BND

32 minutes ago, Pratique said:

In larger perspective it seems trivial. I read today how most of the shipping companies except Maesrk are going to dump the inbound containers at different ports and told the receivers to come and get it, not our problem to get it to Baltimore. The pain will be spread far and wide and everyone who feels it will be unhappy to some degree. But it is just another bump in the road of life.

It's a huge impact to shipping and supply chains.  People need to look outside themselves.

16 minutes ago, pghflyer said:

I actually have no idea about what day you are referring to or which itineraries are affected in which way. I live here, these are my people, and my town, and I feel terrible about the loss of life and long-term impact. But it doesn't mean people  have to just eat very significant changes that is no longer remotely what they purchased (i.e. new embarkation port 5 HOURS away.... I am not impacted but am still employed and could not magically come up with extra vacation days for those drives) That is why the for-profit business should carry insurance.

12 April 8 day has been shortened to 7 days and Nassau was dropped.  We're on both the 4 and 12 April cruises and are happy that we are still going. 

What insurance do you think exists that would cover a situation like this?  People should buy insurance for themselves, hence why travel insurance exists.   

8 minutes ago, pghflyer said:

Sorry but their inability to provide the vacation we purchased (nights, embarkation port, disembarkation port, general intended region of itinerary) shouldn't really be all our risk and consequence to accept. I am the customer and they are the for-profit business. I know some of this is in the contract, and I know you can buy a million dollar travel insurance policy to insure against the end-of-times, but sometimes the defense of these companies doing whatever they want, as if they are the Red Cross or something, is amusing.

Sigh.  This only happened due to a major tragedy where people lost their lives, and many thousands of people's livelihoods were impacted,  but hey, complain about missing a day.

I just can't with the FB roll call groups anymore. I have never heard so much complaining(going to use another word, but it wasn't nice.)  The posts are: Why are we paying for an 8 night cruise if we're only getting 7 (12Apr)  Um, OBC which is more than port fees and taxes.  Now, there's lots of complaining that RoyalUp bids are being cancelled. And, people cancelling.  Another post, someone says "why would they want to sail half full"?  Seriously, you see a few posts of people cancelling and you've decided it's "half".  And, my favorite, those losing their minds that Nassau is the port cancelled.  Not missing much there lol. Nassau is being cancelled because the ship has to be back one day early and it's the last port.  To keep Nassau they'd have to shuffle the entire itinerary (which others have pointed out).  People seem to forget why this is all happening.  An entire economy is being damaged and people lost their lives, but geez, don't cancel Nassau.

1 hour ago, KmomChicago said:

Are they allowing cancellation with full refunds? I am not on this cruise so I am just a cheerleader on the sidelines. 
 

Others have mentioned Amtrak as an option to avoid flying or driving. 

 

I would just hope folks who have been looking forward to a cruise get to still make it happen but obviously an individual decision.

People on FB roll calls are reporting calling and cancelling and being given full refunds.  We like Amtrak for Bayonne, but it doesn't work as well for Norfolk (requires a bus transfer in Newport News).  With my mom living down in NN/Yorktown area, we drive down there every few weeks anyway.  I've done it many times by myself as well as with DH.  

17 minutes ago, CarpeCerevisi said:

The Iowa class was designed as fast battleships capable of 33 knots as compared to the 28 knots of the South Dakota and North Carolina classes and the 21 knots of the old standard class battleships.  Even though the Iowas had basically the same main and secondary armaments (50 caliber 16" as opposed to 45 caliber) they were longer and had more powerful machinery than the preceding classes.

Okay. My DH is a retired US Navy Captain and as a reservist had one of his Change of Commands on the Wisconsin.  Point was the ratios are different than cruise ships.

3 minutes ago, clochette said:

One more reason I am not a gambler I loose every bet, I would certainly have bet that Vision would sail out of Cape Liberty/Bayonne as Royal has all of the infrastructure in place there.

Us too.  We even made a hotel reservation a couple of days ago in Elizabeth just in case.  Cancelled now of course.

3 minutes ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

Gives Royal quite a bit of leeway to have you start anywhere and end anywhere.

 

😮

Well, since they have no idea when the port of Baltimore will be open to them, what are they supposed to put there?  I've seen posts by people who obviously have zero idea about how long it will take to do underwater demo, move all the debris, redredge and then inspect and reopen the channel.  

9 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

Amazing how skinny & small the battleship Wisconsin looks compared to Oasis.  

 

Most Naval vessels are much narrower (width to length ratio) than cruise ships. 

8 hours ago, TPKeller said:

 

I think I found the actual reason.  The City of Norfolk is hosting a two-hour long parade, starting at 10AM, that walks right by the cruise terminal!  No possible way to turn around 5,000 passengers in the middle of all that!!  😄

Theron

Well, there won't be 5000 passengers to "turn around" but a parade like that would be an issue.  Vision is leaving for drydock from there. There is no cruise booked until the end of May after our 12-19 April one.  There will be somewhere around 2,000 cruise passengers debarking, depending on how many cancel. I've seen a few posts of people who already have cancelled.

7 minutes ago, emeraldcity said:

So now that it's determined where the current passengers will disembark, how does the cruise line deal with the obvious PVSA violation. Do they file for an exemption?

 

This is an emergency situation.  

