Summit Alaskan cruise disappointment (MERGER OF 5 THREADS ON THIS TOPIC)

[c-legs]

:) Good morning,

It is drydocked in Victoria from early evening 20th May onward. The job at hand normally gets done within 95-100 hours. Ship then dead heads to Seward, non stop;which it can safely reached by mid day 27th May.

GTS SUMMIT has actually done exactly that 1 year ago....similar episode.

 

Cheers

CG

:D

 

For those of you on the 5/27 out of Seward:

 

If the ship is going to be in drydock the week of 5/20 in Vancouver, how is it going to get to Seward to sail on the 27th?

 

Robert

[lovetocruise77]

My Mom & Stepdad are on the 9th deck of the Summit right now. Here is the email they sent me from the ship a few days ago:

"Can’t wait to tell you what’s been happening on this end! Mutiny, debauchery and pirate activity. They canceled Seattle and Sitka because of a technical problem with the ship and there’s a group of angry old men with shuffleboard sticks ready to kill anything in their path unless they get a full refund! Look for us on CNN or Fox tomorrow….They have alerted all media and have begun to send up smoke signals."

Not only were 2 of the ports canceled, but the times they were in other ports was cut by an hour or two each day!!

My Mom called me on Sunday from their cell phone while they were in between shore excursions in Ketchiken. Here are some direct quotes she said about the situation: "It's like Parliment! People are livid! Passengers are forming committies, having meetings & rallying together. They are yelling things like "We shall not be divided!" & "No more gifts shall we buy, no more gambling will we do!" The angry passengers were having a "sit in" at 4:00 PM on Sunday in the Casino! My Mom also said in jest " if we were going any slower, we'd be going in reverse!"

 

What I haven't heard too much about on this message board is that the canceled sailing (that was supposed to leave 5-20) does get a full refund plus a free cruise. That is why these passengers are so fired up! I would have been mad too,if compensated for this with a night of free drinks & a mere $200 per CABIN!

I do think that the majority of cruisers select particular cruises based on the itenerary. We always pre-book our shore excursions & REALLY look forward to those activites. We do know that ports do occasional get canceled, so there is always that chance. It's always disappointing when it happens, but luckily it's not very likely (except maybe on this class of ship!).

My Mom & Stepdad have a great attitude about the situation & are still enjoying themselves. They mentioned they've seen a lot of whales & dolphins & have had great weather! :D

[griswalds]

It is always helpful to get information for those directly involved. There have been many comments that the passenges should roll over and put up with this

situation. I can understand their frustration as this is not the cruise they booked.

 

For many passengers they are not aware of the history of these ships and trust their agent to book.

 

I hope they at least got to see the hubbard glacier.

 

Griswalds

[Lois R]

Hi Joan and Phil, thanks for the good wishes:)

Yes, I am sailing with Claudia and look forward to meeting her

and her hubby.

[joelmarj]

In Alaska yes the Ports count more then the cruise. If all cruises were created equal why would Alaska be so much more expensive? To many the itinary is very important.

The real issue is the fact X knows about the problem and hasn't fixed it. If they can't fix the problem they need to get a refund on the defective ship and build a new ship. To fleece people is unconscienceable.

 

You may want to read back several posts where a gentlemen put out a very lengthy explanation about how this is not simply a matter of just fixing it. (Post 25 by Cruise News Daily) As for getting a refund for a defective ship, perhaps you haven't been reading about the lawsuits in place that Celebrity has against the manufacturer. It is currently in the court systems. Meanwhile the solutions for a permanent resolution are still being explored. Since we know it takes such a long time in building a new ship, plus time to have availablilty from a ship builder, what is Celebrity to do? Not sail at all because perhaps 1 trip a year may have problems?

 

It certainly is not a good thing to have your vacation cancelled, but Celebrity has had to deal with this and it is certainly not from a lack of trying that it is unresolved. It is a shame that it has to affect people's plans but that is what life is about. I can't say I'd be happy about having my trip cancelled, but I'd certainly be fine if I missed a port or two. As a cruiser, I buy the entire deal, not just the ports.

[Cachecara]

I have a question somewhat related.

 

If someone booked a shore excurision privately--let's say like a whale watching excursion out of Juneau and then the time in shore was altered so that the excursion had to be cancelled--would you get your money back for cancelling?

 

I realized you would get a refund if it was booked through X and then had to cancel because X was going to be leaving port early due to the mechanical problem, but what about the above situation? how would that be handled. Thanks.

 

And btw--I have been reading this message board for roughly a year, until this episode I never realized the M class had an propulsion problems, so thanks for all for the info. It may really make my decision easy next year on what line NOT to take to Alaska since ports are important to me. :rolleyes:

[cruiseco]

I have a question somewhat related.

 

If someone booked a shore excurision privately--let's say like a whale watching excursion out of Juneau and then the time in shore was altered so that the excursion had to be cancelled--would you get your money back for cancelling?

 

:

 

It depends on the tour operator -- some will refund, others won't. It pays to check their policy on this before spending the money.

