DEBCAT65

1 hour ago, cruisingrob21 said:

Regardless of what's going on today, she's going to need to be moved sometime today/tonight.  Tomorrow is a 3 ship turn-around day in Vancouver.

That happened on the 9/1 sailing.  2 ships were in port so Radiance had to move out for the day.  She returned in the evening and work continued.  

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

This is like saying you have "car issues" when you have repairs done for brakes one year and cooling system the next.

Agreed, however, for many, this is supposed to be a once in a lifetime trip.  We were physically on board when our cruise was cancelled.  It was pretty chaotic.  Many of the crew became instant travel agents to assist getting people back to Anchorage and on flights home.  It was a mess I would prefer not to repeat.  Additionally, azipod issues are common, however, twice in less than 1 year seems odd.  Especially since these issues cause a great financial loss to the cruise line.  

5 hours ago, Cherful59 said:

I would think it would depend on why it happened.  Radiance is not the only ship to have this issue.  Although I know she is getting older, she is one of my favorite ships and is lovely and I will be very sad when RCCL sells or scraps her.

This situation happened Sept 2023.  Two cruises were cancelled for azipod issues.  Fast forward to now, azipod issues once again.  P

1 hour ago, DFWPalm said:

I would rather just get a 50 percent off next cruise cert, but have not gone down to ask.  Anyone think that is feasible?  We just did the 4 day.  Cost more to fly back to Dallas 😞

I do not think they would give you that.  Our compensation for our cruise, which was cancelled AFTER we got on board was a refund of our cruise fare, plus a fcc for base cruise fare, less port fees and taxes.  This was very generous, however, to book same cruise this year was about 1k more, for 2 category below our 9/1/23 sailing.  No reimbursement for transportation or airfare to port in Seward.  

I feel for you all on board.  We were on the 9/1/23 sailing which was cancelled after most of us were on board.  Such a disappointment!!  We are going to try again this year, 8/31/24.  

Does anybody know the type of European converter you would need to use those outlets?

2 minutes ago, SilkySal said:

So sorry @DEBCAT65 - safe travels home!

Thank you

11 minutes ago, ngrund said:

Worst part is that this was a one-way cruise to Vancouver, so now flights/plans to return home need changing.

 

I just read that RCL is covering up to $600 in flight change fees and is offering some assistance in making arrangements.

Yes, very frustrating.  I got us booked home from Anchorage, now have to work on canceling the flight from Vancouver.  We booked on Air Canada, and now I guess we will have flight credit to use.  

We are very disappointed, however, seeing that many ships have traveled with these types of issues in the past, I believe it must be pretty severe for them to cancel the whole cruise.  I figured we might lose a port or two, but not the whole cruise.  I saw this post on another site

Just boarded Radiance today, but later told cruise cancelled due to propulsion issues.  I believe they are very fair with the compensation, however, how do you put a figure in the bucket list trip to Alaska.  However. We are getting a full refund and future cruise credit, but I can’t get an answer if we will get c&a points for this, since we incurred considerable expenses to get here and boarded the ship in good faith.  Anyone with experience with this situation.  

12 minutes ago, pyrateslife4me84 said:

Family members are posting online about this on Facebook. Looks like a teen boy. 
 

How tragic. My heart breaks for them. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. 

It was a 19 year old🙏

1 hour ago, Normal 1 said:

Thanks everyone.  We'll grab cabs.  

 

SCX22 - Using Holiday Inn Express due to significant discount but will check EXchange and Pan Pacific the week of to see if there are any 'bargains'.  

 

DEBCAT65 - Capilano Suspension Bridge is a neat way to spend a morning or afternoon if you like that type of thing.  Also, the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park is nice.  

We plan on visiting the aquarium.  Not sure I could handle the suspension bridge, lol. 

Looking forward to lots of info.  We just decided to stay in Vancouver after our cruise in Sept.  Just beginning my research.  

