Quebec omitted

[cabinbythesea]

Does anyone know why Quebec has been omitted from RCCL's itinerary this year? Also Charlottetown. Last year we were on the cruise that was diverted to Quebec for 2 days due to Hurricane Kyle. This October I will take my sixth cruise to the Maritimes and always enjoy the ports.

[CaribbeanBound]

Celebrity Constitution is going to both of those ports this year. Could be they are just giving you varied ports to enjoy.

[torpeedo]

Cabinbythesea, we were on the same cruise! What horrible weather but sure did enjoy the overnight in Quebec since the weather improved the next day. Have no idea why they changed that but they made that decision quite a while ago. Some have said it was the distance and the cost of fuel.. That doesn't make sense to me but who knows. I had really wanted to see Prince Edward Island and as you know, we missed it due to the hurricane. If they did that itinerary again, we would definitely go! PS we are on the 10/15 Explorer this year and if you are, join our roll call!

Helen

[Maraprince]

We missed Prince Edward Island on Celebrity as well! Instead we stayed overnight in Portland to ride out the hurricane.

 

As far as RCL is concerned, they are adding more sea days on all their sailings in place of port stops to cut down on the amount of fuel used between ports. They would rather take a very slow, long way around and travel in circles than to add more ports. We had almost 6 sea days last year on the Explorer on a 13 night sailing and only stopped in 5 ports. On the way back to Bayonne we spend almost a full day in the same area before heading back to NJ. Would have been nice if we hadn't had rough seas for almost 12 hours. Once we left the area and really started to head for NJ the seas were much calmer. Why the Capt. kept us in rough seas for so many hours is a mystery to me. Most Captains try to get away from rough seas as quickly as possible. But not the Explorer!

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[PennyAgain]

The cruise lines are cutting ports for several reasons: port charges and fees and also fuel. But I suspect it is another tactic to keep people spending money on the ships and not in the ports.

 

Dare we mention that some people don't want to visit a

French speaking port?

[FredH]

As far as RCL is concerned, they are adding more sea days on all their sailings in place of port stops to cut down on the amount of fuel used between ports. They would rather take a very slow, long way around and travel in circles than to add more ports.

MARAPRINCE

 

We are Diamond level with RCL, but we have booked our Canada / New England cruise on NCL's Norwegian Spirit. We are taking the 14-day version which starts and ends in Boston. We visit 10 ports plus a day of Saguenay Fjord cruising and only stop at Halifax twice. We get to take direct flights in and out of Boston and the cruise terminal is a 10-minute cab ride from the airport. While NCL is not our favorite cruise line, we have been disappointed with our most recent RCL cruises and with other recent changes.

[bandber]

Not sure if your change is due to the same set of cirumstances as 'our' changes. I am due to go on the Transatlantic crossing from the UK to Canada and the US on 26 September. Canadian maritime legislation has been blamed for our itinerary changes. I don't pretend to understand this but I am disappointed that Charlottetown has been removed and that my long awaited overnighter in Halifax has been cancelled. I hadn't seen any other posts about changed itineraries until yours, by the way.

 

Fred.Olsen wrote thus:

'though Fred.Olsen has vigorously disputed Canada's interpretation of this legislation given that Balmoral will be undertaking an international voyage outside of Canada, they were not able to gain any concessions from the authorities. As a result the Halifax turnaround has been cancelled and that sector of the cruise will end in NY in order to comply with the decision'

 

This has knock on effects for those flying back to the UK at the end of that sector of the cruise.

[cabinbythesea]

Torpeedo: I hope bad weather doesn't cancel the few ports scheduled for our 10/15 cruise on EOS. There are several days at sea. It would be nice to have many options for activities. Last year ai felt the options were few. Example: only one first run film for the entire voyage. However, RCL remains my favorite. They work with me and my annoying garlic allergy....I eat only in the Windjammer Cafe. See you on board.

Irene

[Maraprince]

Don't count on RCL offering any more activities if a port is missed due to bad weather.

 

We had this happen on the EOS last year. What you can expect, is a lot of bingo and "sales" in the gift shops (not really a sale) and they take up a lot of deck space on the Promanade deck with the "sale" tables. Or, you can choose to lose your money in the Casino!

 

We spent a lot of time walking around inside since it was way too cold to be on the outside decks or even on our balcony. They do not have a retractable pool roof. Lots of passengers were really disappointed since the outside decks and pools could not be used due to the cold temperature while at sea. You can check out areas of the ship you have not been to as yet or just sit and watch people walk around.

 

We did enjoy the 2 ice shows they had. We played mini golf before the ship left the last port stop since it was too cold/windy to do so when the ship was in motion.

 

Unfortunately, RCL isn't big on on indoor activities like Celebrity is.

 

If you are not big on "quiet" time or reading or keeping yourself amused, you may want to bring some games on board to play, embrodiery kits, or some other things. A portable DVD player and DVD's would be a good way to pass the time.

 

If you are prepared, it will not be as disappointing.

 

 

MARAPRINCE

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[bandber]

A portable DVD player and DVD's would be a good way to pass the time.

 

MARAPRINCE

MARAPRINCE

 

How do you connect a portable DVD player in the cabin? Would it connect to the TV? Sorry to be thick....

 

I am asking as I am taking a Netbook with me. Mine is a long cruise on an old ship. There is no WiFi in the cabin, I know, but I was going to use the Netbook ashore to pick up emails etc.

 

So if I took my little portable DVD player with me - and it wouldn't connect to the TV - do you happen to know if the Netbook would need an internet connection to play DVDs?

 

Yes, I am an utter technophobe.....but I am trying to learn! I shall email the cruise line about this too, a good idea of yours, thank you.

[torpeedo]

Hi Irene, If you are on the 10/15 NE cruise on the Explorer, join the roll call! Lots of nice people, many who are first time NE cruisers!

Helen

[Maraprince]

How do you connect a portable DVD player in the cabin? Would it connect to the TV? Sorry to be thick....

 

I am asking as I am taking a Netbook with me. Mine is a long cruise on an old ship. There is no WiFi in the cabin, I know, but I was going to use the Netbook ashore to pick up emails etc.

 

So if I took my little portable DVD player with me - and it wouldn't connect to the TV - do you happen to know if the Netbook would need an internet connection to play DVDs?

 

Yes, I am an utter technophobe.....but I am trying to learn! I shall email the cruise line about this too, a good idea of yours, thank you.

 

 

I would check with your cruise line to find out if the cabin TV's have the ports for you to connect a portable DVD player. I believe some of them are stand alone meaning you do not need to connect it to anything, but I could be wrong.

 

 

If you are bringing a netbook, it you may be able to play a DVD on it. I know I can play a DVD on my laptop.

 

 

MARAPRINCE