kevdad

I would suspect one reason is because the airlines do it frequently have a streamlined process...whereas it's less frequent with cruises so the process is more methodical. Another reason might be that airlines measure changes in minutes in minutes and hours...whereas a cruise is likely impacted for hours or days. Surely there is a procedure in place...but it would come as little surprise if later today all passengers on board know exactly what comes next (if not already).

 

It would be interesting to get an update from someone onboard in contrast to us armchair quarterbacks.

Sounds, then, like an internal process improvement issue at RCI that Carnival has solved. I have never sailed Carnival and probably never will, but I respect their customer service!

If you're basing that on a couple of posts making the (wrong) claim that they encouraged going to the port...you have been misinformed. A few other folks pointed out the error.

 

The exact opposite has been the case - a focus on safety. The ship was steered away from the hurricane, and those on the next cruise have been told to stay away for now. If you read back several posts....you'll see that Royal Caribbean actually told people NOT TO GO TO the Galveston port until further notice - the responsible thing to do.

 

Unfortunately this is exactly why reading posts with mis-information results in confused or misinformed consumers.

Why would anyone be heading to the port now anyway? I'd be boarding a plane (maybe) to fly to a hotel in a major disaster area. Call me crazy, but my preference would be to avoid that based on personal safety.

Which is probably why many airlines are also cancelling flights to that general area...for the NEXT 5 DAYS.

Exactly! All the airlines and Carnival are offering to reschedule for free (and the airlines do it even if the flight hasn't been canceled or delayed!). Why can't RCI do it? I have yet to hear of a good reason.

Actually....as stated in the previous post...they are saying "stay away until further notice".

 

In reality, they're leaning towards safety above all...which of course puts them in a no-win scenario.

They have said to not come to the port which is closed anyway!

Oh really...all their announcements have indicated to WAIT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE to proceed to Galveston.

 

Yet more misinformation posted. All someone has to do is read a few posts back (mt82) and see the official word from Royal Caribbean, which totally contradicts your claim.

To proceed to the port, yes. But if I were coming from out of state to board the ship in 22 hours I'd be making my way into a weather disaster anywhere within a few hundred miles including Houston.

I guess I don't understand the argument that the cruise line owes you something if your flight is cancelled and the cruise ship is able to dock, or or that the cruise line owes you something if you choose to fly into a hurricane situation and the ship isn't able to dock. Neither the cruise line or the airline has any control over the other's decisions. To expect either of these independent companies to reimburse you for a decision made by the other is unreasonable. That's why you purchase travel insurance to cover these types of unexpected situations.

They may not "owe" him anything but why not do the right thing and at least let him reschedule free of charge now and relieve all the anxiety? It's ridiculous that something like that hasn't been offered to these people less than 24 hours before they're supposed to board the ship.

This just in from Port of Galveston:

PORT CONDITION remains at Zulu. If there is a lull in the storm the Captain of the Port MAY allow for inbound cruise vessels however there is no guarentee. Saftey of passengers is a rpiority. Please contact your cruise line for additional information Royal Caribbean International: 1-800-764-7419 Carnival Cruise Line: 1-800-256-6649.

If it did open for a while would all the folks disembarking have transportation to get wherever they were going (and would it be safe?) or would they simply be stranded at the port? In any case, it's hard to image they could gather all the necessary employees at the port on short notice for disembarkation/embarkation.

 

Light rain right now in Galv. Channel looks pretty calm. We've arrived and departed in worse weather than this, I promise. I've got pics...

 

If you'd like the link: http://www.galveston.com/cruisevideocam/

Is the bigger issue having enough employees willing and able to come to the port itself? Security, baggage handlers, immigration, check-in desk staff, etc. adds up to a lot of folks who need to get there from home regardless of how it looks at the port.

Departure Information if anyone is in need of it :)

I'm probably missing it on these but what time do they expect you out of your cabin? Thanks again!

Thank you! Very helpful as we are on this exact itinerary 12/31.

I thought the original questions were interesting, but man did the "discussion" veer off course and not in a particularly friendly fashion!

So, to answer your original post: MTD only applies to the main dining rooms. With a young child I would prefer MTD for the flexibility vs. having a set time each night.

