Booted Off The EDGE

[MizDemeanor]

An awful lot of brain damage just to take a nice vacation, no?

[CruisingUS]

Personally, I think you should just relax. Anticipating your trip is almost as much fun as going on it! Chances are that you will be fine. If the need arises to reschedule, Celebrity will usually try very hard to accommodate you if at all possible. Also, you alternative options are likely to still have opportunities.I generally don't fly to go on a cruise, but if I do..I make sure my flights are at least transferable.

 

That's just me though, and what I am comfortable with. You have to do what will give you peace of mind. I just wanted to point out that the practice of booking "just in case" reservations has some unintended repercussions.

 

I and one of my guests are in fields where time off is very scarce and tbh can be seen as a sign of weakness. Getting that time off took a lot of scheduling and careful coordination. I was under the impression that the X cruise's schedule was locked in and immutable. Also, this is for a special once in a life time occasion.

 

 

Option 1 - Don't book an extra cruise. IF X cancels this, then I would have to rebook on a different CL (X doesn't have any cruises that fits my schedule) at a severely higher price as time has elapsed. It would cause stress w/ scrambling to find something and frustration as I am losing money due to no fault of my own.

 

 

Option 2 - I book another cruise with a different CL (I already have a deposit w/ them but haven't book anything yet). Here, I am locked in at a lower price and have a viable plan B. Worst case scenario, I just cancel and the other CL is still holding onto my deposit for a future cruise.

 

 

Option 3 - Just cancel the X cruise and go with the other.

 

Until a more reasonable option is suggested, this is what I have to do to manage my risk.

Edited July 15, 2017 by CruisingUS

[CruisingUS]

Sorry, multiquote is not working 100%

 

 

So is it the cruisers that cause this to happen , or the cruise line??? Answer is; It's the fault of the cruise line. WHY? Because these big companies have very legal smart people working for them. They anticipated this happening a long time ago and covered their butts in a contract that basically gives us no leg to stand on. Don't like what we are doing to you?? Too bad, but we are truly sorry. And by the way, you can't do nothing to us either. So who is committing the foul here ?? This is it. Plain and simple. This is what then causes the consumer to scam and scheme a way to cover their own butts. For example; booking 2 cruises at same time.

In my case, it is definitely X. I would not go and do all this if it were not for X.

 

As for this being a scam or scheme, it's just business ;):p:cool: X is a big anonymous company acting in their own best interest to bring as much money in, and I have to act in my own best interest to minimize my cost. I am following the anti-consumer contract that they drafted and haven't broken any rules. I am simply minimizing my risk. It's nothing personal to X or the other CL.

 

 

haha. 2 can play that game.

 

 

e

 

No one wants to be the one to have a cruise canceled for any reason, whether it be a charter, equipment failure or sale.

 

I've been cruising for many years and on these boards for a long time as well. Considering the many total sailing days available, there really have been very few cancelations and when there have been, the great majority of people have been satisfied with the accommodation and compensation they have received.

 

You have made your feelings abundantly clear but I think you are a little overboard in your assumptions and your attitude is probably causing more anxiousness for others than necessary. Yes, they are certainly protecting themselves but that doesn't mean they are leaving their customers completely high and dry. I do think the newest CEO is not as thoughtful as some others have been, but I do believe most people think they have been treated fairly.

 

I think most reasonable people understand that there are going to be times a ship is chartered and also understand that a cancelation this far in the future would not be entitled to a large amount of compensation. Celebrity has usually tailored any compensation to the parties affected and according to the inconvenience or potential loss.

 

I have sailed for a long time too, although I suspect less frequently than you. I have yet to experience a cancelled cruise on me. I don't think that I am being unreasonable for being anxious as the confounding variable here is that I am sailing on the Summit, which has charted almost all of march 18 and is on sale, allegedly. This is a different situation than other CL w/ other ships.

