Just Booked and UPSET! Advice?

[LindaO]

Another note, there is one other cruise that would "fit" my schedule, but certainly not what I planned fro my vaca. (Leaves from Baltimore).

 

What I just learned while goo ogling away on hold waiting for customer service to pick up (25 minutes and counting), is that the ship is the one that had the MEGA norovirus issues. I hope anyone would understand that in no way would I take my infant daughter on that ship.

 

I know that the risks for norovirus are present anywhere, and we are more likely to get it elsewhere than a cruise. But, i'd deserve for child services to take my child away if I willingly took her at such a young age on a ship voluntarily that had recent major outbreaks.

 

I hope you will understand that the 'ship' isn't sick... the people the come aboard either bring noro with them... or do not observe proper preventative hygiene methods and there is an outbreak. You and your child have a higher chance of contracting Noro at your local grocery store or Wal-Mart (from the shopping cart and surfaces) than you do on a cruise ship.

 

I do know you are grasping at any reason to cancel this cruise and get your money back. Please know that all conversations are not recorded and coming up with more objections and alternatives may just 'muddie' the waters. Also, just to let you know, NCL has a much more liberal Casino club. On RCI you have to be a serious gambler.

 

I hope you work out something... but if not, isn't a nice family cruise with your wife and child something you might enjoy. Sure you want to party... and you could take advantage of the sitter program. But, you could also plan this little get away focused on spending time with your child and wife. Please know, I'm not saying you don't do this on a daily basis... but if you want to get away... this sounds like it may be your only choice, without a costly penalty.

 

With all that said... I'm sure if you call the corporate offices you might find a solution...

 

Good Luck... keep us informed!

[cruzinlady1947]

Another note, there is one other cruise that would "fit" my schedule, but certainly not what I planned fro my vaca. (Leaves from Baltimore).

 

What I just learned while goo ogling away on hold waiting for customer service to pick up (25 minutes and counting), is that the ship is the one that had the MEGA norovirus issues. I hope anyone would understand that in no way would I take my infant daughter on that ship.

 

I know that the risks for norovirus are present anywhere, and we are more likely to get it elsewhere than a cruise. But, i'd deserve for child services to take my child away if I willingly took her at such a young age on a ship voluntarily that had recent major outbreaks.

If you are talking about the Grandeur, that happened months ago and has not happened since then. And I don't think child services would take your child away for taking them on a cruise. That is a little dramatic. :rolleyes: You can get noro on other cruise lines too, not just RCCL. Maybe you better find another cruise line more to your liking or just go on land vacations.

 

Good luck in getting what you want.

 

Gwen :)

[Langley Cruisers]

... is that the ship is the one that had the MEGA norovirus issues. I hope anyone would understand that in no way would I take my infant daughter on that ship...

 

Had. HAD. Once upon a time. Had. Not has and you are all but lined up at the pier waiting to board, but had a Noro outbreak. We have cruised through 2 Noro outbreaks and trust me, there is no better time to board a ship than after an outbreak. That ship will be sparkling.

 

I'm concerned about your concern, frankly - yes, I am also a parent but there has to come a time when you really weigh the situation and not become (dare I say it) paranoid. No offense intended...

 

Noro can happen anywhere, anytime, and could very well happen on your intended RCI cruise to Bermuda. Sorry but it's true. *shrug*

 

.

[dinzitari]

So are you saying that customer service should have told you that due to your childs age you might not want to take this cruise because of Noro? At what age should they do that and discourage bookings? I entirely sympathize with your situation if all you've posted is accurate, but now it sounds like you're pushing the envelope.

 

If Noro is a concern, maybe you shouldn't cruise with an infant on any line at any time......:rolleyes:

 

No, I did not say any of that above which you just mentioned. Actually, even after everything I have been going through (have you read all of my posts????) I still was entertaining the idea of sailing RCI to get this over with. My only option showed a ship that when I looked up reviews, had some startling revelations about NORO. So, again NO, I do not expect the cruise line to inform me about a diseased ship when traveling with an infant.

 

I'm doing what I believe to be best for my child, which includes not taking her on that ship, and not leaving her home without her parents for 1 week at the tender age of one. What I believe may not be the same that another set of parents would believe, and that's okay. Roll your eyes all you want, but it's ignorant to do so when a parent is concerned about their child's well being. SHAME on you.

