Carnival Liberty Evacuation

[evandbob]

Ship is still in port. There was a ship that skipped a POC last year due to the Ebola scare and everyone got a 50% refund. This ones a little more dramatic. And still don't know it she will be sailing. Or when.

 

And no, regarding compensation. If you don't state up front what you expect, oh May end up with a gum ball. I would expect nothing less than a full credit. I'm more than inconvenience. I leave it up to the cruise line to give me what I paid for. If they can't deliver that, they are liable.

 

Could have gotten a 110% refund and free flights back home if any pax asked for it before 10PM last night under Carnival's vacation guarantee policy. I've spent enough time, actually months, on St Thomas, so there was no need for me to see it at night, or this morning.

[pe4all]

I must have a different attitude than some posting. As long as my family is safe, and have basic comforts, I wouldn't be worried about what compensation we would be getting. I would be disappointed in missing some ports, but that would give me an excuse to sail again to hit those ports. (we have been diverted due to hurricane before) Plane flights can always be re-booked. Hotel rooms can always be found. Yes, we would miss some work, but I am sure they would understand, given the circumstances. If not, use my sick/personal days, or dock me. Yes, some people have waited a year (or more) for this cruise, have no vacation days left, have kids/pets left at home with relatives, and many different problems they now may have to work out. CCL is giving free phone calls/internet to contact them. I am sure CCL will come through with other comps, but that wouldn't be my main concern. (plus we always buy travel insurance just in case.) At least they are on the beautiful island of St. Thomas - not stuck floating at sea somewhere! Had this happened when sailing, and all had to evacuate into lifeboats, that is a different story. Ship has full facilities working - except engines at this moment, till they rev those up. Safety first.

[soccersharon]

I smell nothing but full refunds, or full credit toward a future cruise.

 

 

 

Maybe more, as there were some of the omnipresent posters on John Healds page, as well as the Carnival page, stating none of this was happening as it did. I took that for granted till coming back today to read here. I guess this is why some lists are and links are not working to there. They are gone.

 

 

Not sure what for :). They are back on the ship, safe. They will have to port in Barbados to embark / debark passengers. Any other changes will see their port fees returned.

 

I would not personally expect / demand anything more.

[gone_cruisin]

Not sure what for :). They are back on the ship, safe. They will have to port in Barbados to embark / debark passengers. Any other changes will see their port fees returned.

 

I would not personally expect / demand anything more.

 

 

I'm wondering if the Barbados pick up is still going to happen? At this point, they are going to be 2 days behind. So the Barbados passengers will have a 5 day cruise?

 

I'm betting this will be Carnivals first cancel.

[DaytonCruiser]

Could have gotten a 110% refund and free flights back home if any pax asked for it before 10PM last night under Carnival's vacation guarantee policy. I've spent enough time, actually months, on St Thomas, so there was no need for me to see it at night, or this morning.

 

That's an option,but carnival will probably offer a much better compensation package if they have to cancel the remainder of the cruise.

 

Invoking the VG excludes the pax from an compensation outside that guarantee.

[pauleydm]

Good morning. This mornings announcement is happening right now. Today will be a port day in St Thomas. All guests must be back on board by 4:00 pm. A $150.00 on board credit will be posted to each passengers sail and sign card as reimbursement for any meals purchased in port yesterday. At 4:00 pm, the captain will update all guests as to how the cruise will proceed in the future. Guests that embarked in Barbados are asked to meet in the Victoria Lounge at 9:30 for further information. The cruise director is in the process of finalizing the fun times today and the shore excursion team is putting together tours for any guest that would like to go on one. Since 7:00 am, the engines have been on and off intermittently but have not been running since the announcement.

Edited September 8, 2015 by pauleydm

[cruiser fanatic]

I smell nothing but full refunds, or full credit toward a future cruise.

 

Maybe more, as there were some of the omnipresent posters on John Healds page, as well as the Carnival page, stating none of this was happening as it did. I took that for granted till coming back today to read here. I guess this is why some lists are and links are not working to there. They are gone.

 

A full refund or a future cruise credit is not warranted. They were inconvenienced for a couple of hours. At least they are on the ship and are safe. An OBC would be reasonable at this point.

Edited September 8, 2015 by cruiser fanatic

[okieuser]

Good morning. This mornings announcement is happening right now. Today will be a port day in St Thomas. All guests must be back on board by 4:00 pm. A $150.00 on board credit will be posted to each passengers sail and sign card as reimbursement for any meals purchased in port yesterday. At 4:00 pm, the captain will update all guests as to how the cruise will proceed in the future. Guests that embarked in Barbados are asked to meet in the Victoria Lounge at 9:30 for further information. The cruise director is in the process of finalizing the fun times today and the shore excursion team is putting together tours for any guest that would like to go on one. Since 7:00 am, the engines have been on and off intermittently but have not been running since the announcement.

