Port of Galveston closed

[cdamion]

One positive thing is that Texas is allowing them to serve alcohol and open the casinos. That is good, so at least people can enjoy themselves.

[lady_cruiser]

............Sometimes vacations don't go well. The key is to take the lemons and make lemonade. One has to be resilient in this life as nothing is guaranteed.

 

OR as in the words of my family physician, "when life gives you lemons, grab a bottle of tequila!"

[nealstuber]

One positive thing is that Texas is allowing them to serve alcohol and open the casinos. That is good, so at least people can enjoy themselves.

 

 

I love my state:). The have always served alcohol in port-but you could not get a Corona on a beverage plan until you left port.

 

 

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[KPfromCT]

OR as in the words of my family physician, "when life gives you lemons, grab a bottle of tequila!"

 

 

Love the way your doctor thinks!!!!! Lol

[cdamion]

I love my state:). The have always served alcohol in port-but you could not get a Corona on a beverage plan until you left port.

 

 

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I have not cruised out of Texas before. Somebody told me they couldn't start serving liquor until you were out of Texas waters because of some state law. Same with gambling in state waters.

[txmom11]

No, they just can't sell liquor before noon on Sundays.

 

 

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[aggieastrosfan]

I have not cruised out of Texas before. Somebody told me they couldn't start serving liquor until you were out of Texas waters because of some state law. Same with gambling in state waters.

 

Only liquor bought from a Texas distributor can be used in Texas for making drinks. So my guess is they buy just enough too keep everyone happy until in international waters. But there is most definitely liquor served in Galveston. Before noon. The noon rule on Sundays applies to beer and wine sales at grocery stores, but not individual drinks. Those have always been available before noon in restaurants, and on cruise ships.

 

 

Meredith

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[Chaka Kant]

On Magic in Galveston. Ship announced we'll leave after hull cleaning but online news reporting that Coast Guard hasn't given indication if they'll open the port. I know oil spill is not Carnival's fault. Just wish they'd be honest with us.

 

 

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[yst347]

The only time cruise ships cannot sell alcoholic drinks while in Texas are Sunday mornings. The law says no sales before noon unless accompanied by food purchases in which case 11 AM. This usually goes unnoticed as the vast majority of passengers are not onboard trying to buy a drink before noon on Sunday.

 

The other restriction is the products offered for sale. Brands are limited and sales tax is collected while cruise ships are in port. My assumption has always been that the cruise lines are restricted to selling beverages purchased from state licensed wholesalers. The wholesalers pay the excise tax to the state and pass the cost in the wholesale price. If someone knows for sure whether this is the reason I would appreciate the clarification.

 

It looks like the Boliver ferry has resumed service so that bodes well for the cruise ships getting out tonight.

[spyingeyes]

On Magic in Galveston. Ship announced we'll leave after hull cleaning but online news reporting that Coast Guard hasn't given indication if they'll open the port. I know oil spill is not Carnival's fault. Just wish they'd be honest with us.

 

 

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I sure hope you guys get out tonight. I'd like to think they aren't being dishonest, only reporting what they've been told by authorities at the moment. I'd be frustrated too though.

[prattmom]

The only time cruise ships cannot sell alcoholic drinks while in Texas are Sunday mornings. The law says no sales before noon unless accompanied by food purchases in which case 11 AM. This usually goes unnoticed as the vast majority of passengers are not onboard trying to buy a drink before noon on Sunday.

 

The other restriction is the products offered for sale. Brands are limited and sales tax is collected while cruise ships are in port. My assumption has always been that the cruise lines are restricted to selling beverages purchased from state licensed wholesalers. The wholesalers pay the excise tax to the state and pass the cost in the wholesale price. If someone knows for sure whether this is the reason I would appreciate the clarification.

 

It looks like the Boliver ferry has resumed service so that bodes well for the cruise ships getting out tonight.

 

Doesn't apply. I've totally had a DOD in hand at 10:30 on a Sunday in Galveston on the Magic ;)

 

 

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[sppunk]

The casino isn't open. Or wasn't earlier today.

 

Still docked, have not heard any announcements whatsoever on board. Restless guests growing since they're completely in the dark with updates.

 

Parents probably leaving tonight and visiting family and going home. Cruise is loaded with kids, can't be fun for them since it's 45 degrees and too cold to do anything outside.

[vols_159]

The casino isn't open. Or wasn't earlier today.

 

Still docked, have not heard any announcements whatsoever on board. Restless guests growing since they're completely in the dark with updates.

 

Parents probably leaving tonight and visiting family and going home. Cruise is loaded with kids, can't be fun for them since it's 45 degrees and too cold to do anything outside.

 

 

question how are they gonna get off? didnt the ship move away from the dock?

[sppunk]

It just moved up, they asked about a gangway and said it may be put out once Magic moves back into Triumph's spot.

 

But she's going nowhere tonight, per USCG.

