Take Cozumel off West Carib Routes for Upcoming Cruises

[tugboat]

I would like to know when RCL will "GET Real" and remove Cozumel from the list of stops on our 6 night cruise. Granted we don't sail until February of 2006 (Jewel of the Seas) but all the reports that I have been reading seem to indicate that its not realistinc to think that cruise ships will be able to visit the post in large numbers. That said I would like to know when or why RCL cannot make a business decision NOW to tell upcoming cruisers where they will be headed (additional port of call) if they do not pull into Cozumel. Let's get real and get the information out. For God's sake make a business decision.

You haven't made final payment yet,cancel and book a cruise you are happy with.

[goodml]

Yep, I understand that. But I don't WANT onboard credit. I want my $870 back right now so that I can do other things with it. I'm probably paranoid (like HAL :D) but I have a very hard time trusting RCCL with my money when they aren't exactly thrilling me with their customer service right now. Who knows what manner of excuses might be given later about why I can't get my refund until 4 - 6 weeks after the cruise, etc. I just want what they advertise - cancellation of my excursion with no problem.

 

I'd definitely want my $870 back too! Seems weird that they won't let you cancel it. You'd think it would be expected.

[rt1092]

I booked an onboard excursion on Celebrity. Then a better excursion came up that was even less money. I wasnt worried about the money that much but the one excursion would have left us in the airport for over 5 hours.

I called X about my problem. They were very helpful told me to cancel the one and just to book the other. I did that without any problem. I thought they would refund my money as a shipboard credit. They refunded the money right to the credit card I used to book it.

I was very pleased, and didnt have to fight with them for the money.

[clofty]

Well, I'm leaving in about 2 weeks and have no idea whether or not we're going to Cozumel. I'm fine either way, although my kids are naturally disappointed that we won't be able to dolphin swim. I'm really beyond stressing over going to Coz vs. not going at this point.

 

However, I'm really angry with RCCL right now as their website won't allow me to cancel my dolphin swim excursion and get a refund. I am still well within the required ten days. When I call customer service they just shrug their shoulders (figuratively ;)) and tell me they have no control over their website. My TA and I have been trying to resolve this for 2 days now and getting nowhere. I guess their computer system is an entity unto itself, sort of like HAL in Space Odyssey. How much you wanna bet this situation will drag on until I AM within the ten days and then they will tell me I can't cancel. :mad:

 

I believe that on other Cozumel posts, agents state that Dolphin Discovery won't be up for 6 months, therefore you should be able to get your money back or credit on your credit card.

 

I have booked with an independent agent and they are still organising themselves to get in touch with all their clients to let them know what's going on.

 

If the ship doesn't tender at Cozumel then they have no reason to keep your money, nor should they keep it for a shore excursion that doesn't exist anymore!

 

I think you'll find that their shore excursion team is inundated and can't keep up with the volume of cancellations. The webmaster will probably take his time to update the shore excursions pages depending on what is available on Nov 14th.

 

I guess the ships have to liase with the islands of Cozumel and Costa Maya and figure out the best plan of action.

 

Anyway that's just my opinion (I'm not an expert in cruise line business, nor do I have any travel agent experience) but it's my two cents worth for you all.

 

I'm definitely not pro RCCL, have had good experiences and some not so, but on average they are ahead on the positive note.

[clofty]

Computer posted twice, deleted second post.

[Snoozeman]

Remember that President Fox of mexico is from Cozumel

What? that's not true.

[elleluv]

I believe that on other Cozumel posts, agents state that Dolphin Discovery won't be up for 6 months, therefore you should be able to get your money back or credit on your credit card.

 

 

 

I read on a thread over on the Cozumel board last night that the Dolphin Discovery will be closed until August, 2006. :(

 

I was on the RCCL site earlier tonight and noticed they have changed some of the itineraries for this year that originally contained Cozumel. It looks like some have an extra sea day and others have a stop in Costa Maya.

 

They are still showing Cozumel for our 1/2/06 sailing and I hope that we will be able to go. I think they are making decisions as soon as they reasonably can. They certainly don't want to cancel Cozumel for sailings if they don't need to....

