Texasramblinreck

We are home in Texas now and thought I would give an update.  I forgot to mention how smooth check in was.  Just check in with a paper has all your vaccinated info and 15 minutes to get the test.

‘Nashville is a great town, we had a private tour, but several on ship did many on Saturday and loved it.  The Grand Ole Opry was absolutely fantastic, it was filled to the top, masks were optional and everyone was celebrating.  6 great artists with the Oak Ridge Boys finish the show with Elvira, that brought the house down!  The deck hands were so helpful to get you on and off boat, really great for us old folks.  Some of you might remember me saying ACL was going to pay the extra increase for flights due to the cancellation, a check for $721 was waiting for me when I got home.  I was impressed.  The river was so smooth and the weather perfect for our cruise.  Looking forward to next cruise

After getting off to a rough start with our Jul 11 cruise being canceled at the last minute, the Aug 1 cruise was nothing but smooth sailing and extremely enjoyable.  This was our first River cruise and it far exceeded our expectations.  First of all let me say I was quite impressed with the staff, their friendliness and dedication to making the cruise wonderful.  From the cleaning of the room, serving our meals and all other requests.  Sure they worked hard and a good percentage were only a few weeks on the ship themselves.  For the most part the service was timely, none of the horror reports I read earlier about hours to wait, 15 to 30 minutes was the norm.  They were happy and there to please.  If you wanted something a little different, it was usually no problem.  The Cruise Director Keri and Excursions Director David were wonderful, so future cruisers on the Jazz this year, you are going to have a treat.  The guest historical onboard was great and we attended all his talks.

The entertainment was excellent on board, first night we had Elvis, followed by two excellent Blue Grass groups, who played for two nights each, tonight we have someone doing Neil Diamond songs.

Tomorrow in Nashville we conclude with the Grand Ole Opry.

We have already booked our next cruise next July on the new ship Melody for Upper Mississippi in the Veranda Suite again.  Saved $2,534.  The Veranda was extremely roomy withe a great deck on top of the ship and most of all the bathroom had great walk in shower with handicap bars in the shower and commode area.  It had a safe, small refrigerator.  From the two lounges below, you can get snacks, soft drinks and ice.  I even brought back whole bottles of wine to drink later at night.  With dinning, the shows and of course happy hour, you never want for anything to drink.  During happy hours each day the treats, were to dye for!

Cruising the river was so peaceful and beautiful, the country side was picturesque.  The ports of Paducah, Dover and Clarksville were really enjoyable.  The port of Memphis, not so much!  It’s a long way down to river from buses and if you have any difficulty walking take the golf cart down. The area was unkept and covered with debris and trees washed up.  This was not ACL fault, but the city of Memphis, which is Democrat run, need I say more.  Looking forward to Nashville where we dock at Opryland.  All the excursions were great, but go to Old Glory in Clarksville if you have a chance.  All the food was excellent, we just couldn’t eat 3 meals a day, I suggest you bring tums as my body revolted on me after 3 days, just wasn’t use to it, after that I was great for rest of the cruise.

After 16 ocean cruises, this was a great change with fewer people, we had 150 on board and visiting with everyone.  We look forward to next cruise and I’ll check back when I get home for any questions.

I knew we would hear from you.  I feel so much better about our cruise this weekend on Jazz returning to Nashville.  Saw on the map were you were on your way and glad they have their act together.  I figured you would be full, so glad you only have 114, hope we are the same.  Good review and great start!  I will check it on your cruise if you post more, we leave early Friday morning 

On 7/16/2021 at 6:11 PM, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Good to hear! I'm feeling a bit more optimistic for July 25. I hesitated in getting anything ready to go with not knowing if the cruise was a go but may start now. Thanks for the update. 

The Jazz is docked in Nashville where it’s supposed to be, ready for your cruise.  Hope you have a wonderful cruise and ACL goes the extra mile to make up for the bad PR of sticking the boat in the mud.  The crew ought to be fresh afresh having two weeks off.

18 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Good to hear! I'm feeling a bit more optimistic for July 25. I hesitated in getting anything ready to go with not knowing if the cruise was a go but may start now. Thanks for the update. 