 

The ferry between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula, closed since the spill, was expected to reopen by 6:15 p.m. Monday, officials said. For now, services will be limited to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

 

That's dependent on a test vessel seeing if oil gets churned up.

 

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Ferry-reopening-today-as-cleanup-continues-5342986.php?cmpid=bna

[Chaka Kant]

We met folks at Galveston hotel last booked on RC. They left about midnight to embark but they're ship is still here at port too. Sad.

We did read online that the Princess ship stuck in Houston offered passengers full refund plus whatever cruise they may be able to salvage now. They may be getting voucher for future cruise too. Can't remember exactly. Good for Princess.

 

 

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[Golfing Dan]

Casino will open until they get I international waters. That is my understanding. They also serve a limited drink menu until reaching international waters.

 

 

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[Mikel1733]

This is when a good cruise director can make all the difference. If the guests are kept occupied and entertained with enthusiastic staff this will be weathered by the guests.

[kybluecruiser]

On Magic in Galveston. Ship announced we'll leave after hull cleaning but online news reporting that Coast Guard hasn't given indication if they'll open the port. I know oil spill is not Carnival's fault. Just wish they'd be honest with us.

 

 

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Read on royal boards that they are announcing the same thing on navigator of the seas. So looks both cruise lines are getting the same info. So appears they are being honest.

[Golfing Dan]

Here is the latest:

 

Shared from _ Angie Mike • 2 hours ago

 

My job details include working with the port and this is what I have gotten as the latest update. I don't know if this means the cruise ships are involved or not or if they will even leave today.

 

Good Afternoon,

 

The Houston Ship Channel remains closed to vessel

traffic. After this morning’s optimism

that traffic would begin to move soon, delays in the clean-up efforts have

resulted in no authorizations for vessel movements today or tonight.

 

There is another call tomorrow at 9:00am with USCG and all

stakeholders. I hope to provide you with

an update following that call.

 

Best Regards,

 

 

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[Smiling Cruiser]

Surely this is a disappointment for most cruisers, but after you come to an understanding that this, like much of life, is out of your control, you have to look for the bright side-better to be stuck on the cruise ship than in an airport. Wishing happy and safe sails to all, flowing beverages of your choice, and a great CD to keep the party going while you wait for your ship to sail.

[Smiling Cruiser]

I stand corrected!:) :)

[ekatiel]

On the Royal boards, they're reporting that the Navigator cruise has been cancelled. Passengers will receive a 100% refund and 25% off a future cruise. They can stay on board until Sunday if they wish. I wonder if Carnival will follow suit?

[kazbar]

John Heald

 

 

Carnival Magic & Carnival Triumph - Update

 

Due to the oil spill, the United States Coast Guard required we conduct some additional cleaning to both of the ship's hulls before we depart. The cleaning commenced earlier today on Carnival Magic under the supervision of the United States Coast Guard. Unfortunately, it has taken longer than expected and we were just informed we will have to stop the cleaning at sunset and resume in the morning. Carnival Triumph will start the cleaning in the morning.

 

Additionally, due to the large amount of oil in the channel, port officials have closed the channel to all ship traffic.

 

Carnival Magic

Due to this further delay, all guests will receive a 2 day prorated refund of your cruise fare, refunded in 2 weeks, instead of the 1 day previously mentioned.

 

If the channel reopens and we can finish the cleaning by 8am tomorrow morning, our itinerary remains unchanged.

 

However, if we cannot leave by 8am, then we will have to replace our call to Grand Cayman with a call to Progreso. Our visit to Cozumel will remain as scheduled. As a result of this these additional itinerary changes, guests will receive a 25% future cruise discount.

 

In the event we need to change our itinerary and guests choose not to sail, we will have a window of time this evening or in the early morning when they can disembark. Guests who decide to disembark will receive a full refund and a 25% future cruise discount.

 

Unfortunately, since we are not docked at a passenger cruise terminal, we are not yet able to determine when guests can debark. We will update guests as soon as we have more information.

 

Carnival Triumph

At this point, we will need to cancel our call in Progreso. We will still visit Cozumel on Thursday if we are able to sail by 5pm tomorrow.

 

As a result of this change, guests will receive a one day prorated refund within two weeks and a 25% future cruise discount.

 

In the event guests wish to cancel, we will let them know when they may disembark as we are seeking approval from USCG for those guests. Those guests who wish to disembark this evening will receive a full refund in addition to a 25% future cruise discount. Another debarkation window will open tomorrow from 6am to 8am.

[sppunk]

Update from captain: Stopped cleaning oil at sundown, they will readdress tomorrow at 8 a.m. If they sail they're going to Pogresso and Cozumel, if not cruise cancelled. If you don't want to go to those places you can debarked with refund and 25 percent credit to future cruises.

 

Currently everyone is already getting two days refund and 25 percent credit to future cruise.

Edited March 25, 2014 by sppunk

[Isasprings]

Carnival Magic and Triump still in Galveston?