Tropical Storm Barry left its mark on Mobile’s cruise schedule in mid-July 2019, delaying one Carnival Fantasy sailing by a full day and trimming another by 24 hours as the storm churned through the Gulf of Mexico.
An Extra Day at Sea
The Carnival Fantasy arrived back at the Alabama Cruise Terminal a day behind schedule after high seas forced the ship to slow its return. Passengers on that sailing described widely different experiences on the water.
Some said conditions were smooth enough that the bonus day felt like a gift, with the ship staying comfortable and activities continuing as normal. Others reported rough stretches on the way home. Passengers aboard praised the crew for keeping everyone fed and entertained through the delay.
A Shortened Departure
Travelers boarding the next cruise faced the opposite problem: their trip was cut by a day as the line worked to get the schedule back on track at the downtown Mobile terminal.
Despite the shortened itinerary, departing passengers were in good spirits as they made their way through security, expressing relief that the storm had done limited damage along the Gulf Coast and excitement about getting their vacation underway.
Barry ultimately came ashore in Louisiana, but its wide reach disrupted shipping and travel across the northern Gulf, including Mobile’s growing cruise business at the Port of Mobile.