Alaska Cruise Port Change

[CruiseWendy]

Morning! We just received an excursion cancellation notice for Sitka on our Quantum of the Seas cruise August 15th. Looks like they are canceling Sitka with Ketchikan, RCCL has yet to notify us but the online system is half way through updating. Question for those this has happened to in the past: How long does it take the online reservation system to update before we can look at and book excursions at the new port?  We've had port changes in the past but it has always occured while on board, not 46 days out.  

[tetleytea]

I would be mad.   Sitka is the reason I book the itinerary.

[ONECRUISER]

 

[CruiseWendy]

7 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

I would be mad.   Sitka is the reason I book the itinerary.

We are a little sad, it was the reason we picked this port and scheduled our helicopter excursion around this port. With all other ports the helicopter excursions are already fully booked.  Also not cruising the passage greatly reduced the purpose of the trip. Can't switch to another cruise as our current room booking are fully sold out. 10 years ago we booked another cruise based on Hubbard Glacier and it got cancelled due to rough seas. So we are used to disappointment but will still make the best of it. 

[rayrdh]

Are you sure that you won't be going to Sitka?  The other recent post about the itinerary change for the August 15th Quantum cruise says that Skagway was being replaced with Ketchikan.  Sitka was being moved to another day, Thursday.  Thinking your excursion was canceled since you will be in Sitka a different day,  but hopefully it will be available the day you are there.  

 

[iuki]

1 hour ago, tetleytea said:

I would be mad.   Sitka is the reason I book the itinerary.

Personally, I like Ketchikan better than Sitka.

[CruiseWendy]

2 hours ago, CruiseWendy said:

Morning! We just received an excursion cancellation notice for Sitka on our Quantum of the Seas cruise August 15th. Looks like they are canceling Sitka with Ketchikan, RCCL has yet to notify us but the online system is half way through updating. Question for those this has happened to in the past: How long does it take the online reservation system to update before we can look at and book excursions at the new port?  We've had port changes in the past but it has always occured while on board, not 46 days out.  

Correction, Skagway was cancelled. 

[kitkat343]

Have you contacted Temsco directly to see if they have any availability for the helicopter excursion in other ports?  We booked that independently on our cruise to Alaska and it was quite easy to handle.  If that's possible, please book the earliest helicopter ride available in the day, because Temsco told me they will try to reschedule you if there are weather issues that cancel your original helicopter slot.  This doesn't help you at all (sorry) but to others reading this thread, they recommended booking the helicopter in Skagway because the weather is more stable there than Juneau.  

 

Please also note this change may not be RC's fault - there was a rock slide which did extensive damage where the ships dock in Skagway, and cruises have been cancelled on Princess too.  I do wonder if Temsco will be able to increase availability in Juneau if passengers can't get to Skagway.

Edited June 30, 2022 by kitkat343

[CruiseWendy]

1 hour ago, kitkat343 said:

Have you contacted Temsco directly to see if they have any availability for the helicopter excursion in other ports?  We booked that independently on our cruise to Alaska and it was quite easy to handle.  If that's possible, please book the earliest helicopter ride available in the day, because Temsco told me they will try to reschedule you if there are weather issues that cancel your original helicopter slot.  This doesn't help you at all (sorry) but to others reading this thread, they recommended booking the helicopter in Skagway because the weather is more stable there than Juneau.  

 

Please also note this change may not be RC's fault - there was a rock slide which did extensive damage where the ships dock in Skagway, and cruises have been cancelled on Princess too.  I do wonder if Temsco will be able to increase availability in Juneau if passengers can't get to Skagway.

Great point, we've been looking at the other ports to see if anything new opens up. Right now everything is booked. We've done the Juneau Helicopter ride 10  years ago and lucked out on a beautiful day so we booked it at Skagway this time to get a different experience. We're also looking at private bookings as well but I assume we'll be competing with other cruise lines.   RCCL reported an engine problem on Quantum as the reason for the reshuffling of the cruise and removal of Daws Glacier cruise day as well. Seem the ship will be on reduced engine speed. 

[kitkat343]

Oh goodness - the crown princess is also having mechanical trouble and having to drop ports!  Who knows what is going on in Alaska this year!  It's such a shame, since Alaska is such a special cruise, and from the east coast a big trip to arrange.  Hope you are able to make it work somehow.  

 

 

1 minute ago, CruiseWendy said:

Great point, we've been looking at the other ports to see if anything new opens up. Right now everything is booked. We've done the Juneau Helicopter ride 10  years ago and lucked out on a beautiful day so we booked it at Skagway this time to get a different experience. We're also looking at private bookings as well but I assume we'll be competing with other cruise lines.   RCCL reported an engine problem on Quantum as the reason for the reshuffling of the cruise and removal of Daws Glacier cruise day as well. Seem the ship will be on reduced engine speed. 

 

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

Oh goodness - the crown princess is also having mechanical trouble and having to drop ports!  Who knows what is going on in Alaska this year!  It's such a shame, since Alaska is such a special cruise, and from the east coast a big trip to arrange.  Hope you are able to make it work somehow.  

 

And the Norwegian Sun hit a small iceberg in heavy fog this week and hand to cancel the cruise in progress, and and next few cruises as they assess and repair the damage. 

[SeattleAl]

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

And the Norwegian Sun hit a small iceberg in heavy fog this week and hand to cancel the cruise in progress, and and next few cruises as they assess and repair the damage. 

Yup!

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/video-cruise-ship-hits-iceberg-off-alaska-coast/23acfc57-a255-4bd6-a6a3-28f829faba20/ 

[MRdawgs8]

Any idea why they decided to close it? We have a cruise booked for next year that includes Sitka.

[deliver42]

The last I heard about the Quantum is that they were waiting for parts that haven't shown up yet. Sounds like they know what's wrong and how to fix it.