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| Carnival Cruise Line returns to Port of Galveston, applies pressure to lift restrictions |
| 2021-05-05 |
| [Hot Air] Carnival Cruise Line is ready to get back to work. While the cruise industry waits for final approval to resume travel, the cruise line moved two ships into the Port of Galveston. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that after a year of waiting, it is time to bring back jobs and economic advantages in port cities like Galveston. Federal orders halted cruise ships fourteen months ago. The City of Galveston has been hit hard by the economic pain brought by the pandemic. Carnival Cruise Line is the Port of Galveston’s largest cruise operator. The cruise industry brings $1.6 billion in annual economic activity and employs 27,000 people in Texas. On Sunday two of Carnival’s ships — the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista — pulled into the port as a way of highlighting the cruise line’s economic impact on the area. A rally was held on Monday. The CDC has given the ok for cruise lines to get back to business by mid-July. On March 2020 the CDC issued its first No Sail Order and then extended the order indefinitely on September 30. Last month a glimmer of hope for those eager to get back to cruising emerged when the CDC issued a letter stating it would consider rescinding the order by July if 98% of passengers were vaccinated and 95% of crew members. Carnival is reviewing CDC guidance but has not issued its decision on vaccination requirements for guests or for the crew. Crew members were vaccinated for COVID-19 onsite from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston during the Monday rally event. Carnival is the only cruise line operator with three year-round ships based at the Port of Galveston. They carry about 750,000 passengers each year. The port has two terminals. One terminal is used solely by Carnival, the other is shared by Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean. Carnival launched its first year-round cruise program from Galveston in 2000. The port is expanding, adding a new terminal, thanks to a deal between it and Royal Caribbean Cruises. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |