Port of Tampa fog this morning....

[Cruisehappymn]

Royal Caribbean recently changed their CruiseCare coverage so that it does not cover independently purchased air travel.

 

Travel insurance from a third-party would be a better option to include the air portion of the trip as well as the cruise itself.

 

I purchased through a 3rd party but only had booked the cruise and not the air when I took out the insurance. So i don't know if that would still cover airfare or not. Hmmm

[Beardface]

I cancelling my cruise out of Tampa for 2016. That may sound crazy to some of you but IMHO, there are too many other options to risk wasting a vacation. While a nice gesture that they didnt have to do, a Future Cruise Credit that has to be used within a year is worthless to most people. :(

 

So sorry for those that were looking forward to their cruise. :(

 

Yep... especially those who have limited vacation time over the course of the year and are using a decent chunk for this trip.

 

I have to agree with you. After seeing this happen and knowing how frequent fog can be an issue for Tampa, I'm going to make a note to never cruise out of there, either. Too much risk involved to take that chance, especially when a cruise generally eats 1/3 to 1/2 of my vacation time on the year, not to mention that I'd be on the hook for any airfare costs should anything go wrong.

[Reader0108598]

We just received official word the Feb 23 sailing has been cancelled , all monies paid will be refunded in the manor it was paid . Sire glad we booked the room for tonight .

 

Sorry about your cruise...glad you have a room for the night:)

 

I would be worried about not having a room.

 

Reader

[marc3565]

If any can't see that map. I'll do a few updates. The ship is passing Fort De Soto park and approaching the bridge now

 

Passing under Sunshine Skyway bridge now

[T2B2]

We just passed under the bridge which we literally couldn't see till we were right on it. Don't know how it was any better than yesterday but we are through it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cruisingram1]

I'm looking at the Tampa Bay webcam page (http://porttampawebcam.com) and there is an inset on the bottom for marine traffic. A while ago I saw the Brilliance's (blue ship) location entering the Bay, but don't see it now. Could the ship have turned off radar or parked? Or am I missing it amidst the other traffic?

 

Never mind.. zoomed in some more and found it.;)

Edited February 24, 2015 by cruisingram1

[Boytjie]

I'm looking at the Tampa Bay webcam page (http://porttampawebcam.com) and there is an inset on the bottom for marine traffic. A while ago I saw the Brilliance's (blue ship) location entering the Bay, but don't see it now. Could the ship have turned off radar or parked? Or am I missing it amidst the other traffic?

 

Never mind.. zoomed in some more and found it.;)

 

At times ships "disappear" of the Marine Traffic map; one can usually see it when zooming in on the map.

[A&L_Ont]

We just passed under the bridge which we literally couldn't see till we were right on it. Don't know how it was any better than yesterday but we are through it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

WOW. I tried to see you sail under the skyway bridge on their web cameras and all I saw was fog.

[Cruising Photographer]

Just saw on the Port of Tampa Webcam that the ship just cleared the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. ETA 6:00 PM. Welcome home!

[waterbugohio]

I'm looking at the Tampa Bay webcam page (http://porttampawebcam.com) and there is an inset on the bottom for marine traffic. A while ago I saw the Brilliance's (blue ship) location entering the Bay, but don't see it now. Could the ship have turned off radar or parked? Or am I missing it amidst the other traffic?

 

Never mind.. zoomed in some more and found it.;)

 

still showing for me they are clear of the bridge. that would have been a little freaky

[marc3565]

I'm looking at the Tampa Bay webcam page (http://porttampawebcam.com) and there is an inset on the bottom for marine traffic. A while ago I saw the Brilliance's (blue ship) location entering the Bay, but don't see it now. Could the ship have turned off radar or parked? Or am I missing it amidst the other traffic?

 

Never mind.. zoomed in some more and found it.;)

 

Sometimes you have to zoom in or out to see it. It sometimes stacks on the nearby coastguard escort on that view.

[Capt_BJ]

Don't know how it was any better than yesterday but we are through it.

 

It isn't any better

 

but watching AIS I see that there were TWO USCG vessels out there "watching" one was sitting right under the span as B approached ... ensuring it was clear is my guess

 

and the pilot boat when back to the pier ... it is not heading out to deliver pilots to the other cargo ships waiting ....

