Appeal to celebrity cruiselines to reinstate bonaire

[C 2 C]

Again, for those of you who are so upset over this and can cancel without penalty, just cancel your cruise.

 

It is not that simple.

Many of us booked under special 1,2,3 promos that are no longer offered.

Many of us booked early to get the cabins we wanted.

Many of us booked when prices were much better than now.

Many of us have booked hotels that cannot be cancelled.

Many of us have booked flights that carry rebooking fees.

 

There are few alternatives to longer cruises.

 

We do have the right to protest Celebrity's decisions.

 

Over and over again Celebrity makes changes to published itineraries and posters attack us because Celebrity has the contractual right to make them. We do not have to like their decisions and don't have to be told over and over again to leave or change cruise companies.

 

Posters criticizing the affected cruisers are supporting Celebrity's (and any cruise line) right to make changes to published itineraries without consequence. I think there should be consequences.

Just because they can do it doesn't make it right that they can flout their power.

 

There is a German word that has no English counterpart:

Schadenfreude: It is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others

 

It seems there are always posters who are happier when they can attack others who have no control over their misfortune.

[BloomersDT]

We want our Costa Maya port back on our scheduled cruise.

[Host Anne]

Arno ~ it's simple enough for us. We are moving to other cruise lines for future cruises. I hate to do that because I love Celebrity's ships but the recent business practices are telling me they are moving in a direction that's not for us. Adding overnights in ports (and not even sending us notification) is just one in a line of many changes over the past year that leaves me shaking my head.

 

I'm finding lots of other ships we're interested in trying now that I've started looking again.

 

As many have said...change is good!

[janewe]

It is not that simple.

Many of us booked under special 1,2,3 promos that are no longer offered.

Many of us booked early to get the cabins we wanted.

Many of us booked when prices were much better than now.

Many of us have booked hotels that cannot be cancelled.

Many of us have booked flights that carry rebooking fees.

 

There are few alternatives to longer cruises.

 

We do have the right to protest Celebrity's decisions.

 

Over and over again Celebrity makes changes to published itineraries and posters attack us because Celebrity has the contractual right to make them. We do not have to like their decisions and don't have to be told over and over again to leave or change cruise companies.

 

Posters criticizing the affected cruisers are supporting Celebrity's (and any cruise line) right to make changes to published itineraries without consequence. I think there should be consequences.

Just because they can do it doesn't make it right that they can flout their power.

 

There is a German word that has no English counterpart:

Schadenfreude: It is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others

 

It seems there are always posters who are happier when they can attack others who have no control over their misfortune.

I wish there was a "like" button.

 

Perhaps a bit off topic but still relevant for those with safety concerns especially after dark with over nights. I had a look at the most recent available crime stats on the two Islands where changes were made in us losing Bonaire to over night in Curacao and spend to midnight in Barbados.

 

Barbados population 286,700 robberies 252 = 1 in every 1,137 pop.

 

Curacao population 153,500 armed robberies 503 = 1 in every 305 pop.

[wallie5446]

I wish there was a "like" button.

 

Perhaps a bit off topic but still relevant for those with safety concerns especially after dark with over nights. I had a look at the most recent available crime stats on the two Islands where changes were made in us losing Bonaire to over night in Curacao and spend to midnight in Barbados.

 

Barbados population 286,700 robberies 252 = 1 in every 1,137 pop.

 

Curacao population 153,500 armed robberies 503 = 1 in every 305 pop.

 

Apples to apples now. Cant use the total pop of a country in one example and the pop of a single city in the other. How do those #'s work out?

[janewe]

Apples to apples now. Cant use the total pop of a country in one example and the pop of a single city in the other. How do those #'s work out?

This is a Country to Country example, not a Country to City example. So it's apples to apples. Figures were from the U.S. State Dept. In the case of Curacao, almost all the Island population is in or very close to Willemstad.

[cle-guy]

I wish there was a "like" button.

 

Perhaps a bit off topic but still relevant for those with safety concerns especially after dark with over nights. I had a look at the most recent available crime stats on the two Islands where changes were made in us losing Bonaire to over night in Curacao and spend to midnight in Barbados.

 

Barbados population 286,700 robberies 252 = 1 in every 1,137 pop.

 

Curacao population 153,500 armed robberies 503 = 1 in every 305 pop.

