We are booked on the May 8th sailing on the Holiday. Haven't heard much about the 3 ships Fema is leasing. Hopefully, if all goes well, they will be back in service in March, the way I understand. Anyone else booked on the Hoilday this May?

I'm not booked, but I wish I was! I like the Holiday and have been on her twice. The good news for you is that the ship will be fresh from a refurbishment, with new carpets, curtains, linens, and other repairs to worn and broken areas. The refurb was supposed to happen this past fall, but when the ship was leased to FEMA they decided to wait and fix her up when the ship came back to Carnival.

Here is a review from my last Holiday cruise: Holiday Review

Thanks for responding Dave. This will be our third trip on the Holiday. We love the ship. I especially like the port of Mobile because its such an easy drive from the Midwest. I just hope that Carnival doesn't decide to sell her off after Fema is through with her. She is one of the oldest,if not the oldest ship in the fleet. we also like the fact that we can book a Cat. 1A (bunk bed) and stil get an ocean view. There are a few 1A's on the Upper, and Main Decks both Aft and Forward that have portholes and the ones in the aft are full size windows. Hopefully, things will work out. Now, I am concerned about making it to Cozumel. I have been reading that some of the iteneraries up as far as April have switched to Costa Maya instead of Cozumel because of the hurricane damage?

Yes, several ships have been switched to alternate ports because Cozumel can only handle 4 ships per day at the moment. And I see Carnival is not saying anything about the Holiday's chances for Coz once the ship starts cruising again.

There have been rumors that Carnival is considering replacing the Holiday with a Fantasy-class ship. But so far these have been rumors and perhaps wishful thinking by the Mobile port authority. Frankly, I'd like to see a couple ships cruising from Mobile. What a great port facility!

I totally agree with you Dave. Its such an easy port to manuver and access. I think Mobile deserves another ship. They built such a nice facility there, its a shame to waste it on one ship. I am concerned about the Holiday coming back into service. I just don't know if its cost effective for Carnival to spend the money on it as oppposed to replacing it. I guess we'll see in the coming months. I would really like to see ships come back to New Orleans too. I think the city could use the boost!!

Regarding New Orleans.....I too wish the ships would return sooner than currently planned. Carnival won't be back in NOLA until next October, and then only with the Sensation I think.

I don't think the Holiday will be around too much longer though, and can easily see the ship moved to some other Carnival venture as happened with the Tropicale and Jubilee.