[RSLeesburg]

If I recall correctly, Explorer had a much worse Noro outbreak this past year, so from that perspective there is no difference between sailing on Grandeur or Explorer...both had Noro outbreaks. But both have sailed for months Noro free.

[gjkubel]

 

I know that the risks for norovirus are present anywhere, and we are more likely to get it elsewhere than a cruise. But, i'd deserve for child services to take my child away if I willingly took her at such a young age on a ship voluntarily that had recent major outbreaks.

 

And there went all your credibility....

[dinzitari]

If you are talking about the Grandeur, that happened months ago and has not happened since then. And I don't think child services would take your child away for taking them on a cruise. That is a little dramatic. :rolleyes: You can get noro on other cruise lines too, not just RCCL. Maybe you better find another cruise line more to your liking or just go on land vacations.

 

Good luck in getting what you want.

 

Gwen :)

 

I agree with every thing you've mentioned, and I've said the same in that same post. I did look in to land vacations that have nurseries, and nothing appealed to me in my price range unfortunately. Not sure how many parents on here have experienced vacationing with an infant, hopefully they can relate to it. It's our first time, and there are a ton of things we need to consider that are all new to us.

 

I love my Daughter with everything I have...but BOY do I miss dropping 1,500$ on a vaca with all the perks and going nuts with freedom! With everything we have done lately (school, my Wife running family business while pregnant working 12 hour days while family/owner was sick with cancer, having baby, running my business, and completing degree).... we haven't done anything since our honeymoon 4 years ago. Just wish this would fix itself so we can have a blast!

Edited July 11, 2014 by dinzitari

[Bonnie Voyager]

Another note, there is one other cruise that would "fit" my schedule, but certainly not what I planned fro my vaca. (Leaves from Baltimore).

 

What I just learned while goo ogling away on hold waiting for customer service to pick up (25 minutes and counting), is that the ship is the one that had the MEGA norovirus issues. I hope anyone would understand that in no way would I take my infant daughter on that ship.

 

I know that the risks for norovirus are present anywhere, and we are more likely to get it elsewhere than a cruise. But, i'd deserve for child services to take my child away if I willingly took her at such a young age on a ship voluntarily that had recent major outbreaks.

 

Does Grandeur have noro now? I know she had a problem back in April involving two weeks of sailing. I was onboard for the third week (which was the first week AFTER that noro episode) and the ship was clean as a whistle and no one that I was aware of contracted Noro. I have not heard any further reports of Noro on Grandeur since April until your mentioning a "MEGA" issue in this thread.

 

The April episode of noro was not exactly "MEGA". About 5% of the total body count was ill, which means about 95% were not. Unless there is a new episode of Noro that I am not aware of, I would not rule out Grandeur as a solution to your vacation issue. She is a lovely ship, but is of course not as large as Explorer therefore she does not have as many bells and whistles as Explorer. I think you could find a way to "party" on Grandeur though! :D

 

Good luck whatever you end up doing! It is unfortunate that it all turned out this way for you. I hope you get it cleared up to your satisfaction!

[dinzitari]

And there went all your credibility....

 

How so? Elaborate please.

[awhcruiser]

Maybe its time to quit traveling and stay home.

I know that the risks for norovirus are present anywhere, and we are more likely to get it elsewhere than a cruise. But, i'd deserve for child services to take my child away if I willingly took her at such a young age on a ship voluntarily that had recent major outbreaks.

[evitacruiser]

I think most parents bit the bullet and accepted that vacations would be different with an infant.

[dinzitari]

Does Grandeur have noro now? I know she had a problem back in April involving two weeks of sailing. I was onboard for the third week (which was the first week AFTER that noro episode) and the ship was clean as a whistle and no one that I was aware of contracted Noro. I have not heard any further reports of Noro on Grandeur since April until your mentioning a "MEGA" issue in this thread.

 

The April episode of noro was not exactly "MEGA". About 5% of the total body count was ill, which means about 95% were not. Unless there is a new episode of Noro that I am not aware of, I would not rule out Grandeur as a solution to your vacation issue. She is a lovely ship, but is of course not as large as Explorer therefore she does not have as many bells and whistles as Explorer. I think you could find a way to "party" on Grandeur though! :D

 

Good luck whatever you end up doing! It is unfortunate that it all turned out this way for you. I hope you get it cleared up to your satisfaction!

