Hurricane Earl Advisory From HAL

[Copper10-8]

Looks like she's in the Gulf of Maine (red dot 1044)

 

 

[terigo]

For those who asked, the ship isn't obligated to do anything for passengers but, besides a free Champagne at diner last night (which was announced but I had to ask for it), they gave everyone $50.00 OBC and also 25% of the base fare paid on this cruise towards a future cruise. We were told some passengers were not happy and removing the auto-tips but everyone we met were world travelers and realized this can happen while traveling.

 

.

 

Since the line is, as you mention, not obligated to do anything when decisions have to be made regarding passenger safety and itinerary changes, I think the OBC and future credit were quite generous.

 

What amazes me is that there were actually passengers who took their annoyance out on the poor service staff by removing autotips... what the heck did THEY have to do with decisions made by those with a lot higher pay grade?

[debsjc]

Jade13 - Sorry to hear your cruise was cut short, it is understandable that you were disappointed.

 

Looking at the Veendam out of Bermuda, it looks like if they sail due west from bermuda initially they will clear Fiona before she hits. Plus Fiona is a much less severe storm than Earl anyway. Lets hope they don't have very rough seas.

[peaches from georgia]

I always dispute that credits given for one cruise are always applied as an OBC and/or a reduced price on a future cruise. Sorry, but whatever problem occurs is on Cruise #1 and there should be a cash refund given on that cruise. It has absolutely nothing to do with a cruise in the future which may or may not occur. If that is what has some pax panties in a wad I don't blame them. But taking it out on the crew is not right.

 

If I return an article of clothing to Macy's I am given a refund for that purchase, not a credit to be used later on something else. It's puzzling that cruiselines get away with this, but then again the contract is all in their favor and it is impossible to sue.

[mamaofami]

Jade, I'm really sorry you didn't get to all the ports you were so looking forward to, but I know that you know that the decision was made to keep everyone safe and arrive in Boston ahead of the storm. I'm sure all the passengers were disappointed. No one likes to miss ports, but at least you are home safe.

[sail7seas]

We just had an e-mail from a friend aboard Veendam and the report is excellent.

 

They sailed about 5 hours early at 7:00 A.M. Sunny weather and slightly bumpy seas. All is fine aboard Veendam..... thankfully.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Jade, I do feel really bad for you to have planned this cruise for a long time to have this happen. While I realize things like the shops and casinos have to be closed in port. But it sounds as though HAL is taking this opportunity with fewer passengers on the ship to do some housecleaning things that thay would normally do on a Wet/Dry Dock. While I can see their side of it they should still be allowing passengers to enjoy the lovely Maasdam like it was a Sea Day till they would disembark tomorrow morning. Passengers have already been hit with missing ports, not being at sea and granted the weather and situation is far from HAL's control and I total agree they did the right thing I would just think they would continue to make it feel like a real cruise for those remaining on till tomorrow morning.

I am going to make a bold comment here but I also feel the 25% they are giving you as a credit is rather cheap , I am sorry I have seen HAL give far more in credit for a future cruise for things that were not worth 10% off. Plus there will be so few people that actually do take advantage of this HAL is certainly not losing any money by doing this instead it just promotes more good will. The $50.00 PP ship board credit in most cases has been a win win for HAL because people do end up spending it for on board purchases and then will spend even more because they have the credit. But if they close things down like the casino and shops (which I totally understand they have to do) But to close down the pools where one could lounge pretend it is a sea day and enjoy a few cold drinks is just plain wrong. I suppose they closed the Thermal Suite of the Spa too :rolleyes:

I guess I would be curious to know exactly how many people disembarked last night and this morning? Personally if I was on this cruise I would have stayed on till Saturday morning and expected to have it still feel like a cruise. I do not gamble so the casino would not have effected me nor the shops but if the Spa is also closed then they closed down the pool area there does not leave much else.

I am sorry but HAL really should be allowing passengers to still enjoy the ship and not make them feel like they need to get off the ship.