 

 

I actually don't think Hawkstar is going overboard tbh. I actually really want to thank him/her as that person saved me thousands alone in terms of potentially losing 4 nonrefundable airline tickets. Had I not read this thread, I would have actually booked my airline tickets next week on 7/18/17, and would have opted for the nonrefundable kind since I would have incorrectly assumed that X would not charter the ship.

[CruisingUS]

An awful lot of brain damage just to take a nice vacation, no?

It is really annoying me....IDK if I would book X again outside of a chartered ship.

 

Being that my next X cruise will be the first with X, I already have a bad first impression of the brand. I have never had to jump through so many hoops before b/c the one X ship that fits my schedule is actively being chartered and trying to be sold off.

[Hawkstar33]

Yup ...Well put ...A muddled mess. I'm so glad I made my feelings abundantly clear for the last 3 days and nights. I'm willing to take a vote. Eligible voters can be those affected by this, and those who could be affected by this in the future. Do you think you have been treated fairly from the time you signed up for a future cruise, till now. Knowing now what can really happen to you ; What would you vote? Yes or no. It would be interesting. I also think you are underestimating the amount of folks affected by this. There are literally thousands involved. Just check the amount of views on this post, compared to others, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that this is a serious matter. One that thru time, will create much stress, anxiety, etc. We can certainly beat this topic to death. Which we are. I am willing to keep letting good people know about this till we get 100,000 views.

[ChucktownSteve]

I and one of my guests are in fields where time off is very scarce and tbh can be seen as a sign of weakness. Getting that time off took a lot of scheduling and careful coordination. I was under the impression that the X cruise's schedule was locked in and immutable. Also, this is for a special once in a life time occasion.

 

 

Option 1 - Don't book an extra cruise. IF X cancels this, then I would have to rebook on a different CL (X doesn't have any cruises that fits my schedule) at a severely higher price as time has elapsed. It would cause stress w/ scrambling to find something and frustration as I am losing money due to no fault of my own.

 

 

Option 2 - I book another cruise with a different CL (I already have a deposit w/ them but haven't book anything yet). Here, I am locked in at a lower price and have a viable plan B. Worst case scenario, I just cancel and the other CL is still holding onto my deposit for a future cruise.

 

 

Option 3 - Just cancel the X cruise and go with the other.

 

Until a more reasonable option is suggested, this is what I have to do to manage my risk.

 

 

 

[emoji44] OMG. Someone PLEASE tell Children Little to select option 3!!! They'll be much happier back At Carnival.

 

 

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[MizDemeanor]

[emoji44] OMG. Someone PLEASE tell Children Little to select option 3!!! They'll be much happier back At Carnival.

 

 

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What a redicuous comment. #Trash. #Ignore. #Pollution. #Missing the Topic and Point Entirely.

[CruisingUS]

What a redicuous comment. #Trash. #Ignore. #Pollution. #Missing the Topic and Point Entirely.

Agreed. IDK y he started to attack me, but these forums are a lot better with the ignore button on him.

[Ma Bell]

Sorry, multiquote is not working 100%

 

 

 

In my case, it is definitely X. I would not go and do all this if it were not for X.

 

As for this being a scam or scheme, it's just business ;):p:cool: X is a big anonymous company acting in their own best interest to bring as much money in, and I have to act in my own best interest to minimize my cost. I am following the anti-consumer contract that they drafted and haven't broken any rules. I am simply minimizing my risk. It's nothing personal to X or the other CL.

 

 

haha. 2 can play that game.

 

 

 

 

I have sailed for a long time too, although I suspect less frequently than you. I have yet to experience a cancelled cruise on me. I don't think that I am being unreasonable for being anxious as the confounding variable here is that I am sailing on the Summit, which has charted almost all of march 18 and is on sale, allegedly. This is a different situation than other CL w/ other ships.

 

 

I actually don't think Hawkstar is going overboard tbh. I actually really want to thank him/her as that person saved me thousands alone in terms of potentially losing 4 nonrefundable airline tickets. Had I not read this thread, I would have actually booked my airline tickets next week on 7/18/17, and would have opted for the nonrefundable kind since I would have incorrectly assumed that X would not charter the ship.

