Several Cruise Voyages Altered by Houston Spill

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a notice to cruise passengers affected by the Houston ship channel oil spill stating that several cruise voyages have been altered or rescheduled.

Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas seven-night Western Caribbean March 23 sailing was originally cancelled because of an oil spill in Houston harbor, but has decided to go ahead with a shortened four-night cruise.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Magic departed March 25 from Galveston to begin a new cruise after being delayed as a result of the oil spill. The ship is operating a five-day Western Caribbean cruise with calls in Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The original voyage was a seven-day cruise scheduled to depart on Sunday, March 23.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival triumph departed March 25 from Galveston for a four-day cruise to Cozumel. It was originally scheduled for a five-day cruise.

On March 25, 2014, Carnival issued a statement that passengers who chose to sail on the shortened voyages would receive pro-rated refunds and a 25 percent discount on a future cruise.

Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess sailed from the Port of Houston on March 25 after being held in port since an oil spill closed the Houston Ship Channel. The ship is currently underway on a shortened itinerary which will call to Cozumel on March 27 before returning to Houston on March 29. The original voyage was scheduled to depart March 22 on a seven-day Caribbean cruise calling at Cozumel, Roatan and Belize.

Princess has released a statement with information on refunds and reimbursements for passengers affected by this cruise.

FMC advised passengers to consult their ticket contracts to determine their rights.

fmc.gov