No Info From Princess Yet on Future Star Cruises

[custompcsys]

Hi Folks,

 

Just to possibly save folks some time, I talked to a Princess rep this morning about my 6/14 baltic cruise on the Star. As I thought I would, I spent about 15 minutes on hold before talking to someone, which I completely understand. Their "official" position is still that the only cruise that is canceled as of now is the 3/26 sailing. She said the damage has yet to be fully assessed and they will know more once that is done.

 

Before we were done, she added that she felt "we should be ok" for a June sailing. I can only hope that comes from updates they have that they are not yet allowed to give out and not just being optimistic! :( I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[ddpe]

Thank you for starting this post. I am so sorry for the people who had to experience this unfortunate incident that I hated to ask, but

 

Please, can anyone who hears anything from Princess or their travel agent please post here and let us know what is being said. My husband and I had plans for the April 2 cruise. We would like to begin making alternate plans because this is the only week we can take off. Unfortunately, I did something I think I will pay for dearly, I booked with travelocity instead of my TA because of haste. I said, as long as I have insurance, what does it matter. Now I am fearful that travelocity will give me the run around. Their cruise specialist yesterday claimed she didn't know about any fire on the Star.

 

Thanks in advance for any updates.

[Toto2Kansas]

The news is reporting this AM that 150 cabins were damaged in the fire. Not necessarily burnt, but damaged. I would venture to guess it is going to take awhile to get the Star back into shape and I wouldn't be expecting it to be in the next few weeks at all. A few months maybe, but not weeks. The investigation alone will probably take some time.

 

Sorry for all those who could possibly have their well planned vacation cancelled. :(

[ocngypz]

Princess is faxing updates to agents as updates are made.

[Jolimont]

I think cabins can be removed and replaced like legos, at least that's how they do it when they build the ship in the first place. Cabins are standard and built completely before they are placed in the ship and hooked to plumbing and electrical. Hopefully this will allow the Star to be back into action quickly. I'd love to know exactly how they do that actually.

[Allston29]

I too booked with online agency and they were helpful when I called yeaterday. They said Princess would contact directly when the assessmet had been made. You really have the same options online as TA. You don't get the money back until Princess actually cancels your cruise (no matter what insurance you have) and then you have to book again. If it happens it is recommended to call alternative cruise company's directly as they can confirm you there and then. booked on the Star 4/9 and though hopeful also realistic :)

[hugger]

all of the passenger's on board the Star this week. I don't even want to imagine what they are going through.

 

We to are booked on the April 2nd sailing of the Star. I wish they'd let us know what is going on so that plans can be made.

 

On the one hand I think they may be able to go. Then I read the reports and think no way can they be ready by then. It's not as if we can go much later either as the Star is to sail the Baltic's.

 

I guess we must just wait until we hear from Princess. Hopefully, today.

 

At this point I'm just concerned that they take care of the passenger's who are injured and onboard. My thoughts and prayer's go out to the family of the man who died.

[walsky]

Hi Folks,

 

Just to possibly save folks some time, I talked to a Princess rep this morning about my 6/14 baltic cruise on the Star. As I thought I would, I spent about 15 minutes on hold before talking to someone, which I completely understand. Their "official" position is still that the only cruise that is canceled as of now is the 3/26 sailing. She said the damage has yet to be fully assessed and they will know more once that is done.

 

Before we were done, she added that she felt "we should be ok" for a June sailing. I can only hope that comes from updates they have that they are not yet allowed to give out and not just being optimistic! :( I'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

Thank you for the feedback. Wish you the best on your June sailing:rolleyes:

[thisislou]

My 2 cents:

They can cut a ship in half and add a whole new section to it in a month or so.

Since the damage seems to be isolated to 100+ room, they could feasibly continue with cruises eliminating those rooms while they wait for parts which will probable be the longest lead time.

 

Lou

[Kerry&LuAnn]

We can assume that Princess is just as anxious as passengers to get this ship back on schedule again to keep the revenue coming in. It's not just the repairs that need to be done, but the whole investigation will no doubt slow the process.

[cruisingmen]

We're on the April 2nd sailing too. Last night, Princess would only confirm that the 3/26 sailing was cancelled and they did not have a timeline as to when they would make the decision on the April 2 sailing. He then asked me if I had seen the pictures. I said that I had, and he said to use common sense based on seeing the pictures. Probably his own opinion, but he was suggesting that the April 2 sailing would likely be cancelled. He did say that if we cancelled before they "officially" cancelled, we would lose all of our money (7 people, 3 balcony cabins....can't afford to walk away from that kind of money!!!!). However, if they did cancel, we'd get a full refund, plus 25% toward a future cruise, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Hope they make a decision soon, because other options are disappearing quickly. He did confirm that all Princess cruises in April were now waitlisted.