[sail7seas]

Lisa,

 

I think it possible the pools were emptied in preparation for what was expected to be a very bad storm. Of course, it was that bad weather prediction which brought the ship back early to Boston. I'm not versed in hurricane precautions for ships but it seems reasonable to me, the pools needed to be emptied as just about several hours from now, they were expecting possibility of 150 knot winds and a ship tied up to a dock with tugs in place to keep the ship against the dock and not snapping lines. Full pools could easily overflow with heavy rains and winds blowing. Seeing the forecast changed and the pools were empty anyway and most people leaving the ship, it is logical to use the situation to good advantage. I think the maintenance came as a result of unexpectedly empty pools; not that pools were emptied to enable maintenance.

 

Maybe that makes no sense at all. :o

 

I agree with Jade (who we greatly enjoyed meeting along with her DH) the whole tenor of the cruise changed immediately upon the decision to return directly to Boston. We fully support that decision and would never second guess 'experts' in matters of ship safety but it was inevitable the mood aboard changed despite the most earnest effort of all Officers/crew/staff..... and they were all magnificent and made the most obvious effort to do everything possible to please the guests under hard circumstances. I cannot think of anything more they could have done. Nevertheless, when three ports are cancelled midway through a seven day cruise, you are not going to have a happy bunch. Almost everyone understood but, of course, didn't like it. Who would? Few rational, reasonable people had anything negative to say about the decision but we continued to have magnificent weather and people were very disappointed to not see ports they had looked forward to. It's human nature. Add the stress of anticipated flight hassles and uncertainty about travel dates etc and you have a very hard time having a 'normal' cruise happening.

 

We're the example of that. We left immediately upon the ship being cleared. Our cruise was over, however, we had been fortunate to already have been aboard for 12 days and live nearby...... few were that lucky.

 

 

[Max2003]

We just had an e-mail from a friend aboard Veendam and the report is excellent.

 

They sailed about 5 hours early at 7:00 A.M. Sunny weather and slightly bumpy seas. All is fine aboard Veendam..... thankfully.

 

 

Looks like 10+ foot seas but they should miss Fiona and slide in behind Earl. Still will have heavy seas most of the way.

 

http://www.oceanweather.com/data/

[Jade13]

Jade, I do feel really bad for you to have planned this cruise for a long time to have this happen. While I realize things like the shops and casinos have to be closed in port. But it sounds as though HAL is taking this opportunity with fewer passengers on the ship to do some housecleaning things that thay would normally do on a Wet/Dry Dock. While I can see their side of it they should still be allowing passengers to enjoy the lovely Maasdam like it was a Sea Day till they would disembark tomorrow morning. Passengers have already been hit with missing ports, not being at sea and granted the weather and situation is far from HAL's control and I total agree they did the right thing I would just think they would continue to make it feel like a real cruise for those remaining on till tomorrow morning.

 

I am going to make a bold comment here but I also feel the 25% they are giving you as a credit is rather cheap , I am sorry I have seen HAL give far more in credit for a future cruise for things that were not worth 10% off. Plus there will be so few people that actually do take advantage of this HAL is certainly not losing any money by doing this instead it just promotes more good will. The $50.00 PP ship board credit in most cases has been a win win for HAL because people do end up spending it for on board purchases and then will spend even more because they have the credit. But if they close things down like the casino and shops (which I totally understand they have to do) But to close down the pools where one could lounge pretend it is a sea day and enjoy a few cold drinks is just plain wrong. I suppose they closed the Thermal Suite of the Spa too :rolleyes:

 

I guess I would be curious to know exactly how many people disembarked last night and this morning? Personally if I was on this cruise I would have stayed on till Saturday morning and expected to have it still feel like a cruise. I do not gamble so the casino would not have effected me nor the shops but if the Spa is also closed then they closed down the pool area there does not leave much else.

 

I am sorry but HAL really should be allowing passengers to still enjoy the ship and not make them feel like they need to get off the ship.

