Enchanment 4/16-We deserved better!!!!

[jungle85]

Went on the Enchanment 4/16 scheduled to visit Ocho Rios then Grand Cayman. On the way to Ocho Rios, in which we arrived at least 3 hrs late and left on schedule, the ship had engine problems. THe Captain announced that he canceled the trip to Grand Cayman and that we would return to Fort Lauderdale thus being at sea 3 days in a row.

 

This was very disappointing as the reason we schedule this trip was for Grand Cayman. Royal Carribbean sent a note off to each cabin giving each cabin (not person) but cabin a $200 credit against their on board account. First of all everyone got the same credit, no matter if they were suite guests and paid more, or had cheaper rooms. Secondly, the $200 credit they threw around is "chump change" when we got home I and an email from them saying book this trip and we will give you a $200 credit. Thirdly, if you are at sea all that time, they have you, as all you can do is spend money with them.

 

What was the most iritating thing, is we probably arrived back at Fort lauderdale, 6 hours early. The crew, who we have no bitch with said they were surprised we didnt stop at Key West or the Bahammas in lieu of Grand Cayman to make up for the Grand Cayman cancelation. Bottom line they were more worried about the next cruise then the people on that cruise.

 

I have taken several cruises, and I will NEVER go on a RCL cruise again.

[FinelyCruising]

Fine.

[pcbeck]

There is a disclaimer in the RCCL sales material that claims the schedule can change for a variety of reasons. You witnessed it first hand.

[xpcdoojk]

Went on the Enchanment 4/16 scheduled to visit Ocho Rios then Grand Cayman. On the way to Ocho Rios, in which we arrived at least 3 hrs late and left on schedule, the ship had engine problems. THe Captain announced that he canceled the trip to Grand Cayman and that we would return to Fort Lauderdale thus being at sea 3 days in a row.

 

This was very disappointing as the reason we schedule this trip was for Grand Cayman. Royal Carribbean sent a note off to each cabin giving each cabin (not person) but cabin a $200 credit against their on board account. First of all everyone got the same credit, no matter if they were suite guests and paid more, or had cheaper rooms. Secondly, the $200 credit they threw around is "chump change" when we got home I and an email from them saying book this trip and we will give you a $200 credit. Thirdly, if you are at sea all that time, they have you, as all you can do is spend money with them.

 

What was the most iritating thing, is we probably arrived back at Fort lauderdale, 6 hours early. The crew, who we have no bitch with said they were surprised we didnt stop at Key West or the Bahammas in lieu of Grand Cayman to make up for the Grand Cayman cancelation. Bottom line they were more worried about the next cruise then the people on that cruise.

 

I have taken several cruises, and I will NEVER go on a RCL cruise again.

 

FC, :D

 

Jungle85, Would you explore a little mathematics discussion with me? It is approximately 250 nautical miles from Ocho Rios to Grand Cayman. At 20 knots that is approximately 12.5 hours. It (Grand Cayman) is further from the original port (Ft. Lauderdale) than it is from Ocho Rios, Jamaica to Ft Lauderdale. So if they had gone to Grand Cayman, you would have have to at least the time from sailing back from Jamaica probably more time. In other words if it took no additional time you would have gotten back to the port 6.5 hours late. This is still assuming that you didn't actually get off the ship in Grand Cayman. If we add a 6 hour stop, now you are at a minimum of 12.5 hours late getting back to port. One other little note. I am making the assumption that with the engine problems you were experiencing that 20 knots is not possible for the trip to and from Grand Cayman. So even if it is just 10% slower than 20 knots that would add another hour or two to the trip to and from Ocho Rios. Final guesstimate of something on the order of 16 to 18 hours late returning to port.

 

I hope this helps you understand the reason why the captain missed Grand Cayman. Do you further realize that Grand Cayman is a tender port and it is one of the most missed ports in the Caribbean? Just another thing to consider.:cool:

 

jc

[stillfrantic]

That is disappointing. But safety first. There must have been a reason the captain felt it safest to return to port. I don't know how to drive a ship....I guess I'd have to defer to their judgement.(same with airline piots....I give them the benefit of the doubt since I can't take over the controls and do it myself! :p ) I like sea days though...the unhurried, lay around all day kind of thing. That was nice of them to give a stateroom credit. I don't think I've ever heard of that for missing a port call. I think misses happen pretty frequently.

