Port of Tampa fog this morning....

[CORKY_Q]

In my opinion, the offer is not enough..........

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 would maybe agree with you if any portion of this delay was the fault of RCI. In this case, an "act of God" is in no way RCI's fault. Further, the Port of TPA determines when and if a ship may enter/depart.

[A&L_Ont]

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.

 

I agree with you Bamagirl. As I said previous I feel for all those effected. However it is mother nature, an act of god. That is why there is insurance. The cancelled cruisers are getting their money back and 25% FCC. More than fair espically when it was not in RC control.

 

It is not like they tried to bill the current guests on board for their extra night's stay, food and feul consuption. Now that would be something worth complaining about.

[Oppalopa]

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. :(

 

I live in the area and we do have cheaper motels. I stay in the University Inn in Tampa for 55 per night and athe Days Inn in Clearwater is nice both are very clean.

[nolesrule]

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. Could something else come up elsewhere? Of course but Im gonna take that chance. 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. :(

 

According to your sig, the cruise is in early April of 2016. This shouldn't be an issue by April. It's actually rather unusual for this late in February, and the length of the delay (for fog) is unprecedented.

[sml3]

I live in the area and we do have cheaper motels. I stay in the University Inn in Tampa for 55 per night and athe Days Inn in Clearwater is nice both are very clean.

 

Thanks for the suggestions but when someone has heart set on a cruise its hard to get in a mindset of staying a week off the water.

[danp]

Ok I have another question,what if you are on a b2b and this was your first week,I wonder if they will let you stay on and use the ship as a hotel?

[Capt_BJ]

AIS update

 

BotS is about 1/3 .. not quite 1/2 of the way from the bridge to the terminal ... still has 2 CG vessels in company and still doing only 8 knots ... usually in this area they are doing twice this or more. This tells me they are still in reduced visibility aka FOG.

 

What's funny tho, is if you go to the port webcam (which is at the cruise terminal ... the 'port' is sprawling) it is clear and sunny.

 

such are the weather peculiarities of Tampa Bay!

 

Yes, I think RCCL canx'd the next cruise because there was low probability they could leave .... even if they COULD get folks ON tonight which would have been difficult. Leaving tomorrow evening would have been the best shot and then where to go with the time remaining?????

 

As a ship driver, I'm curious to see where the ship goes until the next trip. They can not stay at the terminal. a) it cost $$ and b) others will be using it. Maybe they'll just go anchor off Tampa ... where they were last night! Once the port opens and they are allowed to leave that is!

 

********

someone mentioned a person on a B2B .... hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Edited February 24, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[BOAZ5]

I feel just terrible for all people involved in this unfortunate situation. Weather is so unpredictable!!

 

I sail out of Tampa on 3/23 with 4 people who have never cruised before. I would be devastated if this was their first experience. I never realized that fog can be such an issue for the Port of Tampa. I hope it doesn't happen again anytime soon.

[p50lve]

I just heard the fog horn again...I am in Apollo Beach...you are coming up on the cut to go past Pine Island and the power plant. Looking at the port webcam the fog is cleared up past the power plant. I hear helicopters flying about....probably news reporters. For those of you concerned about fog and Tampa, I can't recall this ever happening where the port closed for two days. Normally it burns off by 10am.

 

Pam

[danp]

I have another question,what if you are on a b2b and this was your first week I wonder if they will let you stay on board and use the ship as your hotel?

[Cindy]

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.

 

 

On behind the scenes tours I've been told a week or more...I think they actually provision a week ahead, if that makes sense. For example, probably most of the food that was used for lunch and dinner yesterday, as well as meals so far today was actually intended for the cruise on the 23rd. They would probably start to run low on fragile produce and some specialty items, but there's enough frozen and non-perishable food aboard that no one's in danger of going hungry!

 

I did one of the tours not too long after Hurricane Ike stranded the Carnival Conquest (based in Galveston) at sea. I believe it was four days after the cruise was supposed to end that the ship was able to get in to New Orleans for reprovisioning. That was when I learned how they rotate food through.

[Clarea]

Ok I have another question,what if you are on a b2b and this was your first week,I wonder if they will let you stay on and use the ship as a hotel?

Interesting thought, but I doubt it. If they are cancelling the cruise, then I don't see how there can be guests on board.

Edited February 24, 2015 by clarea

[danp]

Sorry my question appeared twice

[subtchr]

I have another question,what if you are on a b2b and this was your first week I wonder if they will let you stay on board and use the ship as your hotel?

 

Since this was a full charter and Royal does not handle the booking, I doubt there are any b2b cruisers aboard.

