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Celebrity management ignores Puerto Rico warnings....just of bunch of CLOWNS!


CruiseZZ1956
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Canadian government has issued a AVOID ALL TRAVEL to Puerto Rico and also a ZIKA VIRUS warning/alert for all citizens to AVOID ALL TRAVEL TO PR.

 

Celebrity management refuses to cancel the Summit cruises or even give customers rebook options without penalty.

 

Carnival, RCL and Holland have canceled all stops in PR rest of 2017.

 

Celebrity customer service says all is great in PR don't worry..it is all FAKE NEWS!

 

WOW! Just a bunch of liars and CROOKS!

 

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/puerto

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Yes booked on the Summit 11-18 Thanksgiving cruise. Celebrity will not rebook us without massive penalty since we are already fully paid. They are GREEDY and just flat out do not care at all about the welfare of its customers. LAST TIME I EVER WILL DO BUSINESS WITH THE CRUISELINE.

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You are still five weeks away from your departure date. You may be panicking for nothing. A lot can happen between now and November 18.

 

Besides the cruise, there are other considerations.

 

What are your flight plans? What is your airline's cancellation policy? Is the airline operational now?

 

How about hotel? For updates on which hotels are open now and when the closed hotels plan to re-open, see this link:

 

For updates on hotel closures and re-openings, go to Puertoriconow.seepuertorico.com.

BTW: Here is the current situation as regards the port and terminal:

 

"This US territory suffered greatly from hurricanes Irma and Maria. The damage to the entire island was extensive. Recent reports indicate that cruise facilities were not as badly damaged as initially thought, and power has been restored to both cruise terminals.

Island officials have cleared the island to use gangways on the piers for cruise embarkation and debarkation until the covered cruise terminals are fully back in order. The airport is operational, and most airlines have resumed flights to San Juan."

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...For updates on hotel closures and re-openings, go to Puertoriconow.seepuertorico.com.

BTW: Here is the current situation as regards the port and terminal:

 

"This US territory suffered greatly from hurricanes Irma and Maria. The damage to the entire island was extensive. Recent reports indicate that cruise facilities were not as badly damaged as initially thought, and power has been restored to both cruise terminals.

Island officials have cleared the island to use gangways on the piers for cruise embarkation and debarkation until the covered cruise terminals are fully back in order. The airport is operational, and most airlines have resumed flights to San Juan."

 

Thanks for posting this info.

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You are still five weeks away from your departure date. You may be panicking for nothing. A lot can happen between now and November 18.

 

Besides the cruise, there are other considerations.

 

What are your flight plans? What is your airline's cancellation policy? Is the airline operational now?

 

How about hotel? For updates on which hotels are open now and when the closed hotels plan to re-open, see this link:

 

For updates on hotel closures and re-openings, go to Puertoriconow.seepuertorico.com.

BTW: Here is the current situation as regards the port and terminal:

 

"This US territory suffered greatly from hurricanes Irma and Maria. The damage to the entire island was extensive. Recent reports indicate that cruise facilities were not as badly damaged as initially thought, and power has been restored to both cruise terminals.

Island officials have cleared the island to use gangways on the piers for cruise embarkation and debarkation until the covered cruise terminals are fully back in order. The airport is operational, and most airlines have resumed flights to San Juan."

Airport is operational with numerous delays and cancelations as of today. Contacted our booked hotel in Isle Verde by email. No phone service there. Still closed with no plans to reopen anytime soon and not accepting any future reservations no main power expected to any of the large Isle Verde hotels till 2018. Celebrity is the only cruise line that continues to ignore reality and wants to put its customers in danger so they do not have to lose $$$$! Not panicking. Just facing the facts. https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/puerto-rico

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So sorry you're experiencing this (and for the horrible conditions the people of Puerto Rico are suffering). I do think that X are not considering that even if the port and airport are operational that most passengers who are embarking of their cruise from San Juan fly in a day early at minimum. They need hotel, food and transportation from the airport, to hotel to cruise port. Having 2,000 people landing on this island and needing these services (not to mention the 2,000 disembarking) on an island with only 30% of it's gas stations functioning makes little sense from a logistical standpoint, and less sense from a humanitarian standpoint. These resources are more important for the re-building effort than for the travel and leisure needs of cruisers. There are probably alternative options for ports and if not, then the possibility of cancelling and rebooking seems fair. At bare minimum it would seem that alternatives to flying 4,000 people to and from a disaster are should be considered.

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If the OP had purchased "Cancel for any reason" insurance, we would not be having this discussion.

 

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Do you know how much that insurance costs? It's ridiculous and usually doesn't cover everything. The point of the post is that the company is doing a disservice to its customers and the island. Not another reason for "I told ya so"s

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

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Regarding the travel warning issued by Canada, that is for current travel, not weeks from now. As you are not going there today, it probably doesn't apply.

