warning:Nassau is bumping cruise ships

[will773]

On the day of the Reflection, five other ships were scheduled. All five other ships are ships that call on Nassau on a weekly or seasonal basis. Reflection being a one time call drew the short straw.

 

On the day that the Indy was to call, four ships other ships were scheduled including three that needed the longer docks. Norwegian Epic, Carnival Breeze and Disney Dream. No room for Indy.

 

I think the issue was both ships needed the longer piers and they were not available due to ships being scheduled that are there on a regular basis. This is the fault of the port.

 

Interesting. Still, the port should have known that this was happening.

 

I agree with the sentiment that the cruise lines are placing too many ships in the same ports over and over again. Change it up a bit!!!!

[cruzemaven]

My question is: Don't the cruiselines get confirmation when booking dock space? This inaugural itinerary we went on was advertised at least 18 months ago. How does Celebrity or RCCL plan itineraries without having guarantees that they can bring their ships to where they say they are going?Do they just cross their fingers and hope that the port won't be too crowded to let them in. It's sounds ridiculous. Skipping Nassau was not a problem for us...enjoyed the day at sea. Celebrity must have made out well,too, with the Reflection's casino, shops and bar being opened the entire day and night.

[EVALUATOR]

My question is: Don't the cruiselines get confirmation when booking dock space? This inaugural itinerary we went on was advertised at least 18 months ago. How does Celebrity or RCCL plan itineraries without having guarantees that they can bring their ships to where they say they are going?Do they just cross their fingers and hope that the port won't be too crowded to let them in. It's sounds ridiculous. Skipping Nassau was not a problem for us...enjoyed the day at sea. Celebrity must have made out well,too, with the Reflection's casino, shops and bar being opened the entire day and night.

 

You mean like RCI's cruise contract that says they can change any and all ports without notice or compensation.

 

As Ted Striker said..."I guess the foot's on the other hand now, isn't it".

[Cruising89143]

My question is: Don't the cruiselines get confirmation when booking dock space? This inaugural itinerary we went on was advertised at least 18 months ago. How does Celebrity or RCCL plan itineraries without having guarantees that they can bring their ships to where they say they are going?Do they just cross their fingers and hope that the port won't be too crowded to let them in. It's sounds ridiculous. Skipping Nassau was not a problem for us...enjoyed the day at sea. Celebrity must have made out well,too, with the Reflection's casino, shops and bar being opened the entire day and night.

 

Mistakes happen and RCCL is not the first cruise company to have this happen and won't be the last. Just read a report recently on one of the other boards that just recently in one of the Italian ports three ships were scheduled to dock that day. The port could only take two of the three ships. It was a first come first served situation and one ship was left out.

 

Someone in Nassau failed to see if those two ships would have room to dock. While there may have been piers available, maybe there wasn't room at the two longer piers.

[Trekker954]

How can that happen? Don't they know ahead of time who is coming and when?

 

 

Clearly they had to know, but they certainly acted like they just learned about after we left the dock in Miami (for the Reflection) and they kept us hooked in then believing we'd dock at 6 pm. I'm sure they knew darn well, weeks ahead it wasn't going to happen.

 

I'm glad the CEO was onboard and that he gave the bride and groom that nice european cruise if that is how he compensated them. Well done.

[Trekker954]

My question is: Don't the cruiselines get confirmation when booking dock space? This inaugural itinerary we went on was advertised at least 18 months ago. How does Celebrity or RCCL plan itineraries without having guarantees that they can bring their ships to where they say they are going?Do they just cross their fingers and hope that the port won't be too crowded to let them in. It's sounds ridiculous. Skipping Nassau was not a problem for us...enjoyed the day at sea. Celebrity must have made out well,too, with the Reflection's casino, shops and bar being opened the entire day and night.

 

I know the casino got my money that day.:mad:

[Ocean Boy]

Nassau is a busy port that has handled these classes of ships before. It seems that they should be quite experienced in assigning dock space based on ship. These "mistakes" affect thousands of people. I don't quite get it.

[MrFunInTheSun]

Freeport was so happy to see the Independence of the seas though. She was so beautiful coming in and docked there.

 

One of the ladies I was speaking with at the store that sells bamboo items, can't remember the name, anyways I said to her, there are going to be some really pissed off people on that ship though. Since they were not supposed to be docking here. She looked at me very puzzled, the expression on her face was kind of funny.

 

Independence of the seas docked in Freeport for the first time.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1749264

[cruisnseas]

I wouldnt be too happy about that at all, I can understand if it was bad weather but if we did this to me I would want to have some sort of a credit on my account.. Just makes me wonder if they wil try that move on me, but i cant picture them doing that too often if they did nobody would travel on rci anymore

 

I assume you'd be looking for the Port of Nassau to credit you since it is their decision not to let the ship dock.

 

You do know that ti wouldn't be Royal trying "that move on you," right? It is out of their hands. When the port authority says no the answer is no.

 

Clearly they had to know, but they certainly acted like they just learned about after we left the dock in Miami (for the Reflection) and they kept us hooked in then believing we'd dock at 6 pm. I'm sure they knew darn well, weeks ahead it wasn't going to happen.

 

I'm glad the CEO was onboard and that he gave the bride and groom that nice european cruise if that is how he compensated them. Well done.

 

In my experience, it is quite likely they did not know. When ships get bumped it is almost always very last minute and comes as quite a surprise, unfortunately.

 

They'd have no reason to not try to plan something else if they had advanced notice.

[PH8]

Since LB missed Falmouth,due to a medical emergency,they were told they were going to Nassau......of course,"no room in the inn" for them either....

 

I wouldnt warn people about this........can't recall this happening before..