[yogimax]

Why should it make a difference in compensation for the stateroom you occupied? EVERYONE equally missed the advantage of the ports. Your stateroom provided you with benefits while ON the ship. I'm not sure I'm reading your post accurately, but it seems to say you got a $200 onboard credit plus a $200 future booking credit. Not a bad deal at all!

[celtic selke]

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here we go again.:rolleyes:

 

celtic

[BobBeaSea]

Jungle85, sorry to hear there were problems with your sailing. Depending on the number of cruises taken or just plain bad luck, sooner or later a port will be missed or a sailing interrupted. It happened to me in '93. I am curious though, you mention you deserve better.....what do you think would be appropriate?

[Andipanda1]

Went on the Enchanment 4/16 scheduled to visit Ocho Rios then Grand Cayman. On the way to Ocho Rios, in which we arrived at least 3 hrs late and left on schedule, the ship had engine problems. THe Captain announced that he canceled the trip to Grand Cayman and that we would return to Fort Lauderdale thus being at sea 3 days in a row.

 

This was very disappointing as the reason we schedule this trip was for Grand Cayman. Royal Carribbean sent a note off to each cabin giving each cabin (not person) but cabin a $200 credit against their on board account. First of all everyone got the same credit, no matter if they were suite guests and paid more, or had cheaper rooms. Secondly, the $200 credit they threw around is "chump change" when we got home I and an email from them saying book this trip and we will give you a $200 credit. Thirdly, if you are at sea all that time, they have you, as all you can do is spend money with them.

 

What was the most iritating thing, is we probably arrived back at Fort lauderdale, 6 hours early. The crew, who we have no bitch with said they were surprised we didnt stop at Key West or the Bahammas in lieu of Grand Cayman to make up for the Grand Cayman cancelation. Bottom line they were more worried about the next cruise then the people on that cruise.

 

I have taken several cruises, and I will NEVER go on a RCL cruise again.

 

I'm sorry you won't be cruising with RCI again. However, if the ship engine had problems, and you came into port early, perhaps the Captain made the decision based on the need to fix those engine problems? Perhaps he was more worried about your safety--and about pax arriving in port on time. As for Grand Cayman, others have noted what the difficulty is in tendering to GC. Another safety concern. One thing I've learned about cruising is that certain ports may be missed due to high winds, weather, political situations, etc. If you really have your heart set on a port, then land-based is probably the way to go.

 

BTW, other than the missed stop, was there anything else about the cruise you would note? The food? Activities? Was there anything positive?

[MGoBlue2]

Why should it make a difference in compensation for the stateroom you occupied? EVERYONE equally missed the advantage of the ports. Your stateroom provided you with benefits while ON the ship. I'm not sure I'm reading your post accurately, but it seems to say you got a $200 onboard credit plus a $200 future booking credit. Not a bad deal at all!

They should have given the suites a smaller shipboard credit - after all they had a nicer place to spend all those at sea days, so it was less of an inconvenience for them. :)

[xpcdoojk]

They should have given the suites a smaller shipboard credit - after all they had a nicer place to spend all those at sea days, so it was less of an inconvenience for them. :)

 

Funny as heck!!!!:D

 

jc

[SoosieQ]

What???? I lost my way halfway thru this post. I am not sure what this person got or what they did not get. Very confusing. I also like how this person just joined today to put a complaint on. :)

[HB Cruiser]

Yes, if I was going to GC and missed it, I would be disappointed. HOWEVER, if I did not make it back to Ft. Lauderdale on time, missed flights, missed work, and so on, that would have been even worse.

 

Besides, they gave you $200 credit that, according to your contract with them, they DID NOT have to give you.

 

Sorry you missed GC, it is very nice. BUT there are several cruises that miss that port each year that get NOTHING.

 

Tim

[celtic selke]

Now Susie, be careful. I know exactly what you mean and feel the same way. But we can't question the fact that this is a first time poster with a complaint.

 

We will be accused of being meany faces.;)

 

celtic

[ILUVCRUIZN]

How was the rest of the cruise?????????????? :confused: I would be disappointed to but I would not let that ruin my vacation!!!!!!

