CB July 1,2008 Itinerary change ?

[Sanz]

I'm also on the July 1 sailing. Is it possible that they are saving on gas? They can't change the gas surcharge, but they can save money by not traveling as far and moving slower.:(

[jakzak]

I'm sure we will find out the real reason before we sail.

 

We have a great group of cruise critic members sign up for our roll call. Try to stop by and say hello.

 

Alan

[MrsS471]

Our group (5 couples) specifically booked this trip just because it went to St. Maarten. To say that we are disappointed is an understatement. We've been to Tortola many times and it's NOT our favorite Island. As far as taking a trip out to Virgin Gorda and the Baths, the ride is 45 minutes each way, so you won't have that much time to explore.

 

Remember, you always have to be back on board the ship about 1 hour prior to sail time. I think NOT going to St. Maarten is a fuel cost issue. It can't be overcrowding, etc as we were supposed to be the only ship in St. Maarten that particular day.

[lhall85917]

I thought we might have an email from Princess or our TA by now but nothing yet. Has anyone received "official" notification other than the itinerary showing on Princess's website?

[MrsS471]

It's more like 45 minutes each way to the Baths from the pier. Really won't have much time to take that tour and really enjoy it.

[BigGuy25]

I thought we might have an email from Princess or our TA by now but nothing yet. Has anyone received "official" notification other than the itinerary showing on Princess's website?

Yes ... I received an "Emergency Notification" email informing us of the changes around 9:30 this monring

[lhall85917]

Yes ... I received an "Emergency Notification" email informing us of the changes around 9:30 this monring

 

That's good, perhaps we'll get something from our TA soon. It would be nice if there were something on our Personal Planner indicating that there has been an itinerary change. Did your "emergency notification" mention any reason for the emergency change?

[PreciousPetal]

Yes I too got an emergency notification mid-morning. Of course, heard it first on Cruise Critic! Way to go CC!!!!

[Melissa5920]

Just spoke with Princess and they stated that updates to the excursions will be updated in about 7 days.

[nabby]

Cane Garden Bay is very beautiful, with lots of water sports and rentals, but from what I have heard it gets very crowded when a cruise ship is there. I have been to the BVI on bareboat sailing charters but never on a cruise ship so I understand your hours are limited. There really isn't time to get over to Virgin Gorda to see the Baths, unless the ship has a tour. Smuggler's Cove on Tortola is a really nice beach, very secluded with great snorkeling, but it is somewhat hard to get to. Brewer's Bay is very good for snorkeling too. If you want to hang out by a resort (with bars, beach chairs, etc.) go to Long Beach, where the Long Beach Resort is. It is easy to find taxis (usually vans) in Road Town, where the cruise ships dock. Yes, the taxi drive is scary. Just hang on and close your eyes if you have to. ;)

 

A few notes: The currency in the BVI is the US$ They drive on the "other side" of the road. And, leave yourself plenty of time - they operate on "island time" so you may have to wait for things (taxis etc.) If you are going to a remote place be sure to arrange for the taxi to pick you back up at a certain time. Have fun - I love the BVI!

[dance4fun]

That's good, perhaps we'll get something from our TA soon. It would be nice if there were something on our Personal Planner indicating that there has been an itinerary change. Did your "emergency notification" mention any reason for the emergency change?

 

The way I discovered the issue was that I printed my travel summary last night. So you can go to the Princess site, login and just view the PDF files they have for your booking. That will show you the current itinerary.

 

Our TA forwarded to us the Princess email containing a PDF that says our itinerary has been changed. The PDF lists all of our personal info, so I will not post it here.

 

No mention of the reason from Princess.

[bermuda triangle]

I just called Princess and they said that for "Operational Reasons" the itinerary has indeed changed. That's all they could say at this time. We're now in ports much later ... 11pm instead of 7pm in San Juan and 10pm instead of 4pm in St. Thomas. It's now Tortola instead of St. Martin. I've been to St. Martin many times but never Tortola. Any recommendations????

 

In Tortola I have gone to Cane Garden Bay.. beautiful sunsets there, hairpin turns to get there. You can also get a good picture of Road Town on the way back. Water so/so for snorkeling.

 

There is a great bakery there as well, so if you haven't had your fill of sweets on the cruise, it is the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College/New England Culinary Institute bakery, short walk from ship.

 

The other option is, take the ferry to Virgin Gorda and go to the Baths..lots of steps, not good for mobility impaired. Or smokers.. no smoking on the beach which is enforced, very nice for non smokers. Great pictures here also. Very good snorkeling.

 

When the new shore excursions are posted, I am sure there will be one to the Baths. We were there during odd hours, like 2-7 pm and HAL offered one there. Having been there previously, we opted to go to the beach instead. Our taxi driver asked us what time we wanted to return to the ship, as it was late and ended up waiting for us, we watched the sunset and ended up driving in the dark, it was fun! And got pics of the ship and town lit up!

 

 

Laura

[jakzak]

Possible reason for change. Just posted for live on CB

 

DAY 4 – GRAND TURKS: The ship tied up around 7:00 A.M. I forgot to add that due to a mechanical problem with one of the engines, we are traveling at a slower speed, approximately 17 – 18 knots. The itinerary has been adjusted so that we could spend 11 hours in San Juan, where there will be some work done on the one engine. (There are six engines total on the CB and this information comes from the ship’s crew – take it for what it is worth). I have not noticed any other problems due to this issue other then the change in port times.

