Anthem of the Seas - Status Update

[CC Help Jenn]

And if anyone is interested or did not receive their email:

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

Dear Guest, During the Anthem of the Seas’ current sailing, a guest needed urgent medical attention and we had to conduct an emergency medical evacuation. We immediately rerouted the ship to get the guest to the nearest hospital. Our number one priority is always our guests’ safety and well-being. The evacuation was successful and at this time, we kindly ask you to keep this guest and their family in your thoughts and prayers.   Due to this unforeseen circumstance, our arrival and departure to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, will be delayed and consequently, our itinerary has been adjusted. Your check-in will now be on Sunday, May 19th, 2019, between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM, and we will set sail at 11:00 PM. Please know, our sister ship, Celebrity Summit, will be boarding before us, so we kindly ask for your patience as we work to get you onboard, as quickly as possible. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you arrive after 7:00 PM.   Below, please find our adjusted itinerary.   DAY PORT ARRIVE DEPART Sat Cape Liberty, New Jersey   4:00 PM Sun Cruising Cape Liberty, New Jersey   11:00 PM Mon Kings Wharf, Bermuda Cruising 9:00 AM   Tue Kings Wharf, Bermuda 9:00 AM 8:00 PM Wed Cruising     Thu Cape Liberty, New Jersey 7:00 AM   While the circumstances were beyond our control, we understand that this has impacted your vacation and to help make up for this unexpected itinerary change, we are providing the following:    A refund for two days of your cruise fare paid, per person, processed to your onboard account. You may use this credit while onboard. If you don’t use it, it’ll be refunded back to your credit card on file. You’ll also receive a 25% Future Cruise Credit of your cruise fare paid, in hopes you’ll join us on another cruise vacation in the near future. You can expect to receive your Future Cruise Credit by Thursday, May 23rd, 2019. If you purchased an internet or beverage package, you’ll receive a prorated refund of 2 days for these packages and any prepaid gratuities. We will do our best to reschedule any pre-purchased Royal Caribbean International shore excursions for the missed day in Bermuda. If we are unable to do so, they will be credited to you onboard account. Our Shore Excursions Team will contact you once you are onboard. And lastly, if you purchased your air with our Air2Sea Team, they will contact you directly to assist you with changing your flight to Sunday, May 19th, 2019. If you purchased your air independently, we are currently working with some of our airline partners, as some have agreed to waive change fees for our guests due to this special circumstance. If your airline does not waive the change fees, we will cover your non-refundable air change fees: up to $200 USD for domestic flights and $400 USD for international flights.  If you arrive on Saturday, as originally scheduled, and incur a cost due to a hotel stay, we’ll provide you with a refund of up to $250 USD per stateroom. Please be sure to check hotel availability near the airport, as hotels may be full near the port.  Please send your receipts to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com and we will provide you with a refund.     While we hope you choose to stay, if you decide not to sail, we’ll provide you with:    100% refund of your cruise fare paid. Any pre-purchased items, like shore excursions or beverage packages, will be automatically refunded. If you booked through a non-refundable deposit program, your refund will include your deposit amount and any program service fees.     If you have any questions or require assistance, contact us at 1-800-256-6649. Please know, we are so sorry that this emergency has impacted your vacation. Our guests’ health and safety is our top priority. And, know that we would do the same if you or your loved ones were in this situation.   Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We look forward to welcoming you onboard!   Below are some answers to some questions you may have. Why is my sailing being modified? Onboard Anthem of the Seas May 9th sailing, a guest was in need of urgent medical attention and as a result, we rerouted the ship so that they could receive immediate medical care. Our number one priority is our guests’ safety and well-being and it is our responsibility to ensure this guest received the critical medical attention required, as quickly and as safely as possible. We thank you for understanding and ask that you keep this guest and their family in your thoughts and prayers.   Can I cancel my cruise? While we hope you choose to stay, if you decide not to sail, we’ll provide you with a 100% refund of the cruise fare portion of your cruise. Any pre-purchased items, like shore excursions or beverage packages, will be automatically refunded. What if I booked through the non-refundable program and want to cancel my reservation? You will receive a full refund of your deposit, including the non-refundable program service fee. What about my Crown & Anchor points. Will I receive all my CAS points? Guests who sail on the shortened sailing will receive CAS points based on the original number of scheduled nights. Where/how can I send my air and hotel receipts for reimbursement of the non-refundable fees? Please submit any non-refundable air receipts or receipts for hotel costs incurred via email to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com. If I cancel, will you be refunding my Royal Caribbean Travel Protection? We will be withholding the amount of Royal Caribbean Travel Protection, so our guests can file claims for any additional travel costs that are not covered by our compensation. How will my Future Cruise Credit be calculated? Your Future Cruise Certificate will be calculated based on the cruise fare paid for this sailing, which represents only the cruise component of your booking. Please note, it is based on the cruise fare paid, after promotions and credits were applied, excluding taxes & fees, pre-paid gratuities, flights, and transfers. How do I redeem my Future Cruise Credit? If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean International, please call us at 1 (800) 256-6649 to redeem your Future Cruise Credit. If you booked with a Travel Partner, please contact them directly to redeem your Future Cruise Credit. Your Future Cruise Credit is redeemable towards cruise fare only and is not valid on Complimentary cruises, Incentive bookings, or Charter sailings. All guests are responsible for taxes and fees where applicable.   What will happen if I choose to cancel my reservation and have FCC’s applied? Your refund will be issued for the full value of the cruise fare paid and your FCC will be reinstated.  I have a Casino voucher on my booking, what will happen with those if I cancel? Please contact our Casino Royale Team at 1-888-561-2234 or email themClubRoyale@rccl.com and they will assist you. I have more questions, where can I call? Please contact your Travel Advisor or contact one of our dedicated teams: North America (US & CAN): (800)256-6649 UK: 0344 245 1202 Mexico: 55- 5062-9200 (Mexico City) or 01855-877-3492 UK: 0344 245 1202 Norway: 0047 22 51 37 90 Sweden: 0046 200 88 0155 Denmark: 0045 80 25 32 52 Finland: 0034 20 386 386 Other Offices: Please visit RoyalCaribbean.com/contactus