 

USA - violent crimes 376.9 per 100,000 in population in 2013.

 

Better avoid the USA for the relative safety of Curacao.

[wallie5446]

This is a Country to Country example, not a Country to City example. So it's apples to apples. Figures were from the U.S. State Dept. In the case of Curacao, almost all the Island population is in or very close to Willemstad.

 

Opps! My bad, I had a brain fart:D

[SandG]

Hmm, just got back from a cruise a couple of days ago and decided to catch up on the CC boards, saw this thread, went looking for the itinerary of our cruise, and discovered this has happened to us too! (Were you notified by your TA or Celebrity? I'm guessing it's the TA and I haven't been told about the change yet since I was away?)

 

I too am very disappointed. When we booked this last year, we were torn between the ABC combo of the cruise we chose and another itinerary but settled on the ABC because we love snorkeling heard it was great in Bonaire, and had never visited it before. Now I wish we'd picked the other one, but the prices have gone up too high for us to change at this point.

 

Thank you CC people, for the good information you relay.

Sue

[Mynki]

It is not that simple.

Many of us booked under special 1,2,3 promos that are no longer offered.

Many of us booked early to get the cabins we wanted.

Many of us booked when prices were much better than now.

Many of us have booked hotels that cannot be cancelled.

Many of us have booked flights that carry rebooking fees.

 

There are few alternatives to longer cruises.

 

We do have the right to protest Celebrity's decisions.

 

Over and over again Celebrity makes changes to published itineraries and posters attack us because Celebrity has the contractual right to make them. We do not have to like their decisions and don't have to be told over and over again to leave or change cruise companies.

 

Posters criticizing the affected cruisers are supporting Celebrity's (and any cruise line) right to make changes to published itineraries without consequence. I think there should be consequences.

Just because they can do it doesn't make it right that they can flout their power.

 

There is a German word that has no English counterpart:

Schadenfreude: It is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others

 

It seems there are always posters who are happier when they can attack others who have no control over their misfortune.

 

I have to agree 100%. There are a small minority of very sad people online. I'd also 'like' this post if possible.

[janewe]

USA - violent crimes 376.9 per 100,000 in population in 2013.

 

Better avoid the USA for the relative safety of Curacao.

My post was on robberies, not on violent crime, I didn't for example include the 58 rapes and what ever else is included in that category.

 

The F.B.I. web site shows The U.S. 112.9 robberies per 100,000 population.

 

Curacao armed robberies are 360.0 per 100,000 population. (can't find how many more unarmed there are)

[cruise47]

Do not drop Bonaire

 

One more Do Not Drop Bonaire !!!!!!!!!!!!

[norwegianwood57]

Arno ~ it's simple enough for us. We are moving to other cruise lines for future cruises. I hate to do that because I love Celebrity's ships but the recent business practices are telling me they are moving in a direction that's not for us. Adding overnights in ports (and not even sending us notification) is just one in a line of many changes over the past year that leaves me shaking my head.

 

I'm finding lots of other ships we're interested in trying now that I've started looking again.

 

As many have said...change is good!

 

Thank you for your support here.

 

Celebrity pay attention to this one and all the others here. It is an appeal by a few but many think the same way.

 

Reinstate, Bonaire!!!

 

Would love to see a Celebrity Rep chime in here with some words that they will see if they can rectify the situation.

 

Yes I am dreaming.

[Driveshaft]

I wish to go on record regarding the 4/3/16 Eclipse itinerary change that a late night on a Sunday in Barbados is useless. St. Martin/Maartin would have made more sense. The overnight in Curacao is still OK if and only if there are Bonaire excursions which I expect is NOT the case.

 

I also think the Overnight in Curacao can be risky to the health and well being crew and passengers due to the temptations that exist at a certain nefarious albeit legal establishment on that island.

[norwegianwood57]

I wish to go on record regarding the 4/3/16 Eclipse itinerary change that a late night on a Sunday in Barbados is useless. St. Martin/Maartin would have made more sense. The overnight in Curacao is still OK if and only if there are Bonaire excursions which I expect is NOT the case.

 

I also think the Overnight in Curacao can be risky to the health and well being crew and passengers due to the temptations that exist at a certain nefarious albeit legal establishment on that island.