Love all the info.  We sail 9-1-23

Is this also a perk given to suite guests?  We are Diamond, staying in an OS on Radiance in Sept. 

1 hour ago, 3girlsmom said:

I think the answer depends on several personal factors such as physical fitness, familiarity with the airport, frequent flyer status,  etc. For someone who has mobility issues and no priority at check-in or security, I wouldn't book a flight before noon for sure. 

There's a WestJet flight from YVR to SNA at 11:15 am. After a few occasions of getting to YVR for our much later flight WITH connections  : (  and passing the WestJet gate and noticing we would've had no problem making that non-stop flight, we finally tried it and it was great!  But.... we are physically able to do the early luggage self carry-off, roll our bags the several blocks to the Skytrain and wrangle them on the ride, plus we've been fortunate to have priority getting off the ship as soon as it was cleared. At the airport we have TSA Global Entry and are familiar with the airport and the automated machines.

The last 2 times we flew home from YVR on that 11:15 flight, we made it to our gate with over an hour to spare before boarding. It was fabulous to be home so early!

If you are flying roundtrip in and out of YVR but haven't been there before, I think it's still do-able. Just take notes when you arrive where you will go for check-in, where the Skytrain is, how to get to the train station from the ship etc, so you don't have any surprises. I assume you could also arrange a driver and make it, but I wouldn't rely on an Uber or taxi and you never know what the street traffic will be.

Good Luck!

We are flying out of Vancouver in Sept and just starting our research.  Our flight leaves at 1:45, so we are not worried about time, just the logistics of getting to airport.   We are just starting our research, however, to get to airport, would we take the Canada Line, route from Waterfront Station (Downtown Vancouver, to YVR?  We have never been to Vancouver before.....P.S., we used to live in Foothill Ranch, not too far from Newport.  

6 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Yes.

Thank you!

We will be flying out of Vancouver for the first time next year.  I see we have to clear US Immigration and Customs in Vancouver.  Will the process take less time if we have the US Global Entry clearance?

I believe IT has completely messed up the Navigator dining packages.  We are sailing 9/12 and have not been able to purchase the UDP or any specialty restaurant for our 3 night sailing.  Nothing is available to book until night 4.  I have been able to start the reservation all the way up to putting in my credit card number.  I really don’t think they will let us back on the ship for dinner.  
 

This cruise is a 3 night Mon through Thurs due to the Cabo 5 and 7 night sailings.  

If lines for customs are a bit long, use the porters in the terminal.  Give them a good tip.  They have their own agent/line and will speed up the process.  

On 5/27/2022 at 4:26 PM, DEBCAT65 said:

 

Thank you both.  Now to keep checking, lol.

So, this is a 3 night Navigator cruise on 9/12/22. All specialty dining is not allowing me to purchase, and The unlimited dining package is not offered.  This seems strange to me.  Everything sold out more than 3 months out? it’s Monday thru Thursday cruise, not weekend.  

1 hour ago, gumshoe958 said:

Yes it can sell out, and it can also reappear at any time if people cancel so keep checking back.

42 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

As said above, it does sell out and it sometimes does reappear pre-cruise.    Good luck!

Thank you both.  Now to keep checking, lol.

I am sure man of you will have some valuable info for me.  We have been on Navigator twice since Feb, 22, and have Serenade scheduled in Oct.  We just booked Navigator in Sept again.  All cruises except our new one had options for unlimited dining package.  The new booking only has each restaurant listed individually.  Do they sometimes sell out of the package, or could they open it back up?  

Thanks for any help!

40 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Availability of excursions have been coming closer to sailing - keep checking the planner.

Thank you!  

We are booked on Serenade OTS 10/29/22 cruise to the Western Caribbean.  Looking to plan excursions, however, not seeing any Scuba Diving tours.  We have previously booked through RCCL in Cozumel and Costa Maya.  Has RCCL discontinued Scuba tours?