 

Looking at the information from the Puerto Rico website many hotels appear to be opening yet this month. Some will take longer, to be sure. Perhaps you can re-book to one of the hotels that should be open by November 18.

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Do you know how much that insurance costs? It's ridiculous and usually doesn't cover everything. The point of the post is that the company is doing a disservice to its customers and the island. Not another reason for "I told ya so"s

 

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As a matter of fact, I do. I paid exactly $118 for Cruise Care which provides "cruise credit equal to 75% of the non-refundable value". Yes, you can spend a lot more than that for a lower deductible.

 

No, I don't agree that Celebrity is doing anybody a disservice. I am booked on the same cruise as the OP and am looking forward to going. Also, I suspect the PR residents who work at the airport, hotels, taxis, and dock yards want to have jobs.

 

Sorry, but I'm running low on sympathy for people who book cruises and then want to cancel after final payment, especially when they call people greedy, clowns, liars, and crooks. We are talking about real people here.

 

The OP has posted this rant on two other threads, including a Royal Caribbean roll call that the OP is not sailing on. One thread is more than enough.

 

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Edited by Mercruiser
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Celebrity's sister company Royal Caribbean successfully boarded its Adventure of the Seas from San Juan yesterday. Scattered first-hand reports here in various threads have indicated relatively few problems. Difficulties may arise in the near future from (a) getting those cruises off the island once the cruise is over, and (b) boarding the ship for its 10/14 cruise without having an extra day available, but I think they think those things will work themselves out. They might be right.

 

Carnival may have deleted San Juan as a port stop for the rest of the year, but they have not done so for their ship that actually sails from there. The Carnival Fascination is still, as of this writing, deciding whether to sail starting October 15. After seeing Royal's success, they're not very likely to cancel.

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Do you know how much that insurance costs? It's ridiculous and usually doesn't cover everything. The point of the post is that the company is doing a disservice to its customers and the island. Not another reason for "I told ya so"s

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

Where is the Like Button?

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So sorry you're experiencing this (and for the horrible conditions the people of Puerto Rico are suffering). I do think that X are not considering that even if the port and airport are operational that most passengers who are embarking of their cruise from San Juan fly in a day early at minimum. They need hotel, food and transportation from the airport, to hotel to cruise port. Having 2,000 people landing on this island and needing these services (not to mention the 2,000 disembarking) on an island with only 30% of it's gas stations functioning makes little sense from a logistical standpoint, and less sense from a humanitarian standpoint. These resources are more important for the re-building effort than for the travel and leisure needs of cruisers. There are probably alternative options for ports and if not, then the possibility of cancelling and rebooking seems fair. At bare minimum it would seem that alternatives to flying 4,000 people to and from a disaster are should be considered.
Actually, 78% of its gas stations are functioning, per the PR government. See http://status.pr/?lng=en

 

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If you have cancel for any reason insurance, you may be in luck. Call your provider to find out if you will be reimbursed by the insurance provider due to the Canadian government advisory. If not, could you rearrange your flight so that you stay on the mainland the day before and fly into PR the morning of the cruise? There may not even be a penalty because of the unusual circumstances. I understand that shuttles have been arranged by Celebrity to get you from the airport to the cruiseport. My guess is that those other cruise lines were treating PR as a port of call, rather than a home base. You won't be the first ones out of that port, so hopefully Celebrity will have time to work out the bugs.

 

Now, the Zika virus is not a brand new thing that started during this hurricane season. I believe the Zika advisories started about a year ago and cover all of the Caribbean. I knew about it when I booked my Thanksgiving cruise back in March. My plan is to use mosquito repellent-always a good idea when traveling in a warm, humid climate. I'm past pregnancy planning stage of my life, but if I was trying to get pregnant, I would cancel and take my penalty whatever it might be. It would not be worth the risk. That is a personal choice.

 

When I booked our cruise during hurricane season, I knew I was taking my chances. Most times, it pays off. This time it didn't. But we are going to make the best of it, even though our perfect itinerary has been changed to one I wouldn't have chosen. Who knows? Those islands that aren't my first choice may offer some unexpected delights. If not, we will be on a lovely cruise ship, with comfortablle accommodations, pools, all inclusive beverage packages, dining available 24/7, shows, some hokey and some pretty good, a casino, live music and we hope we'll have the pleasure of company from our fun loving and always kind neighbors to the north. WE may finally go on the galley tour and catch up on some reading.

 

I don't blame you for feeling disappointed, most of us are, but we can choose to have fun and relaxation, even though our itineraries are out of our control. Best wishes with your decision.

Edited by Marelaine
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We are traveling on the summit on 10/28/2017. I am traveling with my Father who is 87 and his friend who is also 87 and my sister. Puerto Rico Now is publishing hotels that will open on certain days and when I call these hotels they are not accepting reservations. I have had 6 different reservations and all have cancelled. I can't ask my father to sleep in the airport. American Airlines won't refund our money either and they have no flights the day of. This is ridiculous and greedy of this company to act like everything is great. No electricity, damage, water issues, gas issue and on and on. They are putting their customers in harms way unless they choose to loose thousands of dollars. We will never sail with them again.

