Friends aboard the one-way repositioning cruise of Carnival Satisfaction that was to take the ship from Tampa to Baltimore have now discovered for sure that they’ll, as an alternative, be disembarking the ship in Norfolk, Virginia.

For the reason that collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, there was uncertainty about whether or not or not marine site visitors would be capable of entry the Port of Baltimore in time for the ship’s embarkation on April 21. Now, the cruise line has confirmed that reaching Baltimore is not going to be potential, and the ship is as an alternative going to debark in Norfolk.

Carnival Satisfaction Heading to Norfolk

It has been an unsure time for friends aboard Carnival Satisfaction for a uncommon repositioning crusing, as their cruise itinerary was instantly known as into query when the Port of Baltimore was closed following the tragic bridge collapse.

Carnival Cruise Line has remained in touch with friends, hopeful that Port of Baltimore would nonetheless be reachable, however that has not been potential. Even when the cruise set sail on Sunday, April 7, the place the cruise would finish was not but sure.

“Thanks in your continued persistence as we finalized debarkation plans for the crusing,” a notification letter despatched to friends’ staterooms on Saturday, April 13 mentioned. “Our shoreside management crew has spent the final week having some private discussions with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Port of Baltimore Officers relating to the harbor site visitors plans so we will make knowledgeable choices.”

“Whereas progress on the bridge accident restoration is being prioritized and progressing properly, your cruise itinerary will finish in Norfolk on Sunday morning, April 21.”

Carnival Cruise Line is arranging complimentary bus transportation to all 4 main airports within the area – Norfolk Worldwide (ORF), Baltimore/Washington Worldwide (BWI), Reagan Nationwide (DCA), and Dulles Worldwide (IAD).

Learn Additionally: How Is the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Impacting Cruises?

As area is proscribed on the shuttle buses, nevertheless, the cruise line is asking that friends full a debarkation questionnaire to substantiate their journey wants and preparations so transportation might be organized. Friends are additionally requested to notice if a totally accessible car for a scooter or wheelchair is required.

Assist Rearranging Flights

To help friends with rearranging flights to later instances if obligatory – a drive to the DC-area airports may very well be roughly 5 hours from the Norfolk cruise terminal – all friends are in a position to entry the ship’s Wi-Fi for twenty-four hours to allow them to make acceptable journey plans.

If passengers have booked airfare by way of Carnival’s Fly2Fun program, these flights will likely be mechanically up to date and particular person friends will likely be notified of their new flights as soon as preparations are confirmed.

The cruise line can be providing as much as $200 (USD) per individual for any non-refundable air journey change charges. Receipts should be submitted for reimbursement consideration.

Friends ought to be aware that the shuttle buses will likely be prioritized for the airports additional away, and if friends are in a position to rebook flights from Norfolk, they will not be debarking the ship as early as anticipated. The drive from Port of Norfolk to Norfolk Worldwide Airport is simply 20 minutes.

“We are going to work to get everybody off as shortly as potential,” the letter harassed.

Friends are requested to return their debarkation questionnaires to the ship’s Visitor Providers desk, on Deck 2 within the Atrium, no later than 8 p.m. on Monday, April 15.

Subsequent Cruise Embarking From Norfolk

Carnival Satisfaction‘s subsequent crusing – the April 21 departure, a 7-night Japanese Caribbean crusing to Grand Turk, Princess Cays, and Freeport – will depart from Norfolk, and friends booked on that cruise have been notified of the change.

Shuttle service can be being offered for each embarkation and debarkation, although vacationers do need to register for the service prematurely. Additional particulars of how to do this will likely be communicated to friends within the subsequent few days.

Presently, it’s unknown when the Port of Baltimore could reopen to cruise ship site visitors, however friends booked on any crusing from the town within the subsequent few weeks ought to keep in shut contact with their cruise line for modifications and updates.

The 88,500-gross-ton, Spirit-class Carnival Satisfaction is scheduled to stay homeported from Baltimore year-round, and can undoubtedly shift operations to that deliberate homeport as quickly as safely and fairly potential.