Why the Captain missed Mykonos?! Savings, onboard revenue or weather conditions?

[Captain Mojito]

When and why shipcaptains decide NOT to call at a planned port of call? It seems thatcutting cruise line's costs is more important nowadays than ever.Untrue weather explanations leave a bad taste and a lot of questionsamong the passengers. Decide for yourself: The case with Captain NickNash, Royal Princess, Aug. 30 2017, Island of Mykonos, Greece(missed):

 

 

Mykonos was the topdestination along our 7 day cruise itinerary around the Greek islandsin August 2017 onboard Royal Princess. However we missed it, becausethe Captain (Captain Nick Nash) decided, that the weather was notsuitable for the ship to call there. On Aug. 30, 2017 at 7 am heannounced, that winds up to 50 knots were "outside his safetyenvelope", that "safety is the name of the game", andthe forecast was for an upcoming gale. As I am an yacht skippermyself, I decided to check the WindFinder app I have on mysmartphone. Here is the screenshot of the forecast for Aug. 30, 2017,hour by hour (please, see the attached file). You can see, that themaximum wind was around 25 knots. Let's presume that wind gusts werearound 35 knots (not 50 knots, as announced by the Captain). The wavehight was around 1,5 meters. These were definitely NOT galeconditions! Later in the day everything settled down to almost a flatsea!

 

 

With all my respect tothe Captain and his judgements, I believe, that the best decision hehad to take was NOT to proceed immediately to the next nearby Rhodesisland, but to wait for 2-3 hours in the area close to Mykonos. Evenif he had to wait for 4 hours, we could have visited Mykonos andspend at least 5-6 hours ashore and explore that destination asplanned! Instead, the captain decided, that we shall all sail another24 hours to Rhodes at the crawling speed of a sailboat (around 11-12knots). (We had a sea day the previous 24 hours).

 

 

Did we missed Mykonosbecause of the unbearable weather conditions for this 330 meter longvessel, or probably because the Captain had to save big money to the(Princess) cruise line? By NOT stopping at Mykonos, the company hassaved:

 

 

- money on dues andtaxes they had to pay to the local port authorities (money, Princesshad already taken from us, its passengers);

 

 

- money on cruising thenext 24 hours at the slow speed of 11-12 knots, instead of the usual18-20 knots;

 

 

- money they sourcedthat day as onboard revenue from their passengers, as the latter werenot allowed to spend ashore;

 

 

How did the more than2000 Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Asiansfeel about missing the most interesting port along their chosenitinerary in Europe? After 18 - 24 hour flights to and back fromGreece?

 

 

How do ship captainsdecide nowadays wether to miss or not a destination? Weatherconditions or company finances?

 

 

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We have been refunded5,72 EUR each for missing Mykonosssssssss...

[Colo Cruiser]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Sorry you had to miss Mykonos.

Mykonos gets crazy wind and the chances of getting cancelled there are high.

Same with Santorini.

For you to bring up cost cutting over safety is ludicrous.

All I have to say is thank god "Yacht Skipper" it was not your decision that day. :rolleyes:

[dtb55]

We missed Mykonos on our Med cruise due to high winds. My husband looked out the window to see we were in port, we went back to sleep and when we woke we were at sea again. My son said he woke up and the ship was listing badly while tied to the dock. Yes, it's disappointing, but I'll take the advice of the Captain over an App any day. Also, you might not have noticed, but the taxes were credited back to your account.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Esprit]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Sorry you had to miss Mykonos.

Mykonos gets crazy wind and the chances of getting cancelled there are high.

Same with Santorini.

For you to bring up cost cutting over safety is ludicrous.

All I have to say is thank god "Yacht Skipper" it was not your decision that day. :rolleyes:

 

Hear hear.

[sunsetbeachgal]

We missed Mykonos one one Med cruise and Santorini on another. While I was disappointed, missing ports and itinerary disruptions is part of cruising, both on the oceans and river cruising. And actually when I look back over the years on our various Europe cruises, with the exception of the Baltic I think we have missed a port on most of them.

 

I hope you can take a deep breath and not let this ruin the rest of your cruise, I'm sure you have some wonderful places left to visit!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Daisyloo]

While I feel bad for you that you missed a port, I think you are totally out to lunch as to the reason why. There is no way I would believe that the captain missed the port to save the company money. And even though you say you are a yacht skipper, what do you know about commanding a humungus cruise ship? Probably nothing. So I think you should just sit back, let the well respected Captain Nash do his job and stop being a "back seat driver".

[Coral]

Captain Nash is probably more cautious than other Captains as there have been a few accidents under "his watch". I am sure it is due to safety (and not money) that the port was missed.

[skynight]

These decisions are not made lightly and can actually cost instead of save money. Most likely missed because the risks of bringing the ship into port was not worth it. Seriously doubt it was a 'money' related decision. You should have received a credit for port charges on your on board account, so collected funds are returned. I would expect that revenue from ship's tours is very close to on board revenue while at sea. Many are disappointed when ports are missed. It happens.

[saratoga]

We have miss smaller ports based on the rating of the dock and not the ability of the ship to maneuver. If the wind load on the ship exceeds the capacity of the dock to take that load you won't be all the tie up or you have to use a tugboat to relieve the strain on that dock. Sometimes wind direction prevent using tugs so that may not have an option. 1.5 meter seas meant tendering was not an option.

 

In any event, it's clearly the captain's call and the captain has all the necessary information to make that call. I respect his judgment.

 

If any destination is critically important to you, then I would consider not using a cruise to get there in the future.

 

Saratoga

[ggprincess2004]

"Crash" Nash certainly made the decision based on weather conditions. The port fees and taxes are credited to your account, the ship loses commission revenue on shore excursions and sea days are harder on his crew than port days are. He did not make this decision lightly, he made it to protect the safety of all aboard. Get over yourself.

[cherylandtk]

Captain Mojito, have you commanded a ship with a similar size and side surface area in equivalent winds? Just because your little sports car can zip along the interstate at 75 mph on a windy day does not mean it is safe for high-sided vehicles like semi trailer trucks or RVs.

[GoHuskies!]

Sometimes missing a port turns out to be the best choice. On our Med cruise on the NCL Jade we missed Athens because of political demonstrations there at the time. As an old architecture student this was of particular interest to me; however, I have a lot of resources available to me about Athens, though it would have been great to experience it in person. Instead, the captain decided to stop at Crete, at the port city of Heraklion. What a great choice it turned out to be! The waterfront and very interesting town was a great walking tour direct from the ship. I am grateful for the captain's decision to change ports.

[Loonbeam]

I have to say I am tired of hearing that ships skip ports to save money. This does not happen. Ever. Because it simply does not make financial sense.

 

The actual savings and revenue for a missed port are fairly small. Yes, they may sell a few more drinks (and with the advent of drink packages that actually shifts to a cost) and a little more casino play, but generally speaking that just cannibalizes from rest of cruise. There are no port savings because port fees are paid by pax and refunded for missed ports. Fuel savings are likewise minimal. Plus, they use more food, power and water while at sea, especially if they connect to local power in port. In addition, depending on their contract they may lose shoreside promotion money (the port shopping show).

 

 

So in short, they save nothing. Meanwhile they have lost all their excursion revenue (which is a BIG part of ship profitability) and have disappointed passengers.

 

It was possible the captain was being overly cautious, and I submit that is not a bad thing. Maybe the ship would have been fine. But as a captain with thousands of people in my care, if the word Maybe even comes up, I am taking the safer bet.

 

Also, while the captain has final call, the decision is made in consultation with the harbormaster (and if the harbormaster says no, its NO), corporate offices, the local pilot and local weather officials. If its a tender port, the staff captain and individuals responsible for tender operations will also have a say in the matter.. People also have the impression the Captain just gets up that morning and decides.

 

There are several reasons a ship may skip a port. To save money is NOT one of them.

[peety3]

It's not about the conditions NOW, it's about the forecasted conditions later. If the ship gets trapped there and can't leave, that can wreak great havoc on the upcoming schedule. If the port you missed is known for high winds, you should have known that a port miss was a higher chance and been ready for that.

[pris993]

Amazing when passengers think they know better than the Captain. I have seen weather conditions change quickly, once folks are ashore... no choice.... prevention is always a better option.

[Despegue]

Dear " Captain" Mojito,

 

It is so great that you know how to use your little application.

Now, on the Navigational Bridge, the Professionals who are responsible for the Safety of the passengers and crew have a slightly more advanced array of equipment, National Meteorological Weather Bulletins and Forcasts, and actual local experience regarding expected weather conditions.

 

I find it truly astounding that you think that you know better than a team of Mariners.

Let me give you some advice to maybe make you a better "skipper" onboard your sailing boat.

1) Do not trust applications like "Wind finder" 🙄

2) Get LOCAL knowledge regarding specific winds.

3) Understand that you are an amateur, severely limited in your understanding of weather, wind effects on high Superstructure vessels and berthing, anchoring procedures and limitations.

 

Now, I was not on the Bridge of Royal Princess on 30/08/2017. So the following is just general info.

 

Mykonos is (in)famous for its windy conditions, with forcasts notoriously underestimating the true winds, which are often gusty, giving windshear and locally very turbulent short wave seas.

Winds during the summer months in Mykonos will increase during the day, due to the orographic conditions, a Seabreeze, from Sea to Land will make manoeuvring sometimes very tricky.

Mykonos has only room for 1 berthed vessel of Royal Princess' size. Any other vessel will need to anchor or Geoposition and tender.

In order to anchor or geoposition, and safely tender, wind limitations are severly limited. If the forecasts or local experience tell you that winds might increase, you might get into trouble, having to abandon anchorage and as a result leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

 

When berthed in Mykonos, and with a Seabreeze increasing to say 35kts., your thruster power might be sufficient, but you WILL get into serious trouble in case of ANY failure or a gust.

You see, "Captain" Mojito, being In Command of a vessel or airliner requires not only knowledge, responsibility and experience, but also the ability to think of " what if's", to look further than your nose is long and that includes not to trust a phone app...

 

Kind regards,

 

Despegue

Captain B747-400

Head of TCAS Maritime and Aviation Safety

Master Nautical Sciences Maritime Academy Antwerp

[towhee]

It is quite possible that it was not Captain Nash's call, but the harbor master's call.

One year we were in the Caribbean and heading toward Grand Cayman. The seas appeared calm where we were and the wind was minimal. As the ship's tender was returning from the harbor master's office, it was announced that the harbor was closed. We were a bit disappointed until we saw waves breaking over the tender. Three large cruise ships were denied docking that day because the weather wouldn't permit it!

[FritzG]

While I feel bad for you that you missed a port, I think you are totally out to lunch as to the reason why. There is no way I would believe that the captain missed the port to save the company money. And even though you say you are a yacht skipper, what do you know about commanding a humungus cruise ship? Probably nothing. So I think you should just sit back, let the well respected Captain Nash do his job and stop being a "back seat driver".

 

Agree. If you distrust the cruise line that much you probably should find another line.

[Colo Cruiser]

"Crash" Nash certainly made the decision based on weather conditions. The port fees and taxes are credited to your account, the ship loses commission revenue on shore excursions and sea days are harder on his crew than port days are. He did not make this decision lightly, he made it to protect the safety of all aboard. Get over yourself.

 

 

Regardless..............Totally uncalled for. :(

He still maintains a highly regarded position for Princess.

[Woobstr112G]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Sorry you had to miss Mykonos.

Mykonos gets crazy wind and the chances of getting cancelled there are high.

Same with Santorini.

For you to bring up cost cutting over safety is ludicrous.

All I have to say is thank god "Yacht Skipper" it was not your decision that day. :rolleyes:

 

Oh yeah.....:):):)

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

Anybody want to bet the OP did a drive by and won't be back.....:D:D:D

 

Bob

[geoherb]

Captains make decisions to skip ports for the sake of safety.

[tml1230]

OP... my wife and i have been on 3 cruises on ships that were under the command of Captain Nash. He is perhaps the most competent captain we have ever seen.

 

In my opinion you are either really arrogant or really ignorant.

i would add the old saying that "you can't fix stupid" may be appropriate here but that would be going to far!

[Leo37]

We were on this cruise and completely disagree with the original poster.

 

Captain Nick Nash mentioned at the start of the cruise the weather was not good for Mykonos, and the day before announced we were going to try to arrive and leave early. The weather and winds were clearly poor: the Royal Princess was subject to a great deal of poor weather overnight, enough that we were woken by the ship shaking / rolling at about 3AM.

 

Within a few hours of the announcement we were missing the port, the cruise staff were laying on extra activities for the extra At Sea day.

 

In any type of travel, these disruptions can happen: poor weather closing attractions, protests making parts of a city unsafe, flight delays or airplane changes meaning seats are reassigned, key exhibitions in a mesuem or gallery being on loan etc.

 

Sorry missing Mykonos spoilt your Royal Princess cruise, but as a fellow passenger, completely support the Captain's comment he made during that 7AM announcement that "safety is the name of the game". We thoroughly enjoyed the Greek Island cruise despite missing Mykonos.

[golfb4cruzing]

Skipper said "Not favorable to sail"

Gilligan said "It's only a 3 hour Tour"

You know the rest.