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Yes booked on the Summit 11-18 Thanksgiving cruise. Celebrity will not rebook us without massive penalty since we are already fully paid. They are GREEDY and just flat out do not care at all about the welfare of its customers. LAST TIME I EVER WILL DO BUSINESS WITH THE CRUISELINE.

 

Sounds like you are only concerned with your pockets and possibly lack of insurance coverage....

 

bon voyage

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Do you know how much that insurance costs? It's ridiculous and usually doesn't cover everything. The point of the post is that the company is doing a disservice to its customers and the island. Not another reason for "I told ya so"s

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

 

p - third party insurance is not much more than what one can purchase through the cruise line, yet for decent coverage, yes it does cost more...

 

Of course most insurance policies, do have deductibles, yet with a third party policy great re-imbursement, in cash that is and NOT a cruise credit.

 

Given the OP's current rant, what would be more valuable just about this time for cancelling for any reason, cruise credit (with no credit for airline or hotel reservations which may be non-refundable) OR payment in full for non-refundable portions of all travel plans sans cost of the insurance?

 

 

Just like auto or home insurance, you do not have it, guess who shoulders the burden of being 'self-insuring? The gambler!

 

I have taken that risk several times in the past, but after hearing about people who have gotten sick or injured while a long way from home on vacation, not for me.

 

It, insurance, is a cost of travel and needs to budgeted in as part of the expenses. Especially traveling this time of year in the Caribbean.

 

Sure, let us blame X for our failing in this situation. Does anyone think that X would risk the liability if it was not safe to travel? Ultimately, if it turns out to not be safe, cancellations will be forth coming for sure.

 

The OP, if this upset and is posting all around CC, then they should just cancel and take the loss if they believe it is too unsafe to travel.

 

I would not want to be on the same sailing as the OP.... with their current approach to this situation.

 

bon voyage

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We are traveling on the summit on 10/28/2017. I am traveling with my Father who is 87 and his friend who is also 87 and my sister. Puerto Rico Now is publishing hotels that will open on certain days and when I call these hotels they are not accepting reservations. I have had 6 different reservations and all have cancelled. I can't ask my father to sleep in the airport. American Airlines won't refund our money either and they have no flights the day of. This is ridiculous and greedy of this company to act like everything is great. No electricity, damage, water issues, gas issue and on and on. They are putting their customers in harms way unless they choose to loose thousands of dollars. We will never sail with them again.

 

Will you also accuse AA for putting all of you at risk as they will fly you there! What is the reason you will not fight with them to refund your money as well, if you believe it is not safe to travel to PR???

 

Did you contact your travel insurance company about this? What is it they say? Usually, most travel insurance plans, third party that is, has provisions about hurricanes and storms which will prevent a sailing from taking place. It is one of the perils covered.

 

Let us know the results of your research on this, with your insurer, who by the way will re-imburse for non-refundable airline flights, too.

 

I understand how this can be distressing, but I believe many are over reacting because they possibly, quite possibly were not pro-active and looking to blame someone else.

 

While your hotel is not 'currently' does not mean it will not be open upon your arrival date or it maybe quite possible that if they cannot open that alternative arrangements can possibly be made for your accommodations. Quite possible, that is if you booked good accommodations and not a small independent property.

 

 

bon voyage

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UPDATE: Carnival released their latest update regarding the Fascination, their cruise ship that home ports in San Juan. You can read it in its entirety at https://www.carnival.com/travel-alerts.aspx . I'll quote the most relevant portion (emphasis mine):

 

 

We have been working very closely with our partners in San Juan over the last couple of weeks, and based on the assessment of our terminal facilities, support services and local conditions, we are happy to announce that we will be returning to San Juan to resume cruises to the Southern Caribbean, effective with Carnival Fascination’s October 15 sailing. Our team’s visit this past week confirmed the Old San Juan area is ready to receive tourists. Many shops and businesses have returned to their normal business operations with more opening up every day.

 

 

I didn't see any offer of refunds or OBC in their announcement, which I'm sure is a disappointment to some.

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As I see it, the OP is a new poster...possibly a FAKE ID just to rant against Celebrity. That, it appears, is the real agenda as witnessed also on a RCCL roll call.

 

I suspect the OP was too cheap to buy real trip insurance and wanted to get by. Me thinks thou dost protest too much. Put on your big boy pants and deal with it. Life is how you handle plan B. The ship is going to sail... with you...or without you.

 

Remember, Celebrity does not care about you individually. They care about their ship and it's impact on the other passengers if they canceled/changed the embarkation port.

Edited by ChucktownSteve
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