cruisecrazybmore

I just read on the Grandeur [emoji3]book page that they are now getting all their money back for their cruise. They will be in Jersey tonight and tomorrow night. I think they are arriving at the port shortly or have already.

We're here. Just finishing docking now.

No news here about a refund or anything. Only thing we've been told is about the 50% future cruise credit. We'll see what comes in the morning.

Why is the ship stopping at cape liberty? As a port of call?

To get out of this storm, though it is getting better now that the storm is finally moving east.

Quest just left the harbor and ironically, is heading to Baltimore.

Really? How odd.

~~~~~

Three options for transportation into Manhattan:

free ferry to the Financial District

bus ($12 one way or $20 round trip)

taxi (your own expense)

Captain just announced we'll be docking around 11:30 pm. Also something about transportation into Manhattan but I couldn't understand him.

Goodness I hope I'm sleeping by the time we dock!

The line at guest services is rather long. People are rather angry. I heard someone yelling about not being told it was going to be a rough trip. I'm pretty sure they mentioned the Bay was closing because of the storm, hence why we left early. Did they think that meant smooth sailing? :rolleyes:

Lots of people are talking about getting off in NJ. Still no announcement on what time we'll be getting there. I heard people say around 8 pm and another person said late tonight.

We're heading to Port Liberty in Bayonne, NJ.

Still creaking along slowly. When we get back and I have proper internet, I'll upload a lot of videos/pictures.

It doesn't look very promising in the direction of Halifax either.

Nope, sure doesn't. I just wish we'd get out of the middle of it already!

RCL has been sending emails with staggered check in times to reduce the noon crush. [i do not know if this sailing got those emails.] It would be unfortunate to have followed these and missed a cruise.

No such emails this time around.

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Latest announcement - Ship speed has been slowed for our comfort, thus limiting the ports we will be able to get to. We're going 12.1 knots right now. Still don't know where we're going.

Now I'm going to try to get some more sleep. I didn't get much last night. LOL

Top deck is closed which is no surprise. Pool area also closed due to wind and water. I don't remember them ever closing pool area before.

I'm pleased with the 50% credit. Maybe I can do Alaska in 2018 now!

From what I've heard, people who missed the ship are getting 100% refund. Us on the ship are getting 50% future cruise credit per letter in stateroom.

I agree. I think it might be a reasonable guess that by 2:00 there should have been something like 1600 on board and perhaps 200 either arriving or close to the port. Perhaps another 100 chose to get off when early departure and new destination were announced. That left likely 1500 people.

The new destination was not formally announced until 2+ hours after leaving. We still don't know where we're going.

It was an interesting night to say the least.

They just made the announcement on board. We're not going to Bermuda. They said possibly New England and Canada. They'll let us know for sure in the morning.

We are BOOKING it down the Bay. 21.3 knots the last time I checked. Carnival Pride is also in the Bay already so as to not miss the cutoff.

I have not been on Grandeur, but on other Vision class ships, you can take the elevator to deck 10, go outside, and enter the fitness center from the outside.

You can technically do this on Grandeur, but there is still a step to get in and out of the gym. It's not wheelchair accessible at all.

Yes, I believe you can. Signal strength may be super weak/non-existent at some points though.

We have done these post cruise excursions several times and they have always worked well. Your luggage is secure in the compartment under the bus and the bus is always watched well by the driver when you are off of it. While we mostly do private excursions during the cruise the convenience of these ship sponsored excursions makes it a pleasant way to go to the airport & extend your vacation by a few hours when you have a later flight. Your excursion ticket will direct you to the meeting place (usually the theater) where you will receive instructions and then the whole group will disembark together and collect their luggage. After you collect your luggage you take it to the bus where it is secured. When you arrive at the airport your luggage is offloaded and you proceed to check in just the same as if you had taken a cab.

 

