Ebfurr's official Liberty Saga Thread

[kathy49]

I hope that EBFurr takes nothing less than a full refund to your credit card. Under these circumstances a future credit is not acceptable. I am sure if RCL does not agree you can file a dispute with your cc. This cruise even shortened would not be worth trying to go on with all the stress of the area down there...to say nothing of the bad sailing and weather conditions.

[blackshirt]

I hope that EBFurr takes nothing less than a full refund to your credit card. Under these circumstances a future credit is not acceptable. I am sure if RCL does not agree you can file a dispute with your cc. This cruise even shortened would not be worth trying to go on with all the stress of the area down there...to say nothing of the bad sailing and weather conditions.

Final payment was 90 days ago. Would any cc company still let you dispute a charge that old?

[pspercy]

Then again...sane people would never sail Carnival.

 

OK - that was a cheap shot (but somewhat true). :cool:

 

Depends upon the ship. The Galveston offerings look fine and they have a nice 14 dy cruise out of Galveston that Royal lacks the imagination to offer.

[Spurschick]

You would think after RC had some bad publicity in the past that they would learn from their mistakes. I have been on two Disney Cruises. We are going on our first RC cruise in October for Our 25th wedding Anniversary. We did not purchase insurance. Wondering if it's too late to purchase and if it worth doing.

 

 

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You will still be able to get a policy with Travelguard.

[mt82]

You would think after RC had some bad publicity in the past that they would learn from their mistakes. I have been on two Disney Cruises. We are going on our first RC cruise in October for Our 25th wedding Anniversary. We did not purchase insurance. Wondering if it's too late to purchase and if it worth doing.

 

 

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I would look at getting a individual policy

there are a lot of them out there

just search cruise insurance

btw, they are cheaper then through the ship also and they will be working for you and not the ship line

[EBFURR]

EBFurr I have been reading all of your posts as I am also affected by RCI's lack of customer service. After 4 cancelled flights though I have finally given up that this cruise will actually happen for us. It was supposed to be our 20th anniversary, but it has turned into complete frustration. I know it is nothing compared to what is happening in Texas, but by RCI not making any decision it left us scrambling this morning after we got word at 3AM our flight was cancelled...again! I to cancelled hotels with no cancellation policy with ease, as well as plane tickets on Southwest. I finally and reluctantly took the cruise credit this morning. Unfortunately I did buy the travel insurance, but with all the fine print and with RCI offer for credit it sadly does not cover much since all other businesses realized the horrible storm happening and refunded all my money with zero questions asked. So for now I have a credit to cruise on a future RCI boat I would rather not have to use. When I called SW this morning the woman on the phone told me Hobby was shut down all day and it isn't known if it will be open tomorrow. I would hate to be on the boat today not knowing how I would get home. I wish them and anyone waiting for the ship good luck. You're going to need it.

 

 

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Hi and welcome to the forums. I was pretty sure I was not the only one who was going through this. The tough part to explain to people is that you are trying as hard as you can to make things work but under the circumstances it is just not working. Flights cancelled, not knowing if the hotel will have power, if you can even drive when you get there, etc. As I said, we have been in around these storms before and we know that just because you are not at the eye of the storm does not mean it is not dangerous. Those rain bands that string out can spin off tornadoes which are even more deadly than the eye wall. That was happening yesterday and continues into today. You can be at one spot and it is light rain and a mile away tornado force winds are ripping things apart. When the cruise line ignores all of this and says they are on schedule it is a lot of pressure and you have a lot of conflicted thoughts about what to do. They simply had no understanding of this. I even told one of them that "hey, this is not Star Trek and I cannot have Scotty beam me to the dock". I have to travel through this mess even if the ship does make it somehow. Just because you guys seem to think you can somehow get a ship into the closed port does not mean the airlines are going to fly into a hurricane for you. Made no difference. Congratulations on your 20th. We actually were on a Royal Caribbean cruise for number 20. Up to this point it has been our favorite way to celebrate but probably not again, at least not with RC. Again, my troubles are less than trivial compared to the people in Texas. Prayers.

[SteelMagnolia9]

I've been following this and the response has been based on preserving its bottom line and not the safety and well-being of the passengers. I am appalled that it would want and even expect anyone with a booking to fly or drive into this area or lose their fare. I have a fully paid cruise in Oct. to NE/Canada, but based upon this corporate response in the face of a state/federal disaster, I will not consider this cruise line when selecting a future cruise.

