Caribbean Princess cruise cut short?

[robsib]

Thanks for the updates. We are on the February 1 cruise as well and will stay tuned to hear what's happening. Let's hope that we can get out on Saturday as planned.

[RDC1]

If they make it back by 10pm thursday they are not only picking up the time normally spent in Belize, but are also cruising faster then the normal return. Basically they are heading back pretty much as fast as they can.

[MaChere]

Just now reading this thread with great interest. We have some family members on board the Caribbean now. Look forward to hearing their story.

[kckuhnke]

We also are on the Feb. 1 cruise. We appreciate those of you onboard keeping us informed. Thanks.

[IDKaren]

Thanks for the heads up! We're sailing out on the 1st this Saturday. I'll watch out for any emails from Princess and have advised my TA to do the same.

 

yikes...coming from Ontario....hope all your flights get out and through connections ok!!

 

I am wondering....if the ship does get back early and passengers are disembarked early....does Princess put them up in hotels for 2 day??

[Jeffry]

yikes...coming from Ontario....hope all your flights get out and through connections ok!!

 

I am wondering....if the ship does get back early and passengers are disembarked early....does Princess put them up in hotels for 2 day??

 

Not sure what Princess would do. They may just let them stay on the ship or they could offer to help arrange flights home early. I guess it depends on the weather and what Princess what to do with the passengers. My guess they would just stay on the ship until Saturday.

 

 

Thanks so do I. We are flying direct with Air Canada to Houston on Saturday. If for some reason we don't get out on that flight we'll look at flying down to Cozumel and board the ship on (if they left us) Monday. Until then we'll just spend a couple of nights at an All inclusive and if we can't board we'll spend the week. We purchased insurance so we'll be covered either way.

[caribill]

Compare a day at Bayport with a day at Belize.

 

At least there is no tendering at Bayport.

 

I wonder if there will be any shore excursions offered on Friday.

 

Of course being in Texas waters, the casino will be closed and alcohol sales severly restricted to a few brands with Texas sales tax added.

[QueenofEverything]

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who finds this outrageous??? Cutting a cruise short after people have already paid their hard earned money because there MIGHT be fog on the day they are due to turnaround really hits me as grossly unfair.

[Pam in CA]

I'm sorry, but am I the only one who finds this outrageous??? Cutting a cruise short after people have already paid their hard earned money because there MIGHT be fog on the day they are due to turnaround really hits me as grossly unfair.

We don't know the reason nor do we know if there are extenuating circumstances. Ships don't just sail into a port and dock the way you'd drive and park at a mall. The harbormaster controls everything. They say which ship or boat docks where, what time they arrive and what time they sail. I've been on cruises where the harbormaster gave priority to local fishing and pleasure boats over cruise ships and tenders. That's their right. It's possible that the ship was ordered to arrive early by the harbormaster. We don't know if this is the case or there's another reason. It's not unusual to miss a port or even board a cruise late due to previous disembarkation issues. Even if the ship arrives at midnight, you're still on the ship and getting what you paid for. Ports are never guaranteed. I've missed many of them over the years for a variety of reasons.

[Mekamax]

Perhaps it was Galveston then, is that also a channel port (I really don't know the Texas port arrangement), but I distinctly remember seeing complaints on the Disney forum of delays. (Disney has since pulled out of Galveston)

 

 

Disney couldn't make it in Houston for sales - had great deals while they were here and don't think they sailed full but a few times. Kids are not allowed out of school down here without an act of congress as the schools get money for the kids in the seats. As soon as Princess and NCL announced they were coming in Disney announced they were leaving.

 

All Gulf ports including Tampa, New Orleans and Galveston will have fog issues.

[Mekamax]

This has been an "arctic blast" for us as a cold front with temps yesterday and this morning in the 20s. Somethings have still not thawed out even today - very very strange for South Texas. We will warm up to the 70s by Friday and that is when the fog starts rolling in with the warm ups.

[QueenofEverything]

It is interesting that on the Port of Houston's website they still show the CB docking on Saturday. This is as of 2:08 pm today.

[QueenofEverything]

We don't know the reason nor do we know if there are extenuating circumstances. Ships don't just sail into a port and dock the way you'd drive and park at a mall. The harbormaster controls everything. They say which ship or boat docks where, what time they arrive and what time they sail. I've been on cruises where the harbormaster gave priority to local fishing and pleasure boats over cruise ships and tenders. That's their right. It's possible that the ship was ordered to arrive early by the harbormaster. We don't know if this is the case or there's another reason. It's not unusual to miss a port or even board a cruise late due to previous disembarkation issues. Even if the ship arrives at midnight, you're still on the ship and getting what you paid for. Ports are never guaranteed. I've missed many of them over the years for a variety of reasons.