[VernRDH]

I believe that on other Cozumel posts, agents state that Dolphin Discovery won't be up for 6 months, therefore you should be able to get your money back or credit on your credit card.

 

I have booked with an independent agent and they are still organising themselves to get in touch with all their clients to let them know what's going on.

 

If the ship doesn't tender at Cozumel then they have no reason to keep your money, nor should they keep it for a shore excursion that doesn't exist anymore!

 

I think you'll find that their shore excursion team is inundated and can't keep up with the volume of cancellations. The webmaster will probably take his time to update the shore excursions pages depending on what is available on Nov 14th.

 

I guess the ships have to liase with the islands of Cozumel and Costa Maya and figure out the best plan of action.

 

Anyway that's just my opinion (I'm not an expert in cruise line business, nor do I have any travel agent experience) but it's my two cents worth for you all.

 

I'm definitely not pro RCCL, have had good experiences and some not so, but on average they are ahead on the positive note.

 

We are scheduled to be in Coz on 12/13 and had booked Dolphin Discovery. DH has emailed them and he received a message back yesterday from Oscar. Here it is:

 

Thank you for contacting Dolphin Discovery,

 

Unfortunately the Cozumel location and park are in bad shape for now and will take a while to clean up and be ready for any Dolphin programs, in the mean time we are offering other locations as an option.

 

In regards to the cruise ships normally due to arrive at Cozumel. After Wilma we have been advised that most could be diverted to the CALICA PUNTO VENADO cruise píer, this is located at about 10 miles from the Puerto Aventuras location. This is at a distance of 30 minutes from Playa Del Carmen.

 

If there is a possibility that your cruise could have this or other routes to a Dolphin Discovery location, I would gretly appreciate if you could advise and see the option of changing your current Coz. booking.

The ferry crossing is only a 35 minute ride, and arrives at Playa del Carmen, located at taxi ride of 20 minutes to our Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras location.

 

Best regards,

Oscar Orozco

 

Since we booked privately, we will be able to get the amount refunded to our CC. If you only get your refund as onboard credit, can't you just go to the casino and "withdraw" the money from your account? I know it would be better to have it before hand, but at least you could get the cash to use in other places.

 

We fully expect to go to Cozumel and hope that we can at least eat at Pancho's and shop at Los Cinco Soles, as we had planned to do. I guess I can buy a lot more with the money I'm not spending on the dolphin encounter.:D

 

Happy cruising to all

[settingsail]

Hi Elleluv

 

I just went to the RCCL site and your right they did take out some of the Cozumel stops on some ships but probally , not certain thou it may not be enough . Our sailing leaving November 26th still has Cozumel for the 4th port . They still swear on the phone that it is a very good possibility that we may go there . Are they just playing games , I don't get ? I will admit thou I wish they could have split up the days at sea , 2 at the end is somewhat disappointing :( .

[PTarbay]

I am going Dec 4th and one of our stops is Cozumel. This is my first cruise (and I am 62) so I was looking forward to Coz more than anywhere but I will wait and see, I dont care where we go as long as we go, even an extra day at sea is fine with me. I am just thankful to be cruising.

Linda

Linda,

What a great attitude.Congratulations on your first cruise.Prepare to be addicted.I think you will enjoy any of the possible substitutions if you don't make Cozumel.I love the days at sea also.I haven't had a port or sea day I didn't enjoy yet.

[Charles4515]

Hi Elleluv

 

I just went to the RCCL site and your right they did take out some of the Cozumel stops on some ships but probally , not certain thou it may not be enough . Our sailing leaving November 26th still has Cozumel for the 4th port . They still swear on the phone that it is a very good possibility that we may go there . Are they just playing games , I don't get ? I will admit thou I wish they could have split up the days at sea , 2 at the end is somewhat disappointing :( .

 

It is not that they are playing games. The people who answer the phones at cruise line call centers don't usually have a clue. You are not going to get reliable info from them.

