott
PS. We were disappointed to hear that Jenn won’t be Cruise Directing the cruise, but I’m sure she could use a break! Wish her the best from us.
John:
Thanks for all your help in getting things lined up so quickly in Bayport. We get to cruise thanks to you and all the great people at Carnival..
you da man John
Thanks
Harold
Thank you so much. We are so glad to keep the Conquest and the Ecstasy here in Texas and so glad that Carnival will return to Galveston. I’m on the Conquest Sunday and happy to help the folks at Bayport get started.
Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with Galveston, Houston and all east Texas communities as well as western Louisiana as they all recover from another devasting storm.
Thanks for all the info you have researched, its been a lot of help. These last few days were stressful and any help we got helped ease it. I am glad to see that Carnival will stay in Texas and hope our neighbors in Galveston and surrouding cities will have a speedy recovery.
John,
Those of us cruising the 21st on the Conquest truly appreciate all of the information you have provided. Our hearts go out to those who have lost so much, not only in Texas, but all along Ike’s trek through the middle of US. So much damage done by the winds and flooding. Thanks also to Carnival for waiting until they had firm plans before speculating as to what they might do (even though those of us waiting to hear were on pins and needles for days). I love reading your blog thingy and hearing your stories about the issues you deal with on a daily basis. Keep up the good work!
Kathy
PA-007
Thanks for that news. Now can you get us ALL the info on the 2009 Bloggers Cruise and Pre-cruise event.
BIG ED
John,
Just a quick note to say, “thank you,” to you and all the people at Carnival from the Crazy Conquistadors. I am sure this week has been extremely hard on everyone. I do appreciate all the hard work to get the Bayport terminal opened for the ships. My husband and I are going on our honeymoon this Sunday on the Conquest.
Pass along the thank you’s, please!!!!
I, too, will be sailing on this Saturday aboard the Ecstasy and happy for the turn of events to make it possible. I applaude how Carnival handled the situation (especially for those two ships still out to sea). As a fellow Texan, my heart is heavy for those who have suffered lost; my prayers are with them for a swift recovery and continued or increased faith in God. I believe without a doubt – He shall supply their needs. For those sailing on the Ecstasy – looking forward to meeting ya. Midland, TX