 

While I will agree that we don't know the circumstances, I don't really agree with the rest of your statement. I understand that ports are missed because of weather all the time. I just don't think that heading home a day early because there MIGHT be fog falls in the same category. If you miss an away port due to weather, you just end up with an extra sea day (aw darn). I don't think that compares with a day sitting at the industrial port of Houston!

[SKAGGS1234]

Hope everyone is safe! We board Feb 8.

[fortworther]

While I will agree that we don't know the circumstances, I don't really agree with the rest of your statement. I understand that ports are missed because of weather all the time. I just don't think that heading home a day early because there MIGHT be fog falls in the same category. If you miss an away port due to weather, you just end up with an extra sea day (aw darn). I don't think that compares with a day sitting at the industrial port of Houston!

 

I hope Princess makes right by the passengers, and I agree with you. Pam carries the Princess flag, loyalty I suppose....or maybe she is on the BOD, LOL.

Edited January 30, 2014 by fortworther

[bunnycrawford]

While I will agree that we don't know the circumstances, I don't really agree with the rest of your statement. I understand that ports are missed because of weather all the time. I just don't think that heading home a day early because there MIGHT be fog falls in the same category. If you miss an away port due to weather, you just end up with an extra sea day (aw darn). I don't think that compares with a day sitting at the industrial port of Houston!

 

Right, but what about the people who are supposed to board on Sat? Also, if the port does close on Saturday due to fog, if it doesn't reopen until Mon or Tue, then the ship is not prepared to support the passengers for those extra days. It's not like a regular hotel, they have a certain amount of food, etc. for a certain amount of time.

Better safe than sorry. I am sorry for the people missing their port and they should be allowed to stay on board until sat. am.

[RDC1]

While I will agree that we don't know the circumstances, I don't really agree with the rest of your statement. I understand that ports are missed because of weather all the time. I just don't think that heading home a day early because there MIGHT be fog falls in the same category. If you miss an away port due to weather, you just end up with an extra sea day (aw darn). I don't think that compares with a day sitting at the industrial port of Houston!

 

Considering what they have seen in that port, which includes heavy fog when a warm front comes through after a cold snap, I suspect that it is more then just a chance. It is instead most likely a good probability. On the 11th we faced a similar situation and the ship could not make it to dock until 11am. A lot of people missed flights. We did not start boarding until 5pm.

 

The earlier post indicated that the Captain announced they are expecting fog Friday through Sunday. That would match the expected arrival Thursday evening.

 

Would you rather have the people having to spend more of their hard earned dollars making new travel arrangements if they did not book their airline tickets through Princess or are covered by travel insurance.

[jean s]

It will be interesting to see what the actual situation is that is requiring the captain to return so soon. I'm being selfish but I sure wish I had not booked this cruise for February. I know I will enjoy my week away from work but just reading about the constantly changing weather issues is stressful for a soon to be passenger.

[RocketMan275]

While I will agree that we don't know the circumstances, I don't really agree with the rest of your statement. I understand that ports are missed because of weather all the time. I just don't think that heading home a day early because there MIGHT be fog falls in the same category. If you miss an away port due to weather, you just end up with an extra sea day (aw darn). I don't think that compares with a day sitting at the industrial port of Houston!

 

Have you read the threads on CC when CB has not been able to dock on time? It's not just another sea day. It's a ship sitting off the coast near Houston waiting for the fog to lift, on-board passengers missing their flights (non-refundable in many cases), incoming passengers with no ship to board waiting at the terminal, etc.

 

Sure, passengers miss a port but they are back in Houston in time to catch their flights and the incoming passengers can board on time.

 

Sometimes choices are between the bad and the almost as bad.

[fortworther]

Right, but what about the people who are supposed to board on Sat? Also, if the port does close on Saturday due to fog, if it doesn't reopen until Mon or Tue, then the ship is not prepared to support the passengers for those extra days. It's not like a regular hotel, they have a certain amount of food, etc. for a certain amount of time.

Better safe than sorry. I am sorry for the people missing their port and they should be allowed to stay on board until sat. am.

 

I think your point is that a sea day could turn into several sea days if the fog blocked the port while the ship slow motored to home and that provisions are limited but a dock day eliminates the extra sea days and provisions will suffice (or could even be replenished). If I read you correctly that makes good sense!

