Thread: Freedom OTS October 9 2011 Eastern

Thank you, Lulu.

Tomorrow, Sue

Yes I will see you tomorrow

Bon Voyage!!!

Have a great time!

I hope the weather improves!

I'm pretty sure they had a rough couple of days.


This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former travel editor of The Dallas Morning News. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.


CAPTIONRoyal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas sustained minor damage Sunday night when the ship was departing Port Canaveral, Fla., the cruise line says.

There were also some injuries, although the line says they were not serious.

The incident happened at 7:30 p.m. when the vessel, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, "experienced extreme wind and sea conditions, well beyond what was forecasted," the line said in a statement.

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The wind speed was more than three times what was forecast, it said. "At this time there have not been any serious injuries reported. The ship has sustained some damage to the public areas and guest staterooms, which in no way affect the sea-worthiness of the ship."

The ship will continue on its regularly scheduled seven-night itinerary, which includes port calls to CocoCay, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Phillipburg, St. Maarten. The ship was to arrive in Coco Cay this morning, as scheduled.

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The Carnival Sensation, which was also scheduled to leave Port Canaveral Sunday night, chose to overnight at the dock instead of risk the weather, the cruise line said. The ship departed this morning at 8 a.m. without incident.

In addition, Disney Dream delayed its Sunday evening departure until 4:30 a.m. Monday when the weather had calmed. The line said the ship will visit all its planned ports, but in a different order before returning as scheduled.