RCI NOT sailing out of NO for this year for sure

[Boxer_Mom]

I just called and was told no sailings to or from NO this year , but they have no idea where the Dec cruises will sail OUT of!!!! And no explanation as to why RCI has dropped the ball, the fact that they are dragging their heels and have decided not to have a frigging heart since this was a national frigging disaster. They WILL change the itinerary (since they can legally) and they WILL impose penalties if you switch after your final pymt if you dont like the port they leave from.:mad: I was told that if I didnt like the idea of not sailing out of NO, that I should cancel. I said I wont if we leave out of Galveston or Mobile,,so which is it?? "We dont know"

I made sure to tell him ( even though it wont matter, he suggested I write a letter:eek: ) that RCI had made it abundantly clear that they do NOT have their customers best interest at heart. We are spending our hard earned money on these cruises, if I wanted to sail of of Miami or anywhere in Florida, I would have BOOKED OUT OF FLORIDA! I can handle Galveston or Mobile, because we live right near NO and we really dont want to fly or drive 10-15 hours. I told him this shows RCI in a VERY poor light and this will most likely result in the loss of many customers. I also asked why couldnt RCI simply post SOMETHING on their site,,he didnt know. He tried to tell me that the port cant handle a ship of GOS size and isnt up and running. I said, Oh yea? Then why was the USS Iwo Jima there for the Pres and why is there a Carnival ship there now for relief workers? And why has the port been opened for commercial traffic? HE DIDNT EVEN KNOW ANY OF THIS!

He said all he has is an email saying they are not sailing out of NO.

Yet if you call the vacation specialist # 1-800-205-9812 they will happily tell you that everythings is all set and still sailing from NO. Cust Serv response was he doesnt know why they are saying that.

 

This would have only been our second cruise, and this makes me want to wash my hands of them.

 

 

Flame away if you want, at this point it doesnt really matter.

[Pumbaamd]

Go the RCCL site right now and you can book cruises on line leaving from NOLA this December. Something about the right hand and the left hand?

[Lynnees]

of RCL to give this kind of response - in other words nothing that anyone can make an informed decision on.

 

I would not expect them to be sailing for N.O. anytime soon. First of all, it's not their decision to make actually. It's up to those in charge of the recovery effort going on in N.O. With what I saw today on TV there is no way they will even begin to be ready for cruisers for many months to come.

 

What RCL would act in this very rude manner is beyond me. They certainly don't have the best interests of their customers at heart.

 

I'm not booked on the Grandeur but was looking at it for late winter. I wouldn't even considered it now with that kind of attitude.

 

Too bad...........for the most part, we've always enjoyed RCL ships, now we're going to try Princess and I hope they treat their clients better. It certainly can't be any worse.

[Boxer_Mom]

One other thing, the vacation specialist's response when I said "what do you mean it is still all set, Cust Serv just told me no", he says , "nah, you never take just one persons opinion, you need to talk to 3 or 4 people and get all their responses." :eek: :eek:

 

Shouldnt they all be on the same page? uh HELLO!

[VernRDH]

I just called and was told no sailings to or from NO this year , but they have no idea where the Dec cruises will sail OUT of!!!! And no explanation as to why RCI has dropped the ball, the fact that they are dragging their heels and have decided not to have a frigging heart since this was a national frigging disaster. They WILL change the itinerary (since they can legally) and they WILL impose penalties if you switch after your final pymt if you dont like the port they leave from.:mad: I was told that if I didnt like the idea of not sailing out of NO, that I should cancel. I said I wont if we leave out of Galveston or Mobile,,so which is it?? "We dont know"

I made sure to tell him ( even though it wont matter, he suggested I write a letter:eek: ) that RCI had made it abundantly clear that they do NOT have their customers best interest at heart. We are spending our hard earned money on these cruises, if I wanted to sail of of Miami or anywhere in Florida, I would have BOOKED OUT OF FLORIDA! I can handle Galveston or Mobile, because we live right near NO and we really dont want to fly or drive 10-15 hours. I told him this shows RCI in a VERY poor light and this will most likely result in the loss of many customers. I also asked why couldnt RCI simply post SOMETHING on their site,,he didnt know. He tried to tell me that the port cant handle a ship of GOS size and isnt up and running. I said, Oh yea? Then why was the USS Iwo Jima there for the Pres and why is there a Carnival ship there now for relief workers? And why has the port been opened for commercial traffic? HE DIDNT EVEN KNOW ANY OF THIS!

