HAL Irma Update - Just Posted on FB

[taxmantoo]

Hurricane Irma update 9/13/2017: All of us at Holland America Line are holding those close in our thoughts who have been impacted by the recent storms. As rebuilding efforts begin, we are assessing the best way to provide on-going support. Our parent company, Carnival Corporation, has already begun outreach and support for those islands impacted on behalf of the family of cruise lines. They have been in communication with officials in many of the Caribbean islands and have activated a plan to deliver supplies on both an immediate and sustained, longer-term basis. These deliveries will be worked into ships’ cruise itineraries as part of ongoing operations. We stand ready to provide support to affected ports and communities.

Holland America Line’s Caribbean cruise season begins in mid-October and we look forward to continuing to provide the great cruise experience our guests expect and the economic support that the region relies on, now more than ever. Only a few ports visited on Holland America Line itineraries this coming season were impacted by Hurricane Irma. Our private island, Half Moon Cay, was not damaged and is fully operational. No cruises will be cancelled and should any port substitutions need to be made in the future, booked guests and their travel agents will be notified.

We sincerely encourage booked guests and anyone considering a Caribbean cruise to move forward with their plans. There is no better show of support for the area and the people than to continue to visit.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for this information.

[seapointer]

Let me be the first to say that it is a terrific decision by Carnival Corp. to express its intention to aid the affected islands to recover and rebuild.

 

However, it would be a mistake to resume port calls where the infrastructure will provide limited or no facilities and activities for tourists. It seems unfair to cruisers to force feed us into a St. Thomas or St. Martin until it has recovered sufficiently. Having said that, HAL should not keep customers guessing where their October, November, or December cruise will make a port call.

[avian777]

... HAL should not keep customers guessing where their October, November, or December cruise will make a port call.

 

IMO it would be horribly irresponsible of HAL (or any other cruise line) to issue definitive statements about plans for specific port calls until it has reliable information about port repairs/readiness post-Irma. As a CCL shareholder, I am pleased with HAL's response to natural disasters both in terms of its financial support of affected ports as well as in terms of insuring that all ports of call will be able to offer tourists a safe and enjoyable visit.

Smooth sailing :ship::ship::ship:

[RocketMan275]

I predict some very amusing threads concerning compensation for visits to damaged ports and changes in ports visited.