Fantasy awaiting Port of Mobile to open

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Fog has us waiting.  Carnival is to send update at 930 Central time.  Mobile is sunny.  Hopefully the fog will burn off and we will sail

[Purvis1231]

It is funny in this day of radar, sonar, GPS, and pilot boats a cruise ship cannot navigate in a little fog. 

[2Shoes2Go]

It’s going to be a long day for the crew. We’re on board now, doing b3b. Harbor Master has closed the port. When it is reopened, it will still be ab 3 hours to go down channel to dock. Then, debark will be a few hrs. We won’t be making  Progreso.

Edited February 23, 2019 by 2Shoes2Go
Spelling

[Alabaster Cruiser]

2shoestogo....please let us know when you hear anything.  Thank goodness we were able to book our room for another night if we need it.  It is Mardi Gras in Mobile and some rooms are short.  We have been through this before in Tampa.  Had our cruise cut short but Carnival gave us 50% back . We will be waiting......thanks

 

[2Shoes2Go]

Will do. Lunch is being served on board beginning at 11:30 for guests. Fog horn has been nonstop from late last night. Mood is pretty good. Over half of passengers from GA, where schools are on break. Lots of children; ship is close to capacity for the current cruise. Less children next week. 23 Diamonds next cruise.

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Did they have a lunch for diamond members or just a get together with snacks?  Were on the Breeze last month and had the best steak we have ever had on a ship.  Thanks for any future updates.....

 

[2Shoes2Go]

Cocktail Party in the disco, third evening. There were 18 Diamonds this trip. Still no phone service, Cellular at Sea only, but have internet plan until it shuts off; probably ab noon.Guests still have cabin access and some movies and activites planned. The casino, bars and shops are open, too.

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Thanks for any updates...

[cindyanne]

Please keep us posted.  Thanks!

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, Purvis1231 said:

It is funny in this day of radar, sonar, GPS, and pilot boats a cruise ship cannot navigate in a little fog. 

Neither can any type of ship.  And when the visibility is very low, neither can airlines.  And cars need to slow down in low visibility situations.  And unlike cars, ships have no brakes.

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Latest update on this side.....next update at 2pm

[2Shoes2Go]

Nothing else new here. Going to lunch. May lose internet plan soon.

[Palmetto Pilot]

32 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Neither can any type of ship.  And when the visibility is very low, neither can airlines.  And cars need to slow down in low visibility situations.  And unlike cars, ships have no brakes.

I can do a 0 vis 0 ceiling landing. These ships need to get with the times. 

Edited February 23, 2019 by Palmetto Pilot

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Fantasy picking up speed.  Up to 16knots.  Headed to port.  Wonder if the people on board will be offered to stay there overnight.  That is what happened in Tampa and we boarded the next day.

[2Shoes2Go]

No mention of staying overnight. ETA, per captain, 5:00 pm. Internet still on 🙂

[Alabaster Cruiser]

Thank you so much.  We can stay in our room until 330pm.  Hopefully we will know by then if we will be sailing tonight!

[2Shoes2Go]

Fog may close the port again this evening. When we sailed out of Mobile on Feb 4 th, the fog almost trapped us in, after boarding at 5:30, because of that delay. 

[Tapi]

I’m Also on board. Walking around the ship, fellow pasenger’s mood swings from “another fun day at sea” to “raising hell at customer service” (like that’s going to make the fog clear and the ship go faster). My kids have enjoyed it tremendously and are thrilled about the extended vacation. I will dread the drive home back to GA tonight. 😂

 

Can someone confirm if they’ll still offer priority debarkation for Platinum/Diamond? Still meeting at Cleopatra’s? Thanks!  

[Tapi]

2 hours ago, Palmetto Pilot said:

I can do a 0 vis 0 ceiling landing. These ships need to get with the times. 

Fellow pilot here. Your airplane may have the ability to shoot a cat 3 landing, but you can’t do it to an airport that’s closed. 

