Why Is Carnival Shortening Island Time?

[BlueJacketsFan1]

I was just looking at the Destiny Southern Caribbean Cruise and noticed that Carnival has shortened the time at Dominica by 30 minutes, Barbados by 5 hrs. and Aruba by 1 hr. My wife and I have always wished we would have more time to spend in the islands, not less time. We also noticed that on the Triumph Western Caribbean, Carnival shortened the time in Cozumel by 6 hrs. When I first saw this with the Triumph. I thought that in Cozumel it might be because of damage from last years hurricane, but that doesn't explain the Destiny. Has anyone heard why Carnival might be doing this?

[Snoozeman]

I was just looking at the Destiny Southern Caribbean Cruise and noticed that Carnival has shortened the time at Dominica by 30 minutes, Barbados by 5 hrs. and Aruba by 1 hr. My wife and I have always wished we would have more time to spend in the islands, not less time. We also noticed that on the Triumph Western Caribbean, Carnival shortened the time in Cozumel by 6 hrs. When I first saw this with the Triumph. I thought that in Cozumel it might be because of damage from last years hurricane, but that doesn't explain the Destiny. Has anyone heard why Carnival might be doing this?

Could it be so that they would have more sailing time between ports and sail at less than full speed in order to save fuel?

[derf5585]

Could it be damage to the Destiny

 

Destiny broke a propeller

from

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=316539

[GoinCruisin]

Could it be so that they would have more sailing time between ports and sail at less than full speed in order to save fuel?

 

That is what Uncle B said they were looking into doing... I'm surprised they have made it this long without having to make any adjustments...

 

BUT, I'm not sure that is the reason in this case. The time in Cozumel has been shortened for many ships because they can't be there much past sundown... so instead of ships staying until 10 and midnight, they are having to leave much earlier. As for the Destiny, could be due to the propeller issue, really don't know which island the OP is talking about for the Destiny... if it is Coz, it would be the same reason as all the other ships.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

If they are cutting time from the ports to save fuel. I think I would rather pay a little more and keep the extra time in port.

 

As for damage to the Destiny, we are looking at cruises in 2007. I would hope that they would have the ship fixed by then. Plus that doesn't explain the change to the Triumph.

[wanman]

If they are cutting time from the ports to save fuel. I think I would rather pay a little more and keep the extra time in port.

 

Yeah, but would you be willing to pay the extra cost associated with that with higher cruise fares?

[GoinCruisin]

If they are cutting time from the ports to save fuel. I think I would rather pay a little more and keep the extra time in port.

 

As for damage to the Destiny, we are looking at cruises in 2007. I would hope that they would have the ship fixed by then. Plus that doesn't explain the change to the Triumph.

 

They are not talking about shortening the time by very much at all... they are also going to be putting other measures in place so they don't have to drastically raise prices.

 

You say "that doesn't explain the change to the Triumph"... are you still talking about Cozumel???? Cozumel is now a tender port... some schedules were cut by more than 6 hours because they can't stay past sundown...

 

Port changes and time changes happen all the time... If you don't like the itinerary, check out some of the others.

[big_duck]

Triumph - temporary because of the tendering situation in Coz. Lots of ships have been effected by this.

 

Destiny - probably economic, as previously stated to save fuel costs as well as port fees.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

If I say I would rather pay a little more to keep the time in the islands. Than yes, I would pay all cost associated with that. Divided by the 3000+ passagers on the ship. Companies these days are always giving us less of something rather than raising cost. Look at resturants as an example. Portions get smaller to keep the cost the same, but if you leave hungry. Did you get your moneies worth. All I am saying is sometimes it might be better to raise cost a little. We're looking at cruise for late 2007 I would hope Destiny would be repaired by then. Cozumel damaged by the hurricane, should be back to good shape by then also.

 

Destiny ports time shortened by 13%

Triumph Cozumel time shortened by 35%

 

No big Deal

[popcorngal]

From what I hear, it's going to be at least several years before the docks in Coz are rebuilt, thus allowing ships to stay there later in the evening. The devastation to the Carnival dock was complete. The same would hold true for any ship of any cruiseline. If there's no dockage available, it's simply too dangerous to stay and tender people much past sunset.

 

Check out my pictures from our Miracle cruise. We got some amazing though very sad pics of what the docks look like now. Very sad indeed...

 

BTW, BlueJacketsFan1, is it the Columbus Blue Jackets you're a fan of??

[habby]

Shortened port times for the Destiny have nothing to do with the problems this weekend. Not sure when it went into effect but when we booked last fall the times had already been changed on the website.

 

As far as Barbados and not staying later, I think Canirval was finding that a very large majority of passengers were back on board by six o'clock anyway. And I heard something about extra port charges after six.

[BlueJacketsFan1]

Yes, BlueJacketsFan1 is for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. So please no comments about the team. We're not the best, but were not in last place. We in 27th out of 30 team. Hey we're trying for that number 1 draft pick again.

[GoinCruisin]

If I say I would rather pay a little more to keep the time in the islands. Than yes, I would pay all cost associated with that. Divided by the 3000+ passagers on the ship. Companies these days are always giving us less of something rather than raising cost. Look at resturants as an example. Portions get smaller to keep the cost the same, but if you leave hungry. Did you get your moneies worth. All I am saying is sometimes it might be better to raise cost a little. We're looking at cruise for late 2007 I would hope Destiny would be repaired by then. Cozumel damaged by the hurricane, should be back to good shape by then also.

