Victory out of Dominica

[VictoryLover2]

What did they say after you were asked to hold for a moment?

 

"Could you send those links to us at ccladapprovals@carnival.com "

 

So I did!!!!!!:mad::confused::mad::confused::mad::confused:

[Bubbles3]

How frustrating. The whole point of booking a port a day cruise is because that's what we wanted. I was looking forward to visiting Dominica after reading trip reports here :( I like that the port area isn't over-developed, with concrete everywhere and generic-looking as so many seem to have become.

[TortieGal]

I agree with PP. Book an itinerary with no sea days and then complain about excessive ports? Uh, ok.

 

I love my sea days and I wasn't sure how I would like having no sea days. It was a tiring itinerary but we also took 2 days as straight beach days to just relax. But, I loved this itinerary! Once I hit platinum, I will be sailing other lines because I like seeing new places. I enjoyed being in a new port everyday. For me, I'm tired of the same Carnival ports. I realize there are some people who don't mind sailing to places like Cozumel again and again and again. But, I think there are just too many places to see and like to experience different ones.

 

I am bummed Dominica is going. I know a lot of people don't like it but I liked the "primitive" factor. It was probably one of my most favorite ports on this itinerary.

[grantjm99]

"Could you send those links to us at ccladapprovals@carnival.com "

 

So I did!!!!!!:mad::confused::mad::confused::mad::confused:

 

 

My big thing is, I just want to know when they are going to inform people of this change. Im cruising in January. We also booked an excursion on our own in Dominica, which isnt a big deal cause we will get refunded the full amount, just disappointing!!

[Kitt Lady]

I just checked the Carnival Forum again...

 

 

nasha:

 

Is it true? Reports on Dominica say that Carnival Victory is pulling out as of November 2nd, 2010 due to increased fuel costs. That would be so sad! I loved visiting Dominica and was looking forward to visiting again in January. This is an island that truly treats it's guests well. Please reconsider!

 

 

 

I have shared your concerns and thank you for the feedback.

 

Mary Ruiz Online Community Specialist Carnival Cruise Lines Staff

[kelz66]

this stinks...it was one of the best ports on the itin.

 

it was an amazing a beautiful island.

[usvicruiser]

I found another e-article.... “The cost of fuel has forced us to restructure the Carnival Victory itinerary. Cancelling Dominica would save us more fuel than any other alternative considered. In addition to the fuel costs we have had complaints from our passengers regarding the excessive number of port calls on this seven day itinerary.” :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

 

http://www.caribbeandailynews.com/dominica-government-laments-cruise-ship-departure/

 

Are you kidding me? If you want a Southern Caribbean cruise with sea days, then why not just (1) cruise from Florida or (2) sail on RCCL, Celebrity, or Princess, all of which have San Juan departures with 1 or more sea days? The Victory was my very first cruise, and the only reason I picked it over the other itineraries from San Juan was the lack of any sea days (which is the same reason many other people I know who are looking at their first cruise from San Juan have chosen the Victory).

 

Saving fuel costs is one thing, but I just can't imagine there are a lot of passengers out there complaining about visiting seven ports in seven days. After all, if you just want to stay on the ship, you can... just stay on the ship! Not to mention that there are many ways to conserve fuel while still visiting seven islands in seven days (for instance, dump Barbados and St. Lucia for St. Croix and Tortola).

[Gary72]

sound like those you get when an airplane is delayed (for weather when there are no weather problems)...I totally agree that one of the attractions of the cruise was its everyday ports. Why can't they just be honest and say it is to force people to spend money on the ship...

[usvicruiser]

sound like those you get when an airplane is delayed (for weather when there are no weather problems)...I totally agree that one of the attractions of the cruise was its everyday ports. Why can't they just be honest and say it is to force people to spend money on the ship...

 

I agree. If it is purely a fuel issue, it seems that by far the best way to solve it would not be skipping Dominica, but dumping the southern most ports (Barbados and St. Lucia) and replacing them with two ports close to SJU/STT/SXM (St. Croix and Tortola). Yes, you wouldn't be able to do Barbados embarkation anymore, but based on the website it seems that's being phased out as well, given the limited dates and cabin availability. Not to mention the possibility of doing overnights, or reducing the hours in each port.

 

In any case, what I don't understand is why CCL doesn't just have the Victory do alternating itineraries like the other cruise lines do when they have ships sail out of San Juan... Go look at RCCL and Princess, SOTS, AOTS, and Carib. Princess each have a minimum of two itineraries that they alternate every week or so. Instead of completely eliminating the seven-ports-in-seven-days itinerary, why not just alternate it with a different itinerary that, say, goes to Aruba and Curacao from San Juan with one or two sea days? Would have the side benefit of also encouraging more B2Bs.

