Galveston cruise rally welcomes Carnival ships, vaccinates crew

With Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista providing a backdrop, speakers described the dramatic effect that the 14-month pause in operations has had on local businesses.

Shots in arms

Crew from the two ships also received COVID-19 vaccinations on site from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston.

As earlier reported here, some 350 crew from Carnival Breeze and Carnival Vista were expected to get their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Monday and Tuesday. 

Galveston closely follows PortMiami and Port Canaveral in getting shots into the arms of these essential workers.

Sending a strong and unified message

'Today was yet another significant milestone in our efforts to resume cruising in the US,' Carnival President Christine Duffy said. 'We’ve said all along that we would like the cruise industry be given equal treatment of other travel and hospitality companies and this event sent a strong and unified message that we need to start sailing again.'

Added Galveston Mayor Craig Brown: 'Cruising is so critical to the Galveston economy and today’s event clearly demonstrated our community’s desire that cruising return to bring much-needed visitors and jobs back to our community ... The time is right to resume cruising and all the wonderful benefits it brings to our city.'

Fourth busiest

The Port of Galveston is the fourth busiest North American cruise homeport. In a normal year cruising generates $1.6bn for Texas and 27,000 jobs statewide.

Carnival is the No. 1 cruise operator from Galveston and the only line with three year-round ships there. In a normal year, Carnival Vista, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream operate 175 voyages, carrying an estimated 750,000 passengers.

Other speakers at the event included Federal Maritime Commissioners Louis Sola and Carl Bentzel, President Ad Interim UTMB Partnership Dr. Ben Raimer, Port of Galveston Director/CEO Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Board Chairman Albert Shannon and International Longshoremen’s Association President South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District Alan Robb.

Further speakers were Vacations2Go CEO Emerson Hankamer, Galveston Park Board CEO Kelly de Schaun, Bay Houston Towing Co. President Philip Kuebler and Galveston Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Gina Spagnola. US Sen. John Cornyn sent a video message.