After DD and I did an Alaska cruise a few years ago (r/t Seattle) we did a post cruise tour of Seattle with airport drop off that included a boat tour and time at Pikes Market. It was very enjoyable and I would do it again.:)

Thanks for that! That was really helpful information. I'm planning on r/t Seattle also.

All the luggage is placed in the bus or van during you tour so it goes with you.

Thank you! That's what I figured but wanted to make sure.

What happens to your carry on luggage during an excursion with airport drop off after the cruise? Never flew to any port before but considering Alaska in 2018, so curious as to how this works.

Thanks!

As long as you aren't past final payment date for the cruise, it is my understanding that if you book under the current promotion and the next one is more beneficial you can call in & have it repriced or have your travel agent do it.

 

My theory is if you find something you like at a price you are comfortable with, book it but know what the cancellation conditions are.

Agree. I repriced a cruise as a solo (it was a usual double occupancy before) and ended up saving almost $600 due to a "single special." My TA said you can reprice as many times as you want before final payment.

Washington apple

Wow! Thanks for all the replies! I'm only 29, but much prefer the older age groups on cruises. The Canada/New England cruise was wonderful!

I'll look in to everything you all suggested this weekend when I have more time. Thanks!

I know this is going to be purely opinion, but I'm still curious.

I'm considering a solo Alaska cruise for 2017. I've only ever cruised RCCL and Carnival. I was leaning towards RCCL because I'm most familiar with it. My travel agent suggested Princess because of the itinerary.

I've never heard much about Princess. How does it differ from RCCL and Carnival? It looks less casual from the pictures I've seen of dining rooms. I'm not one to get dressed up on cruises.

I'm looking for the most bang for my buck as being solo already doubles the price. I just want to enjoy the scenery. I'm really in to photography and I feel I can get good photos on any line.

Thoughts?

Hi Brianna! I found your review through a comment on a post of mine about cruising after the loss of your cruise partner. My dad just died a week ago today. We were supposed to leave on a cruise on Sunday, but obviously that was much too soon. There's another one scheduled for October that I haven't decided on.

I'm so sorry for your loss. You give me hope that maybe some day I'll be able to enjoy cruising again.

Thanks for the link, Sadie. I'm definitely going to keep that in mind. He loved the ocean, even rough seas he loved.

Search 'ashes'. Lots of threads pop up. The ship will arrange a time to disperse ashes at sea.

 

Sorry for your loss.

***

 

On the kids first cruise (a repo after a world cruise on HAL) we encountered two women sitting alone at adjacent tables.

Our waiter tells us that the first woman's husband passed away on the WC. She went home to bury him then rejoined the cruise. The second woman's husband also passed away. She simply shipped his body home.

This is great news! I won't have his ashes for 1-1.5 years as he donated his body, but this is something I think I will look into at that time. Thanks so much!

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

Bless your heart!! I am so sorry for your loss!!

 

There is a lady over on the Carnival board....Her screen name is Wrigley80 and her name is Brianna. She sailed with her father for years and he passed away this past October. She has always done very elaborate reviews with lots of pictures, so I feel like I know her and her Dad after reading about their many adventures.

 

She seems very kind and I am sure she would completely understand what you are going through. I had to go all the way to page 5 on the Carnival boards to find her last review.

 

I guess I am just trying to make you feel a bit better by letting you know that there is a fellow cruiser that can totally relate....

 

I do hope you take a good friend and go on your cruise in October.....I have no doubt it is what your father would want. God bless you!!!

Thank you. I went and looked at that thread on the Carnival board. I tried t to message her, but couldn't find a way to do so. Is there a way to message someone?

I brought photos of cruises through the years, we all reminisced and we released some of their ashes into the Caribbean, that they so loved.

You can do this? Another person mentioned this as well. For some reason I didn't think that it would be allowed. Interesting.

Thank you all so much for your kind words. I definitely plan on continuing to cruise, even if right now that thought seems incredibly painful. I know he would want me to.

I'm not going to make any decisions in the near future. Definitely before final payment, but that's not until August.