Missed Ports!!

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Following on from Joe's remarks about missing Mykonnos, I was wondering why so many ports seem to be missed out lately. We had been on 18 cruises before Fire and Ice and had only missed one port, Madeira on the IOTS and that was because RCI never allowed enough time to get there and although rough seas was the official excuse, we found that they had not docked there several times.

 

So, we missed two on Fire and Ice, one tender and one docking. Then I read that the five day one on the Dream last week, which was not supposed to have a sea day, did have one as they did not dock at Cartegena. Joe and Kruzseeka haven't docked at Mykonnos and a few more I have heard about on here and fb.

 

Now I know that sometimes it is the weather or political situation, but it does seem to be on the increase. Call me cynical (yes I know you already do!) but do the ships benefit by this? Obviously, if the ship is at sea, people spend more on the ship as the shops and casinos are open not to mention the money spent in the bars. Do Thomson still have to pay the port fees if they don't dock?

 

Just wondered!

[campolady]

Following on from Joe's remarks about missing Mykonnos, I was wondering why so many ports seem to be missed out lately. We had been on 18 cruises before Fire and Ice and had only missed one port, Madeira on the IOTS and that was because RCI never allowed enough time to get there and although rough seas was the official excuse, we found that they had not docked there several times.

 

So, we missed two on Fire and Ice, one tender and one docking. Then I read that the five day one on the Dream last week, which was not supposed to have a sea day, did have one as they did not dock at Cartegena. Joe and Kruzseeka haven't docked at Mykonnos and a few more I have heard about on here and fb.

 

Now I know that sometimes it is the weather or political situation, but it does seem to be on the increase. Call me cynical (yes I know you already do!) but do the ships benefit by this? Obviously, if the ship is at sea, people spend more on the ship as the shops and casinos are open not to mention the money spent in the bars. Do Thomson still have to pay the port fees if they don't dock?

 

Just wondered!

 

Don't know about any of the other missed ports Linda but I am not a bit surprised that Dream didn't dock at Cartagena last week as the weather was absolutely atrocious.

 

Having said that, we will be very disappointed if we miss any of our ports next week - after all, it is the great itineraries we book a Thomson cruise for not to spend time on board.

 

It must also be very disappointing for local businesses (especially tour companies) who rely on cruise trade when they hear that a ship is not docking as planned.

[Jakanne1]

The only time I have missed a port on 8 Thomson cruises was in March 2013 when we missed out La Palma and Madeira and stayed in Gran Canaria for 3 days. This was definitely because of the weather (a huge storm north of Madeira which caused most ferries in the Canaries to stop, landslides in La Palma and floods over the Iberian peninsular). We received £25 each obc for our disappointment which we spent in the Bistro.

[kruzseeka]

Wouldn't know if there is any advantage to Thomson of not berthing but we have missed a few PoC over the years - Santorini and Mykonos were understandable given the white horses and choppy seas (both were tender ports for us).

 

We've also been at tender ports when the weather's got worse during the day and that certainly creates problems for tendering back. We were bobbing around (quite violently) for about half an hour on one occasion whilst they tried to reposition the ship and get into the lee of the wind and waves to try to get us off. It was a bit of a giggle in some ways - the G.B. sense of humour including singing kept our spirits up but it got very chilly and a bit wet with the spray managing to find it's way into the tender. You can imagine the transfer from tender to ship involved a lot of help and hoisting up from the crew. I was quite glad to get on board I can tell you! It got pretty hairy at Honningsvag once too. They suspended tendering for a while! :eek:

 

Once we had to sail right past Zeebrugge and make a run for Le Havre harbour (the port for the next day) because of forecast gales and the state of the sea. I was so disappointed as I'd wanted to go to Bruges for so long. (I actually made it a few weeks ago - about 7 years later!) But when I saw the huge waves crashing over the harbour wall at Le Havre I must say I was very relieved not to be bobbing around in the Channel that night! (That was the week preceding the infamous cruise to nowhere from Liverpool - now that really was an itinerary change - with a vengeance!! :eek:)

 

We suffered missed ports due to engine failure too one caused a delayed departure of 18 hours - necessitating the loss of two ports in the Baltic and another time missing a port in Mexico and making an early run for Gr Cayman in the Caribbean. I can't remember the reason now (probably mechanical) but on the TA last year we lost Gr Cayman and had to sail for Jamaica which was the next port arriving there early evening. Another time very rough seas going across from Harwich to the Baltic has delayed us so much we've had to miss out the first destination. Always really disappointing but I have to say each time we've lost a scheduled stop, there does seem to have been a legitimate reason. :rolleyes:

Edited November 9, 2014 by kruzseeka

[Jakanne1]

Just remembered we did miss out a Caribbean island in February (Mayreau) but went to Bequia instead and that was an absolute bonus! :)

[rookery]

I can only remember missing two ports due to weather conditions , Agadir once due to very rough seas and a tender port somewhere in the med again due to rough seas. We did miss a couple more on one ill-fated Dream cruise but I'm trying not to think about that one :mad:

[joeholiday2]

We missed Guadeloupe once and ended up in Antigua, was really pleased with that as I got to watch the final day of a WI v England test. :)

 

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Forums mobile app

[kruzseeka]

We missed Guadeloupe once and ended up in Antigua, was really pleased with that as I got to watch the final day of a WI v England test. :)

 

Sent from my Hudl HT7S3 using Forums mobile app

 

 

Even without that added bonus for you joe I reckon that was a change for the better - much better!!!! ;)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Is there something wrong with Guadeloupe Kruzseeka? Just as I decided the Celebration was our best choice, you say that!! Spill the beans!

