KmomChicago

7pm local time and has not departed. Assuming lots of extra time for the buses and other changed travel plans for passengers. Anyone aboard who can tell how it’s going?

So if you book those Baltimore sailings you know you’re really booking Norfolk.

Sooooo where are you? Emotionally I mean? Going through the stages of grief for your Baltimore departure, which is dead. Adjusting to a new option which is alive and in front of you. Is the glass half empty or full, and is it filling up for the better with the promise of a cruise still happening for you? For me, once I am in launch mode, roughly 2 weeks prior, the thought of missing a vacation is far worse than the thought of unplanned adjustments.

No doubt correct but all our foolishness in speculating is much more fun. Like the Priceline model of cruises. Put in a bid for a nonspecific mid-Atlantic debark location and take what you get. I know, don’t give them ideas!

Are they allowing cancellation with full refunds? I am not on this cruise so I am just a cheerleader on the sidelines. Others have mentioned Amtrak as an option to avoid flying or driving. I would just hope folks who have been looking forward to a cruise get to still make it happen but obviously an individual decision.

Yeah perhaps not stuffing them completely; Legend max is just under 2700 and Vision just over 2500. With spring break and recent demand likely both are at those numbers.

Over on the Carnival board someone said they had lined up 70 buses for the mass transfer to Baltimore this week. They are assuming nearly everyone will take the free ride. I believe the capacity is similar on both ships.

Come on, ya gotta cruise while ya can!! Eat cruise and be merry! Life’s short!

Just found this on my phone from our Legend cruise. Good morning, Baltimore. 😢

Yes they have a few more days for the current cruise and then just the wrap up before the dry dock gives them a reprieve.

Oh got it. I was seeing talk about a transatlantic and didn’t realize there was another repositioning. But I see. Legend to Europe, Pride taking over in Baltimore?

Why are you all flying to Tampa?

It was called Charleston and it opted out.

We are going to Indy. We went to Paducah in 2017 and traffic north afterwards was like nothing I had experienced. Spent the prior weekend in town but assumed we’d drive back immediately following the event. So we this time have rooms at a relatively crappy low end chain the night before and after to avoid traffic day of. We will monitor return traffic the evening of the 8th and make a call around 8pm whether to hit the road or stay through until morning.

100% accurate. Oasis of the Seas and Mardi Gras are the only 2 ships I have tried that I couldn’t “wear out” in a good week aboard. I have not been reading reviews lately but I assume you’re well clued in to Summer Landing / deck 8 aft which tends to be undiscovered and underused the first couple of days, but gradually picks up through the week.

Difference is, massively better selection of brands and ships and itineraries from Florida. Baltimore to Nassau is fine once and it’s also fine if I can get to port cheaply and easily. Which I can NOT. I tested it and won’t do it again. Of course there will always be some flyers. I would guess if we could see the stats, Baltimore would have one of the highest drive to flight ratios of any US port.

Well I thought the same, and over on the Carnival thread someone from Colorado pointed out they are flying to Baltimore for an upcoming voyage. I still think that’s a small % of Baltimore cruisers for most sailings. Carnival has a transatlantic in mid April which I of course realize is a unique situation that could and no doubt did attract a different clientele than typical including far flung passengers. For the routine 7 day routes it’s gotta be largely semi locals choosing it specifically to avoid the hassle and expense of flights.

They are lucky to get all this free advice, aren’t they? 😂🚢🎓

Understood! We can have a lot of fun speculating/ aka making up wild theories but of course it’s nothing until Carnival says so. I likewise wouldn’t change plans without actual decisions in place. As for the homeport problem I feel you. We tried Baltimore just the once to see if the drive (closest / shortest drive time of any large ship port) was worth it over flying. It wasn’t. It was a miserable drive, and we have accepted we will fly to any future cruises unless we move somewhere coastal. However, that being the case, I would probably not bother flying for those older ships, just me. We had a lovely Christmas cruise on Legend but a one and done for us. I can just go to Miami and have practically every cruise line and shiny new megaship option to choose from if I am already accepting that I’m flying no matter what. So I am going on that assumption, that the convenience of a same day, half day drive is a major draw for these Baltimore departures. Obviously there are exceptions.

Oh good!! That makes me feel relieved for all the impacted travelers! I am glad the adjustment info was provided by Carnival same day as the incident and that you’re able to get all reset. Surely hundreds of others are doing the same. Enjoy the cruise.

right. I’m interested what % of Baltimore passengers typically fly anyway. I’m in Chicago and we drove.

Supposedly crew members on VOS are circulating a rumor that it will be Bayonne. They could work with 3rd party parking providers.

If it were me making the decision I would simply tell Carnival guests we’ll bus you if you fly into Baltimore until we return to Baltimore. If you prefer to change your flight feel free. Since no one knows how long until a shipping lane is open, it’s impossible to advise flight passengers in, for example, May, what to do. It might be less hassle and risk to ensure passengers know they will be accommodated without changing flights so everyone can just still come to Baltimore. A lot of people will prefer to change their flight anyway to avoid the bus. A lot will likewise prefer not to mess with the stress of changing plans and maybe taking on more expenses. Carnival will probably ask passengers to pre book a bus ride if needed via the shore excursions for their sailing so they can plan bus demand.

Seems likely they will for at least the next few weeks.

My guess is they will let people cancel without penalty and that maybe 10% or less will do so. They will likely provide free busses for a while and possibly a $200 pp assistance credit for flight changes. Hotels, no.