[BILLP1]

I can't imagine that they have a 150 cabins sitting some where waiting to be installed much less a facility to do the work . There is probably a lot of electrial damage done that would need to be repaired.

This will probably take some time and hopefully they will be able to start giving future passangers some type of time line that they expect the ship to return to service.

[cloveygrl]

This picture I have in my head of cruise ships being built out of legos is making me giggle.

 

I think cabins can be removed and replaced like legos, at least that's how they do it when they build the ship in the first place. Cabins are standard and built completely before they are placed in the ship and hooked to plumbing and electrical. Hopefully this will allow the Star to be back into action quickly. I'd love to know exactly how they do that actually.

[krisandchris]

If you ask me this is just crazy... Give us some info, suck up your losses and let us move on with our lives. I want to be able to make our alternate arrangements. If it is going to be cutting it close just cancel them. That is the right thing to do. These are peoples vacations we are talking about here. Plus I am not impressed at all with the people who were on board when this happened ONLY getting a refund and 25 percent credit. They deserve a lot more then that. I am scheduled for April 23rd. I was scheduled on a ship that was nicely intact. If the ship becomes disarmed I should be able to cancel. The part of the deal on their end changed. So this business of we can work around those cabins or whatever is bull. I don't feel safe sailing on a ship with a hole in it nor do I want to sail on a ship that looks like that. I deserve a refund.

[MrsFops&FopsC5]

One thing that Star cruisers have going in our favor. The rooms are indeed "pods"...What's being built right now on the same structure but the Crown. The old addage "Rob Peter to Pay Paul". If they have any "Pods" sitting around that have not been installed you can bet they have already thought about loading those puppies up and getting them over the pond. They can work on other areas of the Crown while they are having more Pods built and not be put back on the deployment date.

 

So let's keep our fingers crossed. We are on the 4/23 sailing and I'm going to be optimistic, that everything will work out.

 

We need to keep all the passengers on the 3/19 sailing in our thoughts and prayers.

 

Anita

[Host Caroline]

Whatever compensation Princess offers for those on future affected sailings (or accommodation, or offer to put you on another ship) you need to wait for Princess to get that compensation package together!!! If you jump the gun you may get less than you bargained for.. We were on a cruise that was cancelled as we sat at port ready to leave in the '90s -- a 10 nighter -- and they were very generous but it took a few days to get it all squared away. With this tragic event to deal with on top of the current and future displaced passengers, all I can say is that they WILL contact you and I would try and sit on my hands and not dial the phone until at least next week??? Your TA's will be getting faxes etc as well... and will be just as anxious to tell you what the options are as you will be to hear them.. as a former TA I can guarantee that!

[swooldri]

He did confirm that all Princess cruises in April were now waitlisted.

 

 

FYI, not ALL Princess Cruises in April are wait listed. We are on the 4/19 Regal sailing and it has plenty of unbooked cabins.

[bdjam]

If you ask me this is just crazy... Give us some info, suck up your losses and let us move on with our lives. I want to be able to make our alternate arrangements. If it is going to be cutting it close just cancel them. That is the right thing to do. These are peoples vacations we are talking about here. Plus I am not impressed at all with the people who were on board when this happened ONLY getting a refund and 25 percent credit. They deserve a lot more then that. I am scheduled for April 23rd. I was scheduled on a ship that was nicely intact. If the ship becomes disarmed I should be able to cancel. The part of the deal on their end changed. So this business of we can work around those cabins or whatever is bull. I don't feel safe sailing on a ship with a hole in it nor do I want to sail on a ship that looks like that. I deserve a refund.

Wow – a full refund and a 25% credit on a future cruise for those on board isn’t enough? What exactly would be equitable?

If people are unwilling to wait to let Princess tell them when Star Princess will be ready to sail, they should inquire about canceling their cruise now.

It has been suggested (via Cruise News Daily – www.cruisenewsdaily.com ) that Star Princess can probably sail without the affected cabins being totally repaired…those in the cabins would of course need to be re-accommodated.

[sultan_sfo]

I fully agree with you. The cruise tney were on was ruined and 7-hours in Muster Area certainly was not a picnic. So the full refund would barely compensate for that. Plius many take time-off and have spent time planning and booking this ruined vacation. 25% credit toward a future Princess cruise is a pittance. I believe a FREE future cruise would be appropriate. And Princess Cruise Line carries Insurance -- so it would not come out of Princess's hide. I expect the Princess supporters will feel that even 25% is very generous and will turn this thread to a discussion on compensation! /Sultan

 

 

Partial Quote:

... Plus I am not impressed at all with the people who were on board when this happened ONLY getting a refund and 25 percent credit. They deserve a lot more then that. ... I deserve a refund.

[bdjam]

As a Princess supporter, I haven't decided whether the 25% credit is generous or not – but I do know that people were on a cruise ship for five days using the facility, eating the food and are being given back everything they paid for that. Right – this cruise came to an unfortunate end for the passengers, but it wasn't any easier for the crew or the cruise line. But I wonder what – rather than spouting “it’s not enough” - others really think is reasonable compensation? Princess should really pay more than a quarter of a future cruise to make people happy? Double the price of this cruise as a refund? Just what do you think is equitable?

[krisandchris]

Exactly.. these people took time off from work, spent money on clothes, tanning etc. spent lots of time planning and preparing and all they get for all their suffering is a lousy 25 percent credit for a future cruise they will have to do all this work for again and take vacation time again for? This was smack in the middle of a vacation they already worked for. If it were you and you sat their scared for all that time then had to go home, you would feel the same way.

[krisandchris]

As a Princess supporter, I haven't decided whether the 25% credit is generous or not – but I do know that people were on a cruise ship for five days using the facility, eating the food and are being given back everything they paid for that. Right – this cruise came to an unfortunate end for the passengers, but it wasn't any easier for the crew or the cruise line. But I wonder what – rather than spouting “it’s not enough” - others really think is reasonable compensation? Princess should really pay more than a quarter of a future cruise to make people happy? Double the price of this cruise as a refund? Just what do you think is equitable?

 

Well when this happened with us and Norway we were getting ready to get on the ship.. They gave us credit in the full amount of what our refund is to use within a year. So a free cruise to make up for it. That is fair. That is like repaying the vacation time etc.

[BuildingMemories]

Thank you for starting this thread. People on other message boards have had their heads bitten off for even asking about future cruises aboard the Star - calling them selfish for not thinking of those currently displaced.

 

I'm sorry for the people going through the fire - I truly am. I can pray for them but that is about all I CAN do. I now do have to turn to my own plans.

 

We are booked for the Baltic at the end of June. This is certainly not as urgent as some of the rest of you....but nonetheless... plans have to be made. Some seem flipant.... "oh, not to worry, you'll get your money back". That is fine... and I have insurance.... but I don't think that is the main concern for people currently booked on the Star.

 

Sailing in the Baltics (from Canada)... I have to consider airline tickets, booked hotel accommodations...car rentals, etc. etc. etc. You all know the drill. There are family members (coming from all over the world), pre-boarding trips, disembarkation trips, other connected tours...all to be considered. I have also had to make extensive arrangements at work...elder and nursing care arrangements.... OK.. enough already... you all get the picture.

 

I'm saddened that my concern about what to do next.... seems selfish to some on the other boards. This is the trip of a lifetime for our entire group.

 

Thanks all for listening.

[Phil_and_Cyndi]

This came from another situation in 2003 that was very similar:

 

Cruises

Princess Cancels Sailings of Fire-Damaged Diamond Princess

Alaska and Mexico Programs AffectedDateline: October 10, 2002

 

Princess Cruises announced today that, due to a fire last week at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Japan where the vessel is under construction, it must cancel the Alaska and Mexico cruise programs for Diamond Princess up to the scheduled February 28, 2004 sailing.

"Obviously, this fire was an unfortunate and unforeseen setback in this vessel's construction," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of customer service and sales. "We certainly regret any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause some of our passengers and travel agent partners."

Alaska 2003 Sailings

Passengers booked on Diamond Princess' seven-day roundtrip Alaska voyages, originally scheduled to begin June 15, 2003, are being automatically moved to the same category of accommodations aboard her sister ship Star Princess. The newest ship in Princess' fleet, Star Princess offers identical Inside Passage ports of call from Seattle, departing on Saturdays versus Diamond Princess' Sunday sailings. These passengers will have full price protection of their fares, and will receive a $25 per person credit to their shipboard account. Passengers who choose to cancel their reservations instead will receive a full refund of all money under deposit.

"The good news for affected Alaska passengers is that because it is still early in the booking cycle, we will be able to accommodate them on a comparable sailing aboard Star Princess," noted Brown. "Star Princess' facilities are virtually identical to those of Diamond Princess, and it offers all of our many Personal Choice Cruising options, including a variety of dining and entertainment venues, a spectacular Lotus Spa and expanded youth centers." Star Princess will call at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria, plus cruise through the dramatic glaciers, rock walls and waterfalls of Tracy Arm and the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The 2,600-passenger ship offers 18 voyages on this itinerary between May 17 and September 13, 2003.

[SunLeslie]

We too are booked on the 4/2 for my son's wedding - there are 14 people going for the wedding and needless to say everyone is very anxious to know what the status is. The wedding on the ship took a lot of planning and with only 9 days left it would be very difficult to make other wedding plans. The Star Princess is one of the very few ships that allow the wedding to take place at sea. Keep us informed.

 

 

 

 

2/03 Carnival Spirit

4/99 Windjammer Yankee Clipper