Caribbean Itinerary Changes to Save Fuel

[MVPinBoynton]

I just got the below email from my TA telling me that our Exotic Southern Caribbean itinerary is being changed. It appears that three port stops are being shortened to save fuel. I am not concerned about the late night changes; but leaving St. Kitts at 4:00 PM, rather than 5:00 PM is unfortunate for a lot of folks. I hope this doesn't affect other itineraries as well, since time in port is the most important part of a cruise for me.

 

 

"Please be advised the Celebrity Eclipse 14 Night Exotic Southern Caribbean itinerary has been modified as detailed below. 14 Night Exotic Southern Caribbean Voyage: January 8, 2017 The departure time from Oranjestad, Aruba has been changed from 11:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The departure time from Bridgetown, Barbados has been changed from 11:59 PM to 10:00 PM. The departure time from Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis has been changed from 5:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This change is being made at the request of Marine Operations and Fuel Management for operational efficiencies. "

[jayoldschool]

If they're saving money, you should be as well. Yes, I'm aware of the cruise contract, and all they have to do is leave port. This would be like an airline saying "we're going to fly at half speed to save fuel"...

[brunello22]

I just got the below email from my TA telling me that our Exotic Southern Caribbean itinerary is being changed. It appears that three port stops are being shortened to save fuel. I am not concerned about the late night changes; but leaving St. Kitts at 4:00 PM, rather than 5:00 PM is unfortunate for a lot of folks. I hope this doesn't affect other itineraries as well, since time in port is the most important part of a cruise for me.

 

 

"Please be advised the Celebrity Eclipse 14 Night Exotic Southern Caribbean itinerary has been modified as detailed below. 14 Night Exotic Southern Caribbean Voyage: January 8, 2017 The departure time from Oranjestad, Aruba has been changed from 11:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The departure time from Bridgetown, Barbados has been changed from 11:59 PM to 10:00 PM. The departure time from Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis has been changed from 5:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This change is being made at the request of Marine Operations and Fuel Management for operational efficiencies. "

 

I agree, I love the extra time in port.

 

Leaving an hour earlier is also a revenue opportunity for Celebrity ... casino and retail stores open earlier, bars, etc..

[ChucktownSteve]

We're on the following 14 Night Exotic Southern Caribbean Eclipse cruise on 1/22. Fortunately, so far (fingers crossed), there have been no time changes on this itinerary.

[mom says]

This change is being made at the request of Marine Operations and Fuel Management for operational efficiencies. "

 

Pulling out of port an hour early isn't going to be for fuel savings, since that means they'll be at sea an hour longer. It's more likely a savings on port charges.

[Fish Lover]

Leaving port early has nothing to do with saving fuel. You are making an assumption because the change is originating from "Marine Operations and Fuel Mgt. No doubt, this group is also responsible for logistics and the changes could be due to numerous things, including other ships also needing to be in port or time needed to get to the next port etc.

 

The changes are minor and you've been given plenty of notice. This is what happens when cruises lines publish their schedules so far in advance. The same changes frequently occur with flights that are booked far ahead of time as well.

[Fouremco]

Pulling out of port an hour early isn't going to be for fuel savings, since that means they'll be at sea an hour longer. It's more likely a savings on port charges.

Operating the ship at a higher speed requires more fuel, just as it does in a car. An extra hour underway is definitely a money saver.

[ECCruise]

Operating the ship at a higher speed requires more fuel, just as it does in a car. An extra hour underway is definitely a money saver.

 

This is correct.

They are making the same distance, just taking an hour longer to do it. Like driving 55MPH instead of 65MPH. Burns less fuel.

 

And no, when it affects 5 ports on the same itinerary, it has nothing to do with other ships in port or any other similar factor. Not many, if any, ships are in these ports at 10 PM- Midnight.

 

Save $$$ on fuel. Increase revenue onboard. Win-win for =X=. Not so much if you, like us, cruise for ports and care very little about the ship.

Edited October 4, 2016 by ECCruise

[Luvcrusn]

I don't get the teeth gnashing over an hour or two in port. Honestly, I've spent weeks on many of the islands you mentioned on land based tours, and can say there is not a whole lot to do in Aruba or Barbados between 10PM and midnight! As far as an hour less in St. Kitts/Nevis being back on the ship at 4 instead of 5 just means an hour less on the beach...so go an hour earlier! It doesn't make much difference as far as I can see. I'm happy to be away from everyday cares for 2 weeks!:)

[ghstudio]

It's kind of interesting that they are just making these changes now. If you think about it, the scheduling of cruises should have taken fuel efficiency into account for the past (fill in the blank) years. This does not speak well to Celebrity management and if I were Richard Fein, I'd be looking for some heads...not for optimizing the schedule now, but for failing to do so earlier.

[RDC1]

Pulling out of port an hour early isn't going to be for fuel savings, since that means they'll be at sea an hour longer. It's more likely a savings on port charges.

 

It will save fuel since they can sail at a slower speed. Fuel efficiency goes down as speed goes up.

[Luvcrusn]

OMG! All this over 4 hours total!!!!!!:eek:

[dewhit6959]

I expect Celebrity to be announcing their new "suggested" tip amounts shortly.

 

Other cruise lines announced their increases in the past several days.

