Anthem Delay - the Latest

[billslowsky]

3 hours ago, bjlaac said:

I hope one day you pull up to a pier after waiting as long as a year with anticipation and told you should be checking the phone and we don’t know when we are sailing.  Better yet I hope they tell you go home and come back tomorrow. And tomorrow I hope they tell you to come back tomorrow night abd tomorriw night I hope they tell you to come back on Monday and the day after I hope they tell you to come today if you feel like it 

 

I hope that makes your life more fulfilled.

[reallyitsmema]

On 2/8/2020 at 5:43 PM, Jedge said:

 

15 minutes ago, ed01106 said:

Total BS saying this was a decision of CDC.  RCL went out of its way to repeatedly state that the decision to delay the sailing was 100% their choice and all relevant health and governmental agencies had cleared the ship to depart and sail on the original schedule.

 

I happen to be of the opinion that the delay was the correct choice, but the choice was 100% on them, whether you agree with the choice or not.  Stating that CDC was to blame for the delay is nonsensical.

 

The above update says they were waiting on results.  

[ed01106]

2 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

 

The above update says they were waiting on results.  

But that was RCLs choice.  I happen to think they made the right choice. But the choice was RCLs not imposed on them by CDC.  

[reallyitsmema]

19 minutes ago, ed01106 said:

But that was RCLs choice.  I happen to think they made the right choice. But the choice was RCLs not imposed on them by CDC.  

 

I said from the beginning that the CDC was in control of the information flow, I never said it was imposed on them by the CDC.  Royal Caribbean wanted to wait for all the results and did, I have not said differently.

[Big_G]

37 minutes ago, ed01106 said:

Total BS saying this was a decision of CDC.  RCL went out of its way to repeatedly state that the decision to delay the sailing was 100% their choice and all relevant health and governmental agencies had cleared the ship to depart and sail on the original schedule.

 

I happen to be of the opinion that the delay was the correct choice, but the choice was 100% on them, whether you agree with the choice or not.  Stating that CDC was to blame for the delay is nonsensical.

 

Actually @reallyitsmema never blamed the CDC. There's really no blame to be had. It appears that out of an abundance of caution Royal decided to delay sailing until they received the CDC results of which they had no control. I think you two are on the same page that Royal did the right thing but you're just misinterpreting they're point.

[ed01106]

Just now, reallyitsmema said:

 

I said from the beginning that the CDC was in control of the information flow, I never said it was imposed on them by the CDC.  Royal Caribbean wanted to wait for all the results and did, I have not said differently.

Once again completely false.  RCL was in control of the information flow.  CDC did not communicate with the passengers, RCL was the one communicating with passengers and frequently changing things.  The only thing the CDC was conducting the tests.

[ed01106]

2 minutes ago, Big_G said:

 

Actually @reallyitsmema never blamed the CDC. There's really no blame to be had. It appears that out of an abundance of caution Royal decided to delay sailing until they received the CDC results of which they had no control. I think you two are on the same page that Royal did the right thing but you're just misinterpreting they're point.

I think RCL did the right thing in delaying the cruise.  I think they did the wrong thing in taking so long to do so.  And in their piss poor communications.  

[reallyitsmema]

6 minutes ago, ed01106 said:

Once again completely false.  RCL was in control of the information flow.  CDC did not communicate with the passengers, RCL was the one communicating with passengers and frequently changing things.  The only thing the CDC was conducting the tests.

 

Not going to play words games with you.  You continue to try to manipulate what I have said.  

[gatour]

4 hours ago, bjlaac said:

You really are a cheerleader or completely blind. No one but RCL was calling the shots after Friday.  No one but RCL chose not to sail.  Your argument is like saying the lobster delivery was not available on Friday  so the food vendor decided when RCL should sail  
 

Give all of us who lost out on a vacation some slack.  I hope one day you pull up to a pier after waiting as long as a year with anticipation and told you should be checking the phone and we don’t know when we are sailing.  Better yet I hope they tell you go home and come back tomorrow. And tomorrow I hope they tell you to come back tomorrow night abd tomorriw night I hope they tell you to come back on Monday and the day after I hope they tell you to come today if you feel like it 

I am sorry for your difficulties.

 

As others have said, although CDC gave clearance for the ship to sail. However RCCL decided to take into account concerns that embarking passengers may have in regards to the prior cruisers.  RCCL decided to wait until the CDC test came back for the prior cruisers in question.  The CDC gave RCCL and estimated time frame for the results to come back.  Based on that time frame RCCL decided to let people know that the ship would start embarking on Monday and sailing on Monday.

