Both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean were forced to make major operational changes after the tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore. After Key Bridge was struck by a cargo ship resulting in its destruction, the port used by both cruise lines has been closed for the foreseeable future.
It was a terrible tragedy, but none of the cruise lines could simply stop operating because they had ships at sea scheduled to return to that port. So much Carnival (CCL) and Royal Caribbean acted very quickly and moved their voyages from Baltimore to Norfolk, VA.
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This is a huge operational feat that both companies achieved in just a few days. Carnival shared how it was handling a ship that left Baltimore before the bridge collapse.
“Carnival Legend is scheduled to return from its current voyage on Sunday, March 31. It will now return to Norfolk on Sunday and guests will receive free shuttle bus service back to Baltimore. Carnival Legend's next seven-day itinerary, March 31 March, then operate from and return to Norfolk,” the cruise line shared.
The port change, however, will have a negative impact on future cruises that will anger many passengers.
The carnival may receive boos for Cheers
Sailing from different ports means local laws and taxes may be different. When Royal Caribbean sets sail from Galveston, for example, people who purchase its unlimited beverage package can only order from a limited menu until the ship reaches international waters.
carnival health program offers unlimited water, soft drinks, juices and specialty coffees along with 15 alcoholic beverages for $59.95 per day on sailings of six days or longer when purchased in advance. Shorter trips are $69.95 per day and all packages pay an 18% tip.
People purchasing on board pay an additional $5 per day and you can only purchase the package for the duration of the cruise. Additionally, all adults sailing in the same room must purchase the beverage package (although exceptions can be made if passengers call the cruise line).
Carnival, for its voyages from Norfolk, has shared that it has to make a major change to its Cheers beverage package on those voyages. The cruise line has adopted the rules it uses on voyages from New York and Texas for its Norfolk cruise.
The carnival changes Cheers for trips to Norfolk
While Royal Caribbean offers a limited drink menu from Galveston (the cruise line does not sail from New York), it still offers unlimited drinks to people who purchase its drink package.
The Carnival takes a different tack and does not offer Cheers! the first night on departures from New York and Texas.
That's the policy being adopted in Norfolk, and any guests who paid for Cheers on upcoming voyages will receive a refund for the first day of their cruise.
“Our temporary change of operations from Baltimore to Norfolk for Carnival Legend requires a slight modification to the way we implement Cheers! program. We cannot offer greetings! benefits while in waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Therefore, we will not offer Cheers! benefits on the first day of your cruise,” according to an email from vice president of guest services Colleen Oliverio.
I can't seems to be more a matter of choice as Royal Caribbean has not made the same change.
On Royal Caribbean cruises from Texas, one can use the beverage package right away, according to a post by Todd W. on the real caribbean blog.
But the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission allows cruise ships to only sell alcohol “made in the great state of Texas while in port.”
Once the ship has entered international waters, full bars open.
Carnival, on the other hand, simply decides to postpone your drink package, making your Cheers start on day 2 (you don't pay for day 1).
Riders can still purchase drink by drink, but they too must follow the same TABC rules, Todd W.'s post noted.
Royal Caribbean has not said it plans to impose limitations on beverage packages on voyages to Norfolk.