On Grandeur now..

[kruzerci]

From what I've read about the Triumph incident, the crew was outstanding. Did you see otherwise?

 

Here we go again :rolleyes:. Like clockwork.

[Seago2]

I have no idea what RC thinks of that picture, and I have zero corporate or PR training, but I took it the opposite of you, honestly. I understand the concept of putting on a brave, professional, everything is fine image, but this picture to me showed a glimpse of what I think was missing in the various Carnival disasters - it shows visibly that the crew cares (and Royal Caribbean as well, by extension), that the crew and cruise line feel for the passengers, understand how upsetting it was...

 

I think it would be ridiculous if this crew member gets any bad fall out from having a human moment.

 

I agree with you and I think that's why that picture was disseminated so quickly. It showed a caring crew.

[Aquahound]

I have no idea what RC thinks of that picture, and I have zero corporate or PR training, but I took it the opposite of you, honestly. I understand the concept of putting on a brave, professional, everything is fine image, but this picture to me showed a glimpse of what I think was missing in the various Carnival disasters - it shows visibly that the crew cares (and Royal Caribbean as well, by extension), that the crew and cruise line feel for the passengers, understand how upsetting it was...

 

Well, to be fair, RCI has the benefit of being on the dock in this case. That was not the case with Triumph and there was no shocking visual damage in the Dream incident. From all accounts, the crew were phenomenal in all cases.

 

In this case, I can imagine her shock, going out and seeing that charred stern for the first time.

[SakeDad]

Dont forget the size difference between the 2 countries. Same as between the UK and Australia.

For cruises that are classed as 'domestic' cruises, you dont need a passport. Our first cruise was a cruise to nowhere, so no ports of call, just Sydney and back into Sydney 3 nights later. Didnt need a passport. Our second cruise was also a domestic cruise, Sydney - Melbourne - Hobart - Sydney. Again, didnt need a passport.

Next cruise however is an international one, so yes we now have passports. I'm lucky in that I hold dual citizenship, UK and Australia.

 

But in the US we do not have "domestic" cruises. (Expect for POA in Hawaii) Due to the Jones Act cruise lines are not allowed to go from US ports to US ports without visiting at least one foreign country, otherwise they are classified as Ferries, not Cruises. While many countries do not require passports for entry it is easy for US citizens to enter via cruises without one. HOWEVER (and this is a BIG however ;)) if for any reason that passenger needs to FLY back to the US from a foreign country and doesn't have passport it can be extremely difficult to arrange as the AIRLINES do require them. That is why, yes, you CAN cruise without one, but it really isn't wise to......just in case. :D

[SecretSK]

From what I've read about the Triumph incident, the crew was outstanding. Did you see otherwise?

 

No, I haven't sailed Carnival in years. I wasn't bashing Carnival, just speculating.

 

I was referring to public image of the line only. I know the passengers were very complimentary of the crew after the Triumph disaster, but while they were adrift at sea for days and the media was going crazy wall to wall about sewage flowing down hallways, etc. Carnival did not have the benefit of this kind of positive/human/caring image of a crew member during (or after) the crisis.

 

I just think putting forward a bit more humanity from any of the cruise lines is a good thing, especially in the middle of a crisis situation where passengers are upset. It's ok to show the crew are human, too. KWIM?

[time4u2go]

No, I haven't sailed Carnival in years. I wasn't bashing Carnival, just speculating.

 

I was referring to public image of the line only. I know the passengers were very complimentary of the crew after the Triumph disaster, but while they were adrift at sea for days and the media was going crazy wall to wall about sewage flowing down hallways, etc. Carnival did not have the benefit of this kind of positive/human/caring image of a crew member during (or after) the crisis.

 

I just think putting forward a bit more humanity from any of the cruise lines is a good thing, especially in the middle of a crisis situation where passengers are upset. It's ok to show the crew are human, too. KWIM?

 

Agreed. The image alone speaks a lot, and helps to reinforce the knowledge that the crew performed well.

[broberts]

Remember, Carnival allowed Dream pax to fly out of St Martin over three days, as they could remain on the ship for the duration. So they did not need to hustle everyone out on the same day. I recall seeing 4-5 planes shuttling back and forth all weekend.

 

If I recall correctly, they also gave passengers the option where possible, to be returned to their home airport.

[Missus Makkem]

Dont forget the size difference between the 2 countries. Same as between the UK and Australia.

For cruises that are classed as 'domestic' cruises, you dont need a passport. Our first cruise was a cruise to nowhere, so no ports of call, just Sydney and back into Sydney 3 nights later. Didnt need a passport. Our second cruise was also a domestic cruise, Sydney - Melbourne - Hobart - Sydney. Again, didnt need a passport.

Next cruise however is an international one, so yes we now have passports. I'm lucky in that I hold dual citizenship, UK and Australia.

 

Our borders are all of the EU countries, we could get into any of them without a passport but try then returning to the UK without it.

Nor would any cruise line let you do a round Britain cruise without using a passport at check in.We did a one night on the Brilliance 2 weeks ago out of Harwich and into the North sea but we could not board without our passports.

[gbcruise]

There was no error. The cabins are "hard-coded" to a particular muster station. Look at the back of the stateroom door.

 

My guess is that the reservation system is not set up to take into account which cabin is assigned to which muster station, even if you think to ask.

 

Each individual ship has each room divided into muster stations. The same muster is used for the same room number every time. Makes sense that this info. could be included along side the room numbers so families could have the added info. that they would have the same muster station when booking rooms. Never thought about the possibility until now that we could be split up just by having family across or next door but it could happen.

[time4u2go]

Each individual ship has each room divided into muster stations. The same muster is used for the same room number every time. Makes sense that this info. could be included along side the room numbers so families could have the added info. that they would have the same muster station when booking rooms. Never thought about the possibility until now that we could be split up just by having family across or next door but it could happen.

