Monday Briefing: Pacific Princess Damaged and Cuts Cruise Short, A “Haunted Hotel”

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An accident on a Pacific Princess cruise, a “haunted” hotel and a big renovation for a Marriott hotel in Charleston are the travel industry headlines to follow this morning. Take a look. 

Pacific Princess Cuts Cruise Short After Sustaining Damage

Princess CruisesPacific Princess was forced to cut its cruise short after it hit a breakwater wall while entering the port of Nice, Cruise Critic reports. The ship, which was sailing with 669 passengers and 382 crew, was forced to disembark its passengers after the accident, which took place early Friday morning. 

“Princess Cruises can confirm that during arrival at the port of Nice, under normal weather and sea conditions at approximately 6:30 a.m., Pacific Princess experienced an unexpected change in wind conditions and made contact with a breakwater wall,” the line told Cruise Critic. “This resulted in damage to the port side of the ship under the water line. The watertight doors were already closed containing the inflow of sea water. The ship is safely alongside the pier."

The ship’s October 16 cruise from Barcelona has also been cancelled. Princess said it will provide a full refund and future cruise credit for the affected sailing, as well as cover transportation and accommodations for passengers through October 16. 

Faust Hotel: A “Haunted” Hotel in South Texas

Making the rounds on social media this morning is the tale of a haunted hotel in New Braunfels, Texas

According to KSAT ABC 12, the historic Faust Hotel has picked up a variety of ghosts since it was opened in 1929 by Walter Faust. Guests have reported waking up in the middle of the night to the sense of a presence, and the hotel’s bar manager said that kitchen staff have spotted an apparition, which they say is Walter Faust, taking the form of a man wearing a black trench coat and black hat. Sometimes, on the second floor, guests can hear an eight-year-old girl playing and giggling in the middle of the night. 

The hotel has even gone so far as to call in San Antonio Paranormal Investigations to examine each for of the hotel for paranormal phenomena like cold spots, apparitions or voices. 

Fortunately, hotel staff assure guests that the ghosts are relatively friendly. Happy almost-Halloween!

Marriott North Charleston Unveils Big Renovation

In non-haunted hotel news, the Marriott North Charleston just took the wraps off a big, business-friendly renovation project, The Charleston Post Courier reports. 

The 291-room hotel now has a new look heavy on modern design elements like wood and stone. Guests can now check in via smart phone, and soon the hotel plans to add the ability to use phones to open door locks. For meetings and events, the hotel has two ballrooms, the largest of which has the capacity for 750 people in theatre-style seating and 450 people for a seated banquet, as well as six breakout rooms. The smaller ballroom is centered on a reflecting pool. 

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