 

Thank you so much for keeping us updated! We are set to sail this coming Sunday & are learning more from you then Carnival. Glad everyone is safe, have a great day in St Thomas,

[gone_cruisin]

That's an option,but carnival will probably offer a much better compensation package if they have to cancel the remainder of the cruise.

 

Invoking the VG excludes the pax from an compensation outside that guarantee.

 

 

My bf and I discussed this exact thing last night. We agree, financially we would fare better to stay on board and wait it out.

 

But some people just don't have the patience to do that. So I was throwing that option out there for them.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

Anyone have any "reliable" information about how many people actually board in Barbados for this cruise? By the way isn't today a scheduled sea day?

Edited September 8, 2015 by Sweet Dutch Girl

[Sparky2]

Sorry, my battery died. For the last hour, Carnival was passing out food to those who chose to stay in the port versus going to the Marriot. Carnival also went into the cabins of those who needed their medications and they gave them to them while we waited. The all clear was given around 8:00 and my spouse and I and our two friends were the first four passengers back on ship. Those who chose to go to the Marriott have not arrived yet. I just want to say that although it was not the day we planned, Carnival did a great job in trying to care for us. Crew members were walking all around port with ice water. They were asking us if we were doing ok. Two trucks full of palates of bottled water was brought in about 5:00. Carnival also brought in pizza at that time. Once the kitchen staff was allowed back on, Carnival brought out hot food which consisted of fried chicken, dinner rolls, burritos and I think burgers from Guys burgers. No announcement has been made of when we are officially leaving St Thomas or if our itinerary will be modified at all. My best guess is that Carnival will make an announcement once all passengers are back on board and we leave.

 

Lucky you to be the 1st 4 passengers back on the ship. Was there confusion since you mentioned that you had not "checked out"?

[DaytonCruiser]

Anyone have any "reliable" information about how many people actually board in Barbados for this cruise? By the way isn't today a scheduled sea day?

 

Usually 75-100 pax. Can be higher when all berths are filled

[Bollinge]

Obviously part of the engine room is what John Heald (Englishmen) and I would call knackered.

 

The generators (main and or auxiliary must be working), but motive power is absent.

 

Expect an extended stay in Charlotte Amalie, with a curtailment of the cruise and subsequent knock-on effects on later sailings..........I think CCL could be more informative about the extent of the damage.

 

And, yes the on-board shops and casino will remain closed, but I know the St. Thomas shops will be making the most of their captive audience!

[Elaine515]

Good morning. This mornings announcement is happening right now. Today will be a port day in St Thomas. All guests must be back on board by 4:00 pm. A $150.00 on board credit will be posted to each passengers sail and sign card as reimbursement for any meals purchased in port yesterday. At 4:00 pm, the captain will update all guests as to how the cruise will proceed in the future. Guests that embarked in Barbados are asked to meet in the Victoria Lounge at 9:30 for further information. The cruise director is in the process of finalizing the fun times today and the shore excursion team is putting together tours for any guest that would like to go on one. Since 7:00 am, the engines have been on and off intermittently but have not been running since the announcement.

 

 

Thank you Pauley for the great wealth of information you have been giving us.. How are most of the passengers holding up ? Is everyone "playing" nice or are there some screaming, yelling, threatening to sue etc ? Who is your CD and has he been seen/heard/ trying to make everyone happy?

 

I hope this all works out for you one way or another but even last night I said I think they let you all back onto the Liberty only because Carnival couldn't find rooms/hotels for 4,000 people...

 

Have a great day in St Thomas, please keep us up-to-date and enjoy as much as you can.. The good thing is that you're still on vacation while most of us keeping up with you are at work :( Given the choice, I'd rather be where you are :)

[pauleydm]

Guests without ID's were treated the same as those with ID's. Since we did not have our sail and sign card swiped when we left the ship, when our cards were swiped going in, a small alarm sounded, but they kept us moving through security. Once the guests who chose to stay in port versus going to the Marriott where back on the ship, the guests from the Marriott started to arrive.