 

I have no problem with the solution you came up with or the fact that Hawkstar gave feedback that helped you make a decision but he is now completely overboard. We all got the point a long time ago. He makes it sound as if Celebrity are a bunch of criminals planning to steal your money.

[WpgCruise]

Can't wait for the poll.

[Ma Bell]

It is really annoying me....IDK if I would book X again outside of a chartered ship.

 

Being that my next X cruise will be the first with X, I already have a bad first impression of the brand. I have never had to jump through so many hoops before b/c the one X ship that fits my schedule is actively being chartered and trying to be sold off.

 

This could have happened to you with any of the other cruise companies you have listed. There is no reason that you should have a bad impression because if you do a little more studying you would find that Celebrity has a reputation for doing more for their customers under these circumstances.

 

Your plan should have you covered completely but it's a shame that you are this worried in the first place.

[srdancer]

There are worse things than being booted off reasonably far in advance. There was a thread last month by someone on the Constellation out of Barcelona on May 26. Ship just out of dry dock, problems with propulsion system. Cruise postponed 2 days. Celebrity put people up in hotels for 2 days but some were in hotels 80-90 miles from Barcelona.

 

We were originally booked on that cruise, chickened out of being in Monte Carlo on last day of Gran Prix prelims because of the crowd so we changed to an Oceania cruise departing a few weeks earlier. Lucky escape!!

[CruisingUS]

This could have happened to you with any of the other cruise companies you have listed. There is no reason that you should have a bad impression because if you do a little more studying you would find that Celebrity has a reputation for doing more for their customers under these circumstances.

 

Your plan should have you covered completely but it's a shame that you are this worried in the first place.

I read those posts here and understand.

 

 

I also heard X was really great from people I know irl, who ironically have been on these X chartered cruises. After googling chartered cruises and seeing how often X (and RCCL) charters, it's starting to create this first impression that X is the CL that is known to be chartered pretty frequently. Every CL is different, and the frequency of chartered medium sized ships is a differentiating factor that I would mention to friends if asked to describe X, esp to new impressionable cruisers.

[richsea]

I and one of my guests are in fields where time off is very scarce and tbh can be seen as a sign of weakness. Getting that time off took a lot of scheduling and careful coordination. I was under the impression that the X cruise's schedule was locked in and immutable. Also, this is for a special once in a life time occasion.

 

 

Option 1 - Don't book an extra cruise. IF X cancels this, then I would have to rebook on a different CL (X doesn't have any cruises that fits my schedule) at a severely higher price as time has elapsed. It would cause stress w/ scrambling to find something and frustration as I am losing money due to no fault of my own.

 

 

Option 2 - I book another cruise with a different CL (I already have a deposit w/ them but haven't book anything yet). Here, I am locked in at a lower price and have a viable plan B. Worst case scenario, I just cancel and the other CL is still holding onto my deposit for a future cruise.

 

 

Option 3 - Just cancel the X cruise and go with the other.

 

Until a more reasonable option is suggested, this is what I have to do to manage my risk.

 

Option 4 - cancel all the cruises and find a land vacation.

But then what happens if there's a storm, or a terrorist attack, or......

 

Someone said that planning and anticipating your cruise is much of the fun, can't you just look at it that way? You do not HAVE to wear a belt AND suspenders.

[sjbeck5]

Celebrity Edge chartered the March 17, 2019 sailing.

[britsbest]

celebrity edge chartered the march 17, 2019 sailing.

 

 

really?

[Flamencacha]

Just a thought, maybe they shouldn't take reservations so far out. This would give time for all the agencies interested in Charters to make their bids.

 

The customer won't miss anything they are not aware of. My last X cruise I booked 14 months out.

 

I purchased business airfare early out to get a good deal. I wasn't aware I could be chartered out. On these threads, I found out I could[emoji15]. It was stressful. I made a conscious decision if the cruise didn't work out, I would do a land trip. For a solo traveler it would of been an experience not to be forgotten. My next cruise with X is Jan 2019. I booked 8 months ago on board. At this point not sure what I will do.