 

The CDC were able complete the tests early.  RCCL decided to let people to start boarding on Sunday.

 

RCCL had now way to know how conservative the estimated CDC turnaround would be.  And in defense of CDC, they had now way to know if they would suddenly be inundated with other cases. 

[Iamcruzin]

 What's done is done and it really doesn't matter who called the shots. If you are unhappy with Royal Caribbean and their decision  then take your business elsewhere. From my experience on CC boards those who complain continue to support the line and one day come back and ask if they should take a solo cruise in a suite to reach  the top tier for the up coming cruise.  

Edited February 14, 2020 by Iamcruzin

[mayleeman]

12 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

If you are unhappy with Royal Caribbean and their decision  then take your business elsewhere.

Yes, as he says--PLEASE take it elsewhere!

Edited February 14, 2020 by mayleeman

[CDNCRUIZR]

We just got home after our Anthem cruise. We had a great time and enjoyed our shorter Bermuda cruise. We enjoyed visiting Manhattan since we wanted to take make the best of the situation since we were staying in Jersey City that RC booked for us and paid for. RC provided coach transportation from the port and to hotel. RC sent another coach for us to bring us to the pier after missing it on Sunday since we were gone visiting Manhattan and had not seen the email saying we could board on Sunday instead of Monday like we originally thought. It was a good cruise with a lot less cruisers so not much waiting for elevators, shorter lines at venues and no real problems finding a table during peak hours in Windjammer. It was quite a change compared to our last cruise on Anthem a few years ago on a full ship. People were positive and happy we were departing and the crew was really great. Everyone on the cruise that we spoke to seemed happy with their decision to show up on Sunday or Monday to board the ship. 

[psternklar]

We just got off of this cruise as well. Very enjoyable, fantastic crew! I believe Royal did the best they could under the circumstances.


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[Jedge]

As the OP, I figured I would leave my final take on this cruise. The cruise didn't end up being worth it FOR US. Everyone is different and has different expectations. As mentioned before, I was traveling with a toddler and pregnant wife. My son loves the water. He was not able to swim on the ship due to the cold weather to and from Bermuda and the ships no swim policy for swim diapers. The baby splash area (which was a huge joke) was outdoors and closed all but the days we were in Bermuda. Obviously, it was not needed while we were on the island. Bermuda was beautiful. my wife and I said we would visit again under different circumstances and probably during summer months. its easy for some of you that weren't there to say "you had great weather in Bermuda, what more could you ask for." Like I said, sure, Bermuda was beautiful, but that was 36 hours of what was planned as an 8 day cruise. This cruise just wasn't our idea of a good trip. If you are someone that likes the casino, nightly shows, Bingo, etc. then yes, this was a cheap 5 day cruise that still had all of those indoor offerings. 

 

I know I will get some replies about Royal Caribbean not having any control over a virus, or weather. Some will say give it a rest. That is all fine. I am just giving my final take on the thread that I started. 

 

I do challenge the posters that are critical of us that were on the trip to go back and read the concerns we had. No one blamed Royal Caribbean for a virus scare. It was communication, or lack thereof. Some were shuttled to a hotel with RCCL staff and given a hotel. How did they arrive to the port? By RCCL ground transfers? Not everyone got there the same way and had things communicated the same way.

 

Some will say, you were in the biggest city in the USA, I wouldn't call it stranded. Have you thought of everyone's personal circumstances or just your own? Maybe you can get an Uber and go to the empire state building or do whatever else NYC has to offer. Have you thought about what others can and cannot do? Whether its fear of an unknown city? family situations? a handicap that makes catching a ride more of an obstacle?

 

My last thought: I didn't write this looking for some fix on the cruise critic boards. I wrote this to touch on how our trip ended up being. In summary, it wasn't for us. We probably should have flown home and tried again down the road. The rest of the post wasn't written to share my complaints. Not everything I listed was even an issue I had to deal with. I'm simply saying that if we were asked to bare with the cruise line for unexpected circumstances, then the rest of you that didn't deal with a ruined vacation bare with us as we air our concerns. A lot of us had planned on this for over a years time. Not all of us get to go 6 times a year. I am just saying, think of others and how it may have affected them. Not just with this sailing, but any sailing that may encounter a similar situation. I look forward to contributing more to the boards as my young family and I continue to see the world. We were disappointed in this cruise but will not be deterred from cruising again. Have a great day and happy cruising!

[marci22]

Thanks for the updatee. Hope you can use your FCC on another cruise. Just a note: babies under 6 months cannot cruise and under one year not more than 3 sea days in a row. If you find you cannot use your FCC within the time constraints listed I would call and discuss. Since you have a valid reason I hope that RC can extend the limits of your FCC.

 

Glad you enjoyed Bermuda;  too bad about the weather going down. I know what it's like going down to Bermuda when they close off the doors and you can't go outside. Hopefully you feel a little better with the partial refund and FCC.

[marci22]

39 minutes ago, Jedge said:

Some will say, you were in the biggest city in the USA, I wouldn't call it stranded. Have you thought of everyone's personal circumstances or just your own? Maybe you can get an Uber and go to the empire state building or do whatever else NYC has to offer. Have you thought about what others can and cannot do? Whether its fear of an unknown city? family situations? a handicap that makes catching a ride more of an obstacle?

I wouldn't take any posts personally. Yes, everyone is different. Still, EWR is not in the middle of nowhere. If someone posts that, they are going to get feedback. A more helpful post would be, 'hey guys I am stuck at a hotel near EWR, any suggestions for me with these parameters?' etc.

 

I think that there was a lot of anxiety and disappointment for everyone on this cruise. People tried to help. Forums give you lots of opinions, some that help you, some that help others, some you can just skip over. Best thing to do is take what's useful to you and disregard the rest. 

 

I'm sure your thread was helpful to others in various ways. 

[molly361]

So if you go to the port and get denied boarding for whatever reason I wonder how you get your luggage back since you most likely had already dropped your bag or bags off with a porter??

[Jedge]

16 minutes ago, marci22 said:

I wouldn't take any posts personally.

Oh, I don't take it personally. I simply was just saying that others shouldn't be negative immediately. I'm not personally bothered by any of the posts here at all. I may have been irritated as the events unfolded, but now I'm not bothered by comments. I know what all we were able to do and not do and that is all that matters to me. 

 

8 minutes ago, molly361 said:

So if you go to the port and get denied boarding for whatever reason I wonder how you get your luggage back since you most likely had already dropped your bag or bags off with a porter??

Bags were not dropped with porters. People were passing out the papers and advising us of no boarding before the start of the drop off loop at Cape Liberty. No luggage issues thankfully. 

[molly361]

2 minutes ago, Jedge said:

Oh, I don't take it personally. I simply was just saying that others shouldn't be negative immediately. I'm not personally bothered by any of the posts here at all. I may have been irritated as the events unfolded, but now I'm not bothered by comments. I know what all we were able to do and not do and that is all that matters to me. 

 

Bags were not dropped with porters. People were passing out the papers and advising us of no boarding before the start of the drop off loop at Cape Liberty. No luggage issues thankfully. 

That's good but I was wondering how it would work IF the bags were dropped off.  Say someone is cruising in the next couple of weeks and at check in they say they were sick and get denied boarding

[Jedge]

3 minutes ago, molly361 said:

That's good but I was wondering how it would work IF the bags were dropped off.  Say someone is cruising in the next couple of weeks and at check in they say they were sick and get denied boarding

Okay! I misunderstood what you were asking. That is a good question, but I just can't imagine someone getting denied boarding unless they went out of their way to do so. Even with health and safety being a top priority on our sailing, they simply asked if we had felt sick or had been to China in the last 15 days. A verbal 'No" was all that was needed and we were sent on our way.

[bobmacliberty]

Thanks for following up.  Too bad it didn't work out better for you.  I remember those days...I'm sure that you and your wife could have used a more relaxing getaway.

[kidz_rn]

Yes, definitely consider cruising to Bermuda again in the warmer weather.  RC has repositioned Empress OTS from Cuba to Bayonne for Bermuda cruises, and -- because it is a much smaller ship than Anthem -- it visits St George (on the other side of the island chain) as well as King's Wharf, which all other cruise lines abandoned years ago because their newer, behemoth ships can't fit through "the cut" to get there.

[CoolNickname]

On 2/13/2020 at 6:48 PM, reallyitsmema said:

 

If people weren't checking their phones for information, that is foolish.  

 

 

This is true although I can somewhat understand if this is your first time cruising you might not know about keeping watch. At least they have the app now. Surely it provides a noisy notification and pop up.