[fourcruisin]

I must have a different attitude than some posting. As long as my family is safe, and have basic comforts, I wouldn't be worried about what compensation we would be getting. I would be disappointed in missing some ports, but that would give me an excuse to sail again to hit those ports. (we have been diverted due to hurricane before) Plane flights can always be re-booked. Hotel rooms can always be found. Yes, we would miss some work, but I am sure they would understand, given the circumstances. If not, use my sick/personal days, or dock me. Yes, some people have waited a year (or more) for this cruise, have no vacation days left, have kids/pets left at home with relatives, and many different problems they now may have to work out. CCL is giving free phone calls/internet to contact them. I am sure CCL will come through with other comps, but that wouldn't be my main concern. (plus we always buy travel insurance just in case.) At least they are on the beautiful island of St. Thomas - not stuck floating at sea somewhere! Had this happened when sailing, and all had to evacuate into lifeboats, that is a different story. Ship has full facilities working - except engines at this moment, till they rev those up. Safety first.

 

Agreed. This is our thought process as well. Traveling is an adventure. There are never any guarantees about ports etc. Sure, people will be disappointed if you miss a port but demanding compensation is ridiculous.

 

Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident and the ship was already in port. The Captain's first concern was for the safety of the passengers and crew still on board.

 

Several years ago, we were docking in St. Kitts while it was very windy. A gust came up, blew us into the pier and caused a very large hole in the ship. We were "stuck" overnight in St. Kitts while technicians, equipment and reps from Lloyd's of London were flown in. DH was concerned at first. "How are we going to get home?" was his first question to which I answered "who cares, we're stuck in St. Kitts". I knew that CCL would take care of things one way or another. I emailed work immediately since we were due home the next day and I wasn't sure we would make it back in time. After that, I just relaxed and looked forward to the next update from the Captain. He did a fantastic job of keeping everyone informed and Guest Services was available to assist with anything that we needed. As it turned out, he "floored it" returning to Ft. Lauderdale and made up for lost time. I think we got back about 5 hours late but all in all, it worked out just fine. From my experience, CCL will do whatever it takes to make the situation right for all involved. Being stuck in St. Thomas is not the worst thing that could happen.

[bradboy]

If from a different country (other than US)you would have to have a passport

[gone_cruisin]

Being stuck in St. Thomas is not the worst thing that could happen.

 

 

Agreed! The worst thing that can happen is you never make it on your cruise at all because it cancels! [emoji24]

[mikem5]

I hope you have passports incase you need to be flown home. Which doesn't look to out of the question right now. It would really expedite the process for you.

[DaytonCruiser]

I hope you have passports incase you need to be flown home. Which doesn't look to out of the question right now. It would really expedite the process for you.

 

US citizens can fly from ST Thomas with just a Drivers license

[megr1125]

pauly, thanks for the updates, please keep us posted!

 

Bring your charger along if you go ashore!! :)

 

It's refreshing to see someone posting facts, and who is just rolling with the punches!

 

Thanks for taking the time out of your vacation to post facts here for us!!

 

Enjoy St Thomas, part deux!

[gtalum]

I hope you have passports incase you need to be flown home. Which doesn't look to out of the question right now. It would really expedite the process for you.

 

You don't need a passport to fly from St. Thomas to the mainland US. Anyone from any other country will definitely have their passports anyway.

 

If they do cancel, it's going to take between 10 and 20 charter flights to get everyone home. That along with refunds will cost Carnival a pretty penny!

 

I'm glad (and I bet CCL is too) that this one happened in port rather than at sea, though.

Edited September 8, 2015 by gtalum

[Maleeni]

US citizens can fly from ST Thomas with just a Drivers license

 

Not only that, but even when the Dream got stranded in Sint Maarten, Carnival took card of that requirement. Some create situations/issues/problems that don't exist for reasons I never understand.

[mikem5]

Well luckily they are in a U.S. Island, thanks for the info though. Never knew that, thought that was only true for Puerto Rico.

[valentinebaby1]

Agreed! The worst thing that can happen is you never make it on your cruise at all because it cancels! [emoji24]

 

First of all, thank you Pauleydm for your updates and posting facts and not speculations! I'm so thankful that no one was hurt and I hope that everyone is still making the best of the situation and having a good time!

 

This is our fear right now...we are super stressed waiting to hear if we will even have a cruise on 9/20. We booked this nearly a year ago and I've been working all kinds of overtime all year to have the money for this trip. We have an extra week planned in Puerto Rico, 4 days before the cruise and 3 days after...we are hoping this doesn't turn into a 2 week stay in Puerto Rico. We have non refundable plane tickets and non refundable condo rental. I have already tentatively booked a hotel for the week of the cruise (that we have up until the 17th to cancel), so that if the cruise is canceled we have a back up plan. But this is nail biting!