[itstimeforacruise]

Possible reason for change. Just posted for live on CB

 

DAY 4 – GRAND TURKS: The ship tied up around 7:00 A.M. I forgot to add that due to a mechanical problem with one of the engines, we are traveling at a slower speed, approximately 17 – 18 knots. The itinerary has been adjusted so that we could spend 11 hours in San Juan, where there will be some work done on the one engine. (There are six engines total on the CB and this information comes from the ship’s crew – take it for what it is worth). I have not noticed any other problems due to this issue other then the change in port times.

 

 

Just talked with my TA, that is the reason for the changes. Also, he noted that some parts of the ship had little air conditioning. Hopefully they get it fixed.

[domdombus]

Possible reason for change. Just posted for live on CB

 

DAY 4 – GRAND TURKS: The ship tied up around 7:00 A.M. I forgot to add that due to a mechanical problem with one of the engines, we are traveling at a slower speed, approximately 17 – 18 knots. The itinerary has been adjusted so that we could spend 11 hours in San Juan, where there will be some work done on the one engine. (There are six engines total on the CB and this information comes from the ship’s crew – take it for what it is worth). I have not noticed any other problems due to this issue other then the change in port times.

 

Well if this is the reason, then why did they change all the itineraries? If they are going to fix it on the july 1st cruise why is the July 28th one changed also?

I do understand the repair of things like this, there is no given fact that it can be fixed in 11 hours and usually other things pop up. So either they are doing it to plan for more repairs and maybe will change it back?

[footer6]

You put your finger on it. Whatever is wrong isn't going to be fixed any time soon, otherwise the later itineraries wouldn't have been changed.

[Latitude 20]

"Fathercop" posted today from aboard the CB and mentioned that one of its engines is having problems and the ship can't sail as fast as usual. That may be the issue here.

[domdombus]

You would think they could fix this engine while its cruising along! Of course if you had the proper parts. It is all very plausible.

 

What I am wondering is if they do fix this engine as quick as possible, does anyone have any experience knowledge that they would put the ports back?

 

Gas being at what it is, it is a very lucrative deal to get this engine back online ASAP.

[nabby]

I think it all depends on what the engine problem is. It might be something that needs to be done when CB goes into drydock. We had the same sort of situation last year when we sailed on HAL Oosterdam, one of the azipods was not working at full strength which reduced the speed. We still visited all the ports but the port time had to be reduced. They tried to fix it in the water but ended up just sailing with the changed itinerary until later in the year (just before repositioning). I'm sure if Princess can get it fixed sooner they will, but in the meantime they are making adjustments to the itinerary. I would hate to be the person trying to reschedule everything, what a headache!

[Sanz]

My DSIL received a phone call from Princess today and when she inquired about the change she was told that there was a problem with overbooking at the ports and that it couldn't be helped, it was beyond their control. From the information that I got off the net we were suppose to be the only ship at each port. Funny how the ship developed engine problems just as the cost of fuel sky rocketed. If you move slower you save money on fuel. If memory serves me correct the only Princess carribbean cruise this time of year (where their are options as to where you can sail without people making too much of a fuss, unlike a Euopean port) is from New York. Puerto Rico is my least favorite port. We were thinking about going for walk (if we could stand the heat), have lunch and pick up Poland Springs water at Walgreens and be back at the ship in time for the 2 o'clock movie (and air conditioning). Now I guess it will be a casino and a show somewhere :) (and my Poland Springs water ;) ). Maybe we'll get to watch fireworks on the fourth.

[tcrny]

Are you on the 7/28 sailing? Please log into our roll call as we have an awesome group! I am coordinating our meet and greet for our roll call group.

Cathy

 

So how do you remove some excursion you booked for 1pm when the boat wont arrive in san juan till 4pm? I dont see any remove options in the personalizer! Also I dont see an excursions options for Tortola, so how would you book anything for it? I dont see a change for St thomas though.

 

Thanks

 

Jul 28 2008 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 04:00PM

Jul 29 2008 AT SEA

Jul 30 2008 AT SEA

Jul 31 2008 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 04:00PM 11:00PM

Aug 01 2008 ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I. 07:00AM 10:00PM

Aug 02 2008 TORTOLA, B.V.I. 07:00AM 01:00PM

Aug 03 2008 GRAND TURK, CAICOS ISLANDS 01:00PM 06:00PM

Aug 04 2008 AT SEA

Aug 05 2008 AT SEA

Aug 06 2008 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 07:15AM

[nabby]

For those still looking for something to do in Tortola, I have another suggestion if you are looking for a "beach getaway". That is Peter Island Resort. It is a very short ferry ride from Road Town (where the ship docks) and they have a beach with complimentary chairs and cabanas for day visitors. Here is a link to their day visitor site: http://www.peterisland.com/dayguests.html

 

This is a very quiet beach resort, so don't go if you are looking for a lot of activity.

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes I too got an emergency notification mid-morning. Of course, heard it first on Cruise Critic! Way to go CC!!!!

 

 

 

Any iteniary change will result in the Emergency Notification e-mail from Princess.

It is automatic.

How fast your server sends it to you is another story. :)

[janetz]

Tortola is beautiful has some great beaches close to port. There are taxi's waiting and will take you and pick you back up. Cheap. Check out the Tortola boards for more information. ;)

[nabby]

I just realized that you are scheduled to be in Tortola on July 6, which is a Sunday. I can tell you that most shops are closed on Sunday there. I would use this stop to check out beaches, don't plan on doing much shopping. I think Pussers and Sunny Caribe might be open though, but probably not early in the morning.