Despite extensive damage to the port, the Carnival Fascination was able to dock in San Juan over the weekend in order to allow passengers to debark.
According to Carnival Cruise Line band ambassador John Heald, although Carnival had previously been informed that repairs to the cruise line’s pier in San Juan could take weeks, “we had to do all we could to get the ship docked [Saturday] because there were 580 guests from Puerto Rico on the ship, we had to get them home to their family and friends.”
“Around 10:30 a.m. we got the permission to dock in San Juan by the officials, and at noon we were docked on pier 3 in old San Juan,” explained Carnival Fascination Cruise Director Marcelo Alvarado. “At 4:30 p.m. I am proud to say that with the help of an amazing team made of 869 crew members from all around the world we got to disembark safely 580 guests from Puerto Rico that now can go home and take care of their family and loved ones.”
Despite the fact that Carnival Fascination was able to dock, due to the damage to the port Carnival is still canceling the following San Juan and Barbados departures:
San Juan departures
- September 24
- October 1
- October 8
Barbados departures
- September 27
- October 4
- October 11
Guests on canceled cruises will automatically receive a full refund, including Fly2Fun reservations, pre-purchased shore excursions, Fun Shop purchases and beverage packages. Carnival is also working with its airline partners to assist guests with independent air travel on waiving change fees.
Royal Caribbean has also cancelled its September 23 sailing on Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan. Previously, the line had attempted to postpone it to September 27. Guests will receive a 100 percent refund, as well as a 25 percent future cruise credit on bookings made within the next 30 days.
Princess Cruises, which has no ships in the Caribbean until Caribbean Princess’ October 7 departure from Fort Lauderdale, reports that the ship still intends to call on San Juan on October 10. Princess said it will keep guests advised of any changes that may arise.
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