 

We now dont even get off the ship in Barbados. So to be there till 12 is really ridiculous. Cant imagine the thinking there, maybe someone here can suggest why any cruise line would want to stay in Barbados till midnight?

[hcat]

Please reinstate Bonaire. Also, please reinstate Belize. I don't understand the overnights in the Caribbean. Europe, yes!

 

 

"LIKE".....short and to the point.

[cle-guy]

We now dont even get off the ship in Barbados. So to be there till 12 is really ridiculous. Cant imagine the thinking there, maybe someone here can suggest why any cruise line would want to stay in Barbados till midnight?

 

Is the next port of call relatively nearby? Maybe by staying in port later, they won't have to sit bobbing in the sea as they near next destination where the pier may not be open for a very early arrival, and can also save engine fuel by remaining tied up. And of course, come passengers may decide to do dinner on the island, or watch a sunset from the beach.

 

Also, I notice many cruises begin and end there, so must be something for people to do that draws them there for a night or 2 before and after a cruise.

 

Night time activities are numerous:

• sunset sail
  
• Harbour Lights open air nightclub on beach
  
• Various evening "dinner shows" to see that would allow one to have dinner and make it back to ship by midnite
  

Edited June 7, 2015 by cle-guy

[swigso]

Regarding Shops and casino being closed.... I know that when Summit overnights in Bermuda for 2 nights, the casino on the ship opens at 5pm or so. The ship did have to buy a special License from Bermuda to do this (this was new last season). It'd be up to the local officials if they allow the ship to open the casino and/or shops. I would wonder if the ship hasn't already made such arrangements for the new overnighters in turn for agreeing to keep in port for the extended time.

 

I can not recall if shops opened or not, but really, I can buy that bottle of liquor any day and have them store it till I leave the ship. Sundry items, clothing jewelry -- of course the island has options, and anything on the ship's shops will still be available to purchase after leaving port in any case.

 

Curious why your deposits are so high? The UK Website says deposits are £150 per person for long cruises, £75 for short.

 

 

Also curious, if anyone knows if lines that cater more to the UK DO allow cancellations and refunds - such as P&O or Cunard? Wondering it this policy is an X thing, or if its just part of the custom in the UK. Do these lines allow refunds for changed itineraries?

 

Like you I am a huge Celebrity Fan,

but to me this is a bridge too far,

If I could cancel without losing my £400 deposit

I would, the current deposits are a promotion to try

and sell the current European sailings.

Just to let you know any deposits for cruises with any

Cruise line booked in the UK are non refundable.

But however it's not about that, Bonaire is beautiful

we were due to stay in Curacao till 11 pm anyway

I know from your posts that you like to do Transatlantic

Cruises, how would you feel if Celebrity decided to stay in

Miami for 5 days and then just sailed to Europe.

WOW that's an idea 😂😂

Please don't take offence but try and realise why people are

upset when rearranging itineraries for no reason makes those that

it affects upset.

[wallie5446]

We now dont even get off the ship in Barbados. So to be there till 12 is really ridiculous. Cant imagine the thinking there, maybe someone here can suggest why any cruise line would want to stay in Barbados till midnight?

 

P & O starts and finishes All of their Carribean sailings from Barbados. They sail at 98% full, week in and week out. Can't imagine the thinking there, maybe someone here can suggest why any cruise line would want to start and finish a sailing in Barbados? Why over 2000 people each week would fly into such a place? Guess Celebrity must have hired a few folks from P&O.

 

ps: on our next sailing we have 24 on our RC that have sold out a 2 caterman tour more than 8 months out. Our last time there was in 2000 so we hope it has not totally gone to the dogs.

Edited June 7, 2015 by wallie5446

[cle-guy]

Like you I am a huge Celebrity Fan,

but to me this is a bridge too far,

If I could cancel without losing my £400 deposit

I would, the current deposits are a promotion to try

and sell the current European sailings.

Just to let you know any deposits for cruises with any

Cruise line booked in the UK are non refundable.

But however it's not about that, Bonaire is beautiful

we were due to stay in Curacao till 11 pm anyway

I know from your posts that you like to do Transatlantic

Cruises, how would you feel if Celebrity decided to stay in

Miami for 5 days and then just sailed to Europe.

WOW that's an idea

Please don't take offence but try and realise why people are

upset when rearranging itineraries for no reason makes those that

it affects upset.

