Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tropical Storm Isaac Threatens New Orleans & Ship Itineraries
Tropical Storm Isaac Threatens New Orleans, Ship Itineraries
Tropical Storm Isaac continued west-northwest over the Gulf of Mexico with a hurricane warning in effect for east of Morgan City, La., to Destin, Fla., including New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. The Port of New Orleans planned to cease operations by 5 p.m. today, closing to cargo traffic. The closure is not expected to impact cruise traffic, because Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Conquest sailed normally Sunday and is due back on Sept. 2. The Carnival Elation is scheduled to arrive Thursday at the Erato Street Cruise Terminal.
Meanwhile, the Port of Miami did not reopen at noon today as hoped, and conditions will be further assessed at 2 p.m. Eastern time. That means the Carnival Valor will remain at sea until it can dock, further delaying boarding set for today. The Valor, now operating its Aug. 18 departure, shortened its next cruise to five days, visiting Grand Cayman and Montego Bay, with hopes that check-in could take place 4-7:30 p.m. Monday with departure at 8 p.m.
Likewise, Carnival Imagination remains at sea until it can return to the Port of Miami. With hopes of returning today, the ship had hoped to board passengers from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today. Now, that will be delayed as the port remains closed. Carnival requests that passengers on Valor and Imagination not proceed to the cruise terminal until further notice.
The National Hurricane Center predicted that Isaac will become a hurricane before reaching the northern gulf coast on Tuesday. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph with higher gusts with tropical storm force winds extending outward up to 205 miles.