He said all he has is an email saying they are not sailing out of NO.

Yet if you call the vacation specialist # 1-800-205-9812 they will happily tell you that everythings is all set and still sailing from NO. Cust Serv response was he doesnt know why they are saying that.

 

This would have only been our second cruise, and this makes me want to wash my hands of them.

 

 

Flame away if you want, at this point it doesnt really matter.

 

Did you stop to consider that they are scrambling to make alternate arrangements or are *hoping* that they may be able to sail out of NO? Since Carnival has had to rearrange a number of ships with helping the relief effort and rerouting cruises, it may not be possible for RCI to get space in Galveston or Mobile. Yes, they should tell you that they are trying to resolve the problem and have not yet worked out all the logistics, but that you will be notified as soon as they have. Having things rearranged on you in travel is nothing new. We are scheduled to fly Delta in Dec. They have just filed Ch. 11. They have also changed our itinerary about 12 times. They don't even notify us, we have to continually check. I just do it, hope for the best and don't go off on the folks at Delta who are hoping to have a job by the time I go on my trip.

 

I have to fly to get to every port I want to go out of, so I can't sympathize with you on having to drive farther. But maybe a little patience in what are very trying times for a great many folks would be better than throwing a tantrum.

 

Sorry if you choose not to cruise RCI in the future. Perhaps you would be happier with someone else.

 

JMHO

[Boxer_Mom]

I thought at FIRST that RCI had the dock workers, and the port's best interst in mind, but as you can see from my post I made immediately after hanging up, they want my final payment without even telling me where I am leaving from.

I didnt go off on the CSR either, I told him it isnt fair that RCI is allowing him to have to put up with angry customers, they apparently have no more concern for their employees than they do their customers. They are blatantly letting their reps give out mulitple answers. WHY?? It sucks that you have to fly or drive to get where you want to go, so you can see why leaving from the port I booked from is important. We were to have an OS with a 2 person table, early seating. We may lose our 'perfect' cruise. Like I said before, I will drive to a diff port, Galveston, Mobile,,, just TELL ME SOMETHING!! vacations are supposed to be to relax and get away from daily stresses, but they are only making more stress for me.

I feel I have a right to be angry.

 

If RCI made the decision to not sail out of NO, why not put something on their website since they obviously cant call every passenger. How about a little courtesy from the company who has my $$ ? You say why didnt I stop to think they are 'scrambling' to make other arrangements... looks to me like they are in slow motion.

Dont begin to mention anything about relief efforts to me, because I am right in the middle of it. I know all about it. The hurricane has caused plenty problems for my husbands work and where we live.

This cruise is a luxury for me so if this is a 'tantrum' well then fine, I'll stomp my feet too.

 

[VernRDH]

If RCI made the decision to not sail out of NO, why not put something on their website since they obviously cant call every passenger. How about a little courtesy from the company who has my $$ ? You say why didnt I stop to think they are 'scrambling' to make other arrangements... looks to me like they are in slow motion.

 

I understand that you are upset about not knowing, but it is possible that they just don't know yet either? It is not as simple as, well we'll just go to Galveston. They have to have SPACE for a ship to dock. And since those folks at Carnival moved THEIR ships there, it might be a little crowded. There are other logistical issues as well, no doubt. And wasn't the pier at Mobile damaged in the storm? Will they be able to handle extra ships by December?

Did you ever consider that RCI has its hands tied because local authorities are trying to deal with whats going on and a cruise in December is the last thing they are worried about? Just trying to put all possibilities out there. RCI could be doing a number on you but as they need a port to sail out of for ships that have been sold for some time, I would think that they are doing what they can to resolve the situation.

[HotlantaCruiser]

Just called RCCL, and the phone agent (Jabar) acted shocked that I would suspect that the ship wasn't going to sail from NOLA.

 

He told me that the airport was open.

 

He reiterated the company's stated cancellation policy (I know that he's doing his job). He did allude that that if there were some type of change, that a concession would be made. His comments of course are worthless if we actually pay the final deposit.

