4/26/09 Live from Carnival Splendor !!!

[big_duck]

Thats it guys, the word is out,

 

Carnival Splendor is stopping at Long Beach at 9am to disembark those that want to get off the ship and go home. I am sure that we will be picking up Entertainment as well which will be a good thing, I don't think I could handle another Guest Talent Show LOL.

 

 

Fred

 

Any compensation mentioned for the early departers?

 

Since you are sitting there how 'bout uploading some of your usually great pics?

[tess2cruz]

Where are you sailing this week? Is this a pre-inaugural cruise? Enjoy!! And thanks for keeping us LIVE. Could someone get a picture of Host Mach?

 

 

Host Mach is at home as we speek.

[Winterstale]

Its when the cruise ship company doesn't pay their bill for all that booze and food and you get to take a nice trip to a dock where its held until they pay their bill + holding fees.

 

Oh.. wait.. you meant Repositioning. . . . . :eek:

 

Windjammer, anyone? That's basically what they did with all of their ships...

 

Glad the Splendor is stopping to let some of the locals off -- or maybe some of the not-so-locals too! Hope everything works out for all of you in the long run!

[lookslikdi]

The coldest winter I spent was the summer in San Francisco...

[MrsBlair]

It was 90 degrees in the city just last weekend. Tough break. :rolleyes:

[CAgirl67]

Hi Fred,

 

Glad to see you making the best out of this situation!

 

I'd recommend the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in San Francisco. It's on the Embarcadero, about 2 miles from Pier 39, close to the Bay Bridge. They do have steaks there and awesome garlic fries. My husband would recommend the Blonde Bock Beer.

 

Have a great time in SF!

 

Denise

[Wennfred]

I got the notice and it states the following in bold letters:

 

"Its is important you know that there will be no refund for unused portions of the your cruise. Further, those who elect to disembark will not be able to claim any benefits of the Vacation Guarantee since Long Beach is neither a foreign stop or an official port of call".

 

There you guys have it, its official on Carnival letterhead.

 

I went down to the Pursers desk to see what was going on due to 2 passengers were contacted via the entires ships PA system to report to the Pursers office. There were Mobs of people standing in line to see the Pursers, from what I can see most were checking out and getting copies of their Sail & Sign bills.

 

Someone told me a good 60% of the passengers are getting off in Long Beach tomorrow, that seems like a whole lot, but we will see from topside if its that many.

 

The only 2 tours offered in San Fran are:

San Fran City Highlights 3.5 hours long at 59.00 each

Muir Woods & Sausalito 4 hours long at 75.00 each. been here before and enjoyed it but with the bad weather, forget about.

 

Ok the Long Beach stop is from 9am to Noon and due to the stop, we are now arriving into San Fran at 1:30pm and will stay until Midnight. So we can actually go to the ballpark and see a game.

 

Fred

[TheKings]

Not quite sure why people already ON the shp would want to get off. I am not happy about my possible itenerary and will change... but if I were already on the ship and was not going to be reimbursed especially, I would be keeping my butt on the ship!

 

To each his own I guess.

[CRUISING71]

King,

 

I would be one of those passengers getting off at Long Beach, because we cruise before from Long Beach to San Francisco then to Vancouver and Victoria. The sea was really rough going up North route. If you are season cruiser, I guess you won't have any problems with rough sea, but a for us...that would be too much.

 

Everyone told us...they all gain weight when they cruised...but we lost weight, because we can't eat anything...we were so sick with motion sickness...and we can't go out on deck either...for five days...we were coupe inside the whole time.

[spencercoop]

I got the notice and it states the following in bold letters:

 

"Its is important you know that there will be no refund for unused portions of the your cruise. Further, those who elect to disembark will not be able to claim any benefits of the Vacation Guarantee since Long Beach is neither a foreign stop or an official port of call".

 

There you guys have it, its official on Carnival letterhead.

 

I went down to the Pursers desk to see what was going on due to 2 passengers were contacted via the entires ships PA system to report to the Pursers office. There were Mobs of people standing in line to see the Pursers, from what I can see most were checking out and getting copies of their Sail & Sign bills.

 

Someone told me a good 60% of the passengers are getting off in Long Beach tomorrow, that seems like a whole lot, but we will see from topside if its that many.

 

The only 2 tours offered in San Fran are:

San Fran City Highlights 3.5 hours long at 59.00 each

Muir Woods & Sausalito 4 hours long at 75.00 each. been here before and enjoyed it but with the bad weather, forget about.

