Galveston Island reopens for business in time for Labor Day weekend

Pooja Lodhia Image
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Cruise ship diverted by Harvey returns
After being diverted by Hurricane Harvey, the Carnival Breeze returned to Galveston on Saturday.

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For the first time since before Hurricane Harvey struck a week ago, many businesses across Galveston Island are reopening on Saturday in time for Labor Day weekend festivities. Eighty percent of business are expected to open their doors.

The Galveston Railroad Museum, which sustained major damage from floodwaters, is one of the few places on the island to be shut down indefinitely pending repair work.

The Carnival Breeze returned to port early Saturday morning after being rerouted to New Orleans twice over the last week.

Despite the changes in the ship's itinerary, many passengers praised Carnival's handling of the unusual situation. One passenger commended the cruise line for helping passengers experience a sense of normalcy in an extraordinary situation.

Later Saturday, the first passenger cruise liners will depart the port since before the storm. Port authority officials had originally estimated that the port would reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Hurricane Harvey strands 20,000 cruise ship passengers in the Gulf

Four Galveston-bound cruise ships are stuck in the Gulf.

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