[Cruising89143]

Clearly they had to know, but they certainly acted like they just learned about after we left the dock in Miami (for the Reflection) and they kept us hooked in then believing we'd dock at 6 pm. I'm sure they knew darn well, weeks ahead it wasn't going to happen.

 

I'm glad the CEO was onboard and that he gave the bride and groom that nice european cruise if that is how he compensated them. Well done.

 

Others on the X board stated that weather played a part in not going in at 6:00. More than a few posters who were on board stated the same story. So you really think a cruise lines wants to tick off their guests? LOL.

[Cruising89143]

Since LB missed Falmouth,due to a medical emergency,they were told they were going to Nassau......of course,"no room in the inn" for them either....

 

I wouldnt warn people about this........can't recall this happening before..

 

Some are acting like this happens everyday in Nassau.

[PH8]

Others on the X board stated that weather played a part in not going in at 6:00. More than a few posters who were on board stated the same story. So you really think a cruise lines wants to tick off their guests? LOL.

I had a few friends on there too and they said it was the weather that prevented them from going in............besides who cares if you miss Nassau at night??:confused:

[PH8]

Some are acting like this happens everyday in Nassau.

I have been on many cruises stopping in Nassau...............never been turned away....well,except for that hurricane in Aug when the port was closed..

[Aquahound]

According to http://www.cruisett.com, Reflection was to be 1 of 6 ships in Nassau that day. Only 5 can dock. Guess we now know who drew the short straw

[poolboyclay]

Clearly they had to know, but they certainly acted like they just learned about after we left the dock in Miami (for the Reflection) and they kept us hooked in then believing we'd dock at 6 pm. I'm sure they knew darn well, weeks ahead it wasn't going to happen.

 

I'm glad the CEO was onboard and that he gave the bride and groom that nice european cruise if that is how he compensated them. Well done.

 

Freedom of the seas had to go there for a medical emergency. I was on the ship, and we missed Coco cay to hit Nassau. The lines do what they can but stuff happens.

 

Clay

[waterbug123]

I wouldnt be too happy about that at all, I can understand if it was bad weather but if we did this to me I would want to have some sort of a credit on my account.. Just makes me wonder if they wil try that move on me, but i cant picture them doing that too often if they did nobody would travel on rci anymore

 

Your port taxes will be refunded if you do not visit that port.

[Patty00]

I would be very disappointed if the En misses Nassau on our cruise. It is hard for me to believe that the prearrangement for the En to dock at a certain time/day is not caste in stone. Weather is the only factor that could stop the ship from docking. So, what is going on???

[Starry Eyes]

Freedom of the seas had to go there for a medical emergency. I was on the ship, and we missed Coco cay to hit Nassau. The lines do what they can but stuff happens.

 

Clay

 

that would explain one day.

I wonder what happened the other day.

[cruzemaven]

According to http://www.cruisett.com, Reflection was to be 1 of 6 ships in Nassau that day. Only 5 can dock. Guess we now know who drew the short straw

 

We were bumped on Dec. 6 with a total of 6 ships scheduled and The Independence of the Sea was bumped the day after us in Nassau with a total of 5 ships scheduled according to cruisett.com. Seems to me RCCL and Celebrity should be looking at cruisett.com to see how many ships are scheduled to dock so they can plan accordingly. This is from cruisett.com:

 

06-Dec-12 17024 Norwegian Jewel, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Pride, Celebrity Reflection

 

07-Dec-12 18905 Independence of the Seas, Carnival Sensation, Disney Dream, Norwegian Epic, Carnival Breeze

[cruzemaven]

Weather was not the reason for being bumped for our morning arrival in Nassau. There was simply no room. After negotiations with the Port Authority, it was determined we could dock in Nassau in the evening for a few hours. The evening docking was cancelled due to bad weather. I didn't mind missing Nassau, but I wonder how the cruiselines could miss seeing the schedule that I posted above. These schedules are posted over a year in advance.

[dachshunddoglover]

The Independence was not bummed due to weather. We also had a couple on board getting married in Nassau. Don't know what happened with them. Hope they got something nice.

I know most of you don't like Nassau but what if this happened in St. Thomas or St. Martin? Would you have the same "who cares" attitude? It was on our schedule so we should have gone unless there was weather or a medical emergency.

Time will tell if there is a consistent problem with Nassau Port Authority pulling this move again. I certainly hope not. People make a lot of plans with shore excursions that may or may not be refundable. We spoke with people who had booked a room at Comfort Inn and Suites to use the pass privledge at Atlantis who were sure they would not get any money back at all. Over $400.

I guess we did get an apology but it was not much of one.

E-Beth

[softsands]

Just off the Reflection's Inaugural cruise and want to warn those of you who are looking forward to going to Nassau on any cruise line...we were bumped from the port. Our captain announced as we were leaving the port of Miami that we would not be docking at Nassau in the morning because all the docks were taken. All excursions were cancelled and refunded. I also found out that The Independence of the Seas wasn't able to get into Nassau the following day. Apparently, they are turning ships away...just want to let you know so you are not disappointed if this happens to you. This was not a weather related issue.

 

Nassau's a waste of a port call, anyhow.

[cruzemaven]

Nassau's a waste of a port call, anyhow.

 

I agree...but the point is why did the Nassau Port Authority overbook their dockage and how do cruiselines not know this when it is scheduled for all to see over a year in advance. Cruisett.com shows an extensive world wide docking schedule.

[tahqa]

According to www.cruisett.com, Reflection was to be 1 of 6 ships in Nassau that day. Only 5 can dock. Guess we now know who drew the short straw

 

I guess there's going to be issues on Dec 28th since there are 6 ships scheduled for that day! :eek: