Rhapsody of the Seas chartered by US for Citizen Evac from Haifa to Cyprus.

[jwlane]

13 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

That doesn't mean they can't waive that fee.

Correct, and they have in the past---AFTER the fact.  They can't arbitraily break the law without going thru proper protocol.

[Tatka]

10 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

This should be free and paid by the US Government.

No, it’s not free usually. 
Loans are provided.

As much as we want it to be free.. if we expect government to evacuate us from dangerous places.. government will oversee where we are going. Do you want this? 

[Tatka]

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

They better be getting paid.  This IS a war zone.

Israel pretty often becomes a war zone. Don’t get me wrong I have family and friends there, but… Loans are fine. 

[Jimbo]

9 hours ago, little britain said:

Why can’t this news source spell Cyprus 🇨🇾? 
 

What itinerary was RH doing to be redeployed?

Travel Alert

Last Updated October 12, 2023 - 9:30 AM ET

 

Rhapsody of the Seas: 2023 Sailings from Haifa

We’ve been closely monitoring the geopolitical situation in Israel. With your safety and well-being in mind, and in conjunction with our Global Security Department, we've decided that we must cancel our upcoming Rhapsody of the Seas 2023 sailings:

• Monday, October 9th
• Friday, October 13th
• Wednesday, October 18th
• Monday, October 23rd
• Friday, October 27th
• Wednesday, November 1st
• Monday, November 6th

We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we’re truly sorry for this disappointing news. Below, is information about next steps and options available to you.

Compensation

• A 100% refund, including taxes and fees, pre-paid packages and gratuities, amenities, shore excursions, any flights purchased through Royal Caribbean, and pre-purchased Royal Caribbean Travel Protection.
• You’ll receive the refund to your payment on file within 14 business days. Please note, some banking institutions may take longer.
• If you used a Future Cruise Credit on this sailing, we’ll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we’ll reinstate your original certificate.

Flights

• If you booked directly with Air2Sea, it will be automatically refunded to you.
• However, if you booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. And again, we apologize for this cancellation and any inconvenience caused by this.

[cruiseboy89130]

WOW there were only 159 passengers on Rhapsody!

Hope they all got a suite 😁

[Cruise a holic]

Such wonderful news!  I am glad I sail on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity!

 

[smokeybandit]

5 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

WOW there were only 159 passengers on Rhapsody!

Hope they all got a suite 😁

159, that's it?

[cruiseboy89130]

26 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

159, that's it?

Yep ......no chair hogs I guess 😝

No lines at MTD too!😁

[cruiseboy89130]

2 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Such wonderful news!  I am glad I sail on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity!

 

Why ? Because they make some $$$ on the side?🤔

[time4u2go]

26 minutes ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Why ? Because they make some $$$ on the side?🤔

Agreed.  It's not like they are doing this for free.

[JPSemprini]

Not to forget the gravity of the situation but I am really curious about the logistics of this operation and just what type of amenities these passengers have access to.  I am sure that food would be available in the WJ and probably the MDR, but what about specialty dining restaurants and cocktails?  I know that the journey doesn’t last more than a half day or so, but I am sure that some of the passengers will be happy to be able to just take a shower or lie down in a real bed, or yeah, maybe a dip in the pool.  Pray tell, do you think the casino is open? 

 

Sure, Royal is recouping some of the money of an otherwise idled ship until she returns to the Caribbean.  I also wonder if there will be more than just one trip out of Israel during the meantime.  Certainly there is the potential of some goodwill rubbing off on some of these evacuees. 

[smokeybandit]

29 minutes ago, JPSemprini said:

Not to forget the gravity of the situation but I am really curious about the logistics of this operation and just what type of amenities these passengers have access to.  I am sure that food would be available in the WJ and probably the MDR, but what about specialty dining restaurants and cocktails?  I know that the journey doesn’t last more than a half day or so, but I am sure that some of the passengers will be happy to be able to just take a shower or lie down in a real bed, or yeah, maybe a dip in the pool.  Pray tell, do you think the casino is open? 

 

Sure, Royal is recouping some of the money of an otherwise idled ship until she returns to the Caribbean.  I also wonder if there will be more than just one trip out of Israel during the meantime.  Certainly there is the potential of some goodwill rubbing off on some of these evacuees. 

If there's only a few hundred people on board, they may well just have one venue open for meals.

[goldfish65]

I suspect that various amenities are not offered or desired, an evacuation such that it is and Americans grateful for having a way to get out. 

[zoepipes]

23 hours ago, voyager70 said:

There’s no rhyme or reason what the US government will or won’t pay for. I say this as an American.

 

Our friends were part of a group that was rescued by FL Rep. Cory Mills.  He personally flew in and got them out of Israel to Jordan where they had to spend some time before they were able to get flights home.  I'm not sure how he did it, but our friends were told by Rep. Mills that all their expenses (hotel, flights) were covered.   He is what I would consider a hero.   Before he got them out, the government, who was dragging its feet, was telling them they would ultimately be responsible for the cost of their repatriation.  

Edited October 17, 2023 by zoepipes

[JPSemprini]

I guess I missed the point about there being only 159.  But I still am curious about the specifics.  I did just read an article that said that Rhapsody was just the first vessel (as if more were expected). I also suspect most amenities weren't offered but I still wonder which ones were.

[Lane Hog]

2 hours ago, zoepipes said:

Our friends were part of a group that was rescued by FL Rep. Cory Mills.  He personally flew in and got them out of Israel to Jordan where they had to spend some time before they were able to get flights home.  I'm not sure how he did it, but our friends were told by Rep. Mills that all their expenses (hotel, flights) were covered.   He is what I would consider a hero.   Before he got them out, the government, who was dragging its feet, was telling them they would ultimately be responsible for the cost of their repatriation.  

 

Desantis authorized evacuation flights paid for by the State of Florida.

[broberts]

1 hour ago, Lane Hog said:

Obviously, 159 people wasn't very high demand, either.

 

Don't presume that the number on the first voyage comprised everyone that wished to go. Having to reach Haifa in time was certainly a limiting factor. I understand there at least four more voyages planned.

[pcur]

I sooooo appreciate CruiseCritic's ignore function.  One of it's best features.

[JPSemprini]

According to the only on-board account I have seen so far  https://jweekly.com/2023/10/17/on-board-a-massive-cruise-ship-americans-escape-israel-to-cyprus-and-parts-unknown/  the cost for the voyage is estimated between $300-500. 

 

So the Windjammer was open, of course, and Rhapsody has a live-in rabbi during its Israeli season to make sure kosher meals were available.  "Standard entertainment"--a reggae band by the pool and movies were provided and the gift shop was open.  (No word about the casino!)

 

 

[smokeybandit]

2 hours ago, JPSemprini said:

According to the only on-board account I have seen so far  https://jweekly.com/2023/10/17/on-board-a-massive-cruise-ship-americans-escape-israel-to-cyprus-and-parts-unknown/  the cost for the voyage is estimated between $300-500. 

 

So the Windjammer was open, of course, and Rhapsody has a live-in rabbi during its Israeli season to make sure kosher meals were available.  "Standard entertainment"--a reggae band by the pool and movies were provided and the gift shop was open.  (No word about the casino!)

 

 

Wifi was down though.

[shipgeeks]

Any further news?  Has she done more trips?

[Jetdriver787]

29 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

Any further news?  Has she done more trips?

The ship has only done the one trip to Haifa. For the most part she has sat at anchor just off the port of Limassol Cyprus, with occasional forays outside of territorial waters to the Southwest of the Island. Presumably to do whatever requires you to do it outside of territorial waters?