The Port of New Orleans has reopened for normal operations after the passage of Tropical Storm Barry over the weekend, causing Carnival Cruise Line to modify a few itineraries.
A Carnival spokesperson tells Travel Agent that the Carnival Fantasy, which had been scheduled to depart Mobile, AL, July 13, set sail July 14 instead on a four-day cruise visiting Cozumel, Mexico, on Tuesday. Guests received a prorated refund for the missed day, and those who decided not to travel were provided with a future cruise credit.
Carnival Glory arrived in the Port of New Orleans on July 14, while Carnival Valor arrived July 15, both as scheduled.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Barry made landfall as a hurricane early the afternoon of July 13 near Intracoastal City, LA, bringing heavy rain to the region. The storm weakened to a tropical depression over the weekend, and it is now slowly moving north through Arkansas.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told NBC News that there have not been any reports of storm-related fatalities, and that he was “extremely grateful” that it had not caused disastrous flooding.
“This was a storm that obviously could have played out very, very differently,” Governor Edwards told NBC News. “We’re thankful that the worst-case scenario did not happen.”
In terms of air travel, Southwest Airlines still has a change waiver in effect. Guests scheduled to fly through New Orleans July 15 and Little Rock or Memphis July 15 – 16 can rebook in the original class of service or travel standby within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs without paying any additional charge.
Related Stories
Port of New Orleans Closes as Hurricane Warning Issued for Louisiana
What's New in Hawaii: Upcoming Hotels and More
Air Travel: Business Class Updates From Virgin Atlantic, ANA