 

And passengers could even get off the ship and go to Gaidos in Galveston, a personal favorite. Also check out Thai Seafood in Webster. Or Princess may arrange shuttles to Kemah boardwalk but the food there is just so so.

 

Considering the crummy ports of call on this cruise and the questionable quality of the ship food this could potentially be the best part of the cruise.;)

Edited January 30, 2014 by fortworther

[Pam in CA]

While I will agree that we don't know the circumstances, I don't really agree with the rest of your statement. I understand that ports are missed because of weather all the time. I just don't think that heading home a day early because there MIGHT be fog falls in the same category. If you miss an away port due to weather, you just end up with an extra sea day (aw darn). I don't think that compares with a day sitting at the industrial port of Houston!

The problem with speculating is that we don't have all the facts and information. We're all (including me) assuming situations that may or may not be accurate. Princess does not like or want to anger passengers or modify an itinerary without a good reason. They never do it arbitrarily nor does any other cruise line. They have access to marine forecasts and information that we don't. They know the capabilities of the ship, the ports, currents, tides, etc. much better than we do. Even local weather reports are not sufficient information for the Captain or Princess.

 

I can't tell you how many times I've been on a ship and while the weather appeared to be sunny and breezy to the naked eye, conditions would have jeopardized the ship (and passengers.) I've heard people whining and complaining that the Captain is a wimp and just wanted to stay at sea to make more on onboard revenue, forgetting that the ship is losing a lot of tour money and risking passenger satisfaction. And, I've taken the tender into Lahaina on a brilliant, calm sunny morning only to be caught on a tender in 15-20' seas in a wild storm for an hour and a half, along with three other tenders. Hundreds went through a harrowing experience. In retrospect, the ship should never have stopped but then passengers would have been furious and felt they had good reason.

 

We should wait for the facts. :)

[DrSch]

I just called Princess to ask them what was going on with the Caribbean Princess.

 

I was told by the agent on the phone, that the ship is coming in a day early due to NORO VIRUS, not fog.

 

The following cruise will be going out on schedule.

 

I would be curious to have someone else call them and see if they get the same answer.

Edited January 30, 2014 by DrSch

[waterboy2006]

The Captain made another announcement during dinner. We will arrive in Houston Thursday night. Friday morning all passengers will have to leave the ship with their bags and clear customs at that time. We will not be allowed back on board. They intend to do a thorough cleaning that day. He spoke of norovirus and the fact that the rough seas have contributed to more people being sick.

For the time being, it is a rough ride. Things turned bad about 3 pm. The skies turned cloudy as the seas got rougher. Within an hour, there were gale force winds (according to the in-room ship's TV). Wind across the bow was 37 nts. and blowing rain. The TV is not presently (now 8 pm) reporting conditions, but I'm certain the seas are 10-12 ft., as the captain earlier indicated they would be. Last I saw, we are traveling 19.9 nts.

In my 15 or so cruises, I haven't been on very many rough rides. This is my roughest. Doors to the outside decks are roped off.

[Loreley990]

The Captain made another announcement during dinner. We will arrive in Houston Thursday night. Friday morning all passengers will have to leave the ship with their bags and clear customs at that time. We will not be allowed back on board. They intend to do a thorough cleaning that day. He spoke of norovirus and the fact that the rough seas have contributed to more people being sick.

For the time being, it is a rough ride. Things turned bad about 3 pm. The skies turned cloudy as the seas got rougher. Within an hour, there were gale force winds (according to the in-room ship's TV). Wind across the bow was 37 nts. and blowing rain. The TV is not presently (now 8 pm) reporting conditions, but I'm certain the seas are 10-12 ft., as the captain earlier indicated they would be. Last I saw, we are traveling 19.9 nts.

In my 15 or so cruises, I haven't been on very many rough rides. This is my roughest. Doors to the outside decks are roped off.

 

Thanks for the update. What are their plans in terms of refunds? Just the port fees and the one night prorate I guess?

[waterboy2006]

I haven't heard any mention of compensation. They can fill me in on that later. Probably, as mentioned, port charges and maybe pro-rate one day. I'd rather they focus all their attention on passenger safety right now. Whatever the reason, fog or sickness or both, they've got to get this floating city docked and address the problem(s). I really feel sorry for those on board who ARE sick. That would feel awful in this rolling sea.

I'm happy to report for those concerned, the casino is still open. Ha!