 

LAFFNVEGAS, just curious based on what I have described what you believe would be reasonable? As mentioned by more than one person thus far it felt like half a cruise. Even the way HAL told passengers they were welcome to stay onboard until Saturday made it sound like they expected many would not. Even those out and about today (Friday) were told to be back on-board by 4:00pm as the ship is pulling up to where NCL Spirit it currently docked and the Captain can not guarantee the gangway will go back down tonight (although I doubt any issue).

 

Btw, not storm related but we only had pillow chocolates the first two nights and I asked one of our stewards yesterday and he said they were not given to them to give to the passengers. Even though I mentioned them yesterday there were none last night. The Singers and Dancers were the worst I have seen on any cruise and all shows that I saw were repeats (yes I understand the production costs) and I had not been on a HAL cruise in 2 years.

[serendipity1499]

I always dispute that credits given for one cruise are always applied as an OBC and/or a reduced price on a future cruise. Sorry, but whatever problem occurs is on Cruise #1 and there should be a cash refund given on that cruise. It has absolutely nothing to do with a cruise in the future which may or may not occur. If that is what has some pax panties in a wad I don't blame them. But taking it out on the crew is not right.

 

If I return an article of clothing to Macy's I am given a refund for that purchase, not a credit to be used later on something else. It's puzzling that cruiselines get away with this, but then again the contract is all in their favor and it is impossible to sue.

 

I normally would agree with you. if this was something that was under HAL's control, such as a an engine failure, but it wasn't..

This was an act of God & giving a future cruise credit IMO is appropriate..But as Lisa mentioned, I too agree that 25%, a $50 OBC & glass of champagne, was not enough..These passengers lost 3 ports in 7 days! If it was me on that 7 day cruise, even though HAL was not at fault, I would be very unhappy & expecting more from HAL..

I do agree with Sail, that HAL probably had to empty the pools & hot tubs, to prepare for a much larger hurricane, & were taking advantage of it by doing maintence..Can't fault them for that..But they should do something more for their passengers..

 

Those who took it out on the Crew & removed the Hotel Service charge should be ashamed of themselves!

 

When all this is over, perhaps HAL will re consider their position & offer those passengers who missed so much, a larger OBC for a future cruise..

 

Not only will it make most of those passengers happier, but it would be excellent publicity for them..

JMO...Betty

[LAFFNVEGAS]

LAFFNVEGAS, just curious based on what I have described what you believe would be reasonable? As mentioned by more than one person thus far it felt like half a cruise. Even the way HAL told passengers they were welcome to stay onboard until Saturday made it sound like they expected many would not. Even those out and about today (Friday) were told to be back on-board by 4:00pm as the ship is pulling up to where NCL Spirit it currently docked and the Captain can not guarantee the gangway will go back down tonight (although I doubt any issue).

 

Btw, not storm related but we only had pillow chocolates the first two nights and I asked one of our stewards yesterday and he said they were not given to them to give to the passengers. Even though I mentioned them yesterday there were none last night. The Singers and Dancers were the worst I have seen on any cruise and all shows that I saw were repeats (yes I understand the production costs) and I had not been on a HAL cruise in 2 years.

Jade, in all honesty I think 50% back would have been more than fair compensation. For many on board this was their cruise of a life time and they are not avid frequent cruisers like many that post here on CC, so when and if they cruise again it may or may not be HAL or they may not even remember they have this credit. The actual out put of offering 50% would not of cost HAL that much. The 25% they give is off rack or what they call FIT rate it will not apply toward Flash rates or special promotions. So in actuality many could still purchase a cruise at flash rate for far less then you will pay with the 25% off. The price reductions I have seen HAL do in recent months has been amazing so trust me 50% would have nothing but helped them make a bad situation seem far better.

[Jade13]

Jade, in all honesty I think 50% back would have been more than fair compensation. For many on board this was their cruise of a life time and they are not avid frequent cruisers like many that post here on CC, so when and if they cruise again it may or may not be HAL or they may not even remember they have this credit. The actual out put of offering 50% would not of cost HAL that much. The 25% they give is off rack or what they call FIT rate it will not apply toward Flash rates or special promotions. So in actuality many could still purchase a cruise at flash rate for far less then you will pay with the 25% off. The price reductions I have seen HAL do in recent months has been amazing so trust me 50% would have nothing but helped them make a bad situation seem far better.