 

Ok the Long Beach stop is from 9am to Noon and due to the stop, we are now arriving into San Fran at 1:30pm and will stay until Midnight. So we can actually go to the ballpark and see a game.

 

Fred

 

That is perfect for everyone who is staying on the ship only 40% of the ship full.

 

Why would people get off the ship for no refund instead of staying onboard??

[CRUISING71]

Thank you Fred for posting daily and keep us updated...I am looking forward to your post.

[Bmaintz]

I cruise for the ship experience, the ports are way down my list...

We normally just walk around & do some shopping (golf shirts) at the port of calls...

[MrsBlair]

I don't care where we're headed or where we're at, if I'm on a cruise ship that's all that matters! I can't imagine getting off 4 days before I was planning to!

 

Maybe those people are just planning on doing a little weekend getaway in So Cal. Also, I think some people don't really care for the multiple sea days so maybe at this point they just need to get off the ship.

 

Oh well, to each their own. I'd love to be one of those few remaining passengers! Whole ship to yourself!

 

Fred - Have an awesome time on the remainder of the cruise with the other remaining passengers. I'm curious as to how many people will still be left. I'm guessing 50%.

 

And if you're going to be there till midnight, do go check out the game at AT&T. Even though I'm a Dodgers fan, that's an awesome ball park. Early dinner before game, game, then back to the ship! Awesome. :cool:

[Host Mick]

What about Guam?

 

 

LOL Good One!

 

I used to live in Alameda, CA. When people asked where it is, I would tell them that it's an island off of San Francisco.

[Serfboreds]

Then why mention Hawaii? :confused: It would not satisfy the "foreign port" requirements of the PVSA. And no retcwby, enforcement has not been suspended or we would not have been seeing all of these "technical stops" this week.

 

I believe he is hoping they break the stipulation of the PVSA requiring a foreign port so he can go to Hawaii (which we have concluded IS part of the United States :D).

[TheKings]

King,

 

I would be one of those passengers getting off at Long Beach, because we cruise before from Long Beach to San Francisco then to Vancouver and Victoria. The sea was really rough going up North route. If you are season cruiser, I guess you won't have any problems with rough sea, but a for us...that would be too much.

 

Everyone told us...they all gain weight when they cruised...but we lost weight, because we can't eat anything...we were so sick with motion sickness...and we can't go out on deck either...for five days...we were coupe inside the whole time.

 

Extremely valid. I can see that.

[bankonus]

My concern is this: I feel that these people who are getting off the ship early and are pissed off are going to maliciously take the tips off their sail and sign account for the whole amount of the cruise. I can understand not paying for the days they aren't going to use, but what about the 4 days they were waited on? I think it will be a shame for all those that work so hard on the ship.

Also, how are they going to prepare the food. Aren't they used to making meals for an army?

 

Laura- Looks like you will soon be able to serve all the bacon you want to yourself!!

 

Looks like we could have a mutiny on our hands when the folks read they can't use their vacation guarantee.

 

Oh, and for those of you staying on the ship, ask if you can be upgraded, just for having a great attitude!:D

[flygrass]

I cruise for the ship experience, the ports are way down my list...

We normally just walk around & do some shopping (golf shirts) at the port of calls...

 

ditto here, we love cruisin I would say mostly for the ship we are going on, 2nd'ly is ports of call. That's in most cases anyway. It's really good to see some of you makeing the best of it. Thanks for all the updates to you all onboard, I'm getting more info here than I am on Carnival's web site and the local news. Again thank you and have a good time.

[Elaine515]

Fred & Laura,

 

First off... thank you for the updates and all that is going on. Talk about timing... it really is cool to have you guys on the ship when all this is happening and keeping us up-to-date.

 

Now with that said,

 

I truly hope that you guys are having a good time. I know it has got to be disappointing, what with all the planning etc that you've done over the past few weeks. And I'm sure Fred is spending much more time in the casino that he really planned to... I know thats where I would be!!

 

But, on the other hand, yes, it is in Carnival's documents that they can, will and do change itiernaries if/when necessary, but there is no reason to be nasty, screaming, yelling, cursing etc, I really do understand how some of the passengers are feeling. I am cruising in about 6 weeks on the Liberty which has a scheduled stop of Cozumel right in between 2 sea days. I am also cruising with 16 family members, of which, 8 of them are under 18. I honestly cannot imagine what it would be like to leave Grand Cayman at 4:30 on Tuesday and not see/be on land again until Saturday morning when we arrive back in Miami...

 

As much as I love cruising and being on a ship, I also like to get off and explore. And usually by day 6 of a cruise, I have witnessed the kids on a ship being restless, bored, pushing all the buttons on the elevators etc...can you imagine what 3 sea days will do for them????

