The Port of Galveston will welcome back Carnival Cruise Lines and its devoted passengers, beginning November 1, 2008.
Following Hurricane Ike, Cruise Terminal 1 underwent a speedy but thorough top-to-bottom overhaul, and seven weeks later to the day, the Carnival Ecstasy will return to its homeport of Galveston. The Carnival Conquest will follow shortly, returning on November 2, 2008. Both vessels will embark passengers only on their first post-storm call, but will be back to a normal schedule thereafter, both disembarking and embarking in Galveston.
Port Director Steven M. Cernak had high praise for Carnival’s operational work and customer service in the weeks following the storm. He said, “Carnival’s advance planning and experience enabled them to swiftly relocate the ships temporarily while they continued to provide excellent passenger service. That allowed us to fast-track our repairs at the cruise terminal.”
All cruise terminal services and operations are now in place; including air-conditioning, web-based pre-paid parking, and Customs and Border Protection services are up and running. The Port was on the scene as soon as the storm waters receded, with work crews immediately tearing out carpeting and walls, meticulously cleaning the passenger facility, and then quickly installing new amenities. Terminal equipment, including passenger gangways, rolling doors, luggage X-ray machines and electrical systems, underwent expedited repairs.
Much of the credit for the expeditious cleanup, according to Cernak, goes to Belfor USA. Belfor is a damage recovery and restoration firm specializing in water and wind damage. Cernak applauded them for their rapid, careful and comprehensive response under very trying conditions. He said, “It was a tough order to fill, with no city utilities at first to support their tasks and with debris everywhere impeding movement. The Belfor team arrived, almost fully self-contained and self-sufficient. They brought our terminal back to life in record time.”
Filed under: Carnival Cruise Lines
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