Carnival ups compensation for Triumph passengers

FEBRUARY 13, 2012 — With TV newcasts reporting on deteriorating passenger conditions aboard the Carnival Triumph, Carnival Cruise Lines announced further compensation for the passengers aboard the ship, which is currently limping to Mobile, Alabama under tow after an engine room fire early Sunday caused a loss of propulsion. The cruise line says that it has dispatched a third tugboat to assist the tow.

Carnival Cruise Lines also announced the cancellations of 12 additional Carnival Triumph voyages. The 12 cancelled cruises, which encompass sailings from Feb. 21 through April 13, 2013, are in addition to two previously cancelled voyages scheduled to depart Feb. 11 and Feb. 16.

Separately, parent Carnival Corporation (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) said that estimates that the total impact from voyage disruptions and related repair costs will result in an $0.08 to $0.10 earnings per share reduction in the company's 2013 first half.

All guests on the current voyage will receive further compensation of $500.00 per person.

Gerry Cahill, President & CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines said: "We know it has been a longer journey back than we anticipated at the beginning of the week under very challenging circumstances. We are very sorry for what our guests have had to endure. Therefore, in addition to the full refund and future cruise credit already offered, we have decided to provide this additional compensation. I look forward to welcoming everyone to Mobile tomorrow and have mobilized our full resources to assist and support them as they travel home."

All 3,143 guests on board will receive a full refund of the cruise along with transportation expenses and reimbursement of all shipboard purchases during the voyage, with the exception of gift shop, art purchases and casino charges. All passengers will also receive a future cruise credit equal to the amount paid for this voyage.

The third tugboat, sent from Port Fourchon, Louisiana was i expected to arrive at the ship this evening.

Carnival is mobilizing approximately 200 people to be on the ground in Mobile to support the Carnival Triumph's arrival and guests' travel home.

Carnival Triumph guests were given the option of boarding buses directly to Galveston or Houston, Texas, or to spend the night in a hotel in New Orleans, where they could rest before flying out on private charters the next day. Carnival will cover all travel related and incidental expenses.

Carnival has reserved and arranged the following: approximately 100 motor coaches; more than 1,500 New Orleans hotel rooms; multiple charter flights from New Orleans to Houston on Friday; and transportation from Houston to the Port of Galveston so that guests may retrieve their cars if they drove to the port.

Guests booked on the cancelled sailings will receive a full refund of their cruise fare, as well as non-refundable transportation costs, pre-paid shore excursions, gratuities, and government fees and taxes. Guests will also receive a 25 percent discount on a future three- to five-day Carnival cruise or a 15 percent discount on a six- to seven-day cruise. Travel agent commissions will be protected.

14 February 2013
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