Charleston Resumes Operations

   October 10, 2016 ,   Cruise Industry

Port Jacksonville FL resumed operations late Saturday following Hurricane Matthew. Port Charleston SC is to be reopened today, so a pair of Carnival ships can operate modified itineraries. Disney is hopeful the Port Canaveral-based cruise ship Disney Dream can provide its scheduled Monday's departure.

At JAXPORT Carnival Elation was alongside Sunday morning. The ship was set to operate a modified four-night cruise to Nassau.

Since Freeport is off the itinerary, passengers who sail will get a one-day prorated refund of the cruise fare paid, credit for excursions purchased in Freeport and gratuities adjusted to the cruise length.

The Port of Charleston escaped signficant damage, according to Jim Newsome, ceo of the South Carolina Ports Authority, and will resume vessel operations Monday, according to tweets @SCPorts.

Carnival Ecstasy's next cruise will not be able to operate until Monday at the earliest, so an abbreviated five-night cruise is planned with an overnight at Nassau. Carnival said it would post an update after 6 p.m. Sunday.

Passengers who sail will get a two-day pro-rated refund of their cruise fare and any pre-purchased excursions for canceled ports as well as adjusted gratuities. Plus, each person will receive a $100 on-board credit and a 50% discount for a future two- to seven-night cruise. Passengers who choose not to sail will get a full refund.

After canceling Disney Dream's Oct. 7 cruise from Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line on Sunday said it's hopeful the ship will be able to operate its planned itinerary to Nassau and Castaway Cay on Oct. 10, pending final assessment of those destinations.