 

Hmmm, I admit to stumbling on a forum without doing much research on it, I'll look for the link. But whatever I read, said something like 80% of passengers were affected. Not my info, just what I read.

[awhcruiser]

Where is the like button?

 

If Noro is a concern, maybe you shouldn't cruise with an infant on any line at any time......:rolleyes:

[dinzitari]

Here is what I stumbled on by accident. NORO wouldn't have even been on mind whatsoever if I didn't see this today..... so this is for the guy questioning my credibility.:mad:

 

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/articles/norovirus/

 

EDIT: Looks like the 80% comment was just a dispute from a family of passengers, who disagreed with the CDC number of 20%. Anyway, lets's not turn this thread in to a NORO thread....I'm sure there are one of those.

Edited July 11, 2014 by dinzitari

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Had. HAD. Once upon a time. Had. Not has and you are all but lined up at the pier waiting to board, but had a Noro outbreak. We have cruised through 2 Noro outbreaks and trust me, there is no better time to board a ship than after an outbreak. That ship will be sparkling.

 

I'm concerned about your concern, frankly - yes, I am also a parent but there has to come a time when you really weigh the situation and not become (dare I say it) paranoid. No offense intended...

 

Noro can happen anywhere, anytime, and could very well happen on your intended RCI cruise to Bermuda. Sorry but it's true. *shrug*

 

.

 

I have to respectfully disagree.

 

We cruised on princess after a Noro outbreak. Didn't get to board until about 7-8pm as they were disinfecting the ship.

 

We were on a 7 day cruise to Aruba, Princess Cays, and Curacao.

 

Our first stop was the private island which was cancelled since we left FLL so late. Next stop Curacao.

 

Never made it. Over 400 pax and crew came down with the virus and CDC ordered the ship back to FLL. Wound up with a 5 day cruise to nowhere and a wasted week of vacation time.

 

That being said the ship the OP is speaking of hasnt had an instances of the Noro for some time now so i wouldn't hesistate to cruise on that ship.

 

Noro usually hits in the winter months for some reason.

 

Bill

[Bigtex1622]

... I'm doing what I believe to be best for my child, which includes not taking her on that ship, and not leaving her home without her parents for 1 week at the tender age of one. .....

 

This must be your first child.

When Mommy has her fourth, she will be taking a cruise the next week !

Please go into this cruise with a " I am going to have fun " attitude.

I bet there have been lots of one-year-olds on that ship, in the past month or two.

Have a great cruise.

 

P.S. the back of the boat is the best for baby, a lot less rocking..... I think.

 

 

 

:D

[Bonnie Voyager]

Hmmm, I admit to stumbling on a forum without doing much research on it, I'll look for the link. But whatever I read, said something like 80% of passengers were affected. Not my info, just what I read.

 

Yikes! I've never heard of any ship having a case of noro that big! I'm not saying it can't happen though! But, I can assure you it wasn't Grandeur, back in April! I was following that noro outbreak very closely since I was boarding Grandeur the next week! :eek: ;) We had a great cruise and no noro! :D

[Langley Cruisers]

...Anyway, lets's not turn this thread in to a NORO thread.....

 

^ Well with all due respect, you did bring it up first. :)

 

Anyway, it's after noon in the East now, any more news to share? What exactly are you waiting for? Will RCI be calling or e-mailing you?

[GoofyCdn]

January 24, 2014 - Explorer of the Seas had 300 people contracted with NORO and turned around and head back to home port 2 days early!

[dinzitari]

This must be your first child.

When Mommy has her fourth, she will be taking a cruise the next week !

Please go into this cruise with a " I am going to have fun " attitude.

I bet there have been lots of one-year-olds on that ship, in the past month or two.

Have a great cruise.

 

P.S. the back of the boat is the best for baby, a lot less rocking..... I think.

 

 

 

:D

 

How did you know?:o

I am definitely going to have fun, but it won't be on this cruise, and my only option is now to pay for mommy in law.... the Joys of parenting. I already ordered my blow-up mini tub for her, this forum has been a tremendous help with all of that!

[SMN73]

I was onboard with your original posts, I really was. And was hoping you got resolution. But the more you post the more I am starting to lose you. To clarify...

 

*You booked this particular ship because it had a dedicated nursery so you could leave your daughter there, with a stanger, and party.

*You now want to cancel this cruise if you have to hire a babysitter, who is a stranger just like the one working in the nursery, to come to your room. (Yes, I get the extra cost, but your main complaint was a stranger in your room.)