 

my guess is some extra effort and "special circumstances" rule bending happened here to get those folks on their way home . . . normally restricted vis' at the bridge means no one goes under. Watching the web cams on the bridge, the fog actually thickened after B was past Egmont Key .... but there's no place to stop or turn around between Egmont and the bridge so the extra CG boats ensuring the path was clear . . .

Edited February 24, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[macmax]

I purchased through a 3rd party but only had booked the cruise and not the air when I took out the insurance. So i don't know if that would still cover airfare or not. Hmmm

Air, hotels, meals etc should be covered under the Trip Interruption portion of the Cancellation & Interruption insurance which is available through most 3rd party provider.

[cruisegirl1]

In my opinion, the offer is not enough.

 

The refund goes without saying, as the cruise was cancelled. Giving 25% towards another cruise with only one year to use is simply not enough. Folks have at least 2 nights of unexpected hotel rooms, potential airline fees for a revised ticket home, unexpected meal costs in Tampa, parking fees etc. Some expenses might not be covered with various insurances, and some might not even have insurance. Plus the emotional disappointment. Some may not be able to schedule a vacation within the timeframe.

 

I don't recall the details, but RCCL was very generous to Freedom passengers on a few December ( not all) cruises with some shortened ports or port times. Seems they also got a generous cabin credit or refund for future cruises, and those cruises sailed. (Some December Freedom cruises that were also altered got nothing)

 

Perhaps RCCL can have some standards for cancelled /strongly altered cruises so there is consistency in what is offered to passengers.

 

I am sorry for those who will miss the cruise .

 

M

[jerseygirl777]

Does anyone know of the date and or ship name for this Buckeye cruise next year? I'd love to be a part of the back to back national championship cruise.

 

Hi, You can put in buckeye cruise for cancer2016.com & get all the info that way. I'm not sure exactly when they put it up though, so keep trying.(There's a travel agency in Columbus that does all the bookings for this cruise). O-H- Linda

[Reader0108598]

All due respect to other posters opinions :

 

Why would Royal Caribbean be responsible for the weather :confused:

I understand refunding cruise fares but why should they comp people credits:confused:

 

I cruise winters mainly and from the northeast, I know weather can and does disrupt the best layed plans.

 

This is why I never cruise without insurance unless I am prepared to take a loss.

 

Very sorry to those cruisers who will not be cruising:(

 

Reader

[Bamagirl_gina]

In my opinion, the offer is not enough.

 

The refund goes without saying, as the cruise was cancelled. Giving 25% towards another cruise with only one year to use is simply not enough. Folks have at least 2 nights of unexpected hotel rooms, potential airline fees for a revised ticket home, unexpected meal costs in Tampa, parking fees etc. Some expenses might not be covered with various insurances, and some might not even have insurance. Plus the emotional disappointment. Some may not be able to schedule a vacation within the timeframe.

 

I don't recall the details, but RCCL was very generous to Freedom passengers on a few December ( not all) cruises with some shortened ports or port times. Seems they also got a generous cabin credit or refund for future cruises, and those cruises sailed. (Some December Freedom cruises that were also altered got nothing)

 

Perhaps RCCL can have some standards for cancelled /strongly altered cruises so there is consistency in what is offered to passengers.

 

I am sorry for those who will miss the cruise .

 

M

 

I'm sorry for those who will be missing their cruise and for those onboard who had to make alternate travel arrangements. However, this circumstance was an act of God, not a mechanical failure, etc. so I do believe RCI has been more than fair in what they are offering. They could have just said it was out of their control and if you had travel insurance great, if not, too bad. That's what the airlines do. That's the risk you taken when you do not opt for insurance but nothing here was the fault of RCI and, from what I have been reading from those onboard and well as waiting, RCI has been pretty darn gracious.

[T2B2]

Don't know how it was any better than yesterday but we are through it.

 

It isn't any better

 

but watching AIS I see that there were TWO USCG vessels out there "watching" one was sitting right under the span as B approached ... ensuring it was clear is my guess

 

and the pilot boat when back to the pier ... it is not heading out to deliver pilots to the other cargo ships waiting ....

 

my guess is some extra effort and "special circumstances" rule bending happened here to get those folks on their way home . . . normally restricted vis' at the bridge means no one goes under. Watching the web cams on the bridge, the fog actually thickened after B was past Egmont Key .... but there's no place to stop or turn around between Egmont and the bridge so the extra CG boats ensuring the path was clear . . .

