PRWeezer

Per FlightAware, looks like Delta got the call from Carnival again (around a dozen DL charters were called in for the Carnival Triumph). Several charter flights scheduled ATL-SXM today. Returns look to be via MCO.

http://flightaware.com/live/findflight/KATL/TNCM

A332, B763, B752, B764 in addition to the regular daily flight.

(I don't know how airlines other than DL code their charter flights, so some of the other flights listed could be charters as well.)

wrp96

Somebody asked about those without passports. I suspect the passport-less will be on the charters, to make it easier for CBP. Alternatively, I suspect those with passports that need to fly further than MCO will be given priority for the scheduled flights.



Sounds like the situation onboard since they made the fly home announcement has been quite fun.


Also, Carnival Legend is now having propulsion problems and limping back to Tampa. Definitely time for a review of maintenance procedures.

GRALISTAIR

Yeah - tell me about it - my wife is one of that crowd.

DanJ

You make it sound like an emergency evacuation. I'm sure the biggest issue will be people not wanting to be on the first planes home. They have the use of the ship and they are in St Maarten. Who wants to rush home from that? I'm sure people that had a long drive to Port Canaveral will want to fly back sooner rather than later so they can get on the road on their normal schedule. But I bet there are a lot of people saying "last flight out please".

piper28

Delta's been picking up a fair bit of business from Carnival lately .

I used to be one of those that took way too much for a week long caribbean cruise, learned better after the first trip or two (plus baggage fees made bringing too much a bad idea). What's real bad though is when you have a post-cruise tour arranged for 9 people when 7 of those 9 were on the ship for approximately a month (my wife and I were the 2 that had only been on 2 weeks). Even warning the tour company they were a little overwhelmed by the amount of luggage involved.

Oh, and Carnival has yet another broken ship out there right now. The Legend is experiencing propulsion problems, skipped Grand Cayman and is headed back to port. Bad month for Carnival. (Although admittedly, propulsion problems are probably more common than a lot of people realize on a cruise ship.)

3Cforme

You may seriously underestimate the scale of the U.S. airline industry. Delta, American and United each have a fleet or more than 120 active widebody aircraft. DL and UA have more than 1,000 aircraft each when including regional affiliates. Delta and Southwest each had over 300,000 passenger boardings in an average day in February. 3,500 cruise ship passengers (not previously planning to use the SXM airport) may overwhelm certain airport facilities, but for big U.S. carriers, this is just a little blip.

cordelli

This is why people should never board a cruise ship, no matter where it's scheduled to go, without having a passport.

DanJ

And you can bet Carnival is paying a premium, so it's an easy decision for the airlines to pay overtime to make it happen. The plane spotters on Maho Beach will probably be enjoying the next couple days lol.

GRALISTAIR

A big +1 - it is always better to play safe in situations like this.

GRALISTAIR

OMG - they really are struggling to catch a break.

DanJ

And Carnival is being exceptionally generous with the passengers on the Legend. A $100 credit per person and 50% off a future cruise. All for missing Grand Cayman, which half the people whine about having to take a tender ashore anyway and don't bother.

piper28

Actually, this type of situation it's probably not going to be a big deal. Because they're having to deal with everyone, Carnival's going to have to (and apparently has) worked with CBP to deal with those that don't have a passport. I'd be far more worried about those times when you might have to leave this ship on your own and not have the cruiseline really helping to get you back (say medical emergency).

(I'm in no way advocating not getting a passport before you cruise though. If you're going to take a cruise, cough up the extra money to get the passport. Unexpected stuff happens, you never know if you'll need it.)

cordelli

It's probably going to be much less of a deal for people with passports than it is going to be for those without.

As ABC is reporting

Some of the passengers likely do not have passports, an issue that could slow down re-entry to the U.S. via flight. Passengers on a "closed loop" cruise -- that is, a cruise that begins and ends in the same U.S. port -- do not need a passport even if their ship calls on ports outside the country. However, a passport is required for all passengers returning to the U.S. from outside the country via air.

Dieuwer

Maybe it is time for the DOT to ground all Carnivals ships and have them checked out thoroughly before allowing them to set sail again.

Zacnlinc

Despite the fact that in 21 days I will be on my next Carnival cruise, I am so hopeful that a top to bottom check-up will be do e each and every one if their ships each week before my cruise. No more bad news in the News for CCL! Please!