 

All this kind of stuff has happened to me before. Sometimes you won't find out the correct info until you get on the ship. In this case it is to be expected. Lots of sailings are affected on many cruise lines. Cozumel is on many itineraries. Even if Cozumel is open on your date with the damage to the piers all the schedualed ships won't be able to do it. Even with tendering as the tenders have to tie up to a dock too so all the schedualed ships are not going to go there for months even if a some do.

[Dlanco]

Yes I have done the research have spoke with folks who have returned from Cozumel. Those of you who beleive that you will stop there on 11/14 are kidding yourself. The pier while it may be repaired to accept ships is only one of the major obsticles that Cozumel has to overcome. The beaches are in very bad sape, the shops took very heavy damage and locals are spending much of their time putting their own individual lives back in order following the storm that ripped though. I find it very unfortunate that RCL cannot just simply post logical information on their site that will let their customers know in advance that ALL cozumel stops will be rerouted for a date certian (say six months) That said my cruise in February on Jewel of the Seas (6 night cruise) is already slated for Cost Maya and Grand Cayman so what other otions are there is they forgo Cozumel?

[Cruising89143]

It has been reported that RCI and the other cruise lines have had people on the ground in Cozumel inspecting the tour operators and the island in general. If the cruise lines feels that 11/14 will be the return date then it will. You do not even go until early next year and I you can bet that the island will up and open for business. They do not need piers as tendering will work just fine until the piers can be rebuilt. People that do not want to visit the island can stay aboard the ship. I cannot imagine people getting themselves worked up over something that is three months away.:rolleyes:

[wrp96]

Princess announced yesterday that its ship, Star Princess, will resume stopping in Cozumel starting 11/17. Why shouldn't RCI stop there? THey are going to tender not use the piers. They tender in tons of other locations so it isn't anything new. I'm booked on a cruise scheduled to stop there 12/21 and really hope we get to stop there. Even with the damage, I'm looking forward to visiting there and spending my money there. Cozumel is such a friendly place and I'm sure it will be the most welcoming of any stops on anybody's cruise.

 

But using your logic of bad damage, so the cruiselines should stop sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami since they received major damage from Wilma as well. Tons of trees down, no power, etc.

 

I agree with the others, if you feel that strongly about not stopping in Cozumel then just cancel your cruise now because I'm sure that your ship will be stopping there in February.

[PhinsAndGills]

PLEASE keep in mind, these are my thoughts and opinions. They are in NO WAY "flaming" anyone. We all have our own opinions.

Yes I'm on a luxury vacation, and yes I like things to be pretty and beautiful... but, Cozumel needs our tourist dollars and I'm more than happy to take a few of mine down there. No, Coz is NOT in good shape and probably won't be in good shape for a long time. But it will never be in good shape if cruise lines decide to not go back until it's rebuilt. I don't spend a large amount of money in ports (Althought DH and I did buy a nice watch set on our honeymoon port in Coz...) but at this point, I'm sure every dollar helps.

I, for one, will be HAPPY to go to Coz, on 11/25/05. Honestly, I'd much rather spend the day on a small island that I can at least contribute a little bit of money toward doing some good and helping the community rebuild.

[kitty1]

We are going next week on one of the first ships to return to Cozumel.

 

We will be getting off the ship and visiting the island. So what if it is not what it used to be. Yes, we are on vacation, but hurricanes happen. I am not going to let that ruin our vacation. We booked an excursion and plan to do it as long as it is still going.

 

If you go in with the attitude that you are going to have a bad time, you will because you have psyched yourself out before you even get there. If you go in with a positive attitude you might actually enjoy yourself.

 

As long as it is warm and sunny who cares. Worse case you stay on the ship. We are not going to let this ruin our trip.

 

A bad day on vacation is still better than a good day at work.

[rolloman]

What if some of the so called negative posters on here actually live in an area that suffered Hurricane damage and they are wanting to go on a vacation to somewhere that removes them from the site of destruction? Check out all the posts about Cozumel, there is a handful of people going post to post trashing anyone who is concerned about going to Cozumel. Some peoples agenda or circumstance is far different than yours so maybe you should back off. Canceling may not be a good option for some, so hoping for a schedule change is their only recourse.

P.S. Dont attack me, I could care less about the situation. I cheer for the little guy, thats why I am posting.