 

Some travel insurance will cover you if this happens. For example, Travelex has a "Itinerary change" benefit which covers:

 

"Itinerary Change: Covers certain expenses if the travel supplier makes a change in your itinerary after your scheduled departure date which prevents you from participating in an event/activity."

[aussiedisneyfan]

Not intending to criticize anyone's posts but some people just don't know about the problems with the ship. We booked from Australia and picked the 5/20 cruise because it was a good deal. Didn't even know what ship it was originally. I am happy because I got my money back. The free cruise was a bonus.

[thomasale]

I must be in the minority because to me the ports don't matter. I want warm weather. That explains why I have no interest in Alaska. I would love to see a pole taken that asks about ports mattering and who has had an itinerary changed on a previous cruise...any help you technical people?

[aussiedisneyfan]

On our South Pacific cruises it wouldn't really bother me at all if ports were missed. After all most of them are just beaches and villages. Lovely but not essential. One of our ships the Pacific Sky kept breaking down and many sailings were altered or cancelled. I just love being aboard with all the activities. However, we were/are going on an Alaskan cruise specifically to see the ports. So if I was onboard the current cruise I would be a lot more disappointed than my regular Aussie cruises. Still no mutiny from me though. :)

[joelmarj]

 

And btw--I have been reading this message board for roughly a year, until this episode I never realized the M class had an propulsion problems, so thanks for all for the info. It may really make my decision easy next year on what line NOT to take to Alaska since ports are important to me. :rolleyes:

 

Your certainly right. Not everyone does know about this long-standing issue that Celebrity has had. Most readers of this forum have seen the topic arise whenever a ship has experienced this issue, but people not reading the boards certainly may not know (or even those who read them but never got involved in these prior discussions). My only point was that Celebrity is addressing it through the courts and is trying to find a permanent solution but until then they have a business to run. I'm sure the bean counters and sr. management have weighed the options of shutting down operation on 4 ships and rebuilding all new ones in perhaps 3 or 4 years vs. dealing with the issues as they arise; each time trying to find a permanent solution. I doubt their intentions are to ruin anyones vacation and with the best intentions continue to provide to their customers.

 

I for one certainly would never let this issue stop me from booking a cruise with them. The product they offer surpasses my concerns of some slim chance that my cruise would be affected by the propultion issues. If it happens, it happens. Same could occur with my car, but I still drive it every day. Life goes on and is too short to not enjoy every vacation I can!

[Karynanne]

Not intending to criticize anyone's posts but some people just don't know about the problems with the ship. We booked from Australia and picked the 5/20 cruise because it was a good deal. Didn't even know what ship it was originally. I am happy because I got my money back. The free cruise was a bonus.

 

Now that's making lemonade outta lemons! I like your attitude...

 

Karyn

[nmtraveler]

Not intending to criticize anyone's posts but some people just don't know about the problems with the ship. We booked from Australia and picked the 5/20 cruise because it was a good deal. Didn't even know what ship it was originally. I am happy because I got my money back. The free cruise was a bonus.

 

I'm glad you came out fine. I hope all the other B2B'ers came out as well.

[organizedhome]

Sadly, we didn't.

 

B2B cruises on Summit 5/20 and 5/27, we sure haven't been treated fairly. After three days of changing stories from Celebrity, we had to choose between finding (and paying for) last-minute transport to Seward, cancelling the 5/27 cruise (and paying a 50% cancellation fee), or rebooking the trip within the next month.

 

We did, but my husband won't be able to join me, as he has no time off until autumn. I had to downgrade my SkySuite for the second leg AND pay additional fares for a balcony stateroom--and that was just to keep Celebrity from profiting from the situation.

 

I just can't understand their position. We offered to book another cruise at a time we could both participate, but were refused right down the line.

 

Yet other B2B passengers WERE given a refund. Go figure.

 

Needless to say, we're very, very, VERY unhappy.

[MortgageChick]

Organizedhome- why did they tell you that you could not get a refund similar to what others received.

 

As for the ports, this could be debated all day. I did this very cruise in reverse 9/05 with my daughter and I am considering booking Summit for this cruise 9/07 as the pricing is awesome. After living in western Canada from 1973 to 1986, I have seen my fair share of snow capped mountains, bears, elk, and eagles, however I found the cruise very relaxing , from the point of view that I was using US or CAD dollars in every port, no language issues, easy to use the phone, cell worked, communication was easy and the list goes on.

 

My husband has not lived in Western Canada and has not had the benefit of seeing what I have seen over the years, the beautiful mountains and the wildlife, so we will probably go on this itinerary for his benefit , but I am just happy to be on a ship, could really care less if it stops only once or twice in 14 days, long as it doesn't sink!!

 

I do remember the first 4 or 5 times we cruised that the itinerary was most important, but as time goes on the ship becomes the destination!!

[griswalds]

To organized home

 

Interesting treatment by Celebrity. Don't exect much sympathy here as many people seem to think Celebrity can do no wrong and you are just expecting too much such as being treated the same as others. It interesting to note that one of the passengers on the original ill fated voyage was trying to organize the passengers so they could get the same deal but Celebrity wanted to meet with the passengers individually. As well, they minimize their losses quickly through pressure on upcoming passengers to decide immediatley. The deal you were offered is an indication of why they wanted to divide and conquer. It would have been hard for you to have made any better deal than you did.