 

Your in the sunshine with foo foo drinks, good entertainment, casino, great food, nice people, and your not working, really how bad could it have been????????????? :p

[wallie5446]

They should have given the suites a smaller shipboard credit - after all they had a nicer place to spend all those at sea days, so it was less of an inconvenience for them. :)

 

I will have to 'third' this one since it has already been seconded! :D

[CMurph]

Not sure if this post deserves our responses, but for those newbies who may read this, they need to know some facts. First it all, while disappointing, ports are missed rather frequently. It may be because of engine problems or weather related, but we have to trust the Captain to make the decision that is in the best interest & safety of the passengers. A cruise ship can't just pick another port to go to at the last minute. They can't just pull up to a pier like they just found an empty parking spot. Arrangements have to be made and the crew isn't going to be aware of all the details that have to be taken care of, so they are not really qualified to tell the passengers that you should have stopped somewhere else. And most importantly, while the ports of call are the main draw for some cruisers, everyone should always be aware that those can change without notice and prepared yourself mentally to just "go with the flow". I'm always amazed at how angry & hostile some people are when something unforeseen happens. Some people plan weddings and reunions on these islands and then of course, are devastated when that port is missed. Fly directly to that island, if that's what you want. Don't use the cruise ship as a reliable source of transportation. There. That is for the benefit of new cruisers. As for the OP, it sounds like they were compensated well. They are either hard to please or are just pulling our chain.

[WeBeCruisin']

We were on SeaDream I (formerly Seabourn's Sea Goddess I) in November of 2001 and missed a port in Spain because of rough waves, and had the main itinerary changed for 9/11 reasons. We were supposed to go to Casablanca, Morocco, and they cancelled that and substituted the Canary Islands. We signed up for the cruise specifically to go to Casablanca.

 

Anyway, Sea Dream is right up there with Crystal, Radisson, Seabourn, etc. in price, and we got not squat for our "pain and suffering". And it never occurred to us to whine and complain about it. What is WRONG with us???? :D

 

Allen

[MonaCK]

*sniffs around* Troll in our midst?

I'd like to hear from someone else who was on this cruise as well, preferably someone who has more than one post...

My guess is that this is meant to ruffle the feathers of those who were upset about the shortened 4/23 cruise... sorry for being cynical...

[celtic selke]

Now missing Casablanca gets my sympathy. I would love to go there. I would picture Rick and Ilsa everywhere.

 

Do you think Ricks American Cafe and The Blue Parrot are still there?

 

celtic

 

And don't burst my bubble by telling me these are not real people and places.

[Gimpster]

"They should have given the suites a smaller shipboard credit - after all they had a nicer place to spend all those at sea days, so it was less of an inconvenience for them."

 

Not only that - but since they could afford suites, they're probably wealthier and don't need as big a credit. ;)

[wallie5446]

Not sure if this post deserves our responses, but for those newbies who may read this, they need to know some facts.

 

Very good post Murph << IMHO >> :D

[celtic selke]

Not only that - but since they could afford suites, they're probably wealthier and don't need as big a credit. ;)

 

Not necessarily. We were upgraded to a suite once. And believe me, I am as poor as the next guy.

So do I get the big credit because I didn't actually pay for the suite, or do I get the little credit, because through no fault of my own, I ended up there?

Now this is a conumdrum!

 

celtic

[debshomespun]

So, I am wondering, did they make all the passengers disembard 6 Hrs. early? They should have gotten back say around 8:00 AM, so they got back at roughtly 2:00AM, so maybe the OP is upset, because they made them all get off the ship at 2:00AM in Ft. Lauderdale! HA, HA, HA!

 

If I missed Grand Cayman, or any other port, and RC gave me a $200. shipboard credit, I would be in Heaven!

 

After all, they did get all their days on the ship, all the food and entertainment, and an extra $200. spending, what more did they want, a free cruise? ? ?

[jungle85]

First of all I know all about the language contained in the RCL brochure. As a customer you always bear that risk, but there are certain things not controlable (ie weather) BUT having sound equipment is the responsibility of RCL. They failed in that responsibility and the passengers paid the price. Also if the there was a safety issue, we should have been taken off the ship. The possibility of another port was something brought up by their crew not our idea. Technically the Enchanment was off the coast of Miami before Midnight if not sooner, the rush to get back was for concern of futures voyages not that the one sailing. Their marketing people will tell you that one of the key reasons passengers pick cruises is the ports of call, If you miss a port because of their problems, yes everyone should be issued a refund. A $200 on board credit to passengers who were delayed in getting to one distatination and deferred from another is an insult. I still feel that if you pay more, then your refund should be proportionate.