 

 

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[sjbeck5]

really?

No need to get snippy, britsbest. Just clarifying the date for a previous member's inquiry. Have a nice day.

[Jade13]

I and one of my guests are in fields where time off is very scarce and tbh can be seen as a sign of weakness. Getting that time off took a lot of scheduling and careful coordination. I was under the impression that the X cruise's schedule was locked in and immutable. Also, this is for a special once in a life time occasion.

 

 

Option 1 - Don't book an extra cruise. IF X cancels this, then I would have to rebook on a different CL (X doesn't have any cruises that fits my schedule) at a severely higher price as time has elapsed. It would cause stress w/ scrambling to find something and frustration as I am losing money due to no fault of my own.

 

 

Option 2 - I book another cruise with a different CL (I already have a deposit w/ them but haven't book anything yet). Here, I am locked in at a lower price and have a viable plan B. Worst case scenario, I just cancel and the other CL is still holding onto my deposit for a future cruise.

 

 

Option 3 - Just cancel the X cruise and go with the other.

 

Until a more reasonable option is suggested, this is what I have to do to manage my risk.

 

 

 

I am so sorry this vacation is causing you so much anxiety.

 

You could actually get on the ship and not have a perfect vacation. It could break down as happened years ago with Century in France. Or the cruise could be canceled after boarding because of an impending hurricane. That happened to us on HAL (not Celebrity). We boarded in Montreal on a 7 night cruise to Boston. The weather was beautiful but after our second day and returning from PEI the Captain announced the rest of the cruise was being canceled and we would pass the next 3 ports and head directly to Boston. There was a concern of hurricane Earl and he was afraid they might close the Boston harbor which would affect the next cruise. When we arrived in Boston it was sunny and bright and no storm ever came. But the cruise just ended. Everyone was welcome to stay on board for the full cruise nights but sitting on a ship in South Boston is not the same as cruising (plus all shops and casino were closed and pool drained and they used the time to do repair work). The cruise line gave everyone 25% of what they paid towards a future cruise - no refund.

 

It was disappointing but we disembarked and moved on. A group from the UK was traveling on their first cruise which was part of a longer land vacation and we heard on these boards later they would never cruise again...

 

Others treated the crew so poorly and I was waiting at the front desk to get our invoice and so many people were angry and pulling all of their gratuities/hotel charges.

 

 

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Edited July 15, 2017 by Jade13

[hcat]

We tried to book a back up to Edge for a second date...but the website is difficult to work with, prices are high and dh said that planning and taking cruises on X used to be more fun so just skip it, We will take our chances and if Edge is chartered away we'll just save the money for AZ or Oceania.

Hoping LLP and her mgmnt team wont be with X forever and they go back to Royal C. Maybe next top dog will be better! First task...fix the website!

[britsbest]

No need to get snippy, britsbest. Just clarifying the date for a previous member's inquiry. Have a nice day.

 

Oh I will !!!

I got free upgrade $350 and just moved my trip forward by a week

 

The thread is 11 pages old I hadn't realised I'd been booted off Edge

[Hawkstar33]

I have no problem with the solution you came up with or the fact that Hawkstar gave feedback that helped you make a decision but he is now completely overboard. We all got the point a long time ago. He makes it sound as if Celebrity are a bunch of criminals planning to steal your money.

Good morning...I'm glad it sounds that way to you. That is my intention. And honestly, you don't have to keep responding if you already got my point. But we do appreciate hearing from the other side. I almost think that a couple of you are Celebrity stockholders, or actual employees, paid to monitor these sites. These business like, compassionless, responses, are truly a sign of this. As far as being overboard; I was thrown overboard with many others. And I do like the point about Celebrity being the best at damage control under these circumstances. I'm sure that everyone will agree. OBC ( that must be spent on overpriced stuff), and the option of cruising on a totally different day then you planned, certainly makes up for all the inconveniences that this causes. I will remain vigilant. If I can help a couple unknowing folks everyday, I will.