 

Perhaps this is a preamble to new Poisiden movie I have heard advertised?

 

Griswalds

[tarheelmjfan]

It certainly is not a good thing to have your vacation cancelled, but Celebrity has had to deal with this and it is certainly not from a lack of trying that it is unresolved. It is a shame that it has to affect people's plans but that is what life is about. I can't say I'd be happy about having my trip cancelled, but I'd certainly be fine if I missed a port or two. As a cruiser, I buy the entire deal, not just the ports.

 

We feel the exact opposite. This is a perfect example of why X & all other cruise lines needs to be consistent.

 

If our family was booked on a cruise that was cancelled, refunded, then given a free cruise, we'd be partying. :p IMHO, you can't beat that deal! :D On the other hand, if we were on a ship where ports were important to us, we would expect what we paid for. If I were in the shoes of those currently on the Summit, given a choice I would have cancelled & rescheduled. FWIW, missing a Caribbean or Mexican port wouldn't bother us at all, but there's some people who probably book with those ports in mind too.

[joelmarj]

Tarheelmjfan - I do have to agree with the consistency. Based on what Organizedhome has said, it truly is unfair if they are giving different options to people that have the same travel issues. While the overall issue is not Celebrities fault, I think they could certainly benefit by having an standardized method of handling customer issues.

[CruznTom]

I agree that X should be consistent, but this weeks passengers are being fed , bedded and entertained, which is not the same as being canceled a week in advance.

If the rabblerousers think the solution to their "dilemma" is to prevent other passengers from enjoying the onboard activities, they should be removed either to the "brig" or shore. I personally enjoy my casino time and no other passenger should be able to deny me this because he has a gripe with the cruise line. I should have the opportunity to turn my lemons into lemonade if I desire. JMHO

[griswalds]

Interesting that the "pirates" chose the casino to get attention. Good for them, probably saved a few passengers some major cash, although I am very sure the casino was not out of operation for long.

 

It is easy to suggest that the passengers should just suck it up and make lemonade, but I wonder what you would really do if you were in their position?

 

Tough talk when you are not impacted directly.

 

Griswalds

 

remember wallyworld!!!!

[CruznTom]

I am not saying that I would appreciate the situation, but the rabblerousers (led by a Canadian with an agenda) should not be allowed to stop other pax from enjoying the remainder of the cruise.

 

I am not very religious, but the Serenity Prayer -

 

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." influences me.

*

By the way, I need my blackjack winnings to pay for DW's slot losings.:D

[brigittetom]

 

It is easy to suggest that the passengers should just suck it up and make lemonade, but I wonder what you would really do if you were in their position?

 

Tough talk when you are not impacted directly.

 

Griswalds

 

remember wallyworld!!!!

 

Actually CruznTom and I have been in exactly the same situation on the Century except it was engine trouble and not pods. And of course it was in the Caribbean and not Alaska where the ports are so dear.

 

We didn't let it affect our cruise and neither did anyone else to my knowledge.

 

Just my opinion but I surely wouldn't let it ruin the rest of my cruise. If X doesn't come thru with the total refund they are hoping for, these passengers will have ruined their whole vacation. Personally I would choose to deal with it once I got home. The theory that there is power in numbers on a ship may not always work especially since the Captain had to remind these passengers that he was a "gentleman" which pretty much tells me the behavior of the crowd. Challanging the Captain, in my opinion, is not the way to go. :rolleyes:

 

I do agree about the casino sit-in. It's not up to a few hundred fellow cruisers to decide for me that I can't enjoy the casino.

 

Please don't get me wrong, I sympathize with the passengers on this cruise but I don't agree with their methods

 

WallyWorld is another matter. I would have done exactly what "Sparky" did. :D

[ala-kat]

You pick your ship, and you pick you itin. The itin. is suject to change. Enjoy what you do have, and so far as the rest of it goes, pick you battles. A port (or two) missed is not going to ruffle my feathers.

 

It is what it is, and it ain't what it ain't.

[floridacruisers]

We were booked to go on the Summit for a 10 night Caribbean cruise and had our trip cancelled 6 days prior for the same reason in Apr. 2002. (You would think that by now the design engineers would have a fix!) We got a full refund and 50% off any other cruise we wanted. We ended up with a 10 night Hawaii cruise on the Infinity and got great hotel and airfare deals. We lucked out. Ours was a case where we made a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Hope those affected here make out as good as we did.

[Eleris]

More than likely none of the complainers will ever cruise with Celebrity again so the rest of us won't have to encounter their next level of complaining! It they had not known about the 5/20 cancel and the free trip none of this would have escalated this far. They see the golden ring and want one too. If you read the posts from some of the 5/20 cancels a lot of them are unhappy as well because it still doesn't work out for their schedules.

 

This is a no win situation for the cruiseline and for all of you that don't get why this happened go back a read the detailed information that has been provided regarding the pod problems. The only mistake the captain has not made is putting off the loud mouth in the first port available. It worked for Carnival last month in the Bahamas. End of problem and the cruise continued for the rest to enjoy.