According to GPS the Jazz was at Clarksville two hours ago.  Should be in Nashville by end of the day.

the latest update:
https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/fuel-pumped-out-of-american-jazz-head-of-attempt-at-lifting-the-stuck-riverboat/article_4f1d302a-e5ca-11eb-88bc-ef1adbf6d0a5.html

The latest - The big boys are there let’s hope it gets freed tomorrow!
https://www.kentuckytoday.com/stories/salvage-operations-begin-friday-to-free-cruise-ship,33183

1 hour ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

I found this article online today. I'm a bit concerned that IF the 7/25 cruise sails it could be less than great with new crew and/or unhappy crew. From reading some reviews of ACL I know they were having some start-up issues before this. 

 

Conditions on American Jazz

I saw the same review.  I really wish ACL would be more transparent about all this!  I have looked at alternate cruises like the Upper and Lower Mississippi but they are either full or almost there.  I noticed your cruise is full, that means you will have the 190 passengers instead of the 120 they have been running,  so the conditions will get worst unless they get more help!  The Jazz had 54 crew members, which I think they are supposed to have around 70.  One article yesterday that said they hired a savage company to inject high pressure water and get the ship off.  Can’t find anything as of today.  I guess I’ll wait it out and hope for the best, and just cancel if things don’t happen soon.  I know you guys are pulling your hair out, when was last time you talked to customer service?  If you call, just give you phone number for return call, they are pretty good about that.

im trying to be positive and roll with it, but it’s getting difficult.

4 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

Yes.....we're booked for July 25. I've lost my enthusiasm, for now, with not knowing what may be happening. Hopefully we'll know more soon.

 

 American Jazz Update July 14 '21

I know what you mean, I have been dealing with this since Saturday and have tried to be positive,  finally I was feeling good until I heard about the 18th being canceled.  The option I thought I had to rebook on the Upper Mississippi, went away, so I’m down to just getting a full refund if something doesn’t happen soon.  Not sure how much longer I’m willing to give them before I just request a refund.  I’m not going through all the hassle again.  I told the customer service rep, if not resolved by tomorrow we need to look at refund.  I guess I could wait until Monday, this is all so stressful.  Like you don’t know why it’s taken over a week now and ACL does not keep people informed at all!

My bad suzyluvs2cruise, I think that’s you.

3 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

The July 18 cruise is also cancelled per ACL. Jazz is still stuck on the sandbar and will need to be evaluated for any damage after they get her off. Glad they're working with you (as they should) and hope you're made whole with compensation. 

I’m sorry to hear, but it gives me great concern, that leaves only the July 25 before ours.  I just a email back to my contact person and told her if the Jazz is not off tomorrow or Thursday at the latest, I would exercise one of my options to reschedule on another ship if I can get the cabin I want or just receive the full refund.  Thanks again, I didn’t know about 18th cancellation, I wonder if anything has been said to the 25th people, I think I remember someone on that cruise

On 7/11/2021 at 4:49 PM, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

I'm looking for recent posts and agree that not always current. The latest one I posted in the other thread is from today and says Divers are working on a plan to float the ship off the Sandbar and more crew has been taken off the ship. Fingers crossed there is no damage and the 7/18 cruise is a go. 

I do hope ACL offers you some compensation for the flight change costs.  I'll definitely post something while onboard. 

I send the info today and they are Going to compensate me at least $500, but she thanks the whole $721 due to circumstances.  Be aware flights are really going up, one of the flights I booked Saturday has already increased over $200 by Monday. 
The Jazz is still stuck, let me know if you hear anything (try calling them).  I hope it happens soon so it can return to Memphis for your cruise. 

On 7/10/2021 at 6:40 PM, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

Wow! I'm sorry to hear this. Did they also cancel the 7/18 cruise? or wasn't that an option for you. Hopefully ACL will have some compensation for the airfare change fees as it wasn't your fault the cruise was cancelled. We're also 1st time ACL cruisers. 