 

Called right back (8:28) and got agent Valerie. When I told her I was calling about the Grandeur question, she politely transferred me to a different extension (as if there were a dedicated desk for this issue). Someone answered and then told me I would have to call back after 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Unhelpful to say the least. When I pressed her for the number I would need to dial, saying that I had been trasnsferred to this extension, she gave me the main office number (not the toll free number), 305-530-2600.

 

Called a third time (8:32 EDT), Agent James said definitely GALVESTON!!!

 

Called a fourth time (8:35 EDT) Agent Lorell (sp?) was most helpfu, but had no information, and obviously had no "official" story, one way or another. She directed me to the website, and also checked the site herself, spending several minutes doing so. Unfortunately she couldn't find anything either (no surprise, since none of the cruise critic folks have been unable to find anything). She was actually very helpful, but was unable to find anything after several minutes. The fact that she would actually spend that much time with me on the phone trying to find an answer was refreshing. The fact that there isn't a standard "company line", regardless of what it was, at this point is disturbing.

[zydecocruiser]

Give 'em Hell, Boxer Mom.

 

I refuse to believe that IF they change the Port of Embarkation, that the normal cancellation policy would remain in effect. I also think there will be some sort of compensation (minimal, perhaps) tossed in. That is the case with both Carnival and NCL that have abandoned New Orleans since Katrina.

 

Do anyone know in the past what RCL has done when the port of embarkation has changed?

[Boxer_Mom]

Just called RCCL, and the phone agent (Jabar) acted shocked that I would suspect that the ship wasn't going to sail from NOLA.

 

He told me that the airport was open.

 

He reiterated the company's stated cancellation policy (I know that he's doing his job). He did allude that that if there were some type of change, that a concession would be made. His comments of course are worthless if we actually pay the final deposit.

 

Called right back (8:28) and got agent Valerie. When I told her I was calling about the Grandeur question, she politely transferred me to a different extension (as if there were a dedicated desk for this issue). Someone answered and then told me I would have to call back after 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Unhelpful to say the least. When I pressed her for the number I would need to dial, saying that I had been trasnsferred to this extension, she gave me the main office number (not the toll free number), 305-530-2600.

 

Called a third time (8:32 EDT), Agent James said definitely GALVESTON!!!

 

Called a fourth time (8:35 EDT) Agent Lorell (sp?) was most helpfu, but had no information, and obviously had no "official" story, one way or another. She directed me to the website, and also checked the site herself, spending several minutes doing so. Unfortunately she couldn't find anything either (no surprise, since none of the cruise critic folks have been unable to find anything). She was actually very helpful, but was unable to find anything after several minutes. The fact that she would actually spend that much time with me on the phone trying to find an answer was refreshing. The fact that there isn't a standard "company line", regardless of what it was, at this point is disturbing.

 

 

OMG! Do you see what I mean? You got all sorts of answers! I wish I could have multiple choice as to when I have to make my final payment! LOL

The port change isnt what disgusts me, it is RCI's horrid Cust Serv with this whole situation.

Zydeco, thank you and I will!

It seems all we do lately is look at each other and say "what do you want to do?" I dunno, what do you want to do? We get close to switching to LOS or MOS then say no,,,sigh,,,this sucks.:(

[Schmellody]

My first cruise in 1995 was booked on RCCL, the Mexican Riviera (7 days). About 4 months after we booked... THEY SOLD THE SHIP! We live in California and planned to drive to Los Angeles to board the ship. RCCL booked us on a 7 night Caribbean cruise, paid our air and paid for a hotel so we could fly in the night before. I have faith they will take care of us if we have to change ports. I am booked (with 12 friends and family) on the Grandeur of the Seas sailing 1-7-06 out of New Orleans. I COMPLETELY understand your frustration. I too, believe we should be given some solid information IN WRITING, or on the website. I am trying to be positive since they have been good to me in the past. I'm going to pay for the cruise on the last possible day (October 8th) and then hope for the best. I'm in desperate need of a cruise fix. :) Hang in there Boxer mom!

[futaba951]

IAnd wasn't the pier at Mobile damaged in the storm? Will they be able to handle extra ships by December?

 

No, it wasn't. Carnival's Holiday is docked there right now taking on displaced ppl from Jackson County MS shelters. In a few weeks it will move to Pascagoula MS to be closer to where all the evacuees live, but the water there is fouled too badly for the ship's water purification system to handle right now.

