12:27 P.M. - GALVESTON, TX (AP): Federal officials are chartering three Carnival Cruise Lines ships for six months to provide shelter for Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
The "Ecstasy," "Sensation" and "Holiday" are being pulled from regular use.
Ecstasy and Sensation will both be pulled Monday. They're scheduled to dock and house Katrina refugees in Galveston, Texas. The Holiday likely will be pulled Thursday and docked in Mobile, Alabama.
The Ecstasy and Sensation can each take about 2,600 passengers. The Holiday has capacity for about 1,800 people. Guests with canceled bookings will get refunds and the opportunity to re-book on any Carnival ship -- with a $100-per-person shipboard credit.
The "Elation," which operates from Galveston, will take over some of Ecstasy's schedule.
12:21 P.M. - HOUMA (AP): A teenager died and eight other people have been treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after two Houma families ran generators inside their homes to power appliances until power was returned after Hurricane Katrina. Click here.
That's great about the cruise ships being pressed into service. Thanks for posting that update.
Just heard that 300 babies were airlifted to Birmingham hospitals, and buses are taking people as far as Tuscaloosa. Hotel guests who were there for other purposes (business, football games) have voluntarily given up their rooms to evacuees.
International airport (NO) where they have triage set up says they're not getting medical supplies and people are in bad shape after their ordeal this week.
Good for Carnival Cruise Lines. The Fun Ships put to use!