[ChucktownSteve]

Hawkstar33, If I may make a suggestion for future consideration if you want to greatly lessen the possibility of being bumped for a charter; consider booking a larger ship with longer itineraries if you can. They're less likely to be yanked out from under you, have spring breakers or have lots of kids on board.

[soccermommy]

I am so sorry this vacation is causing you so much anxiety.

 

You could actually get on the ship and not have a perfect vacation. It could break down as happened years ago with Century in France. Or the cruise could be canceled after boarding because of an impending hurricane. That happened to us on HAL (not Celebrity). We boarded in Montreal on a 7 night cruise to Boston. The weather was beautiful but after our second day and returning from PEI the Captain announced the rest of the cruise was being canceled and we would pass the next 3 ports and head directly to Boston. There was a concern of hurricane Earl and he was afraid they might close the Boston harbor which would affect the next cruise. When we arrived in Boston it was sunny and bright and no storm ever came. But the cruise just ended. Everyone was welcome to stay on board for the full cruise nights but sitting on a ship in South Boston is not the same as cruising (plus all shops and casino were closed and pool drained and they used the time to do repair work). The cruise line gave everyone 25% of what they paid towards a future cruise - no refund.

 

It was disappointing but we disembarked and moved on. A group from the UK was traveling on their first cruise which was part of a longer land vacation and we heard on these boards later they would never cruise again...

 

Others treated the crew so poorly and I was waiting at the front desk to get our invoice and so many people were angry and pulling all of their gratuities/hotel charges.

 

 

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Omg, Jade 13, I saw your post and had to reply. We're thinking of doing a similar cruise, partially because we live just outside Boston which makes it particularly convenient. I can't imagine having the necessity of spending 3 days onboard in Boston when I live 20 miles away! On the other hand, having someone else cook and clean for me has its attractions....

I personally have never had a cruise cancelled on me, but have had a port I particularly wanted to see (Istanbul) taken off an itinerary. I feel for the OP, and I sympathize with US Cruising, and I hope you get some peace of mind, especially with all the contentiousness on this thread.

But, I have read a cruise contract. I know that 99.9% of said contract is in the CL's favor. In spite of that, I still choose to cruise because I trust (gamble?) that things will work out. On the other hand, if closer to the cruise and I have made air / hotel arrangements, and the cruise iis chartered or cancelled, I would expect the cruise line to work with me. At the very least, I would want the new booking at the same price and room level. It may not be legally required, but it is,IMO, the fair thing to do. It's just plain good business, and I still believe Celebrity wants to look good.

And of course, I would make sure I had very good cruise insurance.

To the UK posters, am I correct that you lose your deposit if Celebrity cancels on you? You have to take the alternatives offered, or lose it? If that is so, it truly stinks.

[crusinthrough]

Only on CC can someone's rant lead to over 200 comments and panic about a possibility.

 

The OP cruise was in 2019. It's to early for airfare or hotel reservations. Edge reservations opened in March. It's now July, which means the cruise was only booked for 4 months. There is no loss of $ (deposits are refundable) and probably no vacation time was scheduled this far in advance. It's an disappointment and not much more. There no reduction in Capitan Club benefits. Loyalty by X is really a non factor.

 

Every cruise lines charters ship that have reservation. There is no avoiding the possibility. Maybe X and RC does it more because their ships are more desirable. Airlines also cancel and reschedule booked flights. Sometimes the alternate flight (not flights) is not as desirable because of times or layovers than the booked one. I have yet to have an airline offer extra miles or something for the change. Additionally, you may or may not get a refund on your fare (not deposit) . It depends on the the difference in time with the original and new flight. Conversely, cruise lines usually offer alternate cruises with price protection and sometimes OBC and credit for airline change fees. Far more fair, imo.

 

As someone else mentioned land vacations have risks as well. It's the nature of the travel industry. Pick a sail date and ship, reserve a room, buy travel insurance, start planning and enjoy!!

Edited July 15, 2017 by crusinthrough