Carnival Elation isn’t returning to the Port of Jacksonville as deliberate on Saturday, March 22, 2024, resulting from an incident on the St. Johns River that has quickly closed the port.
Carnival Cruise Line has notified visitors embarking on Saturday that their embarkation might be delayed. Vacationers have been requested to shift their terminal arrival time three hours later than initially scheduled.
To be clear, there aren’t any issues in any respect with the cruise ship, and this delay isn’t weather-related. As quickly because the US Coast Guard (USCG) has reopened the port, Carnival Elation will proceed to the cruise terminal.
The incident occurred Friday night at roughly 8 p.m. when an 18-foot boat close to the Dames Level Bridge – simply east of the cruise terminal – capsized.
With a number of people from the boat reported lacking, the Jacksonville Hearth & Rescue Division (JFRD) instantly launched a search and rescue operation.
“An incident has occurred on St. Johns River and the Port of Jacksonville is at present closed as america Coast Guard is conducting a search and rescue operation within the space,” the notification despatched to cruisers Saturday morning learn.
“Consequently, Carnival Elation might be delayed returning to the cruise terminal affecting embarkation because of this.”
In line with First Coast Information, 4 individuals have been instantly positioned nonetheless aboard the overturned boat when the emergency search started. 4 others, together with two kids, remained lacking.
Along with JFRD, rescue crews and boats from the USCG, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace, and the Florida Wildlife Fee joined within the search operation. One individual was discovered to have handed away in shut proximity to the bridge, however the search continued in a single day for the three remaining people who have been nonetheless lacking.
No details about the identities of the boaters has been launched, neither is it but identified why the boat capsized. A full investigation will undoubtedly be held.
Carnival Elation is getting back from a 5-night Bahamas crusing that departed Jacksonville on St. Patrick’s Day. The ship is because of depart on one other 5-night cruise in the present day, with visits deliberate for Nassau and Half Moon Cay.
Whereas there isn’t any fast affirmation of a change to the ship’s itinerary for her March 22 departure, if the delay and closure of the port is in depth, it’s attainable that changes could also be obligatory.
Visitors Requested to Keep Away From Cruise Terminal
At the moment, embarking visitors have been requested to keep away from the cruise terminal till three hours later than their initially scheduled arrival home windows.
“Carnival Elation remains to be awaiting clearance to proceed to the cruise terminal,” a textual content alert despatched at 9:30 a.m. learn. “Please don’t proceed to the cruise terminal till you could have obtained our ultimate replace with revised embarkation plans.”
Whereas ready for the port to reopen, Carnival Elation held place roughly half-hour additional east alongside the St. Johns River, on the opposite facet of the Dames Level Bridge.
Learn Additionally: Jacksonville Cruise Port – Terminals, Piers, and Transportation
As soon as the ship reaches the cruise terminal, nonetheless, it should take a while for visitors onboard to be debarked, proceed by way of customs and immigration processing, and depart the terminal and parking space.
Till the ship has debarked, there is not going to be sufficient area or parking availability for incoming visitors to be accommodated.
Visitors have been up to date simply earlier than 10:30 a.m. with the revised embarkation plan. In the meantime, onboard the Fantasy-class ship, crew members are already laborious at work to make sure a easy turnover as soon as the ship docks and they are going to be able to welcome everybody aboard for the subsequent cruise trip.
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