 

Destiny ports time shortened by 13%

Triumph Cozumel time shortened by 35%

 

No big Deal

 

Do you realize how much fuel a ship actually uses?? And how much higher gas is now than it was a few years ago? We are not talking about raising prices just "a little"

 

That being said,... you keep talking about Cozumel... this has NOTHING to do with Carnival... NADA. Until the piers are rebuilt, the ships will be leaving early... has nothing to do with fuel at all. It has everything to do with the disaster that occurred there.

 

Carnival will do everything they can to not take away from the experience, I'm sure... but if they reduce speed just a little, it could really save alot of money in fuel costs... by reducing the speed a little, you might lose a little time in port, but not much. I have no idea what the issue is with the Destiny... they may have just decided to change the port time, it could have something to do with the Port itself... there is no telling. Right now, I don't think they have made any changes because of the fuel... it was just mentioned a week ago, and nothing concrete about what they intended to do or when it would take place. Ports change, times change... happens quite often.

[derf5585]

Do you realize how much fuel a ship actually uses??

 

The ship’s fuel oil tank capacity of 4,381.4 tonnes is sufficient for 10 days’ sailing at 32.5 knots, equalling 7,800 miles

from

http://www.cunardline.com/news/default.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=4857&Active=News

 

I wonder when the Captains pulls up to the pump to fill her up with high test and don't forget the green stamps, if he hands them his credit card

[GoinCruisin]

The ship’s fuel oil tank capacity of 4,381.4 tonnes is sufficient for 10 days’ sailing at 32.5 knots, equalling 7,800 miles

from

http://www.cunardline.com/news/default.asp?Cat=&View=ViewArticle&Mode=News&ContentID=4857&Active=News

 

I wonder when the Captains pulls up to the pump to fill her up with high test and don't forget the green stamps, if he hands them his credit card

 

LMAO, and I've been complaining about filling up my 12 gallon tank :p

[serene56]

For the Destiny that Barbados change has been for some time now.

 

We booked the Destiny because of late ports--- I would love to try that. but barbados is now 6.. I never noticed the 30 minutes off dominca or the hour in Aruba, (looks the same to me)

[popcorngal]

Yes, BlueJacketsFan1 is for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. So please no comments about the team. We're not the best, but were not in last place. We in 27th out of 30 team. Hey we're trying for that number 1 draft pick again.

 

Did you happen to notice where I live? I'm 30 minutes from Columbus, so the name caught my attention since I'm a Blue Jackets fan too! Go Bucks as well!

 

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread...

[sdirector77]

I guess it means more time to suffer on my aft balcony on the Destiny April 30th.

[MamaParrotHead]

on an unrelated matter, and asked him about Cozumel. He said all the emails he has been receiving are indicating that Carnival is going to be bringing more ships into port, ramping up to them having the pier finished. I asked him if he thought it would be done by the time our cruise sailed 4/07 (not that it makes much difference one way or the other to me, but who wouldn't like 6 more hours of port time?) and he said, "most definately, yes". Now obviously he isn't on the on-site repair crew, but that's what he's been lead to believe. Take it or leave it. ;) Just thought I'd pass it on.

[salty dingo]

If we were talking about being in port from 11:00 to 4:00 pm, then that is too short and I would gladly pay my share of the extra fuel cost to have 8 hours in port.

 

If we were talking about the difference between 7 hours and 8 hours in port, I don't think that would matter too much.

 

I wish Carnival would focus on giving us the best port experience possible, and then charging whatever the cost is to do that. I am not going to travel on a cruise with a bad port schedule even if it is only $50 a day.

[kytten_kat]

Some see the ship as just a means of getting some where and others see the ports as "Langiape" ... something a little more ...

[tef43]

Y'all are missing the point on the *real* reason.

 

The ship makes far more money at sea with the casino fully functional, and a "captive audience." :rolleyes:

[jenson123]

Hello All-

 

I actually called Carnival concerning this we are leaving on the Valor on April 02, 2006. We were originally supposed to go to Cozumel and then it was switched to Costa Maya instead. The switch is fine with me but the rep from Carnival that I spoke to stated that some ships are still visiting Cozumel, and are leaving earlier because of electricity and violence issues, He stated that there are parts of the city that are still without power. This does not pose a threat during the day but at night, he said that the violence is bad because of it.

 

I hope this helps some!

 

Thanks,

 

John

[kodiac]

Hello All-

 

I actually called Carnival concerning this we are leaving on the Valor on April 02, 2006. We were originally supposed to go to Cozumel and then it was switched to Costa Maya instead. The switch is fine with me but the rep from Carnival that I spoke to stated that some ships are still visiting Cozumel, and are leaving earlier because of electricity and violence issues, He stated that there are parts of the city that are still without power. This does not pose a threat during the day but at night, he said that the violence is bad because of it.

 

I hope this helps some!

 

Thanks,

 

John

 

Not having electric while trying to rebuild from a hurricane just plain out stinks. We went through three of these in Florida just two hurricane seasons ago. I can imagine how stressed out people get after 2 weeks without power - 4 months waiting in lines for gas, and 12 months without a roof.

[dck12ga]

I think that you should remember that we have another hurricane season before 2007 comes around so if it is as bad as last years season, we might not have peirs for a couple of more years!:eek: