Jump to content

Will MSC Cargo Ships Directly Resupply MSC Cruise Ships During the Longshoremen Strike?


Georgia_Peaches
 Share

Recommended Posts

I've read that the Longshoremen strike will not directly impact cruise ships as they will continue to resupply them.  But if the supplies the ships need are tied up in cargo ships that can't enter the port, what happens then?  Will MSC resupply their own ships via cargo ship or is this considered 'scabbing'?

 

Regardless, I pray all parties come to an agreement soon!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

45 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Will MSC resupply their own ships via cargo ship or is this considered 'scabbing'?

Zero chance of this IMO. Containers must clear customs at the destination before being unsealed.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)
12 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Zero chance of this IMO. Containers must clear customs at the destination before being unsealed.

Yes, I figured there was a ton of red tape...what about resupplying at Ocean Cay?  Lots of ships stop there at some point in the itin?  

Edited by Georgia_Peaches
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Yes, I figured there was a ton of red tape...what about resupplying at Ocean Cay?  Lots of ships stop there at some point in the itin?  

Ocean Cay doesn't have container cranes, for starters. Likely 100 other reasons why this couldn't work.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, tscoffey said:

Ocean Cay doesn't have container cranes, for starters. Likely 100 other reasons why this couldn't work.

Another excellent point. 

Edited by Georgia_Peaches
Link to comment
Share on other sites

So in doing a little more digging, this article popped up.  It's discussing Florida departures only but suggests that cruise ships will not be impacted in resupplying because they use non-labor union workers for this. Not sure about other cruise terminals in NY, Boston, NOLA, or Galveston.  

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/10/01/port-strike-florida-cruise-disney-royal-caribbean-longshoremen/75470294007/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

So in doing a little more digging, this article popped up.

Getting supplies onto cruise ships won't be a problem. Sourcing certain supplies might eventually be a problem. Think tropical fruits, coffee, booze, wine, spices...

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I've read that the Longshoremen strike will not directly impact cruise ships as they will continue to resupply them.  But if the supplies the ships need are tied up in cargo ships that can't enter the port, what happens then?  Will MSC resupply their own ships via cargo ship or is this considered 'scabbing'?

 

Regardless, I pray all parties come to an agreement soon!

I know Port Canaveral has non union dock workers as well so they may very well unload some of their own supplies via container at that port and re supply.  It will be a crap show if this goes on longer than a week. There WILL be big shortages and high prices for all of us and that will most likely include most of the cruising industry as well. People are already hoarding and emptying shelves by me in N.J.  We leave on 11/4 out of BK NYC on the Mera but I’m not too optimistic that it will happen at this point. 🥲

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Cruzinforpeace*** said:

We leave on 11/4 out of BK NYC on the Mera but I’m not too optimistic that it will happen at this point. 🥲

We have 11/22 and 12/29 booked, Seascape and Mera in that order.  If this drags on to the point that cruises are cancelled, then we have much bigger problems. Lots of bad things going on right now btwn hurricane destruction/loss of life, strikes, and countless other things...I almost feel selfish for even worrying about my upcoming cruise.  So I pray a lot and I try to remain hopeful.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

I leave this Sunday on the Meraviglia from Brooklyn.  I can't imagine that there will be too many "shortages" on my sailing.......but I'll be prepared to expect shortages (i.e., booze, wine, fruit, unsalted butter, etc.)  I have been on some 7-night sailings where, by the end of the week, the entire ship is out of a certain type of wine or a particular kind of fruit.  So I don't think these ships really stock up for more than one sailing at a time.  I imagine if this strike goes on for any length of time cruise ships will definitely be impacted.

 

The way some of the passengers sailing on Meraviglia from Brooklyn hoard fruit from the buffet I'll be surprised if you're able to get a banana by mid week!!  

Edited by jcpc
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We have 11/22 and 12/29 booked, Seascape and Mera in that order.  If this drags on to the point that cruises are cancelled, then we have much bigger problems. Lots of bad things going on right now btwn hurricane destruction/loss of life, strikes, and countless other things...I almost feel selfish for even worrying about my upcoming cruise.  So I pray a lot and I try to remain hopeful.