 

So , a few hours change is still a few less hours in port...and stuck on a completely full ship.

 

cha ching .

Edited October 4, 2016 by dewhit6959

[cruisequeen4ever]

That's peculiar and irritating. Some, like my DH, specifically look for itineraries that include evenings in port, so a change like this would really impact pax like him. And some saying one hour doesn't make a difference can be quite false; if the excursion you really wanna do and had planned returns at 4:30, and your new sail away is 4:00, you're now SOL.

 

 

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[cruisestitch]

This message is not specific to the Caribbean. I just received the same for Sillho Transatlantic next spring. Our stop in Lisbon has been shortened from a 10:00 pm departure to an 8:00 pm departure. I suspect that in this case it's not about fuel costs, but more about port fees, but that's only a guess.

[lvz2cruz]

I don't like to hear this.

We cruise HAL and X and one of the pros of X has been longer time in port on many occasions. You will often read complaints on the HAL board about shortened port times. I hope this will not be the new trend here.

In the dead of winter when we cruise the Caribbean, I treasure every minute on the beach. The four hours:eek: the above poster screeched about is something I would rather spend on a sunny, sandy beach than on the ship.

[Luvcrusn]

I don't like to hear this.

We cruise HAL and X and one of the pros of X has been longer time in port on many occasions. You will often read complaints on the HAL board about shortened port times. I hope this will not be the new trend here.

In the dead of winter when we cruise the Caribbean, I treasure every minute on the beach. The four hours:eek: the above poster screeched about is something I would rather spend on a sunny, sandy beach than on the ship.

 

I agree that the hours on the beach on the dead of winter are to be treasured, and I would not like my day in St. Kitts/Nevis shortened by an hour, but would just leave the ship an hour earlier and make the best of it. The other 3 hours were between 10 and midnight, so not much impact on my beach time! And most of the islands don't have much going on in the way of nightlife in my HO. Sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone, just was trying to add a different perspective.

[Fish Lover]

That's peculiar and irritating. Some, like my DH, specifically look for itineraries that include evenings in port, so a change like this would really impact pax like him. And some saying one hour doesn't make a difference can be quite false; if the excursion you really wanna do and had planned returns at 4:30, and your new sail away is 4:00, you're now SOL.

 

Specifically to these ports....what excursions run that late or will be impossible due to the time changes? You're speaking in generalities, but the changes really don't seem to make a difference in these particular ports.

[Fish Lover]

It's kind of interesting that they are just making these changes now. If you think about it, the scheduling of cruises should have taken fuel efficiency into account for the past (fill in the blank) years. This does not speak well to Celebrity management and if I were Richard Fein, I'd be looking for some heads...not for optimizing the schedule now, but for failing to do so earlier.

 

You are making an assumption (as did the OP) that this is for fuel efficiency/savings. You don't know that. In fact, it can not be determined why these changes were made from the email received.

[jagoffee]

You are making an assumption (as did the OP) that this is for fuel efficiency/savings. You don't know that. In fact, it can not be determined why these changes were made from the email received.

True, but fuel,swings is a logical assumption.

Also no doubt that a 4 PM departure instead of 5 PM three months before a cruise has a negative impact on some people's advance planning.

At least the changes were done before the final payment was made.

 

For us none of the changes would make much difference, but I can understand why the changes would not be liked by some people.

 

Additionally the OP writes such great reviews and provides outstanding details via their website that always help in in my planning, so they get my moral support.

Edited October 4, 2016 by jagoffee

[roxette]

Since port charges are set, and played for long in advance, I think it's fuel saving.

 

And, port charges are payed directly by the passengers

[A Sixth?]

You are making an assumption (as did the OP) that this is for fuel efficiency/savings. You don't know that. In fact, it can not be determined why these changes were made from the email received.

 

The OP quoted an email stating that it was for fuel savings.

[MVPinBoynton]

The OP quoted an email stating that it was for fuel savings.

 

I'm the OP, and I did assume that it was for fuel savings, since the "Marine Operations and Fuel Management for operational efficiencies" was the department that made the change. I don't know what other operational efficiencies that the schedule change. But I am just making an assumption, not stating a fact.

[carolslc]

Not anything you can do about it, but the change for St. Kitts would bug me. There are fun things to do there that take a long time - for example, a catamaran tour to Nevis. If I had planned a tour that now I couldn't do because of the shortened time in port, I'd be annoyed. I think 5 pm should be the earliest any ship leaves any port, personally. I'd prefer later that that every time, but I usually don't get my way. :-)

[Phamer55]

I just got he same message about my British Isles cruise, losing an hour in Cork. Strange as fuel prices have remained fairly low lately and I would guess that they would be cheaper today then when the schedule was initially announced by Celebrity. As far as time in port in the Caribbean, one of my best nights ever on a cruise took place in Aruba at an Irish bar. We stayed until midnight as all aboard was 12:30...had the best time hanging out with friends and members of the US coast guard, sharing stories and playing games. That night would have never had happened like that if we had to be back on board at 9:30pm. So don't discount those 2 hours, they might not matter to you but they could to some people. I am really excited that my British Isles cruise includes TWO overnights and another night that goes until midnight. Love getting a real nightlife experience in port in addition to onboard the ship.