jwlane Posted October 17, 2023 #26 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted October 17, 2023 #27 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted October 17, 2023 #28 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo Posted October 17, 2023 #29 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseboy89130 Posted October 17, 2023 #30 Share Posted October 17, 2023 WOW there were only 159 passengers on Rhapsody! Hope they all got a suite 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise a holic Posted October 17, 2023 #31 Share Posted October 17, 2023 Such wonderful news! I am glad I sail on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 17, 2023 #32 Share Posted October 17, 2023 5 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said: WOW there were only 159 passengers on Rhapsody! Hope they all got a suite 😁 159, that's it? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseboy89130 Posted October 17, 2023 #33 Share Posted October 17, 2023 26 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: 159, that's it? Yep ......no chair hogs I guess 😝 No lines at MTD too!😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseboy89130 Posted October 17, 2023 #34 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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 $$$ on the side?🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time4u2go Posted October 17, 2023 #35 Share Posted October 17, 2023 26 minutes ago, cruiseboy89130 said: Why ? Because they make some $$$ on the side?🤔 Agreed. It's not like they are doing this for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPSemprini Posted October 17, 2023 #36 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 17, 2023 #37 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldfish65 Posted October 17, 2023 #38 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoepipes Posted October 17, 2023 #39 Share Posted October 17, 2023 (edited) 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 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPSemprini Posted October 17, 2023 #40 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lane Hog Posted October 17, 2023 #41 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted October 17, 2023 #42 Share Posted October 17, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcur Posted October 17, 2023 #43 Share Posted October 17, 2023 I sooooo appreciate CruiseCritic's ignore function. One of it's best features. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPSemprini Posted October 18, 2023 #44 Share Posted October 18, 2023 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!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 18, 2023 #45 Share Posted October 18, 2023 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipgeeks Posted October 23, 2023 #46 Share Posted October 23, 2023 Any further news? Has she done more trips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetdriver787 Posted October 23, 2023 #47 Share Posted October 23, 2023 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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