[CC Help Jenn]

And I just received this email as well --- we are not flying but this is positive for anyone who is

 

Dear Guest,

Our team has been working closely with our airline partners to make your last-minute vacation planning easier. Our partners at American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, have graciously agreed to waive change fees for our guests that had air booked on May 18^th, 2019 for Anthem of the Seas sailing. Each airline has set up a desk to assist you. Below are their numbers:

 

• American Airlines: (800) 433 -1790
• Delta Air Lines: (800) 221 - 1212
• United Airlines: (855) 206 -1170

 

Be sure to call them immediately and reference the ship delay onboard Anthem of the Seas cruise, so that your penalty fee is waived. And please know, you’ll be responsible for any additional costs of your new airfare.

Thank you for your patience, we look forward to welcoming you onboard!

Sincerely,

[seadays4me]

2 hours ago, Alsmez said:

 

I'm sure it is going to be an absolute cluster. We're driving, so we're thinking we might head to Jersey in the late morning as previously planned, then check the traffic when we get close and punt if it's too congested. We can always go get lunch or spend a couple of hours at IKEA in Elizabeth if we need to kill time.

We are going on the Summit.  They are saying to get to the port at the regular time, but If its bad we may kill some time at the new Costco at the port entrance.  

[warmwinds]

15 minutes ago, seadays4me said:

We are going on the Summit.  They are saying to get to the port at the regular time, but If its bad we may kill some time at the new Costco at the port entrance.  

They are saying to get to the Summit at the regular time on Sunday???  Like 11 am??  We got an e-mail saying not to get there until 2 pm - 3:45.

[sandebeach]

6 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

I would be calling the hotel now and trying to extend your stay another night.

I wish I had been able to do this! We have arrived at the hotel in Elizabeth and they have no rooms for tomorrow night. We are debating what to do. It will all work out, it is just a little ugghhhh at the moment. 