 

I agree with you but was just curious as to what you were going to say. I could be wrong but I have not heard of HAL giving a cash refund but credit for those who travel is the same difference. I also don't like the discount because if one should transfer to an agent that has a group booking that discount could be lost. I'd much prefer an OBC. Even the $50.00pp OBC being given on this cruise could be cashed out at the front desk. We had canceled HAL ShoreEx and while yesterday were told payment would be in cash this morning all refunds would be on the credit card used to pay/pre-registered for the cruise - which I prefer for record keeping purposes. I might email HAL and ask if I can have this "discount" transferred into OBC for one of our future cruises.

 

It wasn't 25% off the next cruise. It was the 25% of what one paid for this cruise applied against their rack rate for a future cruise. If someone paid $1,000.00 for this 7 night cruise ($2,000.00 for the stateroom), than their next booking is showing a $250.00pp discount off of HAL's price. On this premium priced cruise that price may have been on some Insides or lower category OV's, so about what the majority of passengers are seeing right now.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I agree with Lisa. 50% back would be appropriate ... and back, not toward a future cruise. As Peaches said, no guarantee anyone will necessarily be able or want to book a future cruise on HAL.

 

It's true this isn't HAL's fault in any way, shape or form. But it is the cost of doing business; it's called "customer service". They don't have to do it, but imagine what they will get back by doing it? You can't measure the payback on good service such as this would be.

 

It was half a cruise on an itinerary that matters.

 

If this happened in the Caribbean the likelihood is they could have simply changed the itinerary and the cruise would go on. But when it's cut short mid-cruise, the disappointment has to be overwhelming and as Jade said, everything changed at that moment.

 

..............

Looking at the Veendam out of Bermuda, it looks like if they sail due west from bermuda initially they will clear Fiona before she hits. Plus Fiona is a much less severe storm than Earl anyway. Lets hope they don't have very rough seas.

 

Fiona is merely a tropical storm with winds around 45 mph. I was focused on the remnant seas from Earl. When it was down around Florida the seas were reported here (at the center) as 49'. And up by the Carolinas I heard similar heights. So I just wonder how soon they dissipate after the hurricane has passed through the corridor it will be taking.

 

Even now our seas are still high from Earl who has long passed. So I'm curious. As someone who has been in the Atlantic from Bermuda to NY in violent seas, I'm just thinking of those passengers. I guess we'll hear soon enough!

[donaldsc]

I feel so sorry for the passengers on the Maasdam, missing 3 ports and not having them replaced with any others. I know it isn't HAL's fault, but I hope they receive some compensation or future cruise credit.

 

Why? They chose to travel during hurricane season and it certainly wasn't HAL's plan or wish that their vacation was disrupted.

 

DON

[donaldsc]

For those who asked, the ship isn't obligated to do anything for passengers but, besides a free Champagne at diner last night (which was announced but I had to ask for it), they gave everyone $50.00 OBC and also 25% of the base fare paid on this cruise towards a future cruise. We were told some passengers were not happy and removing the auto-tips but everyone we met were world travelers and realized this can happen while traveling.

 

I am sure I will have more to write later, but all in all it was a disappointing experience having planned to take this cruise in 2008.

 

IMHO, that is 25% more than you should have gotten. But then again, we are entitled to our opinions.

 

The passengers who removed their auto-tips should all have been painted with red paint so that everyone knew who they were.

 

DON

[aliaschief]

An unfortunate event. It ruined many cruise passengers vacations but also effected thousands of vacationers along the East coast and will continue to effect thousands more before it leaves.

 

....and it appears there will be many more effected before the hurricane season winds down.

[geocruiser]

Yes it did ruine many cruise passengers vacations and lots of vacation. But at a lot of them went home to a dry home. Think about all the people who home were damaged in some way. I bet they would be have to trade places with some one who vacation was ruined.

I am sorry for those who vacation was ruined I know many save a long time to take one. And my heart goes out to all who have lost and ruined property.