*You are ok with the parenting skills of leaving your child while you go get hammered, but not ok with the parenting skills of taking your child on a ship that had Noro months ago?

 

You mentioned $400 in babysitting charges at $19 an hour. That's 21 hours of leaving your child alone with a stranger, no matter the location. That's 4-5 hours a night. Not a reasonable expectation when traveling with a young child.

 

My suggestion...go on the cruise. Go to bed at 8:30 with your sweet child. Hire a babysitter ONE NIGHT and go live it up like the single adults you are not anymore and make the most of things. Vacationing with kids means you don't get to "live it up" like you used to. Time to realize that or leave her at home and relive your 20s with the spouse minus baby.

 

I hope you end up having a good cruise with your entire family. "Different" fun is still fun. Think of all the firsts you are going to get to experience through the eyes of that baby!

Edited July 11, 2014 by SMN73

[MiniChunks]

As for what RCCL is doing to you, I wouldnt blame you for not wanting to deal with them again. As for the NORO issue, thats a risk you take when you board any ship, or get in a taxi, or use a handrail at the mall. Its everywhere, so if RCCL doesn't give your money back, which you deserve every penny of, take your family on a vacation. I have twin 3yr olds and a 6 yr old and we take them EVERYWHERE, and have since they were born. Stop worrying about it

Edited July 11, 2014 by MiniChunks

[Langley Cruisers]

*You booked this particular ship because it had a dedicated nursery so you could leave your daughter there, with a stanger, and party...

 

I can understand OP wanting to book on a ship with a dedicated nursery - I think he is more concerned about not leaving the baby alone in the cabin with a stranger. The nursery would include other adults and other children, not a one-on-one situation.

[dinzitari]

^ Well with all due respect, you did bring it up first. :)

 

Anyway, it's after noon in the East now, any more news to share? What exactly are you waiting for? Will RCI be calling or e-mailing you?

 

You know, I almost didn't post that NORO comment because I felt that it would be a third complaint and make me look like a nut job. Believe me, I normally am the "get-up and go" type who deals with issues if they happen later. A true procrastinator as well.

 

Hopefully everyone see's how this entire chain of events led to the other. Honestly, I'm happy this all happened and grateful for this forum, because I would have been surely disappointed if I got on that boat and found out it didn't have a nursery. that's one thing that could have made it hard for me to fully enjoy my trip.

 

As far as the updates. I called in (hold for 25 minutes before anyone answered) and spoke with the initial rep, and to reiterate everything again. Hold for 5 more minutes. She came back and said the people who are handling it are not in yet today (understandable since they worked late last night). I told them that the website says it has a nursery, but it doesn't, and I didn't see why we had to wait for other people to come back and see if they can obtain the call. Sure, you'll hear the lady tell me that my room was right near the nursery, and you'll hear me say that I chose RCI because of the nursery, but why can't we agree that your website is erroneous and get this taken care of now? Another supervisor came on and again told me to wait for when the supervisors from last night came back. So, apparently i'll get a call at an undisclosed time some time today.

[awhcruiser]

This.......

I was onboard with your original posts, I really was. And was hoping you got resolution. But the more you post the more I am starting to lose you. To clarify...

 

*You booked this particular ship because it had a dedicated nursery so you could leave your daughter there, with a stanger, and party.

*You now want to cancel this cruise if you have to hire a babysitter, who is a stranger just like the one working in the nursery, to come to your room. (Yes, I get the extra cost, but your main complaint was a stranger in your room.)

*You are ok with the parenting skills of leaving your child while you go get hammered, but not ok with the parenting skills of taking your child on a ship that had Noro months ago?

 

You mentioned $400 in babysitting charges at $19 an hour. That's 21 hours of leaving your child alone with a stranger, no matter the location. That's 4-5 hours a night. Not a reasonable expectation when traveling with a young child.

 

My suggestion...go on the cruise. Go to bed at 8:30 with your sweet child. Hire a babysitter ONE NIGHT and go live it up like the single adults you are not anymore and make the most of things. Vacationing with kids means you don't get to "live it up" like you used to. Time to realize that or leave her at home and relive your 20s with the spouse minus baby.

 

I hope you end up having a good cruise with your entire family. "Different" fun is still fun. Think of all the firsts you are going to get to experience through the eyes of that baby!