 

I have been a victim of these things, it happens. I was booked on final sailing of Century, Dubai to Rome, it changed to Dubai to Singapore about 9 months out. Now THAT'S a tough change. Fortunately as a USA booker, I was able to cancel. As many people in these forums say over and over to international travelers, find a US based TA and work thru them, but then the risk of currency fluctuation takes over.

 

I also had a booking that I had to cancel due to a charter that took it over and none of the new options they gave me worked.

 

When booking I am as keenly aware itinerary changes happen inasmuch as I am aware that the price I agree to pay they can't change on me, due to contract language.

 

It's important that readers of these forums learn that itineraries are NEVER SET IN STONE, so NEVER BOOK A CRUISE expecting to sail the itinerary you booked, only expect to be picked up where agreed and delivered where agreed. Everything in the middle is subject to change at any time - and yes when it happens it sucks, but it should also not come as any surprise to anyone that it part of the cruise industry, and all cruise lines make changes after bookings at times.

 

And Yes, I'd be upset to sit in Miami for 5 days for sure, but I'd also know that that in order for me to have X guarantee not to increase my fare over time and stick to the contracted rate, I also agreed to let them modify the itinerary at anytime they choose, also part of my contract rate.

 

My favorite story of "lesson learned" I've read on CC is the couple who planned a destination wedding to a port that tenders. Bride and groom and wedding party sailed, the family and guests flew to the island, where the wedding was to be had mid day, and all back to ship to finish the sailing, while family vacation on land.

 

Seas were rough, so they couldn't tender and skipped the port. No wedding.

 

If a particular port is of critical importance to a traveler, best fly there to be safe.

Edited June 7, 2015 by cle-guy

[cle-guy]

P & O starts and finishes All of their Carribean sailings from Barbados. They sail at 98% full, week in and week out. Can't imagine the thinking there, maybe someone here can suggest why any cruise line would want to start and finish a sailing in Barbados? Why over 2000 people each week would fly into such a place? Guess Celebrity must have hired a few folks from P&O.

 

Carnival liberty calls it home, MSC orchestra, Thomson, Star Clippers, TUI, Silversea....many others too! I really had no idea it home-based so many.

[wallie5446]

Carnival liberty calls it home, MSC orchestra, Thomson, Star Clippers, TUI, Silversea....many others too! I really had no idea it home-based so many.

 

Our first time in was in 1994 with our kids on their first cruise on the Cunard Crown Jewel. We had taken them thru caves in 5 different States. In Barbados we had a tour thru their underground caves! Simply amazing. It is a arrival point for many European visitors.

[WpgCruise]

Carnival liberty calls it home, MSC orchestra, Thomson, Star Clippers, TUI, Silversea....many others too! I really had no idea it home-based so many.

 

Many years ago, we were on a cruise that stopped at St. Thomas, where we all cleared U.S. Customs and Immigration. It was not a "user friendly" experience. On went the cruise through the Southern Caribbean ending in Fort Lauderdale where we all again went through U.S. Customs and Immigration for the second time.

 

Passengers, mostly from the U.K. were not impressed.

 

So the solution developed by P&O was to homeport one of their ships in Barbados, fly direct from the U.K., and "in bond" transfer passengers and luggage to the ship. Same thing on the way back to the U.K. Transfer from the ship, to the airplane, no Customs, no Immigration and no U.S. ports.

 

Problem identified, problem solved.

 

And as identified by the home porting and prices of cruises on numerous ships in Barbados customers can't pay enough to leave from there

[macaroni]

Why the knocking of Barbados? I love it....spent many vacations there...Sunday's are the worst day to be in port and I am very upset about losing Bonaire..this will be my last Celebrity cruise for a long while....but Barbados is Wonderful...go to a beautiful beach tour the incredible east coast and then have a nice dinner out...there are so many good restaurants.

[swigso]

I have been a victim of these things, it happens

If a particular port is of critical importance to a traveler, best fly there to be safe.

I think it's not quite that, Bonaire is a special place to visit

and that's why people are upset.

This cruise is a special Itinery and one of a few regular

14 nighters that celebrity do.

I choose to cruise the Caribbean as I really do

not want to stay on any particular Island, but would

much rather have the experience of a day here a day there.

To be honest an overnight in Miami or Fort Lauderdale

would suite me more than one in Cozumel, Curacao or

Cartagena