Expert: Linda - 1/14/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am booked in the GS on the Elation sailing out of Mobile, Alabama on 15 May 2010. The Fantasy will be due back in to discharge her passengers on the same day and at the same pier. I worked as a steamship agent for 12 years in Mobile and know that the Elation and Fantasy cannot tie up to the same pier at the same time on the same day.

My question is how is Carnival going to handle two ships on the same day in Mobile? It sounds like it is going to be a recipe for a troubling boarding. Not to mention a traffic jam.

Thank-you for your response.



ANSWER: OK Ron, you've got me stumped!

I brought up the cruises and I can't find where you're both on the same day.  I see fantasy as a 4 day and elation as a 7.  I'm sure you're right, but do know and be comfortable with Carnival has done this before.

We just got off a cruise in Port Canaveral, but we were in the Carnival slip and we were on Royal Caribbean.  Easy peasy, they just put us and luggage on a bus and took us to the slip we embarked from.

Traffic is always crazy on embark/debark days, it's all part of the cruise experience.  I'm sorry my research didn't turn up answers for your questions.  I'm going to suggest that you go to cruisecritic.com.  Join the community (free) look for "boards", then choose "Carnival", then you can post your question there, trust me....SOME ONE will have the answer for you.

Enjoy your cruise.

Linda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply Linda. I'm sitting her looking at the Carnival brochure 2009-2011. On page 52 you will see that the Carnival Fantasy sails out of Mobile on 8 May 2010 and returns to Mobile on 15 May 2010. The same day as the Carnival Elation will arrive in Mobile to sail on a 7 day. So that means they will both be in port on the same day. Unloading and loading. I do not see a 4 day sailing out of Mobile in May could you recheck this?

My original questions remains. Do you have an answer?

Thanks

Ron

Answer
Ron, I don't have an answer for you.  I posted your question on Cruisecritic.com and have had reads but no replies.  I searched for info on the port of Mobile and find that they can accomodate 2 ships as Carnival moved the Holiday and now the elation and Fantasy dock there and have since mid 2008.

sorry I couldn't give you a more difinitive answer.

Linda