[kruzseeka]

Is there something wrong with Guadeloupe Kruzseeka? Just as I decided the Celebration was our best choice, you say that!! Spill the beans!

 

No Linda - it would be unfair of me to knock Guadeloupe really as the only time we went there was a National Strike which meant we were stuck in Point a Pitre (is that it.?) with no transport to get out to any beaches etc. There was lots of litter too due to the rubbish collections having been affected. What I do remember though is a very colourful spice market and a Cathedral with pillars reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower - steel and bolts rather than wood or stone - not surprisingly as Eiffel built it! Quite interesting to see.

 

My comment was based primarily on the fact that I think Antigua is one of the best islands of all to visit - it really has some fantastic beaches and is amongst our favourites. So between the two Antigua would definitely win out for me but that's not to say there's anything wrong with Guadeloupe. If you go you'll have to give me some feedback as we never got further than the area near the dock. Perhaps the itinerary you are looking at has Antigua on it as well. Sorry if I gave you cause for concern. :o

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Ah, that's OK Kruzseeka :) We would go Antigua too. We have been there twice and been to Nelson's dockyard twice. DH doesn't really like beaches! Don't ask! Too much sand getting into your clothes, food, toes etc :rolleyes:

 

Not decided yet though ;)

[Len Baker]

Just remembered we did miss out a Caribbean island in February (Mayreau) but went to Bequia instead and that was an absolute bonus! :)

 

Jakanne1, thank you for reminding my of the Mayreau to Bequia change on the Dream. We were on that cruise & were trying to remember Bequia just a few weeks ago.

 

On a Baltic cruise we unfortunately did not visit Stockholm due to inclement weather. We missed a port of call. It was no fun. I checked on returning to Blighty & on the same day the Stockholm marathon was run in awful storms.

 

We were on the Celebration when she broke down at sea, had to return to Istanbul. The itinerary was rescheduled and we missed half a day at a Cesme.

 

On our first cruise we were unable to leave Genoa industrial docks due to storms instead of sailing to Livorno. Luckily Genoa is no comparison to Florence or Pisa:D.

[Sheila49]

On our first cruise on OV there was almost a mutiny when the Captain announced that, due to one engine breaking down, we would be missing Venice and proceeding slowly to Korcula! After some time he announced that due to passenger complaints we were going to Venice after all and missing Korcula. A huge cheer went up all over the ship! We received £50pp OBC.

[campolady]

Just seen on FB that Dream has missed Tangier today and is going on to Gibraltar.

 

Probably due to the awful weather we are having here today with bad thunderstorms forecast for the Straits of Gibraltae.

Edited November 11, 2014 by campolady

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Your week - the Med will be like a millpond Brenda ;)

[campolady]

Your week - the Med will be like a millpond Brenda ;)

 

I'll hold you to that Linda!!!

[BillandBen]

We have had missed ports both on the Dream and Celebration, due to bad weather and engine problems over many years.

It does add an extra sea day and Thomson must make a lot more monies by staying at sea.:confused:

With the Dream having 2 sea days each week in the Caribbean this winter, another day at sea for any reason would not be taken lightly by any passangers.:rolleyes:

[happy v]

Since this thread was started I've been trying to remember any ports we've missed. I can only recall Menorca, due to bad weather and Dominican Republic, engine problem. I was rather upset about D.R. as we had booked the excursion to see the whales and go to the Bacardi island.

 

Over about 10 years I don't think this is too bad.

[geomagot]

I remember costa maya was missed several times in the dreams first season in caribbean....when it happened to us they told us this was due to a water shortage in costa maya (dream has a desalination plant tho??) we overnighted in cozumel instead, this turned out to be a magnificent bonus for ms magot & kids due to the proximity of the nearby senor frogs:rolleyes:

 

I noticed that st barths was missed a couple of times last year due to adverse sea conditions for tendering in st barths and substituted with st martin.... there werent too many reports of people being disappointed by this

 

we missed grenada once due to a death on board and sailed on to st lucia (for repatriation) and overnighted there …another bonus, ms maggot & kids partied till 5 am in rodney bay (along with most of the crew)

 

imo an overnight in a port is not a bad thing occasionally, especially in the caribbean where you will always find a street party or 3 going on in the evenings (much better than an extra sea day imo)

Edited November 12, 2014 by geomagot

[gillhalfpint]

The only time we had an overnighter was in Corfu. Island Escape could not get off the pier despite 2 tugs trying to assist due to massive storm. We were sat in bar watching the "firework" display of the non stop lightning. Well it was 5th November. Captain announced we could go ashore till 5am when he hoped to sail. This was later changed to 2am, so no-one must have gone ashore. We were happy to stay in the bar.

 

Forgot to say we had to miss Messina and got an extra sea day.

Edited November 12, 2014 by gillhalfpint

[Malch_uk]

Missed Lisbon and Portimao on a Spirit repo from Harwich in (I think) 2012 due to industrial action in Portugal but other ports were substituted at very short notice.