mla925

Updated article and port damage pictures

https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/cruise-ship-visibly-damaged-after-hitting-sf-pier-while-docking/

17 minutes ago, EllieinNJ said:

Is this just Princess but all in the Carnival system?

As of 6:24 PT, I only see this announcement on the Princess site. Not on Carnival or Holland America home pages ... yet. 
 

Based on the revised travel restrictions and flight reductions, I think this will be industry-wide.

Viking was first to announce; CCL suspended pre-market trading to make the announcement.

Pre-market share price currently $17.34. Last trade at that price that I can see was April 2001.

sorry .. posted same time as someone else

I thought the plan at one point was to test every passenger and crew member. Seems like this is another part of the plan not quite in place.

We were in C753 - not a suite, but a corner balcony in January for a 15 day trip to Hawaii. No issues with mold or mildew, and would be very happy to be in that cabin again.

We got off the Grand on Sunday, and we felt both the wine and drink prices were less on Princess than Celebrity. Princess had some mid-$30 wine choices we really enjoyed, and by the glass, a number of choices under $8. "Plain" cocktails such as well Rum and tonic, or a Negroni, were $5.50. The more "exotic" martinis and margaritas were $7.95.

We were on the Sillouette in 2012 and had the premium drink package, and enjoyed the Molecular Bar with their creations at $12.50. We could have wine up to, as I remember, $12 per glass, and it was a good. Since we were on the package, I don't really know the exact price of mixed drinks, but I do believe it was higher.

Currently on board the Grand as well - no blue mats on the balcony of C-753 - starboard aft cabin. The floor surface is faux-planks.

We are on the Grand. The Captain made an announcement at 02:16 am that it appeared there was a crew member overboard, and we would start searching, and we made a turn back. At 09:00 am, we were advised we had retraced out path back to the spot, and the Star Princess and a cargo ship were joining in the search. A Coast Guard C-150 would be arriving soon to assist.

Unable to determine impact on the trip yet. Very sad.

We leave tomorrow January 4 from SF on the Grand .. Will let you know more on our return.

We have gone from San Pedro twice before - on the Diamond on an October sailing, and on the Golden for a January sailing. October was a smoother sailing, but there was never a day that was too rough to handle.that being said, the first two days or so are choppy and cool.

We love sea days, and live in the Bay Area, so the Grand from SF was an easy choice for us.

So frustrated! Called at 7 am today as instructed yesterday only to be told that the person who could help me would be in at 8:30. Called back at the appropriate time to be told by the agent who answered the phone that the reservation for 50 was confirmed ... Yesterday, right before I called. And that was that.

I expressed my frustration, and asked the agent to please call the BVE Group, as I initially requested. She did, and came back after an extended hold to say there was nothing that could be done.

I again expressed my frustration. I've been calling over the last several MONTHS, and called back repeatedly, as directed ... and I missed it by one day? Unbelievable!

I asked if it was a travel agency booking and she said yes. I asked for the agency information ... I would happily book it that way, but she "was unable to reveal that information".

I was then turned over to Customer Relations, who apologized that I had to call back so many times ... But it was sold, booked, done. Customs allows a maximum of 50 BVE guests on board, and they can make no exceptions.

They will call me back on December 9 in case anything has changed. Not sure what that means, and not sure I will ever hear anything further.

Total time on this call was 39 minutes. The call made earlier today was 14 minutes.

They really need a better system! And it seems pretty clear the intention is to sell this as a block to agencies rather than individuals.

I think the biggest failure is that the front line agents don't have accurate information, and there is no direct way to reach those in the know.

Not holding my breath, but will update this on December 9 with the final outcome.

We're on the January 4, 2014 sailing on the Grand, and I've been calling every couple of weeks since September trying to get information on the BVE for this sailing. Each time I've been told our sailing "is not on the list", and I have had to point out to the agent that the list ends with 2013 dates, and I want to know about a 2014 sailing. Each time the agents would call the BVE Group while I was hold, and each time I was told call back .. most recently, to call back in mid to late November. Each time I asked the agent to note in my record history that I wanted to have family on board for the BVE, and that I hoped it would lead to a family sailing in the near future.

Called today (11/20) and was told there were no BVEs for the Grand past November 27. Again asked the Agent to contact the BVE group, as my request for for 2014.

The Agent came back on the line after a long hold, and told me there WOULD be a BVE on the January 4 sailing from San Francisco ... but it was limited to a total of 50, and there was a single reservation for 50! Also, the person "in charge" of this wasn't in, so there was no one for me to discuss it with.

I pointed out I had been making a request for this information for over 120 days. His suggestion is that I call back at 05:30 PT to chat with that group in the morning.

Frustrating! I suppose the point of the BVE is for agents to get potential clients on board, but I feel like I should have a chance at it, too.

Will update this post after I speak with them tomorrow. Hold a good thought for me!