Voyager back home, stuck in Galveston

[tulsacruiser]

Looks like she is finally getting under way! I hope they have a wonderful time!

[pboedeker]

Bon voyage. Finally

[TxBubba]

Maneuvering thrusters, Mr. Sulu!

[danacline]

Voyager just left the dock, at about 9:20 AM, and is headed for the bridge to turn around...

[Shekim]

I wonder how many are on board? I think I can hear the cheering all the way in Downtown Houston!

[lady_cruiser]

Being layed off had nothing to do with the cruise. She was on vacation and could have been anywhere.

Weather occurs everywhere, just roll with it.

 

I am just relaying to all of you what she was told us in an E-Mail message when she got back. Yes I know being layed off had nothing to do with the cruise. Whether she was on a land-based vacation or on a cruise ship the fact remained that since she was not in her office on the day the lay-offs started had a direct impact on who was laid off and who was not laid-off.

 

While I am lucky that I have a very understanding boss I also know that there are businesses here in Louisiana that are not so understanding. Especially when you do not have a "white-collar job." When you tell your boss you are going to be back on a certain day and you are a few days late will have a direct impact on your job status. Especially when there are lay offs in the future of that company.

 

And I do know how weather impacts a cruise and I do roll with it. My first cruise found me spending two extra days at sea because Hurricane Rita closed the Port of Galveston and there was no place to go.

 

I just can't believe that every time I try and voice my opinion or concern here that someone has a comment on it. And yes I am being sensative about it because it seems everytime I write something now someone has something to say about it.

[mcca2]

Bon Voyage everyone. Hope you have a wonderful time.

[summergal]

By turning around will she come back towards her pier? I have only watched 1 sail away.

 

Oh I see her now turning coming by for a second look:)

[BecciBoo]

I am just relaying to all of you what she was told us in an E-Mail message when she got back. Yes I know being layed off had nothing to do with the cruise. Whether she was on a land-based vacation or on a cruise ship the fact remained that since she was not in her office on the day the lay-offs started had a direct impact on who was laid off and who was not laid-off.

 

While I am lucky that I have a very understanding boss I also know that there are businesses here in Louisiana that are not so understanding. Especially when you do not have a "white-collar job." When you tell your boss you are going to be back on a certain day and you are a few days late will have a direct impact on your job status. Especially when there are lay offs in the future of that company.

 

And I do know how weather impacts a cruise and I do roll with it. My first cruise found me spending two extra days at sea because Hurricane Rita closed the Port of Galveston and there was no place to go.

 

I just can't believe that every time I try and voice my opinion or concern here that someone has a comment on it. And yes I am being sensative about it because it seems everytime I write something now someone has something to say about it.

 

Lady: you know how it can get here...just blow it off. You have to be thick skinned to post here. We enjoy reading you.

[BecciBoo]

Weather for Coz:

80° F | 69° F

 

78° F | 66° F

 

78° F | 64° F

 

78° F | 64° F

 

77° F | 60° F

Chance of T-storms 20% chance of precipitation Tues

Chance of T-storms 20% chance of precipitation Weds

Chance of T-storms 40% chance of precipitation Thurs

Chance of T-storms 30% chance of precipitation Friday

Chance of Rain 20% chance of precipitation Sat.

[p2lockhart]

woo hoo. bon voyage!

[Rancher Dave]

There she goes!!! Better Late than Never...

[goneclear]

Well, the puzzlement as to why Conquest got out and Voyager didn't we have come to believe is this. If you read Bobstack's and Vauxhallgirl's posts, Carnival did not let folks off the ship during the fog time so her manifest was complete when that small window appeared and she took it and got out. Vger had let off passies with shore leave to eat/shop in Galveston, so they could not leave during the small clearing. That's got to be it.

 

The current situation is the ship just does not have enough revenue aboard to make it worth while to sail, I bet she does not go anywhere until Sunday. Everyone is saying more than half the passies got off and went home with their vouchers. We'll wait and see...a sad end to a cruise I'm sure some had planned for well over a year, but that's the breaks when you cruise, you can't mess with mother nature. Sorry pals...but start planning that next cruise...IN THE SPRING!:)

 

In fact, that's probably why she isn't gone now. Weather is fine to leave as I see it. But they were talking about letting people go into hotels for the night last night and maybe that again is why she is still here, they are trying to get those who want to go and those who don't taken care of...a mess, but o well.

 

BTW I've heard from our pier co-ordinator and she is thoroughly exhausted, was in at 4:00 am and home at 11:00pm, but she didn't tell me any details! I feel for the whole pier staff, they're probably all waxed and then have to come in again today!

 

LOL. Lets hope you dont bet for a living, You would have been out of pocket on this one;).

Hope those folks have a great cruise.

[p2lockhart]

Looks like she got out just in the nick of time. It looks foggier. Now I can finally get a life and quit running to check the cruise cam every few minutes... :rolleyes:

[scottlyn]

You all have a great trip! You deserve it! I got great pictures of it leaving port! :)

[Hypo]

Definitely fogging up again. Looks like they just made it out in the nick of time.

[p2lockhart]

I am rethinking ever cruising again out of Galveston in Dec and Jan because of the greater potential for fog. I don't cruise in hurricane season anymore, but at least in hurricane season you can monitor the hurricance situation days in advance. Our last fog experience in Galveston for a cruise was not alot of fun. I sure would not want to deal with it over Christmas or New Years. At least the rates are usually cheaper for early December.

