sheilb4

Like the OP, I am interested how the current embassy situation will effect my cruise to Cuba, which I was hoping to visit in about a week. I wanted to see if people are planning on continuing with their cruise plans if the itinerary isn't changed or are they going to try & pressure NCL to change the port. I am especially interested on hearing from those whose cruises are leaving in the next couple of weeks.

 

This thread has now digressed to implied cursing & arguing over political views. That is not the purpose of cruise critic. There are other sites to argue political views if one feels the need to do so.

 

Thank you.

I am leaving Monday, just going to make the most of it, wonder if it’s all hype, but ya never know... just want to see what I can, while I can, since that could change anytime too “maybe”......

I plan to enjoy the ambiance, culture, sights and the people, with probs a few mojitos along the way! Lol

Will follow up on my return.

I just booked today for Monday 10/2...... I still have 12hrs to cancel......not hearing anything official from RCCL yet...wonder if we will. Hmmmmm

We have cruised for many years. We don't care where the ship takes us as long as it is warm & sunny with a beach & beverages in February!

Great point!

Sorry, for your anxiety. Glad to hear that you are safe and that your home was somewhat okay.

Thanks very much...... yes indeed I was very lucky my home was ok... sure was a scarey time, and tbh, the entire cruise was rather disappointing in many ways, so this port experience sealed it... very sad, but of course could have been so much worse.

I'm on the Dec 2 Eastern on the Escape. I got an e-mail today from NCL saying we will be going to Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Great Stirrup Cay, and Nassau.

Oh dear. How very disappointing. At least with Cozumel or Costa Maya on western, there are some nice beach clubs, but of course I know it can't be helped....

Wonder if that is likely going to be my itinerary now also, same sailing date, but on Epic..

If so, shall deffo be staying onboard! Never mind. Just longer to enjoy the ship.

Shall await my email. Thanks for info

1 - Sold out today does not mean sold out tomorrow. Some will cancel. Some will move to higher category. Rooms might open up for other reasons.

 

2 - If you bid, it could be accepted.

 

3 - If you want to change your bid, just go back into the system and change it to a lower bid.

I actually did the lowest bid avail, no higher category as was for OS....so because lowest bid, am sure it's unlikely to be accepted, methinks! That view from the bedroom and huge balcony is what grabbed me the most..... I guess I will have to wait and see. Thanks for advise.

So I think I messed up....

First time doing the upgrade bid process which received in email, made a bid for minimum which was $750 confirmed, paid, checked availability on my cruise date and saw that that category had already sold out, then also noticed the $750 was per person! What a doofus!

I am going solo so it would be double that amount of course...duh..another $1500!!!! Eeeeek.

My question is, if that category has already sold out on my sailing, my bid would not be accepted anyway, right?

Am hoping this is the case as really don't want to pay that huge extra amount.... oh dear. Thoughts?

A bunch of trees down and some traffic lights not working. They didn't even have any officers or signage to help avoid the areas. I'm assuming they were too busy with keeping peace in gas lines and helping with the really bad damage. It was absolutely the worst most stressful disembarkation I've ever done. On top of it people were stranded with no flights or hotels. I did finally get a text today at 2 pm saying if we were stranded they would try and help. Too little too late. Should have stayed in port one more day. They knew there were very limited flights and no hotel rooms, feel bad for those left. They offered rooms for $199pp tax and all, I personally would have taken that if I needed to fly home.

I so agree with you Lauren it was the worst experience ever at the port. I was one of those folks that had no idea what the heck I was going to do, didn't know anyone in Ft Laud, could not find a hotel room, flights cx or unable to get one for 2 days, and the thought of driving for 6 to 8 hours in the dark if I could even get a rental car on my own, was very scary!

I tried calling the "assistance" # from the letter we had in our cabin the night before, but it was "unavailable" tried calling from ship too.... nothing! never did get an answer after >20 tries!

I discussed w/guest services on ship, my plight, also w/guest services at the port.... no one could help me. Just a "sorry, ma'am, nothing we can do"

Being completely alone too.....never have I been so upset and scared, with no idea where to go, or what to do.

Felt like many of us were just "dumped". No one seemed to care. Just shocked at lack of caring that day.

Finally found a rental car at airport, drove 7hrs straight in the dark, a lot of power out for many hours of the trip, empty roads, boy was it creepy, finally home, then spent next 3 days clearing up damage from hurricane, but I was safe and home standing... a nightmare experience that I will never forget!

Of course I know a natural disaster cannot be helped, the capt did good and kept us safe, but wow! soon as we reached Ft Laud.......Customer care and service!!!!!! RCCL.... speechless!

I wonder what will happen to all those people from the ships? I mean if hotels are closed or booked cannot get a flight out or a car...!

 

Bad enough some residents are in dire straights...but introduce thousands more with no where to go. Shelters are packed..

Yikes!

Yup, unable to get any of the above, so I am one of them!! Good luck to everyone in same situation!! I think we are going to need it!

I would suggest trying to hitch a ride back to the area with someone from your rollcall that might have driven to the port, but it might be too late to try to carpool with someone.

Too late. Met some people from roll call but not in my area.....good suggestion tho! Still looking at hotels, all booked up or closed... oh dear.

No flights avail for tomorrow, had reserved rental car but now "unavailable".. tried other sites, same outcome....most hotels closed....what and where do we go overnight since probs nothing until weds.....

I'm sure am one of many......any suggestions....anyone.... ???? :eek: Thanks for any input/advise

Oops, yes that would help wouldn't it... duh. Sorry... mind a bit frazzled I guess... Harmony/Ft Laud. Trying to get back to Tampa Bay Area want to get a rental and drive home asap....see what "surprises" are waiting for me at my house!! Ugh.... any locals that know of rental car places open tomorrow?

No flights avail for tomorrow, had reserved rental car but now "unavailable".. tried other sites, same outcome....most hotels closed....what and where do we go overnight since probs nothing until weds.....

I'm sure am one of many......any suggestions....anyone.... ???? :eek: Thanks for any input/advise

They are okay! They said it was very scary at times. Good luck with your home. Hopefully we will find out soon about the port opening.

Thanks.

Yes indeed, that's the real clarification! Hope not true, just wanna get home to check damage like most everyone else I am sure.

Let's hope my source "mis-heard" and was wrong.

Currently on the Harmony and can't sleep because my family in Central Florida are feeling the full effects of Irma right now and I'm worried about them. We are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning at Port Everglades. Is it true it won't be until Wednesday now? If anyone has further information please share!

On Harmony too... just had text @ 630a from friend in Ft Laud, said it was on radio that Port Everglades AND airport closed until weds!

Can anyone else confirm this?

My home St Pete beach area, storm surge getting bad, and could be underwater soon..

Good luck to your family too, hope they are ok.

I have some friends currently on the Harmony. I was worried when I heard about the earthquake. Has it affected the ship? Where are you guys headed next?

So far no change, yes, an earthquake! Can you believe it! Shocking!

Waters calm, just docking in Costa Maya, beautiful sunrise. A sea day tomorrow en route to Cozumel again, Sunday. To date still expecting to return Ft Laud on Tuesday, but that could change... might be another day at sea, or re-route if port damaged, who knows.....

Just gotta wait and see.

I'm currently on the Harmony approaching Costa Maya and woke up to the news that there was an earthquake in Mexico not that far from us. My Central Florida home is in the direct path of hurricane Irma and I am on a cruise ship that is near an area where there was just an 8.1 earthquake. Not sure if the only two ports in Florida will be open to welcome us home on Tuesday morning or how the conditions in Florida will be to drive home. I don't even know if I should get off the ship! I'm feeling very defeated.

