HELP - Carnival changed our itinerary

[love2relax]

[quote name='flcruiser4']I would be trying to get them to switch me to the Legend if it were me. I'm too paranoid to go on a ship with any type of apparent mechanical problems, regardless of how big or how small. But then again I live in FL so it's easy for me to switch ports and even sailing dates if needed.[/quote]

[quote name='debster11']I was going to say the same thing. With the itinerary change they should be able to cancel and rebook without penalty. Smaller ship but Tampa is awesome to leave out of and I love the Legend.

But truthfully, the Eastern ports are fabulous. St Thomas is great. I think you would enjoy them.[/quote]

[quote name='LHP']I too would think they would allow a transfer to the Legend as long as this ship is not sold out...

since Tampa and Port Canaveral are both an easy drive from Orlando....

for those who really don't want to do the Eastern...I would at least ask.[/quote]

Sorry, but the Legend leaves on Sunday, the 10th, and it has been sold out for several weeks. The 17th still has some availability, but that won't help anyone who has nonrefundable hotels and flights. I would be very disappointed too, but at least Carnival is giving you $100 OBC. They didn't have to give you any compensation.

[happy cruzin]

[quote name='CFort']We are also going to be on the Dream this Saturday, July 9 - my wife and I are devastated that Carnival can just send an email and change your entire plan for a Family Vacation 3 Days prior to your Sailing Date. This is not right - almost like a "bait and switch."

[COLOR=red][B]First port is at Nassau from 8:30 to 2PM: We're travelling with our kids and when you're travelling with kids, you need more time - what can you do between those hours? [/B][/COLOR]

This is definitely not acceptable and we refuse to be FORCED to go to a place we didn't plan on going to - however, Carnival is saying that they cannot do anything about it.

We're flying in from California, made reservations for hotels and car rental that are all none refundable, even our flights are all non-refundable.

THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT FAIR - What can we do about this?[/quote]

[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Check in to the day pass at the Hilton. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]You can walk there from the ship - it is a clean and well maintainted private beack with towels, chairs, umbrellas, innertubes, kayaks, etc. all included. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]It was like $30.00 - but then you get a voucher back for a chunk of it ($20 or $25) for food and drink at the resort.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]We would definatley do it again![/SIZE]

[SANDYJABS]

[quote name='preluder5']I'm bummed about not visiting Roatan, Cozumel (Xcaret), and Belize!. I just hope that a brand new ship that already has "propulsion" issues, doesn't leave us stranded in the middle of the ocean. Anyways, can someone please tell me what my wife and I and our 2 year old daughther should do in St. Thomas? I'm considering going all the way over to Trunk Bay but don't know if it'll be too much hassle for us with our 2 year old daughter. Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone know if we can get a taxi over to Atlantis and purchase a pass at the resort to explore their water park and beach or if we can only purchase that through Carnival?

Finally, St. Martin we'll probably go over to the French side since it's cleaner than the Dutch side, not to mention, the Dutch side has alot of pot smokers on the streets. Can be scary at times.[/QUOTE]

[SIZE="4"]You can take a taxi and purchase a pass at Atlantis if they are available- it is first come first serve. Also remember that the Dream is not in port for very long this day and we were very rushed trying to do the water park- we were standing in line to get on a ride and had to leave because the line was not moving very fast and we had to allow time to get back to the ship. I think it sets sail at 2pm not sure but I know it was very early compared to the other ports.[/SIZE]

[arpie05]

[quote name='stingau']In St Thomas, do a tour with godfrey's. You can book him privately via his website. The best tour ever[/quote]

I heard was good. We did Sunny Liston tours. I think because there was shopping time first and beach option at end. (Sapphire was beautiful!!)

We did Bernards Tours in St Maarten.

Nassau is a great day to stay onboard - or just get off for quick shopping. We departed at 2 pm so have to be back on at 1:00 so no time for anything.

[quickrate]

[quote name='tkpro']While I agree on your post...we are a family of 6 celebrating my daughters Sweet 16...lots of research and $$$$$ has been spent to go to ports that we have not yet been..if I wanted Eastern I would have booked Eastern..been there a gazillion times, tshirts, sweathshirts with western ports printed on them..people coming from out of town to travel with us...furthermore...if propulsion is the problem do I really want to be on that ship? my fear is that is not the problem at all....and the fact that carnival is giving it's passengers $100/pp on board credit is a joke...that will be gone with tips at $70 pr day and then some...we have no choice but to take this cruise due to schedules of those travelling and vacation time...it's just sad that 4 days before we are set to sail they spring this on us...work it out Carnival,, we will have a great time no matter, it's just disappointing...my daughter is so upset that we are not going some place different is all...as we all are....way too much $ for what we have already done..just say'n[/QUOTE]
It is a disappointment but go with the attitude that you are still going to have a good time and enjoy the company of your friends and family. The $70 a day tips you speak of were going to be there anyway and now they are taken care of-that rocks!!
Pat

[bingo3]

[quote name='crunchy05'][I][SIZE=4]The itinerary was changed due to a problem with the ship's propulsion system. [/SIZE][/I]
[I][SIZE=4][/SIZE][/I]
[SIZE=4]What does that mean exactly, the propulsion system should not affect where the ship goes. Only if it goes at all. Is that all they said? [/SIZE][/QUOTE]

yea, if the propulsion system keeps them from going to one itinerary, how does it go to another??? But what do I know about propulsion systems! LOL!!

[dak185]

Like most of you, I am so incredibly disappointed. I know they have the right to change the ports, still it is not right and they offered us $100 per person - big deal.

As I said on another thread, this is like booking a dream trip to Disney World and then learning at the last minute that Magic Kingdom and Epcot will be closed for the week, but don't worry you can still go to Sea World - these ports have very little for kids - no zip lining here. This is not the cruise I researched booked and paid for - yes we can get a refund - and do what at this point??? I cannot go another week and I can't be sure I could go next year.

I checked the other ships for this week right away but they were full. I want to make lemonade from these lemons, but right now all I have is a sour taste in my mouth.

[tkpro]

[quote name='smc0320']Oh, I gotcha! I haven't wanted to do an Eastern yet which is why I haven't....we're booked on the Dream in December to do same itinerary as we had on the Legend (my FAVORITE ship) 2 years ago, We LOVED Belize & Roatan...and Cozumel is always fun. I would be PI$$$$$$ED off too....but knwoing it is in the contract that it can change, I just don't get my hopes up. NOW, after realized that the problem is with the Dream (because I didn't "get that" yesterday, I am nervous about my cruise...though it is several months away.

All I have ever heard about the Bahamas is how nasty they are and how ensafe people feel...why go there? SEA day for me!

so sorry this happened so close to sailing......I do hope you find some FUN![/QUOTE]
Thank you SMC...someone actually gets it...we will make the best of it....no matter what but it doesn't mean I can't be disappointed...: )...lots of $ spent to go to places we have never been...not to places we have been to....and I am not sure I buy the whole propulsion thing...I have heard other things that are not too pleasing about this itinerary change..but nevertheless, happy sailing!

[BenjiRodney]

Nassau Been to Atlantis, Straw Market and done a City Tour. St Thomas, the Sky Ride to Paradise Point is amazing. The Mountain top is separate and it has been rebuilt. We are going to St. Maarten for the first time in November as a stop on the Carnival Victory.

We already put a deposit down on a 2013 cruise (NCL) and they already changed our itinerary from Western to Eastern. St Maarten St Thomas and Nassau so I do feel all of your pain.

[tkpro]

[quote name='dak185']Like most of you, I am so incredibly disappointed. I know they have the right to change the ports, still it is not right and they offered us $100 per person - big deal.

As I said on another thread, this is like booking a dream trip to Disney World and then learning at the last minute that Magic Kingdom and Epcot will be closed for the week, but don't worry you can still go to Sea World - these ports have very little for kids - no zip lining here. This is not the cruise I researched booked and paid for - yes we can get a refund - and do what at this point??? I cannot go another week and I can't be sure I could go next year.