[tmariebolz]

Thank you

 

 

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[Ourusualbeach]

You would think after RC had some bad publicity in the past that they would learn from their mistakes. I have been on two Disney Cruises. We are going on our first RC cruise in October for Our 25th wedding Anniversary. We did not purchase insurance. Wondering if it's too late to purchase and if it worth doing.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums[/quote

You will still be able to get a policy with Travelguard.

 

Hi Nikki, hope you and family are all safe.:)

[Spurschick]

 

I woke up at 4:00 AM and turned on Weather Nation to see the radar and such and saw the reports of flooding, 4 (count 'em) active tornadoes in the Houston area, and 7 inches per hour rain fall. This is bad. Way beyond my petty vacation concerns, these people are getting pounded.

In my not so humble opinion based on my experiences the last couple of days (not all of which is here, but what I can remember as "highlights"), RCI not only dropped the ball but poked a hole and stomped the air out of it. They have had so many opportunities to get a grasp and become more realistic and responsive but it seems that they are living in a dream world based on "hoping for the best ".

 

I have seen some stuff on CC about credits, etc. but truthfully I am giving it a rest. At least until later today. I have no intention as I sit here at 9:58 AM Sunday of trying to get to Galveston either today or tomorrow. That could change, but I am weary of this. To be as honest as I can be, I really have no desire to ever set foot on another RCI ship. Again, that could change, but with Carnival, MSC, and all the other options out there I see no need to. I do not ride flowriders or care to zip line on board. I like the ocean. The same ocean you can't see from most places on the new RCI ships. I may be in the minority, but have a look at MSC Seaside and I think I am not alone.

 

Happy sails to all. I will be around, and I want to thank those who showed understanding through this. I am not the only one affected and angry by a long shot. I am just the big mouthed (fingered?) guy who gripes about while others do not. Mainly, I want to encourage those who are in the hurricane zone to stay safe and have faith. Protect yourselves and your families. Property can be replaced and rebuilt. Human lives cannot.

 

Well said.

 

We predominantly sail RC and have no desire to sail Carnival, but I tip my hat to them on how they handled this.

 

I have watched the flooding on the news today and it is devastating. My thoughts with all the CC members who are in or have relatives in the area. The flooding and devastation is reality. But unfortunately it's a reality few chose to think would actually happen. There were far too many people with rose tinted glasses that it would be a short lived and over sensatilaized event.

 

One thing in life to remember is NEVER underestimate the power of Mother Nature. It is far better to be over prepared than under prepared. Cindy hit the nail on the head when she said prepare for the worst and hope for the best. RC has quite frankly done the complete opposite.

 

I do not blame you in the slightest for questioning whether you (and I know there are plenty of others with the same sentiments as you) would ever sail RC again. Whilst we have been predominately loyal to RC over the years we are venturing out for some of our upcoming cruises. Seaside included. You are far from being the only person here looking at jumping ship (no pun intended ;))

 

I wish you and your wife a happy and safe anniversary. (Even if memorable for all the wrong reasons)

[Spurschick]

 

Hi Nikki, hope you and family are all safe.:)

HI Ken, we are all good thank you. We have had a drastic temperature drop (was 78 when I just went out:eek:) and it is dark and dreary but luckily no heavy rain yet just steady light rain. Edit as soon as I hit submit torrential rain starts at least it was short lived. Expecting some more bursts like that.

 

Say hi to everyone for us.

Edited August 27, 2017 by Spurschick

[helen haywood]

You would think after RC had some bad publicity in the past that they would learn from their mistakes. I have been on two Disney Cruises. We are going on our first RC cruise in October for Our 25th wedding Anniversary. We did not purchase insurance. Wondering if it's too late to purchase and if it worth doing.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

It's not too late to purchase insurance. You can purchase it up to the day of your trip. The only caveat I know of (I am no expert) is that if a hurricane has been named then you can't purchase insurance covering it after that. Go to http://www.insuremytrip.com and look at policies and call and ask questions.

 

We buy insurance because we have elderly parents....and also in case one of us suddenly got sick and couldn't go.

[EBFURR]

It's not too late to purchase insurance. You can purchase it up to the day of your trip. The only caveat I know of (I am no expert) is that if a hurricane has been named then you can't purchase insurance covering it after that. Go to www.insuremytrip.com and look at policies and call and ask questions.

 

We buy insurance because we have elderly parents....and also in case one of us suddenly got sick and couldn't go.

 

Don't do as I did, do as I say :) buy the danged insurance.

[mafig]

Don't do as I did, do as I say :) buy the danged insurance.

 

 

LOL. I was going to ask you if you would buy insurance in the future.

 

We gambled and won. We didn't buy insurance for 25 cruises. Now we do. Didn't think our luck would hold any more .... getting older. However, I'm thinking that in the future the cruise line insurance might be better because they offer that "cancel for any reason" clause, even if it's only 75%. The chances of what happened to you is probably greater than the chance of being under-insured for an emergency evacuation.

 

Anyway, I'm glad you are safe and dry.

Good luck whatever you decide to do tomorrow (Happy Anniversary).

[createmem]

Praying for all impacted by this storm. I am not impacted but following the response with curiosity. I fault RCIs greed at this point. They have to have access to the same info as Carnival. Carnival has weathered some disasters in PR in the past but has done an excellent job in recent times. RCIs lack of decision making is inexcusable.

 

 

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[EBFURR]

Update: BarryH has just posted from on board that Liberty is heading to Miami and will be back in Galveston on Friday. Meanwhile, the RCI website still says we sail from Galveston at 3PM tomorrow. I have not called about a credit or refund yet. Letting them stick their foot in deeper. Will heads roll in Miami?? Stay tuned.

[time4u2go]

Update: BarryH has just posted from on board that Liberty is heading to Miami and will be back in Galveston on Friday. Meanwhile, the RCI website still says we sail from Galveston at 3PM tomorrow. I have not called about a credit or refund yet. Letting them stick their foot in deeper. Will heads roll in Miami?? Stay tuned.

If you have some time to kill (which it sounds like you might, at this point), you should contact some TV stations in Miami and let them know about your story. Since Miami is RCI's headquarters, and since Miami is now directly a part of this story, a TV station might just be interested.

[kathy49]

EB..well sounds like to have this situation under control not like the cruise line..I bet those people headed to Miami are relieved to just be getting off in a spot with hopeful better weather. Amateur hour in the bridge on that ship. At the end of the day I believe the captain's direction is the last word...guess he finally got thru to the front office? I mean how incredibly rude and insensitive to bring all these people back there even if you could dock when they are begging people to stay away and their resources are completely 100% exhausted .

[EBFURR]

If you have some time to kill (which it sounds like you might, at this point), you should contact some TV stations in Miami and let them know about your story. Since Miami is RCI's headquarters, and since Miami is now directly a part of this story, a TV station might just be interested.

 

Yeah, I had some plans for today, but that really didn't pan out.

[Rosy1013]

Thank you so much for keeping us posted on your horrible experience! My opinion of Royal has def been impacted by how they've handled things. Wishing you guys a happy anniversary!

[alexkrn46]

You have been treated horrible....shame on rccl. You tried to make lemons out of lemonade and shot down, their attitude if you do it for one they would have to it for all....but how many would say any ship in any us port?

[workstocruise]

FYI- Hobby Airport is closed till Wednesday. IAH is also closed but not sure for how long. I live in Houston area.

Sorry RCI did not handle this better.

[EBFURR]

I just now called. Got a guy on the phone and when he asked how he could help me I said I was standing in waist deep water on the pier in Galveston and there was no ship. :evilsmile:

told him I was kidding but I really did have a reservation.

 

He proceeded to explain that boarding would be at noon tomorrow and sail at 3. I told him I just watched a Periscope from internetwhiz that said Liberty was going to Miami. I was remarkably in good humor about it and asked him to please check. He did offer a cruise credit but I said I wanted a full monetary refund and asked for a "resolution specialist". I held for a couple of minutes and he came back and said that since the cruise was completely cancelled that I would get a full refund. I went over all the charges but he apparently could not see the reservation any longer and just agreed with whatever I said. He said 3-5 days so I will have to see if we actually get it all or if I have to call again for the extra purchases. Hopefully not.

[Coralc]

Congratulations on the refund EB! It is definitely a good news/bad news sort of the thing. Thanks for sharing the entire summary. :)

[A&L_Ont]

I wouldn't plan on items such airfare (if you have it) being reimbursed by RC. Call your air carrier and see if they will credit you or bank it for future use. They aren't flying after all, so even if you weren't going a cruise they can't get you there and now they don't have to reschedule you during this flight stoppage.

 

EB, I'm sorry this happened to you. Hopefully you can make the best of this year's anniversary. Not fun for you, nor anyone effected by this storm.