 

Obviously I wouldn't scream, yell or curse out the CD or Captain or any Staff Member either, but I might consider getting off earlier especially if I lived where the ship was going anyway, i.e, I'm sure many of the passengers on your ship probably either live in San Francisco or close by. That would be like for me if they said they were rerouting to Miami or Pt Everglades and me living 1 hour North of there!!!

 

So, again, I hope you guys are having a good time... Keep warm and keep posting... Thnx again both of you, the Cruise Critic Community really appreciates this thread...

 

P.S. Fred, please wish Wendy a Happy Birthday from me... I know this is one she won't soon forget!!!

[wannacruisemore]

Hey Fred: Maybe you will be able to get an UPGRADE now................:)

[Theora]

Hmmm....so if I were to theoretically head down to LBC tomorrow morning with a suitcase in hand, would they let ME on the ship for the brief little trip? Seeing as the cabins are already paid for by people who are fleeing the ship, it could even be really inexpensive!

 

Sure could use a week-end away, and I don't really care WHERE as long as I'm on a ship.

 

I'll bring my own hand sanitizer! Please please please?

 

Fred and LauraS, thank you so much for keeping us all posted. It's fascinating to watch all of this happen, and to get first-hand information.

[Kurbanfan]

Not quite sure why people already ON the shp would want to get off. I am not happy about my possible itenerary and will change... but if I were already on the ship and was not going to be reimbursed especially, I would be keeping my butt on the ship!

 

To each his own I guess.

 

I'm thinking because they have not been able to get off since embarkation day and they have 2 more days until their first and only port:D

[Kurbanfan]

The coldest winter I spent was the summer in San Francisco...

 

LOL! Me too:p

[Host Mick]

Hey Fred

there is a ton of things to do In San Francisco It is one of my Favorite places in the world and i have visited there 25 times in the last 10 years......love it love it love it....I hope i can share some thoughts with you of what to do and to help you share info with others On board ....

Pier 39 as others have said is the closest thing but right past there is Fisherman's Wharf which has the Best Seafood on the West Coast.....lots of shopping in this area (cheap Jackets and sweaters) also a few museums that are a must see ...I know you were in the Navy and they Have a sub and a WW11 Ship the The SS JEREMIAH O'BRIEN is one of two remaining fully functional Liberty Ships pretty cool to walk around that ....here are a few links of things to do in that area...

http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/

http://www.pier39.com/

http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/

http://www.ghirardellisq.com/ghirardellisq/

http://www.fishermanswharf.org/

 

You can walk a mile or so and take a Cable Car down to China town or grab a taxi anywhere in the area...China Town has of course great Chinese food as well as good Shopping...

http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mfleet/cablecar.htm

http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/

 

One of My Favorite things to do There is take a GPS Self Guided Electric Car to tour the City...they offer 4 different tours and they last about 1 hour or so each if you dont stop....They are located right at Fisherman's Wharf also.

http://www.etcars.com/

 

Weather for Friday predicted through Weather channel.com is 57 and showers....Try to stay Warm and Dry....

 

Alcatraz will hard to get into The first time i went to San Francisco i did not know you needed reservations and the soonest i would be able to go was 4 days out....everytime i went (5 times) i made reservations since very much worth going especially because of your line of work...I hope you could see it...

http://www.alcatraz.us/

 

Whatever happens i Hope you have a wonderful time there..

 

It's kind of touristy but I recommend the bay tours on the Red and White fleet (Stanford) or the Blue and Gold fleet (Cal) you get an excellent view of the the city and bay and the ferries pass under the Golden Gate Bridge for bonus thrills. Don't foret your jacket. It's been cool here lately.

Also right next to the Jerimiah O'Brien is Musee Mechanique, an awesome collection of old coin-operated games and novelties. Pong may be the newest machine in there. Bring coins and plan to stay for a while with Laughin' Sal.

[Bonnington]

If you really want to have a great time on friday Evening in the city, try

 

Beach Blanket Babylon

 

http://www.beachblanketbabylon.com/

 

We saw it last Dec and it was exceptionally good......:D

 

Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon, the longest running musical revue in theatre history, is a zany musical spoof of pop culture with extravagant costumes and outrageously huge hats. Now in its 34th year of sold-out performances, Beach Blanket Babylon is an internationally acclaimed San Francisco institution. With more than 12,000 performances in San Francisco, the show has performed for standing room only during its London and Las Vegas engagements. Beach Blanket Babylon continually evolves in its hilarious parodies of current events and popular icons as todays headlines unfold.