 

There is now a separate thread for this discussion:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1851950

[SandraLee]

Yikes. July 5th cruise is not showing as available to book anymore. I'm on this cruise... been watching rates like crazy. It was still listed as available earlier today (when someone posted the other June dates were unavailable).

[DEIx15x8]

I was on the previous sailing, not sure who the crew member in the photo is but it wouldn't be Lynn. Her position would not entitle her to where that outfit at all.

[reallyitsmema]

Yikes. July 5th cruise is not showing as available to book anymore. I'm on this cruise... been watching rates like crazy. It was still listed as available earlier today (when someone posted the other June dates were unavailable).

July 12th sailing isn't showing as available either.

[gbcruise]

Wouldn't it just be easier to all stay in the same cabin?????????

 

Not when you have 4 teens. Its essential to have several bathrooms and timeout spots, lol.

[Elsie Eisle]

Not when you have 4 teens. Its essential to have several bathrooms and timeout spots, lol.

 

There are a few (very few) family cabins on most of the ships. They have 2 bedrooms plus pull out couch. One bedroom had 2 bunks that I saw.

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[gbcruise]

So sad to hear about Grandeur catching fire, i hope she has a speedy recovery.

I will be keeping a close eye out for updates.

 

On another note, although i agree with poet that families should be given an option of cabins at the same muster station, i feel the debate should carry on in another thread. It has taken me ages to finish this thread and most of it has been people arguing about how they should deal with muster stations!!

 

Fire on a ship equals muster station. I find it, IMHO, very important to this thread.

[Piepkorn]

July 12th sailing isn't showing as available either.

 

Just checked the site I use to watch prices and categories, and nothing is open now until the July 19th sailing. It doesn't mean it isn't going, just that you can't book it right now.

[gbcruise]

There is now a separate thread for this discussion:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1851950

 

Thank you. I read thru the pages and did not realize it had been re-routed.

[stupendousman8]

I'm guessing that remaining reservations for cruises the next several weeks are being grabbed up by the folks who had their cruise of choice cancelled, what with the 50-100% discount and all.

[vickitoria426]

Hello. I got back from the Bahamas a few hours ago. I was on the 3pm flight but we didn't board until around 5pm. Then it took a little while to leave. I don't think the airport was used to dealing with that many people and that big of a plane. But the people from RC did excellent with guiding us on where to go.

As for the fire, when we were talking in the windjammer after it happened another passenger said he heard it was from paint cans that were improperly stored and they got to hot. When we were boarding in Baltimore my husband pointed out to me that they were painting the ship so I guess it's possible. We'll find out in time.

I know we're getting a refund but does that include taxes and fees or just the list price of the cruise? What about the credit for the next cruise?

Thanks!

[DELTABLUE]

vickitoria426...glad you made it home safely! I'm sure that the refunds will cover all you paid and any legitimate expenses you incurred. Keep receipts to back up any claims you may need to make.

As for the paint cans, it seems to me that they are constantly painting the ship and doing touch ups all the time so it would not be unusual for them to be around.

[SakeDad]

As for the fire, when we were talking in the windjammer after it happened another passenger said he heard it was from paint cans that were improperly stored and they got to hot. When we were boarding in Baltimore my husband pointed out to me that they were painting the ship so I guess it's possible. We'll find out in time.

 

Very interesting. And very possible as it's a Crew Only Area.

A few months ago when I was on the NCL Star they were under a company audit and everything was being "Spruced Up" for it. Someone painted a hot pipe in crew areas and it caught fire and knocked the power out to the ship momentarily. HUGE plume of smoke also followed. Luckily we were anchored in Belize and most people were off ship and the fire was out quickly. I doubt most passengers even knew there was a fire while they were ashore.

Accidents happen and I applaud the RCCL crew and NCL crew for reacting quickly to bad situations.:)

[cruisecookie]

We returned home about an hour ago from our May 24th Grandeur cruise. RCCL flew us from Freeport to BWI airport. When we arrived at the airport at 12:30 am Wednesday we were greeted by RCCL agents who guided us from the plane to the luggage carousel. There was a three piece band (keyboard, violin and horn) playing music! Once we got our luggage, there were more RCCL agents to escort us to our bus back to the cruise terminal to pick up our car. A separate bus took passengers to a hotel to spend the rest of the night before travelling home.

[Familygoboston]

A ship catches fire. The CEO of the company makes his way to the ship to assess the situation and see what needs to be done. And people worry about what he is wearing. :confused:

Same reason there are 100 threads about how to dress for dinner:rolleyes:

 

We returned home about an hour ago from our May 24th Grandeur cruise. RCCL flew us from Freeport to BWI airport. When we arrived at the airport at 12:30 am Wednesday we were greeted by RCCL agents who guided us from the plane to the luggage carousel. There was a three piece band (keyboard, violin and horn) playing music! Once we got our luggage, there were more RCCL agents to escort us to our bus back to the cruise terminal to pick up our car. A separate bus took passengers to a hotel to spend the rest of the night before travelling home.

 

Welcome home and thanks for your first hand report! Sounds like they are treating you as well as they can.

[B-52]

It's where the winches are located and all the mooring lines are stored. It's the area they work when tying up the ship in port.

 

 

It's also a "out of the way" place where the maintenance people can hang out and smoke, and who knows what else....no one but them ever go there or have reason to....I know this to be fact on another ship,

 

Also, because it is sort of an "outside" area, it is where the "paint lockers" are...

As bad and undesirable a fire at sea can be.....if it were to happen this would be the place you would want it to happen......it is almost designed to happen here as opposed to anywhere else on the ship....(fantail)