[Bodero]

As a ship driver, I'm curious to see where the ship goes until the next trip. They can not stay at the terminal. a) it cost $$ and b) others will be using it. Maybe they'll just go anchor off Tampa ... where they were last night! Once the port opens and they are allowed to leave that is!

 

I'm curious too, but Terminal 3 is free through Saturday... the day the Brilliance was scheduled to be back and docking at 3. Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas will join Brilliance on Saturday at T2. Carnival Paradise is scheduled to arrive Thursday in Terminal 2, and that's it through Sunday.

[Beardface]

Hi, Can you let us know when you are almost in port(I think I watched the ship for about half an hour before it was off the webcam when it left on the 19th)? Thanks for the pictures & keeping us updated on this thread. Your cruise was like our football season UNDISPUTED!! By the way too bad the banner blew away before the ship left port, did they intend to keep it there as it would have blocked some cabins views? Linda

You act as if this never happened...

 

 

See you in Blacksburg :)

[Capt_BJ]

On behind the scenes tours I've been told a week or more...I think they actually provision a week ahead, if that makes sense. For example, probably most of the food that was used for lunch and dinner yesterday, as well as meals so far today was actually intended for the cruise on the 23rd. They would probably start to run low on fragile produce and some specialty items, but there's enough frozen and non-perishable food aboard that no one's in danger of going hungry!

 

B4 anyone say yes BUT those Carnival incidents where the ship lost power?

 

The freezers went out .... no freezers no safe frozen food .... and no ability to cook . . . no gas ranges on ships!

[Capt_BJ]

BotS has now picked up speed .... but it appears a third CG vessel went along side after a course diversion. This is typical of an evacuation ..... hope there aren't added problems.

 

A fun saga to watch . . .

 

BTW BotS and CG is the only thing moving according to the AIS feeds.

Edited February 24, 2015 by Capt_BJ

[danp]

Did anyone say SPAM

[T2B2]

On behind the scenes tours I've been told a week or more...I think they actually provision a week ahead, if that makes sense. For example, probably most of the food that was used for lunch and dinner yesterday, as well as meals so far today was actually intended for the cruise on the 23rd. They would probably start to run low on fragile produce and some specialty items, but there's enough frozen and non-perishable food aboard that no one's in danger of going hungry!

 

 

 

I did one of the tours not too long after Hurricane Ike stranded the Carnival Conquest (based in Galveston) at sea. I believe it was four days after the cruise was supposed to end that the ship was able to get in to New Orleans for reprovisioning. That was when I learned how they rotate food through.

 

 

Correct we have 4-5 days of reserves on board. Fuel that I don't know the extra planned for but they were talking about diverting to Miami earlier which was 450 nm and 24 hours of travel and so sounds like plenty of extra fuel.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[T2B2]

We just picked up major speed. Cleared right up in the last 10 minutes.

 

Our escorts. Can finally see more than the flashing lights on top.

 

 

Power plant:

 

Helicopter:

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[T2B2]

We are now doing 13.5 kts

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chengkp75]

BotS has now picked up speed .... but it appears a third CG vessel went along side after a course diversion. This is typical of an evacuation ..... hope there aren't added problems.

 

A fun saga to watch . . .

 

BTW BotS and CG is the only thing moving according to the AIS feeds.

 

Yep, our two tankers are still stationary. I think the CG cutters are just to provide more eyes down low to look at nav aids. This is probably costing RCI a bunch for the "exemption" and escort.

 

Even if the cruise dock isn't used until Brilliance needs it next, I'm fairly sure they will go to an unused cargo dock, as this would be a cheaper day rate than the cruise dock. I don't think they would risk going down to anchor outside again, knowing that return of the fog could prevent them getting back in. I think there are some very underutilized docks around the old Tampa Shipyard, but it's been years since I was there.

[subtchr]

Texting with my sister aboard. They had planned an extra day in the area and are booked on an 8:55 pm flight back to Columbus tonight, hoping they can still make it.

 

I told her it will depend on how they prioritize disembarking. She said they have not announced that. I'd think that they'd give some priority to those who have flights they might still make. Which I would think would not be many people!

 

My advice was to hitch a ride in Urban & Shelley's limo... :)

Edited February 24, 2015 by subtchr

[CptSticky]

Ok I have another question,what if you are on a b2b and this was your first week,I wonder if they will let you stay on and use the ship as a hotel?

We sailed a month ago on a B2B2B on different ships (BOS, VOS, VOS). I've been sitting here wondering what would have happened if we were on the BOS and got fogged out but the VOS didn't. Being from California flying home for a week would not be nice at all.