On Harmony too.... feel your pain. My home by water,

Tampa/St Pete, been flooded twice this year with just regular storms.....alone with no one to help or look out for house.... worried sick and very scared.

Thought about getting off but flights etc impossible as connections FLL or MIA which likely closed now.

Nothing we can do but wait and see what happens...ugh.

Some say yes, some say no. Can someone pls confirm who has been recently. Thank so much.

OMG lol. I don't know if I could watch him again :eek::D:D:p. Let me find his name: Jeff Piotrowski. Follow him on twitter.

Jeff was amazing. I didn't sleep all night watching his coverage!

Wonder if he will be going to Florida?' I think is was periscope/video wasn't it?

I'd go with the rental car option. If the conditions are really bad, no mode of transportation will work. However, I can see conditions where the airlines might cancel flights but ground transportation would strill be available.

Thanks yes, that is what I am leaning towards and will do a booking now as can always cx if needed, since likely may be a flurry of peeps like myself considering same.....

Feel bad for the folks getting ready and excited to board Saturday like I was last week...... hope it all works out for everyone.

Personally, I don't think you can make any plan changes as yet. You don't know if you will dock on time, or what day. You don't know, maybe the weather will be fairly clear and your plans, as you made them, are fine.

 

I think you should consider options for different contingencies.

 

Booking a rental car (cancellable/refundable) might make sense. But, you know the roads in FL. Are they going to be passable? Will they be jammed with people evacuating?

 

I can imagine Harmony getting back to port early, I can imagine Harmony getting back to port later in the day or even the next day. I can imagine the storm staying south and you are good.

 

I think it is possible Irma will impact your trip. I just don't think anyone can say how it will be impacted as yet.

Yes I think you are right, a bit early to plan but by thurs/fri I am sure it will be clearer, one way or the other.... the captain has been giving updates too but nothing of change yet. Just know I am in a major evacuation/flood zone so getting anxious, but we shall see..nothing I can do about it anyhooo! Just enjoy the present lovely weather and cruise, right! Lol

8:45a ET UPDATE:

-Hurricane Irma Becomes 'Extremely Dangerous' Category 5;

-Florida Declares Emergency;

-Airlines Cancel Flights, Issue Travel Waivers

-Royal Caribbean to Announce More Itinerary Changes Tomorrow

LATEST HERE

Would like to know where you are getting your info, the links provided will not open for me....am on Harmony hoping to be back sat am, fly home to Tampa, or not?....thank you.

Advice needed please - On Harmony. Back Ft Laud (hopefully) sat.

Was planning using luggage valet to FLL, with SWest 4pm flight to Tampa..(.45m- if not cancelled )

OR.

Should I forget all that that and rent car to drive home (4hrs).

I know you guys on here are avidly watching the track (thank you) so hope some will have advice, and as thurs/fri approaches I'm sure news will be more specific.... eeeeek :eek:

i read last week it was $55/day + 18%.

On harmony and charge is $58/day + 18%

Just FYI as online pkg Mayb cheaper

I got it onboard as had 30% D+ discount but wanted others to be aware

I "guesstimated total incl grat= &318, it is now $335 with D+ disc. . Just saying.

You got me here. The two times we have sailed on Harmony we haven't booked up to the TV. The set up you describe has worked on Allure and Oasis.

 

Perhaps someone else will chime in a way around this issue.

Hi. Thanks 4 response. Yeah hope so. Bought all the extras and was so proud of myself when it worked until the dreaded pop up. AAARGH. Hopefully something poss to resolve

Downloaded lotsa movies etc beautiful sunny day today. If it's like this, no rain etc. then may not even need it. Lol thx

hey fll trying to get my movies etc to show on tv screen on Harmony. Everything went smooth with Cc guidance but still get this message across screen that prevents me viewing.

"Widget solution not verified" Has anyone experienced this before? Is it fixable or am I stuck with it? Any advice much appreciated.

(have the cable/adapter/universal remote and all set up until this). Thanks