Is Wonderland on the Oasis or just Anthem?

I wouldn't stress at all over any long-term impacts to children not wearing coat and tie for a night or two on a Caribbean cruise that has a dress code suggestion. If it were a dress code requirement, that would be a whole different discussion. Enjoy your cruise!

We did Blue Hole with Liberty a couple of years ago, was one of the best excursions ever, the grandkids still talk about this as one of their favorite days! Driver was professional and friendly, and Blue Hole was absolutely beautiful - and the kids that work there as guides were unbelievable divers (they showed off their tricks - incredible skills!) and so friendly and helpful with all of us tourists!

Highly recommend!

Totally agree. We used Liberty two years ago and my wife, our kids and I had an outstanding time. The guide was super friendly and knowledgeable, lunch at Scotchies was tasty and our kids talked about the adventure for months.

On our last cruise in May we brought along the full complement of dressy clothes for all five of us including DD9, DS11 and DS12. While we really enjoyed having a night where everyone was dressed up we also noticed it added an entire suitcase of additional clothes for just one night's dinner (jackets, ties, shoes, etc.) So, for our Oasis cruise in December we're going to do "smart casual" for the kids on formal night and haven't decided what we'll do for ourselves.

I imagine there are a lot of good, hardworking local folks that will get badly hurt financially by this. Pretty sad.

The entertainment schedule for our November Oasis cruise had opened up. We had planned on doing traditional dining (8:00) for the first time in quite a while. I thought shows were scheduled around traditional dining times. Looking at the schedule many of the shows are scheduled for 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, or 9:00, none of which work with 8:00 dining. Even 9:30 would make it hard to get a good seat for the shows. It's almost impossible to work out a schedule if you want to go to all of the shows.

 

I guess I'll call and change us to MTD. Have others had this much trouble?

Yes! We were booked for 7:15 MTD each night for our December cruise but the entertainment schedule just opened and that definitely won't work. We now have 6:00 MTD with a few 8:30 shows and 8:30 MTD for two 7:30 shows (Come Fly with Me and Frozen in Time). We are switching to RCL from DCL for this cruise and I definitely preferred the DCL consistent early/late dining and show schedule.

How about waterskiing off the back of the ship. A couple of lifeboats can be used to pick up people who fall. They can probably get $500 a person for that excursion.

Sign me up! Or how about tubing for the kids, that would be a thrill ride like no other...

Speaking of kids, I'd like a dedicated tweens space added similar to what they have on DCL. And I imagine my kids would too, they loved the Edge on the Fantasy.

On some cruise lines, the specialty restaurants are one place to escape formal nights. What's the practice on RC?

That's exactly what we're thinking and wondering for our upcoming cruise. Just don't feel like dragging along the jacket and tie on our Caribbean cruise, with three kids we already have a ton of luggage.

Thanks for posting the question!

If you are diamond the diamond lounge is on 12, good place to get coffee the morning, or a drink later

Not yet. Our last two cruises were on DCL, going back to RCL after one cruise on Freedom six years ago. I have a feeling we'll be staying with RCL given all the additional activities on Oasis.

Thanks for all the replies. We have three kids who will probably spend a lot of time doing activities on the upper deck but I also think we'll be everywhere. We love to spend time on the balcony too and like the idea of a larger balcony in the x602 rooms.

We can book 9602 and 9604 or 12602 and 12604, are either of these combinations better or does it not matter?

Great review, thanks for sharing! We will be on the eastern route you were on in December and also plan on Capt. Bob and the walk around San Juan. Really looking forward to it.

I also struggle with booking a reservation at an Italian restaurant knowing I'll eat steak and that the pasta isn't good. I find that really bizarre.

Was the comedian 18 and over? Any other shows you liked?

Keep checking your cruise planner. Mine is also $55 for our cruise in Jan. plus gratuity. I have read on here that when it goes down, purchase. If it goes down further, cancel and repurchase.

The $55 does not include gratuity.

Is a credit card used to purchase, then they refund if canceled? Thanks!

I think it's being coupled with the soda and/or non-alcoholic packages in some cases, as well.

Better online reviews after a few cocktails. Smart marketing move. :)