[wolfganghowell]

Not sure the time of year matters. We cruised last April and had fog issues coming back in. Certainly not like this though. Texas weather is just unpredictable - as I'm sure you know. ;) I wish the current passengers bon voyage and hope the ones who disembarked rebook a fabulous new cruise soon.

[BecciBoo]

And this fog incident was not limited to Texas coast, it was all the way to Florida. And quite foggy here in SA as well up until a few minutes ago. Still no sun though. Have a good week everyone.

[BecciBoo]

LOL. Lets hope you dont bet for a living, You would have been out of pocket on this one;).

Hope those folks have a great cruise.

 

I never win in the casino either:o I am a conclusion jumper:rolleyes: Should have known any money is better than no money.

[gtalum]

And this fog incident was not limited to Texas coast, it was all the way to Florida. And quite foggy here in SA as well up until a few minutes ago. Still no sun though. Have a good week everyone.

 

True enough. Carnival Inspiration was delayed in Tampa for ~6 hours both Thursday and yesterday due to fog.

[J & G]

I am rethinking ever cruising again out of Galveston in Dec and Jan because of the greater potential for fog. I don't cruise in hurricane season anymore, but at least in hurricane season you can monitor the hurricance situation days in advance. Our last fog experience in Galveston for a cruise was not alot of fun. I sure would not want to deal with it over Christmas or New Years. At least the rates are usually cheaper for early December.

 

I hope you will cruise again out of Galveston.....and with us again! Fog happens! Anytime the temperature and the dew point meet, the moisture in the air turns to fog. That can happen any time of year anywhere! It is more common in more humid climates, but I have seen fog in El Paso! Please don't write of Galveston! :(

[aprilivy]

We're among those who opted out of the cruise. It was really AWFUL on board for us. It didn't seem like they were even trying to find something for us to do while being held "captive" by the weather. The stern warning from the Captain that the ship would leave without us if we got off to enjoy Galveston...kept us there and hoping.

There was not enough communication from the Captain. You had to wait in line at Guest Services to find out anything. Why couldn't they keep us informed through the RCTV?

And, when we'd ask about the weather coming in and the chance of clearing, they had no information. So, we called the 1800 number - they were actually rude.

Our first RCCL experience...have done Galveston 4 times before...when the Conquest left the dock it really made me wish we had booked with them.

So, we did get conflicting information on board - Guest Services told us our voucher would be good for an equal cabin on any ship, and week of our choice and any port. When we processed through the line to get off, we were told the voucher was simply a refund of the money we paid for the cruise - that was disappointing - I had expected a little "inconvenience compensation" (or at least hope for one) beyond just a simple refund.

So, I guess I'm doing Christmas shopping in Dallas instead of Cozumel! (sorry friends and family!)

[CGBCruiser]

Definitely fogging up again. Looks like they just made it out in the nick of time.

 

It may appear to have been fogging up again on the webcam, but it's not. The cool front is blowing wind through here and although it's supposed to rain on us for 2 more days, the nasty fog has blown on out! It's still very humid but we're used to it!

[soakedbythesea]

It was indeed foggy when we left from our home, North of Houston. There was fog the whole way to Galveston on Saturday.

 

The worst part was that many of those aboard were not very happy - No party atmosphere, as usual on a fun cruise. It may have been that the embarkation not going very good had people long in the face. Finally, they allowed as to board, but it seemed to take longer than usual for baggage.

On Sunday the fog continued, with information from the staff that we would not leave until at least the next day. Lunch was fine, but most folks were fairly quiet and subdued. There was no muster drill, as it was rescheduled for the next morning. Dinner was fine & the crew did their best to put on smiles, but not passengers. The dining room was only about 25% at the early dinner. The welcome show in the theatre was somewhat entertaining, with not much else to do aboard. Announced at the 10PM show was the parade to follow, which was a hocky parade, well attended, taking us to about 11:30PM.

 

Day 2 - Still fogged in at the port, with hope for better weather to be able to leave later in the day. Our muster drill did not require us to take lifejackets, so that was good - about all they told us was that we have found the correct area & in case of emergency, this is where we would meet - if in our cabin when signal was sounded to bring the life jackets, but if not, just come to muster station without it & they would have one for us. Our cabin crawl went well, seeing the various classes of larger and smaller accomodations, followed by a group CC lunch in the dining room. We attended the 3:30 Ice Show and it had great variety by the cast - ** The announcement was made and followed-up at least twice about being able to get full credit on a future cruise on any RCI ship if we went to deck 2, the voucher would be sent to our travel agent we booked through or if we booked direct, to our home - there were mixed signals about 2 fore or aft, but we found it after dinner - formal night was not as usual, but a few of us did wear suits & the sea bass & souffle were pretty good. The line seemed long, but went well, as all they did was look at our card, fill out a release form for us to depart and let us know the voucher would be good for any cruise for up to one year - hope they don't take too many months to send it out, but we were patient in fog & will hope for the best.

 

All in all, we felt bad for folks wh had gone to great lengths to get there and may have trouble taking advantage of the voucher, will not go to Roatan and may or may not get going on the 3rd day for a shortened cruise at the full price, less shore excursions that could be refunded & a port fee. We hope they come up with some kind of party aboard ship, even if there is a bit of fog and the casino & shops cannot be opened. I'll now check on laws about not serving certain brands when a ship is in port, which seemed strange. I could have Budweiser, but not Miller !?! There was no Wild Turkey or Branchwater to be had. The water was good -We hope to have a less foggy cruise on our next venture, but survived!