Carnival Cruises Sails to the Aid of Katrina Evacuees

Within days of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast, citizens were told the U.S. government asked Carnival Cruises to re-dedicate several of its ships to relief efforts.

On September 3, Carnival Cruises announced that three of its ships — Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, and Carnival Holiday that normally sail from the ports of Galveston, New Orleans, and Mobile respectively — had been chartered on behalf of FEMA to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts for six months.

A subsequent report in The New York Times indicated that evacuees, who had already been displaced once or more, "chose cots over cabins" and the ships are instead being used to house New Orleans police officers, firefighters and other city workers who lost their homes and must remain in the city to work.

Guests booked on cancelled Carnival Cruises will receive full refunds and be offered an opportunity to re-book on another Carnival ship. Those who accept that offer will get a $100 per person shipboard credit.

Normal capacity on the ships is as follows, although in this emergency situation staterooms may be able to accommodate more than these numbers:

Carnival Ecstasy — 2,606; will be docked in Galveston
Carnival Sensation — 2,606; will be docked in Galveston
Carnival Holiday — 1,800; will be docked in Mobile

Ships will continue to be staffed by Carnival crew.

For more information on Carnival changes and cancellations: Carnival Cruise Lines

Hurricane Katrina Complete Coverage