Is it always plain sailing.

It has been reported by Carnival Cruise Line’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald that certain cruise ships are either stuck just outside the Bay of Galveston or stranded in port of Houston after a collision between a tanker and a fuel barge carrying 925,000 gallons of fuel and released more than 150,000 gallons into the bay.

Carnival Magic and Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas are both held at sea delaying their return into Galveston. Princess’ Caribbean Princess has been stuck in Houston’s Bayport Terminal since yesterday delaying a 7 night Caribbean sailing.

It is still unclear when the ships will be permitted to resume schedule. Carnival have advised passenger they will have to put back the embarkation day so are now forced to offer a 6 night cruise instead of 7.

The US coast guard is deploying aircraft to determine the extent of the spill and what the impact is likely to be. The port has been shut down and 900,00 feet of boom deployed to contain the fuel.  It will be interesting to see the outcome.