I checked the other ships for this week right away but they were full. I want to make lemonade from these lemons, but right now all I have is a sour taste in my mouth.[/QUOTE]
exactly.....well said...we will meet on the ship, you and I and have a drink together..we are celebrating my daughters sweet 16...we will be the ones wearing pink and black tshirts....:))))))

[terisu10]

[quote name='dak185']Like most of you, I am so incredibly disappointed. I know they have the right to change the ports, still it is not right and they offered us $100 per person - big deal.

As I said on another thread, this is like booking a dream trip to Disney World and then learning at the last minute that Magic Kingdom and Epcot will be closed for the week, but don't worry you can still go to Sea World - these ports have very little for kids - no zip lining here. This is not the cruise I researched booked and paid for - yes we can get a refund - and do what at this point??? I cannot go another week and I can't be sure I could go next year.

I checked the other ships for this week right away but they were full. I want to make lemonade from these lemons, but right now all I have is a sour taste in my mouth.[/QUOTE]
If it's ziplining you want, book the Loterie Farm Treetop adventure in St Maarten. My kids did it two years ago and said it was the best excursion they ever did. It is a series of ziplines, hanging bridges, etc. They loved it! Have a great cruise!

[Cindy]

[SIZE=3]I wouldn't worry too much about it being safe to cruise on a ship with a propulsion problem...it happens a lot more frequently than you would think. I know it's a big disappointment to have your itinerary changed just days before the cruise, but try to look at the positive side. You at least have a couple days to try to make plans or make a decision to take a different vacation. In some cases (all cruise lines, not just CCL), passengers don't find out there's an itinerary change until after they board, making it much more difficult to change plans, especially if they're using private tour operators.[/SIZE]


[quote name='TNCruiselover']We were on the Dream, western itinerary, last week and we noticed several times that it felt like we hit something. My husband mentioned that it sounded like something was not right. I am assuming now that he may have been correct. We had rough seas due to a tropical storm. We ended up not being able to dock at Mahogany Bay in Roatan (we docked at another location) and completely missed Costa Maya due to high seas. We are all up very early and ready to get off the ship at 7:00 am, but about 7:45 the captain announced that we would not staying. The sun was shining, but they said it was too dangerous to allow the passengers to use the gangway and that conditions were forecasted to get worse. I can appreciate that he has to make the decision that will keep everyone safe. You will still have a wonderful time. Enjoy![/quote]

[SIZE=3]I was on the same cruise last week, but I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary as far as a mechanical problem. It was EXTREMELY windy, especially Monday night and into Tuesday morning. According to the TV, the winds were in excess of 100 km/h (60+ mph) all night, and the spray was easily reaching my balcony on Deck 7. This was only the second time I've experienced wind like that on a cruise, and I thought the Dream handled it better than the Grand Princess.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]As far as making our ports, I wasn't at all surprised by what happened. It seems like Mahogany Bay is an issue a good portion of the time, and Costa Maya is always iffy. We've had Costa Maya on our itinerary four times, and only made it in twice. The last time we missed the port it was the same problem...the waves were breaking over the pier.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]It's interesting that MB and CM are both cruise line-built ports, and docking a ship, especially a big ship, is a difficult proposition due to wind and tide conditions. Maybe the cruise lines need to do more due diligence before they start building facilities!:rolleyes:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Anyway, I hope you have a great time, whatever you decide to do about your vacation!:)[/SIZE]

[EMc&DrS]

Oh no!!!!! I'm so sorry for you! I know what you had planned for Costa Maya!

[swimmom32]

I wish our itinerary would change to the Eastern..We sail on the liberty Western in Nov, but we couldnt do the Eastern due to the Dates and School schedule so I personally would be very happy if they changed mine....You will have a Great Time anyway...Happy Sailing

[Melb1127]

I'm sorry your itinerary got changed and understand how you can feel let down. Glad to hear you and the others that have had their itineraries changed are going to make the best of it!

For those of you that have kids and want to go to Atlantis, I suggest booking a room at the Comfort Suites on Paradise Island for one night (the day you'll be in port). You check in and check out at the same time. A room there includes all of the amenities of Atlantis, including charging priviledges so you do not have to carry cash with you. I just booked a room for August and it's $210, which is way cheaper than getting day passes to Atlantis (half the price). The only thing I (and you should too) check is what time the water park at Atlantis opens...if it's 9am, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the waterpark and be back on board in time for departure.