Just wanted to let you know, ACL was authorized to refund $250 each, but the customer service rep said she would try to get the whole $721 I was out for rebooking.  Just a heads up airlines are really jacking prices up, the one way flightI booked Saturday went up over $200 by Monday.  All my excursions were moved over to my August 1 cruise and Grand Ole Opry tickets were included at the end of cruise.  The damn Jazz is still stuck, but hoping everything works out, they need to get back to Memphis for the July 18th cruise.  One piece of luck in this ordeal, we might have dryer weather in August, Tennessee & Kentucky has had thunderstorms Sunday, Monday and Today and forecasted for tomorrow.

4 hours ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

An interesting article, with video, from a local perspective. 

 

American Jazz Cruise Ship Gets Stuck in a Duck Hunting Spot on Lake Barkley

I send you a post under Meals on American Jazz

On 7/10/2021 at 9:00 AM, DaveinCharlotte said:

Has the grounding of the Jazz in Lake Barkley had any impact on your cruise?

Yes see my previous post above

On 7/9/2021 at 5:41 PM, suzyluvs2cruise said:

Following as we'll be on American Jazz Nashville to Memphis July 23. I hope you'll post while onboard so we can follow along. I'm also curious about masks onboard now. Bon Voyage and have fun! 

Well by now you have hear the Jazz is still stuck in the lake.  Our cruise was canceled, I literally canceled my flight at 3:30 AM Saturday morning leaving at 6:45.  I was able to reschedule for Aug 1 from Memphis to Nashville.  It cost me $681 to rebook flights and I’m not happy with customer service at ACL over the lack of information being provided.  Looks like you will be posting since you are now the cruise before us.  I’m monitoring the situation, hopefully they get the Jazz off soon, they will probably return to Memphis for the July 18 cruise, then your July 25 cruise and ours on Aug1.  Most of the Internet stories are at least 1 day old, but looking at the GPS locator the ship is still in same spot on Lake Barkley.

Everybody has pretty well discussed how great the meals are on ACL.  We leave this weekend for Nashville on the Music cruise to Memphis.  My wife was wondering what some of the meals might be to look forward to.  We are on the second cruise of this season but maybe previous cruisers might comment.

To PeabodyMa, Our whole point in scheduling a river cruise is to network and associate with other people.  It is the small size and possibility of developing friendships that attracted us.  We have been on 16 ocean cruises so if you want to be a loner, don’t spent the big bucks for a river cruise and book an ocean cruise and go to the buffet lines.

I don’t share your opinion.  I do think there is low activity on this site and more should post reviews.  I have asked my times for reviews of recent America Jazz cruises, but only one I think.  We start our cruise July 11 and I plan to give a good review for others.  You cannot speak your peace on this site, if you criticize wearing masks, you get censored.  There should be more discussion of what’s going on during the cruise and maybe some of the excursions.

When I first looked at these cruises out west, my first thought was how do I get home.  It appears you are dropped in the middle of nowhere and the flights back to Texas (San Antonio in my case) are horrible.  I chose Music tour from Nashville to Memphis next week instead and considering Upper Mississippi or New England from Boston for our next.  Besides all that I wouldn’t get within 100 miles of Portland with all their problems.  Good luck.

My TA said they would issue a rebate afterwards too, but didn’t say how much, so don’t know what to expect.  I just don’t know if it’s worth the hassle to transfer.  When we started cruising 20 + years ago, we got pretty good OBC, but they have greatly decreased over the past few years.  We are getting a $250 OBC on an upcoming Norwegian cruise in January.  A future cruise on ACL is considerably more in cost even with discounts than the upcoming Norwegian cruise, just don’t know if ACL rewards TA like Major Cruise Lines do.

Thanks to everyone for the info.  I’ve got together 3 possible future cruises to consider in 2022.  My TA said they would give onboard credit, but I don’t know what I can spend it on.  My first River Cruise, had 16 ocean cruises, so don’t know what to expect.  That’s why these forums are helpful or people like me. I plan to post my experiences after I return.

15 hours ago, Loveh2ofl said:

15% savings on any future cruise

waived port charges and fees

10% savings for your friends and family

 

Had to book prior to leaving the ship but had 2 weeks to change cruise itinerary or date

Wow I’m impressed.  Hope they do that on our cruise.  15% plus port charges is around $2,500.  I would go ahead and book a new cruise if that’s the case.  Looking at lower or upper Mississippi or New England out of Boston.  Thanks for the info.