[MyImagination]

 

In any case, what I don't understand is why CCL doesn't just have the Victory do alternating itineraries like the other cruise lines do when they have ships sail out of San Juan... Go look at RCCL and Princess, SOTS, AOTS, and Carib. Princess each have a minimum of two itineraries that they alternate every week or so. Instead of completely eliminating the seven-ports-in-seven-days itinerary, why not just alternate it with a different itinerary that, say, goes to Aruba and Curacao from San Juan with one or two sea days? Would have the side benefit of also encouraging more B2Bs.

When you pull into the same ports every week, you can negotiate much more lucrative contracts with the ports, excursions and vendors. This is a huge part of Carnival's business model.

[Hurry&Wait]

They are not just skipping Dominica, they are moving away from just a 7 day cruise itinerary.

 

My guess as others have pointed out is that this all has to do with money. Dominica must not be generating the revenue Carnival wanted or expected.

 

http://www.carnival.com/region_detail.aspx?subregioncode=cs

[usvicruiser]

When you pull into the same ports every week, you can negotiate much more lucrative contracts with the ports, excursions and vendors. This is a huge part of Carnival's business model.

 

That makes sense, but it hasn't stopped them from doing alternating itineraries on other routes. I realize that doing alternating eastern/western from Florida still benefits from economies of scale because the same ports are still being visited every week (although by differnet ships), but that's not always the case (see, e.g., the Miracle's Southern Caribbean route and the Spirit's upcoming Mexican Riviera cruises). If anything, you would think alterating itineraries from San Juan that include Aruba and Curacao would help Carnival in this regard given that the Miracle is the only ship that will be visiting those islands, and then only once every two weeks during the winter.

 

But what do I know... all I know is that replacing Dominica with a sea day, without making any other changes, will probably ensure that I never cruise that route again with Carnival. After all, if a sea day has to be in the mix, I might as well try RCCL or Princess from San Juan and go to some ports that I've never been to before.

[kenrod]

What a shame! Dominica is one of my favourite ports. Also the Victory's itinerary is so amazing because there are no sea days., Leaving San Juan, some of the ports of call are different than if you sailed from Florida.

 

Pity!

[divers2]

This website is great! We also chose this cruise (first time with Carnival) simply because of the port-a day itinerary, and we specifically wanted to visit Dominica. That was worth the extra money to fly to San Juan to us.

 

I just called Carnival, and after being put on hold, was told they have no info at all on a change of itinerary, but will make note I called. Thank goodness we have not yet booked our air. We booked the cruise on the same day (8/22/10) as they supposedly announced to Dominica that they were dropping Dominica from the Victory itinerary, so on principle alone, I think we will cancel and get a cash refund (for 3 cabins) if they do finally announce a change and it results in a day at sea. Have to do it within 24 hours of notice, though, so I am standing by for notice of a change. Even though we booked the ES rate for May, if they change the itinerary, they must notify you, and you have 24 hours to get a full cash refund (rather than Carnival credit) and that includes the $50pp that they usually claim is nonrefundable on ES.

 

We will book another cruise and cruise line rather than booking with Carnival, because if they really do change, and they knew of this on 8/22/10, they should have notified people and changed their website. The fact that they are still booking for this cruise should be criminal if they really have dropped Dominica. I believe the reps honestly don't know. I think Carnival Corp. is waiting for people to book air, etc, and then they will not be able to cancel and get a refund. We were going to book air today, so thank goodness I looked at CC first! Thank you all!

 

Below is Carnival's "change of itinerary policy" directly from their website:

 

ITINERARY CHANGE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:

If Carnival has adequate notice prior to sailing that a vessel will deviate from the published itinerary it will promptly – upon making the itinerary change -- notify guests of the change through their travel agents or directly, in the case of a direct guest booking.

If the itinerary change is for reasons within Carnival’s exclusive control, guests will have the opportunity to cancel their booking without penalty prior to sailing and within 24 hours of the guest notification, and in such an instance, guests will have the option to receive either a cash refund or a future cruise credit. In the event a guest does not cancel the cruise on a timely basis, no refund of any kind will be available.

[grantjm99]

Seems to me that this is pretty much a for sure......

 

http://dominicanewsonline.com/dno/its-mind-boggling-tourism-minister-says-about-carnival-victorys-cancellation/

 

Now like I said, I want to know when we will be notified of this change.

[tmackel]

We cruise out of San Juan on 3/20/2010, thank god we havn't bought our airfare yet! We still got time to cancel.:mad: RCL here we come!

[Quampapetet]

My TA called Carnival this morning and they told her it hasn't changed, that they would be the first to know about itinerary changes, etc. She believes them (even though she knows they were wrong last year when they said the Glory would not be in drydock the week before our cruise, which I had learned from this board, and the Glory was indeed in drydock the week before our cruise). I don't believe them, but I sure hope they see all of our responses to this and CHANGE THEIR MINDS ABOUT CANCELLING DOMINICA!!!!