[reallyitsmema]

1 minute ago, sandebeach said:

I wish I had been able to do this! We have arrived at the hotel in Elizabeth and they have no rooms for tomorrow night. We are debating what to do. It will all work out, it is just a little ugghhhh at the moment. 

 

I hope you are able to find something that isn't too far away. 🙂 

[Alsmez]

25 minutes ago, seadays4me said:

We are going on the Summit.  They are saying to get to the port at the regular time, but If its bad we may kill some time at the new Costco at the port entrance.  

 

I didn't know there was a new Costco there - might have to drag DH in to check it out. The email we received said to embarkation would take place between 2pm-3:45pm but also said to arrive "on time," so it was a bit ambiguous as to when one should actually plan for arrival. My DH is a nervous traveler so for us, early is better than late, even if it means a bit of extra traffic or waiting around. 

[warmwinds]

I wish seadays4me Post #53 would post the notification he got to get there at the regular time.

 

There is no notice on either the Celebrity or the Royal Caribbean websites about this issue.

[megr1125]

38 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

I wish I had been able to do this! We have arrived at the hotel in Elizabeth and they have no rooms for tomorrow night. We are debating what to do. It will all work out, it is just a little ugghhhh at the moment. 

They may have a cancellation....did you try booking on line just for the heck of it??

[dahirsh]

50 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

I wish I had been able to do this! We have arrived at the hotel in Elizabeth and they have no rooms for tomorrow night. We are debating what to do. It will all work out, it is just a little ugghhhh at the moment. 

 

Good Luck!  I manage a hotel in the area and the whole area is sold out Sat night.  If you have a car I would suggest looking further south maybe Woodbridge possibly as far as Princeton.

[sandebeach]

12 minutes ago, megr1125 said:

They may have a cancellation....did you try booking on line just for the heck of it??

Hilton has not been helpful. I am also a Marriott member, just called them and a lovely young lady found us a room at the Westin in Jersey City. I have no idea what is around there, but at least we have a room for Saturday night!

[megr1125]

10 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Hilton has not been helpful. I am also a Marriott member, just called them and a lovely young lady found us a room at the Westin in Jersey City. I have no idea what is around there, but at least we have a room for Saturday night!

You'll be across from NYC...! Should be ok finding food, etc.

[sandebeach]

Just now, megr1125 said:

You'll be across from NYC...! Should be ok finding food, etc.

Thank you! I needed to smile and you made me smile, thank you. 

[138east]

10 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Hilton has not been helpful. I am also a Marriott member, just called them and a lovely young lady found us a room at the Westin in Jersey City. I have no idea what is around there, but at least we have a room for Saturday night!

The Westin is a great choice.  The Newport area of Jersey City is relatively new with transportation options, restaurants, and a Waterfront promenade.  PATH will take you to 33rd & 6th (Herald Square) for midtown Manhattan.  Getting downtown will be a bit more complicated on the weekend because of PATH track work - Either PATH to Grove St, transfer to World Trade Center train one stop to Exchange Place, and ferry to lower Manhattan for $2.75 pp or light rail to Exchange Place and PATH ferry connection downtown for $5 pp.  Check in early tomorrow and enjoy a day in NYC.

 

Post back if you want more info.

[HardyVA]

3 hours ago, MERIDIAN said:

We are on Celebrity Summit 7 day Bermuda, here's the letter we just received.

 

Royal Caribbean
 
ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS
 
Dear Guest,

 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard Celebrity Summit® for your 7-Night Bermuda Cruise departing this weekend from Port Cape Liberty, New Jersey. Before we board, we have some important information to share with you.

 

Yesterday two guests aboard Anthem of the Seas experienced life-threatening medical emergencies which required Anthem to change course and facilitate medical evacuations.  Both guests are now on shore receiving all required medical care.  However, this change in course will require the Anthem to dock in Cape Liberty the morning of May 19th at the time the Celebrity Summit was originally scheduled to arrive for debarkation.

 

In order to accommodate debarkation and embarkation procedures for both vessels, the Celebrity Summit will now arrive in Port Cape Liberty after Anthem of the Seas.  Embarkation procedures for guests sailing on May 19th have now been scheduled for 2:00 – 3:45 PM. 

 

Please note, seating is limited within the terminal, to avoid standing in long lines please plan on arriving to the Pier on time.  The Celebrity Summit will depart at 5:00 PM.  All guests must be checked in and onboard 60 minutes prior to our scheduled departure.

 

We appreciate your understanding under these unique circumstances. As always, our primary concern is the health and safety of our guests and crew.  Once again, we look forward to welcoming you aboard the Celebrity Summit and providing you an unforgettable vacation.

 

Sincerely,

Celebrity Cruises

What does "plan on arriving on time" mean.

We are booked on Summit on the 19th. We were planning on getting there by 10 as we have the last 4 times. We changed our limo so we'll get there at 11?

[sandebeach]

23 minutes ago, 138east said:

The Westin is a great choice.  The Newport area of Jersey City is relatively new with transportation options, restaurants, and a Waterfront promenade.  PATH will take you to 33rd & 6th (Herald Square) for midtown Manhattan.  Getting downtown will be a bit more complicated on the weekend because of PATH track work - Either PATH to Grove St, transfer to World Trade Center train one stop to Exchange Place, and ferry to lower Manhattan for $2.75 pp or light rail to Exchange Place and PATH ferry connection downtown for $5 pp.  Check in early tomorrow and enjoy a day in NYC.

 

Post back if you want more info.

Thank you so much for sharing that info, that was so thoughtful of you. We are going to check in at the Westin tomorrow and just hang out and chill and see the area around there. Now that we have a place to stay for Saturday night, we are starting to de-stress. We will have a great time on the Anthem, even if it is a short cruise!

[seadays4me]

1 hour ago, warmwinds said:

I wish seadays4me Post #53 would post the notification he got to get there at the regular time.

 

There is no notice on either the Celebrity or the Royal Caribbean websites about this issue.

Dear Guest,

 

We look forward to welcoming you aboard Celebrity Summit® for your 7-Night Bermuda Cruise departing this weekend from Port Cape Liberty, New Jersey. Before we board, we have some important information to share with you.

 

Yesterday two guests aboard Anthem of the Seas experienced life-threatening medical emergencies which required Anthem to change course and facilitate medical evacuations.  Both guests are now on shore receiving all required medical care.  However, this change in course will require the Anthem to dock in Cape Liberty the morning of May 19th at the time the Celebrity Summit was originally scheduled to arrive for debarkation.

 

In order to accommodate debarkation and embarkation procedures for both vessels, the Celebrity Summit will now arrive in Port Cape Liberty after Anthem of the Seas.  Embarkation procedures for guests sailing on May 19th have now been scheduled for 2:00 – 3:45 PM. 

 

Please note, seating is limited within the terminal, to avoid standing in long lines please plan on arriving to the Pier on time.  The Celebrity Summit will depart at 5:00 PM.  All guests must be checked in and onboard 60 minutes prior to our scheduled departure.

 

We appreciate your understanding under these unique circumstances. As always, our primary concern is the health and safety of our guests and crew.  Once again, we look forward to welcoming you aboard the Celebrity Summit and providing you an unforgettable vacation.

 

Sincerely,

Celebrity Cruises

 

My scheduled arrival time according to my Express Pass is 12:00 - 12:30PM.  Usually I ignore that and get there earlier.  For this cruise I plan to get there on my appointment time.  

[seadays4me]

39 minutes ago, HardyVA said:

What does "plan on arriving on time" mean.

We are booked on Summit on the 19th. We were planning on getting there by 10 as we have the last 4 times. We changed our limo so we'll get there at 11?

Look at your Xpress Pass.  What is your arrival appointment Time?  Thats the time they mean.  I think 12:00 - 12:30 PM is the first appointment time.

[ecslady]

49 minutes ago, sandebeach said:

Thank you so much for sharing that info, that was so thoughtful of you. We are going to check in at the Westin tomorrow and just hang out and chill and see the area around there. Now that we have a place to stay for Saturday night, we are starting to de-stress. We will have a great time on the Anthem, even if it is a short cruise!

