When will we know...

[JoeTN]

I realize no one really has any idea of how long the cleanup operations will take, but, I'm wondering, how long before the cruise lines will start making official statements about cruises 30-60 days from now. I'm booked on the Halloween Sailing out of New Orleans on Sensation. Carnival's re-routed the next 3 sailings of Sensation out of Galveston.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with port closures in the past (Im not sure theres anything similiar to this). I guess my fear is that Carnival will wait until mid October to say for sure its sailing from Galveston. I'm not rich by any means, and changing flights at the last minute could be enough to stop me from going.

 

Any thoughts ?

[GoinCruisin]

There is no telling... I suspect Carnival will wait to hear how things progress, which could take a while. It might be that they just go a few cruises at a time for a while. Sounds like for the rerouted cruises they are offering a credit to offset some of the costs of any extra fees... I'm not sure if your travel insurance will help defray the cost or not, you may want to call and see... good luck.

[Jenna1983]

Someone just called into LKL and asked about using cruiseships to get people out. And the GOV of LA said it's something they're looking into to use as a floating shelter or resort. She said it'd be up to FEMA.

[christicruiser]

Hi Joe in Murfreesboro - I'm over in Thompsons Station (eventhough my reply says Louisville - I no longer live there)

 

I'm supposed to be on the Conquest on 10/16 out of NOLA - the Harrah's casino in NOLA had a large group on this sailing. Who knows if we'll still go. I'm guessing in my situation - Harrah's will rebook the group on some other sailing once the casino is back open. They required us to stop in the casino the day b/f the cruise departs.

 

Their website says they anticipate reopening on 9/30. Originally, the note on their site said 9/12. I'm just sure it will be revised again to a later date. Nothing but despair down there.

 

Hopefully your cruise will leave from NOLA but I have a feeling it's just way too soon to tell.

[Cruisin Kay D]

Don't know if this is comparable or not BUT.....

It took nearly 2 months after Ivan hit Grand Cayman til the 1st cruise ship STOPPED for just a few hours there. Cayman had alot of destruction too and ocean water covered the island in many places, but there was NOT the extensive flooding that has hit NO. This flooding is THE WORST possible result of a storm hitting NO!!! Every building flooded will have to be rebuilt inside!! Flooding has affected more structures than would have been affected by the direct hit of hardest winds!!

 

Also have any of you noticed the condition of I-10? It doesn't exist anymore crossing Lake Pontchatrain, which is main route into NO from east & northeast!!

 

Anyone noticed the huge # of windows out at Hyatt in NO? There is alot of service & support industries required for a cruise ship boarding port -- especially the food services for the cruise!!!

 

If I were you, I really would NOT count on leaving from NO in Oct......

[hipquest]

Just my 2 cents, I can ID 2 rooms in the Hyatt DH and I have stayed during the Sugar Bowl, the windows are GONE! We have been a guest of Nokia the past 4 Sugar Bowls and have stayed at the Hyatt. We are familiar w/NO on our own, as well. The gov' and Mayor both agree that it will be 2 months until kids can go to school, I would plan to save for a change. Hopefully, we will help those in the Gulf states and, hey MAYBE, the rest of the world will pitch in, to help us, like we do them.:) Hey, who am I kidding?:confused:

[magnumcoog]

I am afraid it could be months if not years before New Orleans recovers. The sandbagging of the levees has failed. The "east bank" is New Orleans.

 

 

 

This is on the http://www.wwltv.com website homepage:

 

****ALL RESIDENTS ON THE EAST BANK OF ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON REMAINING IN THE METRO AREA ARE BEING TOLD TO EVACUATE AS EFFORTS TO SANDBAG THE LEVEE BREAK HAVE ENDED. THE PUMPS IN THAT AREA ARE EXPECTED TO FAIL SOON AND 12-15 FEET OF WATER ARE EXPECTED IN THE ENTIRE EAST BANK.****

 

 

The longer the water stays, the more pollution and disease that will result. Most of the homes in New Orleans will be destroyed by the water. Can you imagine rebuilding homes for almost a million people? Infrastructure will also begin to detiorate the longer the water stays and if pumps are out it is not going anywhere. Trees will also die, I have been to Grand Cayman and almost all of the trees were dead. Just a very sad situation, and I am afraid it is going to get much worse.