I agree.  A cancelled cruise is the least of our worries.🙏

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, jcpc said:

I leave this Sunday on the Meraviglia from Brooklyn.  I can't imagine that there will be too many "shortages" on my sailing.......but I'll be prepared to expect shortages (i.e., booze, wine, fruit, unsalted butter, etc.)  I have been on some 7-night sailings where, by the end of the week, the entire ship is out of a certain type of wine or a particular kind of fruit.  So I don't think these ships really stock up for more than one sailing at a time.  I imagine if this strike goes on for any length of time cruise ships will definitely be impacted.

 

The way some of the passengers sailing on Meraviglia from Brooklyn hoard fruit from the buffet I'll be surprised if you're able to get a banana by mid week!!  

I would imagine that MSC will be rationing what they have onboard already in anticipation of shortages.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We have 11/22 and 12/29 booked, Seascape and Mera in that order. 

Alas, we won't be joining you on 12/29. We went so far as to put a courtesy hold on a cabin but the timing just isn't right this year. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 minutes ago, RichYak said:

Alas, we won't be joining you on 12/29. We went so far as to put a courtesy hold on a cabin but the timing just isn't right this year. 

Well darn!  Perhaps the stars will align another time! 😊

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

Just saw this.  Apparently DeSantis is deploying the National Guard to help with the negative impact of the strike.  He said it’s unacceptable that they are striking with a national disaster that just took place.  
 

https://gcaptain.com/florida-governor-desantis-deploys-national-guard-to-ports-amid-longshoremen-strike/

 

 

Edited by Cruzinforpeace***
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

So in doing a little more digging, this article popped up.  It's discussing Florida departures only but suggests that cruise ships will not be impacted in resupplying because they use non-labor union workers for this. Not sure about other cruise terminals in NY, Boston, NOLA, or Galveston.  

https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2024/10/01/port-strike-florida-cruise-disney-royal-caribbean-longshoremen/75470294007/

The article says Port Canaveral uses non-union labor.  I don't think this applies to Miami.  The porters at Miami are longshoremen so I assume this union also handles other activities at the port.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, RichYak said:

Zero chance of this IMO. Containers must clear customs at the destination before being unsealed.

Funny you mention this. I had an account that manufactured rattan furniture in Indonesia at the time of 9/11. The US made a deal with Singapore to do their US customs inspection there, where the importer had to pay to repackage, and then on to it's final destination a US port. Things must have changed back since then. Considering perishables things do not look good in the coming days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

The US made a deal with Singapore to do their US customs inspection there, where the importer had to pay to repackage, and then on to it's final destination a US port.

My feeling is that MSC and cruise lines in general are working diligently to come up with a customs work-around....even if it means getting provisions in other ports outside the US.  I guess we shall see as new cruises take off this weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, chrisgp999 said:

The porters at Miami are longshoremen so I assume this union also handles other activities at the port.

I'm confused.  Are you saying the luggage porters are longshoremen?  I thought longshoremen dealt with cargo only.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm confused.  Are you saying the luggage porters are longshoremen?  I thought longshoremen dealt with cargo only.

Our YC porter at Port of Miami told us that during the week he operates the crane unloading the containers from cargo ships at the port.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

I'm confused.  Are you saying the luggage porters are longshoremen?  I thought longshoremen dealt with cargo only.

Yup, they're longshoreman at POM.  The white linen type shirts they wear have the Local Union # embroidered on the left breast pocket location.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ILA workers will continue working passenger cruise ships at all ILA ports in an effort to not inconvenience the tens of thousands of Americans who have booked trips in advance, said Harold Daggett, ILA president. 

"We understand that many families plan and pay for cruise vacations on passenger ships more than a year out, and we don't want them to be disappointed or inconvenienced in any way."
 

We’ll see how far this goes. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Set sail with your next reads

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Save $2,000 & Sail Away to Australia’s Kimberley
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...

If you are already a Cruise Critic member, please log in with your existing account information or your email address and password.