 

Fuel sounds like a stupid reason to change. I do not believe for a second that they are losing money on all these cruises. Up the price a few bucks or instill that notorious fuel surcharge if you want to be so greedy to make more money, but don't cancel Dominica!!

 

I don't buy the ppl complaining part, as nobody is forcing anybody to book this itinerary or to get off the ship at every port and Carnival cannot be that stupid to take complaints about the decisions passengers made to be legit.

 

CARNIVAL, KEEP DOMINICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[VictoryLover2]

Remember that the CCL Victory pulled out of Antigua January 3 2010 and replaced it with St. Maarten/St. Martin..... so this is nothing new for CCL to P#@@ OFF customers that have already booked!!!!

So Sad.... To BAD!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

 

Brooke & ED

[Quampapetet]

We cruise out of San Juan on 3/20/2010, thank god we havn't bought our airfare yet! We still got time to cancel.:mad: RCL here we come!

 

(Emphasis mine.)

 

I think you missed your ship already.... ;):p

[usvicruiser]

Seems to me that this is pretty much a for sure......

 

http://dominicanewsonline.com/dno/its-mind-boggling-tourism-minister-says-about-carnival-victorys-cancellation/

 

Now like I said, I want to know when we will be notified of this change.

 

If all they're doing is relacing Dominica with a sea day, then yes, there is no excuse for not announcing the change already. However, it's possible there may be other changes in the works too that they want to announce all at once... for instance, they might be changing other ports as well (for example, one of the 7 day itineraries on the link I posted earlier had Dominica and St. Thomas replaced with sea days). Also, if the Victory is going to be doing short cruises out of Trinidad for at least part of the year, they might want to announce the Dominica change at the same time as those itineraries... since the Victory has 7 day cruises from San Juan available for booking through April 2012, adding the Trinidad cruises would also likely require cancelling some of those cruises (since I can't imagine they'd be announcing late 2012-2013 cruises this early).

[wesheltonj]

Well I called them again today, and agent still says Dominica is still on the Victory for my cruise next June. Told her there were two new storys stating it was drop and a Govt press release at which the response was you will be notified of any port changes when they are made.

 

If they are going to actually drop it and this is not some strong arm method to get Dominca to reduce their port charges. Martinique would be a nice substitute. But if a sea day. I am really going to be upset. I already have my 3 tickets to San Juan and 4 nights of hotel.

 

I do not know of Carnival actually reads what is posted here, but the only reason I booked this trip is for no sea days. And I really do not want a trip of nothing but the virgin island either.

[usvicruiser]

Remember that the CCL Victory pulled out of Antigua January 3 2010 and replaced it with St. Maarten/St. Martin..... so this is nothing new for CCL to P#@@ OFF customers that have already booked!!!!

So Sad.... To BAD!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

 

Brooke & ED

 

Well it goes both ways... I did the Victory cruise in December 2008 and had no intention of doing it again, but when Antigua was replaced with St. Maarten I was thrilled and immediately booked it for a second time for March 2010 in a 9C aft wrap. Right now I'm looking at RCCL/Princess for a Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan from Thanksgiving, but if CCL were to replace Dominica with, say, Martinique, I'd book the Victory for a third time without hesitation.

 

That said, replacing Dominica (or any port on that itinerary) with a sea day is absolutely ridiculous to me. It's hard enough finding port intensive cruises (Caribbean or otherwise) on any line--let alone cruises with no sea days at all--and I don't think CCL realizes just how many first time cruisers hate the idea of "wasting" a day of their vacation at sea and tried CCL over other lines solely because of the lack of any sea days on the Victory. Not to mention that I'm a bit suspicious of the multiple excuses being given for the change. In any case, if CCL is truly intending to replace Dominica with just a sea day, I really hope whatever additional revenue from lower fuel costs / increased on-board spending doesn't exceed the discounts they'll need to make to fill the ship every week now that the one main advantage this itinerary has over other lines has been taken away.

[McDebbie]

We will be there next week, wonder how the tour operators and vendors will be? Hope they aren't ticked at us (passengers) It will be interesting.

[islandwannabee]

We will be there next week, wonder how the tour operators and vendors will be? Hope they aren't ticked at us (passengers) It will be interesting.

 

I was thinking the same thing, wondering about the tours I already booked and how we'll be treated, lets face it, if they have already lost future business, why show any goodwill to us.

[seashinesunshine]

As of November 2, 2010 Carnival is pulling the port of Dominica from the VICTORY's itinerary!!!!!

 

 

http://dominicanewsonline.com/dno/carnival-victory-cancels-calls-to-dominica-after-21-years/

 

I am on the phone right now with my PVP; Carnival just had an emergency meeting with thier PVPS this was released early they were going to announce it on Friday. It is true Carnival is pulling out of Dominca, they are NOT pulling out of StThomas. They will make Dominica a sea day. This is fact straight from my PVP.

I am diassapointed for many reasons but this will not ruin my cruise and I still like Carnival! :confused: