New Providence is receiving about 2000 extra tourists today as one of Carnival’s cruise ships has been diverted to Freeport and Nassau due to the crash of Chalk’s flight 101 off Miami Beach Monday.
On the crash day, Miami police cordoned off Government Cut οΎ– a channel between the Port of Miami and Miami Beach used by cruiseliners. Cruise ships could not leave the Port as a result, and many had to change their itineraries since the area was treated as a crime scene following the commuter plane crash, which killed 20 people.
Authorities reopened the Port Tuesday evening and Carnival’s Fascination, which was originally slated to visit Key West and Mexico, was forced to operate on a modified schedule to The Bahamas.
The Fascination docked in Freeport yesterday and is expected to arrive here at 7 o’clock this morning, departing at 5 p.m. and arriving in Miami on Friday morning.
Jennifer DeLaCruz, spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines told The Guardian from the company’s Miami headquarters on Wednesday that Carnival also diverted its ‘Imagination,’ which was set to sail to Jamaica. The Imagination’s stops were supposed to include Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s north coast, but it was rerouted to Key West and Calica, Mexico as it failed to meet its original departure time in Miami.
“Imagination’s original itinerary was Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios but after being held in the Port here (Miami) we were looking for options for the two ships,” she said.
“So what ended up getting finalised was the Fascination going to The Bahamas. It would normally not be there (The Bahamas) but it went to Freeport today (Wednesday) and it should be in Nassau tomorrow morning (this morning). Neither of these ships were destined for The Bahamas so you are getting something positive from it,” she added.
However, due to the delay in departing Miami, voyages aboard both Fascination and Imagination have been shortened by one day.
Mrs DeLaCruz added that she was informed that Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas also had to change its itinerary, cutting out its stop to Coco Cay in the Berry Islands due to the plane crash.
The Miami Herald said, “The Port’s closure also forced the delayed departure of Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas, which carries about 2,500 passengers. Royal Caribbean encouraged passengers about 11:30 a.m. (Tue) to get off the ship and see Miami, but they were told to be back by 5 p.m. (Tue)”
Carnival Cruise Lines said due to the itinerary change, it would compensate passengers with a $100.00 credit toward spending on board the ships. It also offered a full refund to passengers who decided to get off the ships in Miami before they departed.
Carnival Cruise Lines prides itself on being “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Vacation” – a distinction it said it had achieved by offering a wide array of quality cruise vacations which present outstanding value for the money.
Carnival is a member of the exclusive World’s Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Holland America Line, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Costa Cruises and Windstar Cruises.
The company said together these member lines share a commitment to quality and value, offering cruise vacations that appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.
By: MINDELL SMALL, The Nassau Guardian