 

Maria

[HeatherInFlorida]

Fortunately, Earl is one hurricane that really hasn't done any damage to speak of at all! So that's good news. Outer Banks didn't even lose power. He's mostly been at sea the entire time ... a very well behaved storm.

 

I just watched the weather reports and the seas off the shores around VA and DC right now are anywhere from 15 to 37 feet. That's sort of high! I wonder how the Veendam is headed back to NY?

[geocruiser]

Fortunately, Earl is one hurricane that really hasn't done any damage to speak of at all! So that's good news. Outer Banks didn't even lose power. He's mostly been at sea the entire time ... a very well behaved storm.

 

I just watched the weather reports and the seas off the shores around VA and DC right now are anywhere from 15 to 37 feet. That's sort of high! I wonder how the Veendam is headed back to NY?

 

i was watching the Weather Channel and they did show some places that the water was about 2 to 3 feet deep in the streets by homes. So I think that there would be some damage by this. We will have to wait and see what the mumber are.

 

Maria

[geocruiser]

Here is a link to some of the damage.

 

Pictures 14 + show the floods around property.

 

http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/slideshow-earl-damage_2010-09-03?role=

[Jade13]

Why? They chose to travel during hurricane season and it certainly wasn't HAL's plan or wish that their vacation was disrupted.

 

DON

 

Hurricane season in New England?

 

This is prime season for this itinerary. Interestingly it was overbooked and some passengers were offered to switch to (I believe) a 24 night Maasdam cruise at the same price as this 7 night, or a 10 night Eurodam.

[Oceanwench]

Yes it did ruine many cruise passengers vacations and lots of vacation. But at a lot of them went home to a dry home. Think about all the people who home were damaged in some way. I bet they would be have to trade places with some one who vacation was ruined.

I am sorry for those who vacation was ruined I know many save a long time to take one. And my heart goes out to all who have lost and ruined property.

 

Maria

 

There is always going to be someone less fortunate ... and you could drive yourself crazy doing these comparisons. What about people who are homeless or in foreclosure? They might want to trade places ... etc. etc.

 

In other words, some people booked a cruise, their cruise was cut short by the possibility of running into a hurricane ... and they have the right to be disappointed without being made to feel guilty because other people might be in less fortunate circumstances.

 

I empathize with anyone whose vacation plans are ruined.

I know for me, those one or two weeks I have off from work are something I need -- mentally and physically -- and I really look forward to them. Whether I'm taking a cruise, going to Disney or traveling north to see family, I take a lot of time planning, I spend a lot of money for the vacation and I have certain expectations. When something comes along to negatively affect those plans, yes ... color me disappointed. I don't feel I have to justify that disappointment and I don't have to feel guilty for feeling that way.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I agree, this is Prime Season for Canada/New England and this area normally does not get effected by hurricanes. Now if we were discussing a Western Caribbean cruise like I will be doing next week that is a whole other story and yes I booked it knowing full well and also purchased travel insurance but I was willing to take that chance. Those sailing the Canada/ New England itinerary pay a heafty price for these cruises and the cruise lines actually do not expect storms this time of year but I think we are having a bit of an El Nino year and the weather pattern is just a bit off.

I certainly would never accuse a cruise buyer of chosing the wrong time of year for a Canada/ New England since this really is the only time cruise lines go to this area.

 

Why? They chose to travel during hurricane season and it certainly wasn't HAL's plan or wish that their vacation was disrupted.

 

DON

 

Shame on anyone even saying they picked a wrong time of year to travel Canada/ New England.

[Oceanwench]

Why? They chose to travel during hurricane season and it certainly wasn't HAL's plan or wish that their vacation was disrupted.

 

DON

 

I think we had this discussion a lot earlier on this thread.

The last hurricane that came up on the Northeast coast was in 1991.

I think the risk of running into a hurricane on that cruise in minimal.

 

As I said many posts ago, I would not think twice about a hurricane's interrupting my cruise if I sailed that itinerary during hurricane season.

But I would never book a cruise in the Caribbean during August or September.

That's just me. :)