Update from Houston on the aftermath of Ike

HOUSTON, Texas – R. Alan Fox, chairman and CEO of Houston-based online cruise company, Vacations To Go, has sent another update on the situation in Texas following the devastating Hurricane-Ike.

Here’s what Alan has told TravelMole:

“Houston’s recovery is gaining momentum.

“At the core of the city’s resurgence are the citizens themselves, taking in those who are less fortunate and pitching in wherever needed.

“Businesses, churches and countless other organizations large and small are stepping up to provide food, clothing, shelter, counseling and much more.

“In addition, thousands of visitors from out-of-state are here to lend a hand, including utility workers and members of FEMA, the Red Cross, the Coast Guard, many church groups, and those beloved, check-writing, insurance adjusters.

“These folks interrupted their own lives to rush here from around the U.S., and their personal sacrifices are appreciated as they deliver relief and pluck buildings and neighborhoods from the dark, one at a time.

“Shortages are becoming less acute in this part of the city (I can’t speak for the entire city or the harder-hit coastal areas), and word spreads quickly of a gas station opening here, ice being delivered there or a restaurant serving hot food.

“Gaping holes in roofs are being patched, generators are growling and most residential streets are lined with huge piles of chopped-and-stacked tree limbs and trunks.

“I’ve seen news stories critical of FEMA, but I feel they are doing their best in an impossible situation. The POD (point of distribution) nearest our office is almost overrun by volunteers and operating at a high level of efficiency.

“As one of the one-million-plus Houstonians still without power at home, I am growing fond of candlelight and sponge baths and starry night skies that were previously obscured by light pollution, and I am particularly grateful for an air-conditioned office where everything works!

“We are buckled down in Texas now until we get this mess cleaned up.

“Regarding Hurricane Ike’s impact on the cruise industry, several cruise lines altered itineraries last week to ensure the safety of passengers and crew and to provide an enjoyable cruise experience.

“Some changed the order of the ports, and others switched from Western Caribbean itineraries to Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

“Two cruise ships, Carnival Conquest and Carnival Ecstasy, had departed from Galveston on September 7 and 11, respectively, and were not able to return due to Hurricane Ike’s devastating hit on the port.

“Carnival cancelled the September 14th sailing of the Conquest and the September 15th sailing of the Ecstasy, and the ships were diverted to New Orleans, where passengers were given the option of disembarking or remaining onboard until the vessels were able to return to Texas.

“Passengers who were scheduled to cruise on the cancelled sailings will receive a full refund.

“Unfortunately, it has now become clear that the cruise port in Galveston will not reopen in the near future, and Carnival has just announced that the Conquest and the Ecstasy will resume operations this weekend from the Port of Houston’s Bayport Cruise Terminal.

“The ships will operate the same itineraries as before and will return to Galveston as soon as the port and city are ready.

“The new, state-of-the-art Bayport Cruise Terminal was completed earlier this year, at a cost of $81 million, without the commitment of a single major cruise line to call there.

“The temporary closing of the port of Galveston will give Bayport an opportunity to impress cruise lines that could consider using the terminal as a home port in the future.

“On a related note, cruise ports throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas fared well through hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike.

“Even in Turks & Caicos, where the island of Grand Turk was hit hard, there was no damage to the pier at the Grand Turk Cruise Center and the damage to the facility’s restaurant and retail shops is relatively minor.

“Carnival Corp., which operates the Cruise Center on Grand Turk, has begun repairs and has set an October 8 reopening date.”

-R. Alan Fox, chairman and CEO, Vacations to Go, Houston