8 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Surely not everyone will bus back to Baltimore, but that's still a ton of buses to corral.

Carnival's doing it on Sunday.  It just means chartering what they can find.

27 minutes ago, renostyle said:

Has anyone heard how the passengers currently onboard and due back on the 4th will be transferred from Norfolk to Baltimore?  Will they be on their own or will RC provide bus options?   

Those onboard will be receiving a letter about that.  Pretty sure they will be bussed back to Baltimore just like Carnival is doing.  

My sister just volunteered to take us on 4 April and pick us up on19 April.  They know Norfolk really well as they've lived in the Yorktown/NN area for over 35 years.  

1 minute ago, Orsino said:

Does it? It says they need to, but not why. Am I missing something?

Not directly, but what difference does it make?  You think they want to shorten it and pay out OBC?

People are cancelling.  That's fine with me.  I love a ship that isn't full.

41 minutes ago, toad455 said:

I'm guessing the second cruise is ending a day early because the Carnival ship has the pier on April 20? 

Nope.  Legend leaves for a TA on 15 April.  Read the email I posted.  It says why they are ending it a day early.

24 minutes ago, Skydome1 said:

Just got an email from RC. They are going to use the Norfolk Cruise Terminal. Boarding is from 1230-1530. 

Scroll up a bit. I posted the emails for 4 and 12 April.

36 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

yes I saw thst but that should should cover the missed port not yhe fact yhe cruise was shortened. 

You normally only get port fees and taxes back for a missed port.  OBC is more than that.  We're fine with it.  There are people upset that we're missing Nassau and still going to Charleston.  Charleston is much nicer lol. 

7 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

yes I saw thst but that should should cover the missed port not yhe fact yhe cruise was shortened. 

Isn't that the same thing?

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Really surprised they are not offering a one day refund of the cruise fare fir the Aptil 12 sailing. 

They are giving OBC. Read down the 12 April email.

3 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

There have been reports from people booked on those cruises that the last two cruises before dry dock will sail out of Norfolk. 

They are.  We're on both it's been confirmed by email. Set Sail passes also say Norfolk which was reported before Royal sent the emails.

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

None were posted here.  Kind if surprised that they aren't.  They usually are pretty good about offering the option to cancel when there are major changes. 

About Your Upcoming Travels

Dear Guest, We’re excited to welcome you onboard Vision of the Seas for our April 12th, 2024, sailing! Before we set sail, we have some very important updates to share with you. After the recent bridge collapse, Baltimore will not be prepared to safely embark guests on April 12th, 2024. After exploring all options, Norfolk, Virginia was the best temporary alternate home port for Vision on the Seas. Unfortunately, we will need to shorten our cruise by one day and return to Norfolk on April 19th, 2024, instead of coming home on the April 20th, 2024. Additionally, as a result of the time and distance impact, we need to skip our visit to Nassau, Bahamas. We’re terribly sorry for the unexpected change, your safety is always our highest priority. Below, please find our revised Vision of the Seas April 12th, 2024, itinerary. Check-In All guests must proceed directly to the Port of Norfolk to check-in for your cruise. Space in the terminal can only accommodate a specific number of guests, so it’s critical that you adhere to your arrival time! Check-in will be from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM. All guests should be checked in and onboard by 4:00 PM. So, please arrive no later than 3:30 PM. Please see the address below. One Waterside Drive, Norfolk, Virginia, 23510 Flights & Travel Guests with booked flights and/or transfers through Royal Caribbean International that have been impacted will have arrangements rescheduled for them automatically.   Our teams will provide you with your updated transfer details. If you’ve pre-purchased your air and transfers independently, please reach out to your carrier to arrange alternate accommodations.   If you currently have pre-scheduled transportation for your arrival (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car) and incur a change fee, we will cover up to $200 USD per person for domestic changes or up to $400 USD per person for international changes. Any new travel that you may need to purchase (flights, bus, train, or mileage) we will reimburse up to $200 USD. Please send your receipts to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com for review and reimbursement. Compensation Details To make up for this last-minute change, we’re providing you with an Onboard Credit(OBC) for the adjusted itinerary. $75 USD for Interior $100 USD for Ocean View staterooms $200 USD for Balcony staterooms $250 USD for Suites $25 USD for 3rd or more guests Additionally, we will provide: A refund for any pre-purchased Royal Caribbean shore excursions for Nassau. A one-day pro-rated refund for any packages that are charged daily (ex. Beverage, VOOM, and Dining Packages) Guests who pre-paid gratuities will receive a 1-day pro-rated refund as an OBC. Please note, these Onboard Credits can be used anywhere onboard, and any remaining, refundable amounts at the end of our sailing will be reimbursed to your card on file in up to 14 business days. Loyalty You'll receive loyalty points for the original sail nights, instead of the nights sailed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to welcoming you onboard Vision of the Seas! Sincerely, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez AVP | Guest Experience Royal Caribbean International

Just now, Ourusualbeach said:

Had not seen any e mails.  Have e mails actually gone out to guests?

Yes, we got ours at 455 pm and others have reported and posted them on FB.

1 minute ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I would be very surprised if Royal did not offer guests the option to cancel for a full refund. 

Nothing in the emails mentions refunds.  Carnival did't offer it.