 

 

Captain BJ... Going to have to agree here. They made an exception. There is zero visibility. No one could see the bridge until it was right on top of us. If I wasn't watching it on my Marine Traffic app with AIS I wouldn't even know we were approaching it.

 

The coast guard has been pacing is the entire way in. Only can see their flashing light bar can't make out the boat.

 

 

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[Cindy]

This is why I always purchase independent travel insurance -- especially if I'm flying to the port.

 

Unfortunately for the people currently on the Brilliance and the people in Tampa who just found out their cruise was cancelled, this is a delay/cancellation caused by weather, for which the cruise line is under no obligation to compensate you. Weather is clearly a situation in which travel insurance would help.

 

Even though it stings right now, the 25% off a cruise within a year is generous for a situation completely out of RCI's control. If this cancellation had been attributable to the cruise line, such as a propulsion or mechanical problems then additional compensation would be in order, including assistance with hotel costs, meals. and air change fees.

 

[Homosassa]

Now for the fun part, the narrow channel and its turns.

 

Maybe since the decision was made to cancel the 2/23 cruise, the channel passage will be delayed until the frontal passage (radar shows the front just reaching the northern edge of Tampa) and visibility improves.

[JimeBeMe]

If I were one of the people who just had their trip cancelled, I would be devastated. I have to bid on my planned vacation schedule at the beginning of January and once I get a week off, that is half of what I get in a year. I couldn't go re-book another cruise at that point.

 

With that said, I offer this hopefully useful wisdom to the people who traveled here expecting to vacation this week - you still can. After all, Florida might be one of the best spots in the country to plan an impromptu vacation. Just in the next couple of days, Tampa Bay Beer Week kicks off on Wednesday, then the Strawberry festival opens on Thursday. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is nearby. And of course, you could spend a couple of days at a theme park less than an hour away. Then you won't lose money on airline tickets because you can still fly out Saturday or Sunday as you were going to anyway. What you spend for food and car and hotel will at least partially be offset by the refund from RCCI on your credit card bill.

 

Cruising would be better no doubt, but that just is not going to happen for some this week. Cruising is probably the most economical form of all-in-one vacation planning. But for those of you who won't get another vacation for some time to come, I hope you can find a way to enjoy this week. Good luck to all!

[TravelerThom]

Don't know how it was any better than yesterday but we are through it.

 

It isn't any better

 

but watching AIS I see that there were TWO USCG vessels out there "watching" one was sitting right under the span as B approached ... ensuring it was clear is my guess

 

and the pilot boat when back to the pier ... it is not heading out to deliver pilots to the other cargo ships waiting ....

 

my guess is some extra effort and "special circumstances" rule bending happened here to get those folks on their way home . . . normally restricted vis' at the bridge means no one goes under. Watching the web cams on the bridge, the fog actually thickened after B was past Egmont Key .... but there's no place to stop or turn around between Egmont and the bridge so the extra CG boats ensuring the path was clear . . .

I initially was surprised at the cancellation of the (originally) 23 Feb cruise, since an ETA of 6pm would allow the Brilliance to sail by midnight and make it into Cozumel as scheduled on Thursday. I'm GUESSING that an exception was made to get the Brilliance into port, but RCI was told that it was unlikely that they would be allowed back out tonight [ie you will not be allowed to sail unless the port is fully open].

 

Thom

[sml3]

My daughter purchased 3rd party insurance and was told they would pay for fees to change flight home to tomorrow and 2 night hotel. Their week of vacation is ruined and she doesn't get that much time off. It would be nice if insurance would cover expenses so they could enjoy the rest of the week in Tampa. Cruise refund amount won't come close. :(

[Langley Cruisers]

I cancelling my cruise out of Tampa for 2016. That may sound crazy to some of you but IMHO, there are too many other options to risk wasting a vacation. Ill pick a port that doesnt have these issues.

 

Ryan, sorry that you had to make this decision but I do agree with it. It doesn't sound crazy to me at all, especially since we have to come from the west coast of Canada. I too, realize issues of any kind can come up at any port - but this current situation has me thinking as well.

 

Let us know what alternative you select. :)

[cruisingram1]

I'm not sure if this was mentioned up thread, but how much extra food does a cruise ship carry? Just wondering when lack of food would become an issue for a cruise ship unable to dock or get food delivered by other means. Guessing several days.. but maybe someone has a clearer answer.