[BJAMINGIRL]

Just an FYI for you guys, Carnival only has 2 ships in Galveston, the Conquest and the Elation. The Sensation and Ecstacy have been moved to NO and are housing the police, fire fighters and city workers.

 

I think that everyone is confused about New Orleans. I can't beleive that people are returning there already after what we saw on t.v., but they are insisting that they want tourism back a.s.a.p. so maybe RCCL is hanging on to that.

 

I will tell you I have people who had tickets on Delta for a 11/14/05 Carnival cruise out of NO that were told they could get no refund even though their cruise no longer exists. The Delta rep asked if they could help them book a hotel in New Orleans for those dates. This phone call took place a week ago.

 

In the past, when RCCL had to change ports embarkation they gave transportation to the new pier from the original airport. But I have only seen this in Florida and after 9/11 out of NYC to Boston. These were all last minute changes. I have never delt with this length of shut down of a pier and neither has the cruise lines.

 

My feelings on this is that if you are this upset now, you probably won't be happy with anything they do. You may want to look at something else and try to enjoy your vacation. There is nothing worse than starting your vacation all stressed out.

 

Best of luck.

 

PS,Why isn't your travel agent helping you through this:confused: :confused: :confused:

[PhoenixCruiser]

After watching the Big Brother live feeds for the last 13 weeks, I just cringe whenever someone says "do you know what I mean" or "do you understand what I'm saying". Is anyone else suffering from this ;)

 

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[HotlantaCruiser]

I am booked (with 12 friends and family) on the Grandeur of the Seas sailing 1-7-06 out of New Orleans. I COMPLETELY understand your frustration. I too, believe we should be given some solid information IN WRITING, or on the website. I am trying to be positive since they have been good to me in the past. I'm going to pay for the cruise on the last possible day (October 8th)

 

 

I'm on same sailing, with 7 family members. RCCL told me that the deadline for cancellation is October 29th. (That's 70 days, right).

 

The 01/7/06 sailing isn't considered a holiday sailing is it?

[zydecocruiser]

Can't speak for everyone, but in our case, the TA is (was?) in New Orleans and is unreachable.

 

Just a little over a year ago, Ivan trashed Grand Cayman and the port was closed to cruise ships for two months, so the cruise lines certainly have experience with extended port closures.

[osiebosie]

My TA is letting me know info as fast as she gets it. Last I heard, last week, was that we were still on for NOLA. Today is Monday, maybe I'll hear something new.

 

 

I was under the impression that Mobile couldn't handle any cruise ships except the ONE it has now which is Carnival's tiny Holiday (which is now in NO temporarily). I thought the waterways weren't deep enough, or something to that effect. We cruised out of Mobile last year on the fateful Holiday "cruise to nowhere" and went in circles right off the coast. There was much hoopla afterwards, and everything I read said that Mobile couldn't handle any more ships and didn't need the bad publicity from the Holiday. Blah, blah, blah. Point being: Mobile can't handle any ships larger than the Holiday or multiple ships.

 

Point two is this: we took my mom-and-sis-in-law on that cruise last year. It was their first cruise and was lousy. So we are trying again this year, on RCCI instead. Now this is going on with NOLA. I hope they don't give up on cruising. :( "Cruises are really great" we keep telling them.

 

All my complaining aside, I feel bad for everyone affected by Katrina and hope NOLA can get back on her feet soon. If that means cruising out of a partially healed city and port, I will be glad to do so.

 

Please post any info when you get it. I am checking the boards daily to see if there is any news.

 

Shay

[Boxer_Mom]

After watching the Big Brother live feeds for the last 13 weeks, I just cringe whenever someone says "do you know what I mean" or "do you understand what I'm saying". Is anyone else suffering from this ;)

 

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I love BB! I missed a few episodes since our tv still does nothave regualr programming but I got to see last weeks since CBS plays on 2 stations and one is working. I watch the live feeds too!

BJAMINGIRL, we didnt use a TA, we did like we did last year, booked straight through RCI.

I appreciate everyone's replies. If I dont vent here, DH and I would go even more nuts!

[1corona4u]

But maybe a little patience in what are very trying times for a great many folks would be better than throwing a tantrum.

 

 

JMHO

 

This is exactly what I was thinking.....amongst other things.;)

[cupidbaby99]

I been living day to day from these boards waiting to know exactly where we will be sailing from. Sure hope someone gets a for sure answer from RCCL on what we are doing.

