Harvey Remnants

Harvey may be a cat 4 when it hits texas late friday to early saturday. They really are waiting for the last second to decide.

Honest Carnival CSR - "Yeah, it will be cancelled". Not honest one two minutes later - "I highly doubt it will be cancelled"

From Port of Galveston website:

August 24, 2017 11:56 AM

TROPICAL STORM HARVEY

On Thursday, Aug. 24 at 11:30 AM the Captain of the Port set port condition Yankee for the Port of Galveston and surrounding area, meaning that gale force winds are expected to reach Galveston within 24 hours.

The Port remains closed to all vessel traffic and commercial activities, however all mariners are advised to take prudent actions in preparation of the approaching storm. All facility and vessel operators should continue to make heavy weather preparations to include ensuring all loose cargo, cargo equipment, and other loose items are safely secured. In addition, all vessel moorings should be reinforced.

We urge you to stay alert and stay tuned to local weather for updates.

We are on the Freedom now in Cozumel and nothing has been communicated at all.

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For those of you that make the decision to travel to Galveston / Houston even though there currently are mandatory evacuations -- if you get stuck for a few days -- those of us working the relief efforts could use your help. Volunteers willing to 'pitch in" are always welcome.

Interesting what they will do with the breeze and freedom out to sea if the port stays closed. Maybe some extra ports or days at sea?

I have family that is supposed to board Freedom on Saturday. They were planning to drive down tomorrow. It's about an 8 hour drive. Carnival not making the decision till noon tomorrow is too late for some people. My Aunt & family will have to make a decision before that.

We always stay in Webster for our cruises because it's about $100 cheaper a night. But, in this case, you could run the risk of getting stuck there if Houston floods really bad & they end up having to cancel the cruise.

Interesting what they will do with the breeze and freedom out to sea if the port stays closed. Maybe some extra ports or days at sea?

That works for me!

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We are on the Freedom now in Cozumel and nothing has been communicated at all.

 

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Keep us posted.

Honest Carnival CSR - "Yeah, it will be cancelled". Not honest one two minutes later - "I highly doubt it will be cancelled"

Why do you keep calling Carnival? The people answering the phones will probably be notified at the same time you receive your text or email, so they can't give you the answers you want.

Believe me they want to "safely" bring the ship in and they want to be able to "safely" board you for your cruise! Even a small change in a hurricane's course can greatly effect what decision needs to be made.

Hopefully you have trip insurance.....

Keep us posted.

I will try, but I'll lose internet once we leave Cozumel and I don't think Carnival will tell us anything any time soon.

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Coastal areas will lose power, so not only is it the port closure, but it won't be long before power is out once things start.

Just got this today at work:

The Houston Pilots advise they will cease boardinginbound ships at 1230 hours today. Outbound traffic is expected to continuewithout interruption until weather conditions and safety concerns warrantclosure of the bar, or, until the Captain of the Port issued Port ConditionZULU, whichever comes first.

 

The Galveston-Texas City Pilots advise they will cease boardinginbound ships at 1300 hours today, and similarly to Houston Pilots willcontinue moving outbound traffic as long as conditions allow them to safely doso.

Voluntary evac issued for Bolivar Peninsula Friday 8 am

ETA: The Galveston co. voluntary evacuation includes the unincorporated areas of Port Bolivar, Crystal Beach, High Island and Gilchrist.

For those of you that make the decision to travel to Galveston / Houston even though there currently are mandatory evacuations -- if you get stuck for a few days -- those of us working the relief efforts could use your help. Volunteers willing to 'pitch in" are always welcome.

There are no mandatory evacuations in this area at all yet. Only voluntary for special needs.

I do see Carnival's side of things on this. It's Thursday and the weather changes quickly. This storm could dissipate or not impact Galveston. So they'd rather wait until tomorrow before they cancel or alter plans

Do you know what dissipate means?

Do you know what dissipate means?

Yes lol. I'm just saying this thing could turn (which doesn't look likely) but 24 hours ago this was suppose to be a minor tropical storm. I think they should let the Saturday departures (freedom and valor) by morning

On the slim chance the cruises aren't cancelled this weekend, be prepared that much of Galveston is shutting down for the weekend.

http://abc13.com/weather/potential-for-devastating-floods-has-galveston-on-alert-/2337076/

If this storm continues as projected, I can see ships being diverted to NOLA and maybe Mobile, depending on availability of dock space at the time. If there's massive flooding in Galveston, it may be a week or more before it is able to receive ships. Is the Houston terminal still a thing? Maybe they can shovel the moth balls off of that white elephant and press it into service in a pinch. It was a glittering palace of cruising excess in it's day.

Newest Hurricane center update: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/242045.shtml

Strongly worded and very long

If you are thinking about getting on the road and trying to get closer to the port, be aware that there will be a large amount of people moving to the north to get out of harms way. Hotels and motels will be full.

If you are thinking about getting on the road and trying to get closer to the port, be aware that there will be a large amount of people moving to the north to get out of harms way. Hotels and motels will be full.

Carnival website:

HURRICANE HARVEY

Weather Update #2 – 08/24/17 – 2:30 PM (EST)

Tropical Storm Harvey has now been upgraded to a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and the Port of Galveston is now closed to all marine traffic. At this time, no changes have been made to any of our Galveston sailings for this weekend and our itineraries remain as scheduled.

We will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Harvey’s forecasted track and provide guests with an update by 12:00 PM (CDT) tomorrow.

To stay up to date on any changes, guests are asked to sign up for text alerts by texting the codes below to CRUISE (278473).

Carnival Freedom 08/26/17 - CCL1

Carnival Valor 08/26/17 - CCL2

Carnival Breeze 08/27/17 - CCL3

Let's be real. This weekend's cruises are cancelled. If they aren't, it will require a reroute elsewhere and not everyone will be able to make it. They will likely issue full refunds.

Flash flood watch for Chambers, Fort Bend, Brazoriamans Galveston counties until Monday at 7am.

ETA: add Grimes, Harris and Liberty counties as well.