Have fun!

[misguidedangel]

I would suggest going to Atlantis for the day and either doing the waterpark or aquarum. As for the straw market, uhm, it was right beside where we went to go back to the ship and it didn't look too good as a burned out shell. It must have been moved elsewhere because at the end of February it didn't look too good.....

St. Thomas--There is a tour that does shopping and then takes you to back to the ship and then 15-30 minutes later takes you to Megan's Bay Beach. I've been up to Paradise Point and it is a nice place to check out the view, but there isn't much else to do up there besides get something to eat and drink. There are a few shops, but the parrots that were up there were moved down to where the butterfly park in Havenside is....

[Mumcruizer]

I can live with the itinerary change...BUT I have booked back to back cruises and it now means that I will be doing the same cruise TWICE. They were totally unsympathetic when I called, saying I could gon on another ship, leaving out of Miami on the 16th, but I would have to pay another $300 per passenger because my category is not available AND I would have to arrange my own transfers. I am REALLY annoyed. We live overseas and this is my family time with my Dad for my son and I. We are talking about switching to Princess or RCCL for ALL future cruises.

[4spring9]

Did the Barefoot Castaway excursion in St. thomas last year. Loved it. Really enjoyed the snorkeling & catamaran. Of course the rum punch didn't hurt either!

In Nassau, we did our own walking tour just to get out & see some of the port. It was very easy to do on our own & we enjoyed it.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

[quote name='misguidedangel']I would suggest going to Atlantis for the day and either doing the waterpark or aquarum. As for the straw market, uhm, it was right beside where we went to go back to the ship and it didn't look too good as a burned out shell. It must have been moved elsewhere because at the end of February it didn't look too good.....

St. Thomas--There is a tour that does shopping and then takes you to back to the ship and then 15-30 minutes later takes you to Megan's Bay Beach. I've been up to Paradise Point and it is a nice place to check out the view, but there isn't much else to do up there besides get something to eat and drink. There are a few shops, but the parrots that were up there were moved down to where the butterfly park in Havenside is....[/QUOTE]

I'd never pay those prices for what amounts to about 4 hours at Atlantis but that's just me.

Bill

[B and C Blake]

[quote name='Mumcruizer']I can live with the itinerary change...BUT I have booked back to back cruises and it now means that I will be doing the same cruise TWICE. They were totally unsympathetic when I called, saying I could gon on another ship, leaving out of Miami on the 16th, but I would have to pay another $300 per passenger because my category is not available AND I would have to arrange my own transfers. I am REALLY annoyed. We live overseas and this is my family time with my Dad for my son and I. We are talking about switching to Princess or RCCL for ALL future cruises.[/QUOTE]

[B][U]It is just the 07/9th sailing at this time.[/U][/B] I will post more information if I hear any other changes

This was the latest.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
The Dream is having a technical problem is specifically related to the stern thrusters (side propellers on the aft that help the ship move

sideways). The good news is that the ship’s cruising speed is not affected, however, since the stern thrusters are not functioning properly, we cannot dock in ports where tugboats are not

available (i.e. Western Caribbean ports).
[B][U]Mary Ruiz Online Community Specialist Carnival Cruise Lines Staff[/U][/B]

[familycruzinnewbie]

The Barefoot Castaway looks like it has increased in price to $69 and $89 if you want the champagne one with food. Is there another private one you recommend. We are doing Eastern by choice on Liberty and looking for something fun to do in St Thomas (kids are 9 and 12). DH is nervous about Western ports and DS (9) doesn't like heights or swimming in deep water (still working on being able to swim). So if all goes well this time, I will do Western next time. I would do a snorkelling trip of some kind as long as DS can still have a good time on the boat etc, if he doesn't want to go in deep water.

Else I guess we could look into Sunny, Godrey or find our way to Trunk Bay. Godrey doesn't go to Sapphire, though it looks like you still get the choice of beach between Magens or Coki, Sunny says majority rules.