 

As 138east said, you should be fine and enjoy your unexpected day in NJ/NY. Plus, the weather is supposed to be nice this weekend in the NJ/NYC area. 

Edited May 18, 2019 by ecslady

[Alsmez]

5 minutes ago, seadays4me said:

Look at your Xpress Pass.  What is your arrival appointment Time?  Thats the time they mean.  I think 12:00 - 12:30 PM is the first appointment time.

 

Actually, I think they mean that we should arrive "on time" for the NEW embarkation time, i.e. around 2pm, to avoid overlap with disembarking passengers. The email was very ambiguously worded, though.

[pilotwifey2010]

Can anyone confirm if you get the 25% discount on a future cruise if you cancel completely? We have a 3 and a 1 year old and frankly boarding at 10pm and mustering would be a nightmare. By the time we get them back on schedule it will be time to come home, not to mention it’s supposed to rain in Bermuda on Tuesday. Currently sitting in a hotel in NJ (because we flew in a day early) and thinking this may not even be worth it *sobs*

[CC Help Jenn]

2 minutes ago, pilotwifey2010 said:

Can anyone confirm if you get the 25% discount on a future cruise if you cancel completely? We have a 3 and a 1 year old and frankly boarding at 10pm and mustering would be a nightmare. By the time we get them back on schedule it will be time to come home, not to mention it’s supposed to rain in Bermuda on Tuesday. Currently sitting in a hotel in NJ (because we flew in a day early) and thinking this may not even be worth it *sobs*

 

It doesn’t say. But I would assume not.  I just assumed allowing the full refund was the offer there.   You could call to ask.  

[sandebeach]

4 minutes ago, pilotwifey2010 said:

Can anyone confirm if you get the 25% discount on a future cruise if you cancel completely? We have a 3 and a 1 year old and frankly boarding at 10pm and mustering would be a nightmare. By the time we get them back on schedule it will be time to come home, not to mention it’s supposed to rain in Bermuda on Tuesday. Currently sitting in a hotel in NJ (because we flew in a day early) and thinking this may not even be worth it *sobs*

Rain in Bermuda on Tuesday???!!! I just can’t believe our luck. 

[pbjelly62]

5 minutes ago, pilotwifey2010 said:

Can anyone confirm if you get the 25% discount on a future cruise if you cancel completely? We have a 3 and a 1 year old and frankly boarding at 10pm and mustering would be a nightmare. By the time we get them back on schedule it will be time to come home, not to mention it’s supposed to rain in Bermuda on Tuesday. Currently sitting in a hotel in NJ (because we flew in a day early) and thinking this may not even be worth it *sobs*

I believe the email said a discount of 25% of what you paid for this cruise.

[Turtles06]

13 minutes ago, pilotwifey2010 said:

Can anyone confirm if you get the 25% discount on a future cruise if you cancel completely? We have a 3 and a 1 year old and frankly boarding at 10pm and mustering would be a nightmare. By the time we get them back on schedule it will be time to come home, not to mention it’s supposed to rain in Bermuda on Tuesday. Currently sitting in a hotel in NJ (because we flew in a day early) and thinking this may not even be worth it *sobs*

 

9 minutes ago, CC Help Jenn said:

 

It doesn’t say. But I would assume not.  I just assumed allowing the full refund was the offer there.   You could call to ask.  

 

I would assume not also.  Look at the parts of the letter where RCI discusses what it's going to do financially.  It's in two parts: the first lists what is being given if you go on the cruise; there are a bunch of bullets under that, and one is a future cruise credit in the amount of 25% of your current fare paid.  The second part addresses those who decide to cancel; all that's listed is the 100% refund of your cruise fare  paid (and any pre-purchased items).  I don't think RCI is saying it's going to give folks who cancel 125% of their cruise fare. 

 

Obviously, that's just my reading of the letter.  I would urge anyone who decides to cancel thinking they will still get the 25% future cruise credit to check with RCI before cancelling, if that is critical to your decision.

 

I'm sorry this has happened to all of you, and I hope you can make the best of whatever you decide to do.