[futaba951]

My TA is letting me know info as fast as she gets it. Last I heard, last week, was that we were still on for NOLA. Today is Monday, maybe I'll hear something new.

 

 

I was under the impression that Mobile couldn't handle any cruise ships except the ONE it has now which is Carnival's tiny Holiday (which is now in NO temporarily). I thought the waterways weren't deep enough, or something to that effect. We cruised out of Mobile last year on the fateful Holiday "cruise to nowhere" and went in circles right off the coast. There was much hoopla afterwards, and everything I read said that Mobile couldn't handle any more ships and didn't need the bad publicity from the Holiday. Blah, blah, blah. Point being: Mobile can't handle any ships larger than the Holiday or multiple ships.

 

Point two is this: we took my mom-and-sis-in-law on that cruise last year. It was their first cruise and was lousy. So we are trying again this year, on RCCI instead. Now this is going on with NOLA. I hope they don't give up on cruising. :( "Cruises are really great" we keep telling them.

 

All my complaining aside, I feel bad for everyone affected by Katrina and hope NOLA can get back on her feet soon. If that means cruising out of a partially healed city and port, I will be glad to do so.

 

Please post any info when you get it. I am checking the boards daily to see if there is any news.

 

Shay

 

http://flhurricane.com/jjohnston/ Mobile Port Cam.

 

The Holiday IS in Mobile for about 3 more weeks, then it will move over to Pascagoula MS. It is not planned to ever take Holiday to NO from what FEMA is saying. As for the port of Mobile, it is the 2nd largest port on the Gulf coast behind NO and for sure can handle about anything that sails, short of super tankers and the like. I don't know, maybe Houstons port is larger too. The river is 45 feet deep to the I-10 tunnels. I'm not sure the terminal can handle multiple ships at one time but it is designed to handle up to three ships. Probably docking on different days.

[wartn04vmi]

OK, so I've never posted here before, but I've been keeping an eye on things, since I'm also booked in the Granduer out of NO in December.

Personally, I think people on this sailing should all have just a bit more patience...I've been through 5 different hurricanes, and now part of my job is to help clean up afterwards. Go to Florida and look around in the St. Lucie area...the trees all still point to the west, along with a lot of the gas pumps, street signs, etc. It's a long hard road to recovery.

I just called RCI myself and was told unequivocally that no decision has been made, and it may well be another month, but that the sailing WILL NOT be cancelled.

I'm also leaving for the gulf cost two weeks from today to help dig out cars from the mess. I'll try to post while I'm there with some updates... kind of a first-person perspective if you will. From all accounts, NO isn't quite as bad as the news made it out to be just a week ago, and to the east things were much, much worse. Basically, NO is just digging out from one large, smelly flood. Anyhow, I'll let you know. I fly out on the 3rd of next month.

[Bonnie&Rob]

My son is working the relief effort in NO, and I can tell you that they are not ready for the residents, much less 'company'. With the damage (some still to be uncovered), I'm sure NO ONE knows how long it will be until they are up and running.

 

There is still no clean running water, no electricty in much of the city, (which means no traffic lights etc.), most stores are not open, no gas stations are available. Residents that are being given one day passes are given a sheet telling them of the health risks they are taking by entering the city. Communication is still poor (no phones, except cell, and you need a generator to charge it). God help them if there is another storm, as the levies are sandbag repaired and with no communication it will be tough to issue evacuation orders.

 

But you will have a lovely view of the lake full of toxic water.

[wartn04vmi]

I never said things looked good there right now...it's not a great place to be. But bear in mind that a flood, even one with the health risks found here, is a lot easier to clean up from that what paces like Gulfport saw- there's nothing left standing there. In NO, there's a health risk. In a lot of places to the east, there's nothing left to be a risk. It takes a lot less time to clean up what's still there than to built it all all over again. I'm just offering a different perspective.

[emerald777]

After watching the Big Brother live feeds for the last 13 weeks, I just cringe whenever someone says "do you know what I mean" or "do you understand what I'm saying". Is anyone else suffering from this ;)

 

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I know that, I know that, I know that..........Ewwwwwwwwwwww! Make me want to barf just thinking about it! I'm still so sad that Janelle was voted off and the 2 fugly step sisters are the finalists ...... I'll never be able to hear those 2 phrases again without wanting to bop someone up side the head. :D