 

Port ot Mobile is closed to ALL marine traffic.

Edited February 23, 2019 by Tapi

[wdowns9]

2pm text - arrive at terminal between 7:30-10p everyone onboard by 10:30p awaiting next update at 3p this is for todays departure

[Alabaster Cruiser]

1 hour ago, 2Shoes2Go said:

Fog may close the port again this evening. When we sailed out of Mobile on Feb 4 th, the fog almost trapped us in, after boarding at 5:30, because of that delay. 

At least we would be on the ship! (Hopefully)......looking forward to meeting you at diamond party and thank you for the updates.

For anyone that has to stay in Mobile tonight the rooms are $300 plus,.  I recommend Comfort Inn and Suites in Daphne.  It is 14 miles east from port at 29793 Woodrow Lane.  They have been so very accomidating to us.  We used Choice points and $30 for our room.

[wdowns9]

Final updated just came in for departures today:

Carnival Fantasy is expected to arrive later this afternoon. Once the ship arrives, we will need to disembark guests before we can proceed with your embarkation. 

 

Please disregard your pre-selected Arrival Appointment and make plans to arrive at the cruise terminal between 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM (CST). Due to terminal capacity limitations, please do not arrive earlier than 7:30 PM.  

 

Given our later departure, we will need to cancel our visit to Progreso. So you can enjoy additional time ashore in Cozumel, we will arrive on February 25, at 1:30 PM.  We will remain overnight and depart at 5:00 PM on February 26, as scheduled.

All guests who pre-purchased our beverage packages will receive a one-day pro-rated adjustment. This refund will be processed to the original form of payment in approximately three weeks. Pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions for Progreso, as well as any taxes, fees and port expenses will be refunded to your onboard Sail & Sign account. We have added some exciting tour opportunities in Cozumel.  For more details, please visit the Shore Excursion Desk, located on Empress, deck 7 - forward.  

 

In preparation for departure, all guests must be on board by 10:30 PM (CST). Weather permitting, we expect to depart shortly after the completion of embarkation.

[chengkp75]

3 hours ago, Palmetto Pilot said:

I can do a 0 vis 0 ceiling landing. These ships need to get with the times. 

But you can't do a 0 vis taxi.  But let's compare.  A 777 has two engines developing a total of 164Mw of power, pushing an aircraft that weighs 250 metric tons, or a power to weight ratio of 0.656 Mw/ton.  A ship like Oasis has propulsion power of 60Mw, pushing a ship that weighs 100,000 metric tons, or a power to weight ratio of 0.0006 Mw/ton, about 1000th of the power to weight ratio.  Even a small aircraft like the Piper 600 has a power to weight ratio of 0.148 Mw/ton, or 250 times Oasis.  Then, every aircraft that is landing or taking off in a zero vis situation is under control by a controller, and is transmitting a transponder code (correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not a pilot), while in a port, there is no "control tower", and small craft do not have to transmit AIS information, and many barely show up on radars.  And if an instrument landing goes somewhat awry, there are "safety areas" around the runways to allow the aircraft to safely stop (again, correct me if I'm wrong), while places like ports have bridges, levees, and seawalls that are kind of hard to land against.  

Edited February 23, 2019 by chengkp75

[Don Kehote]

3 hours ago, Palmetto Pilot said:

I can do a 0 vis 0 ceiling landing.

Seeing as a cruise ship is not equal to an airplane, I find your argument drunk.  R2 Keyboard operator.

[wdowns9]

7 hours ago, Purvis1231 said:

It is funny in this day of radar, sonar, GPS, and pilot boats a cruise ship cannot navigate in a little fog. 

unfortunately the Port of Mobile makes the call not the cruise line. Back in November we came up the Miss on the Breakaway in Pea Soup with horns and full spot lights and it back on time. Living on the Gulf visibility has been 0-.3miles until mid morning. Do not know the conditions but will see when return on Thurs..