Feeling a bit screwed over by RC, Irma safety/risk issue and no-refund, greed?

[Luckybee]

All I can say is holy crap ! If anyone who has viewed the photos from SXM, or STT in the past 24 hrs is seriously thinking about intentionally going into the path of this thing to get on a cruise ship instead of running far far away they have to be out of their minds. We have friends in SXM who no longer have a condo. The Sonesta in Maho (a very sturdy high rise hotel...is toast). My assistants sister who lives in the Provo in the Turks just paid a small fortune to catch a private flight to get anywhere out of the islands and they landed in Atlanta last night.

 

The fact that a cruise company is even suggesting it is unbelievable. Someone mentioned something about personal responsibility on another thread. Doesn't Royal (or any other cruise line who is doing the same thing) understand corporate responsibility ? The fact they are not offering refunds, cancelling and intentionally asking people to come on down is pure and simply nuts. If this storm hits anywhere in Florida with anywhere close to the same velocity as it hit the islands the damage is going to make Andrew look like a walk in the park. It is mind numbing that anyone potentially wants to put themselves into a place either before it potentially hits, or after when there may in fact be no communication, massive problems with food and shelter, and well...you know....a state of emergency.

 

For anyone even thinking about it...here's a few links for you

 

just scroll down....https://twitter.com/jonathanfalwell

look at the photos here........https://www.facebook.com/calmos.desaintmartin/

again photos ....https://twitter.com/bienglace

 

If you're thinking about doing it....ask yourself if it is worth your life??

 

It's one thing for a Fla resident who makes it through unscathed to perhaps drive a few hours to a port....it is a whole entire other ballgame to "get there early" hoping to get on if the storm isn't "too bad"

 

And to the OP...I don't know if it is greed, or just pure and simply horrible management, or that the inmates are in charge of the asylum !!!

Edited September 7, 2017 by Luckybee

[lowsidr]

I have to wonder about the reality of getting 50% OBC for a 4 day cruise. That's a lot of OBC for a lot of people to spend in a relatively short amount of time. So what could one do with it?

 

-buy drinks except many probably already have a drink package, so forget that

-eat in specialty restaurants, except that with the entire ship trying to use up OBC, getting rez could be difficult

-go to the spa.... same as specialty restaurants, re: difficulty getting a rez when everyone is trying to do the same

-shore excursions- same thing, plus a limited number of ports due to itinerary changes

-gift shop, except really.... how many t-shirts and rum cakes does one need?

-casino- I guess that's a good option, although it can be tough on a normal cruise to find a spot at the tables, so again, with everyone trying to use up OBC it could be an exercise in futility

 

Just thinking that even if one finds the OBC offer generous, the reality is that much of it could go to waste. I understand the argument about having insurance, but to me, offering OBC in lieu of a partial refund seems like a slap in the face.

They worded as an "refundable" OBC". To me that means if you don't use it it will be refunded to you. Whether that's via an OBC FCC or to your credit card I have no idea.

[lowsidr]

All I can say is holy crap ! If anyone who has viewed the photos from SXM, or STT in the past 24 hrs is seriously thinking about intentionally going into the path of this thing to get on a cruise ship instead of running far far away they have to be out of their minds. We have friends in SXM who no longer have a condo. The Sonesta in Maho (a very sturdy high rise hotel...is toast). My assistants sister who lives in the Provo in the Turks just paid a small fortune to catch a private flight to get anywhere out of the islands and they landed in Atlanta last night.

 

The fact that a cruise company is even suggesting it is unbelievable. Someone mentioned something about personal responsibility on another thread. Doesn't Royal (or any other cruise line who is doing the same thing) understand corporate responsibility ? The fact they are not offering refunds, cancelling and intentionally asking people to come on down is pure and simply nuts. If this storm hits anywhere in Florida with anywhere close to the same velocity as it hit the islands the damage is going to make Andrew look like a walk in the park. It is mind numbing that anyone potentially wants to put themselves into a place either before it potentially hits, or after when there may in fact be no communication, massive problems with food and shelter, and well...you know....a state of emergency.

 

For anyone even thinking about it...here's a few links for you

 

just scroll down....https://twitter.com/jonathanfalwell

look at the photos here........https://www.facebook.com/calmos.desaintmartin/

again photos ....https://twitter.com/bienglace

 

If you're thinking about doing it....ask yourself if it is worth your life??

 

It's one thing for a Fla resident who makes it through unscathed to perhaps drive a few hours to a port....it is a whole entire other ballgame to "get there early" hoping to get on if the storm isn't "too bad"

You nailed it all. I am you're last paragraph. My original post was in regards to what you described above. It's reckless of RC to bait people into coming. Of course some will try and that's where it gets crazy and some of that responsibility lies with the idiot that tries to make it here and a bit more for the corporation that's enticing you to do so against all reasonable thought. Not to be on repeat but if my house is undamaged, the storm totally misses me and roads and port are fine, i'm an hour and a half away, I can get on that ship. As you said, it's a whole different ball of wax for almost everyone else.

[lbjen]

A lot of people do put their faith in a company like RC saying 'we think it will be safe and plan to sail our ship'. Especially if you are one of those people who thinks everything they see on tv is made up or overhyped for ratings (not saying it isn't but sometimes you have to listen to what they are saying). With the way corporate lawyers are these days when it comes to liability, I'm kind of surprised that they are letting them do it at all.

[lowsidr]

Corrected post:

 

 

Why it is an issue:

o To be be sure you can be at the port on the 13th you need to get there now before the storm hits because you cannot be sure planes will be flying there again by the 13th or that roads will be open to drive there.

o But if you do get there, there will be no place to stay until the 13th. Beach front hotels are under mandatory evacuations. Inland hotels will be full of those who evacuated.

o Also no way to know now if the port facilities will be too damaged to be used on the 13th.

 

In other words, without going now to where a cat 5 hurricane is heading, you might not be able to be there in time to embark on the 13th.

 

As posted on one of the threads about Harvey and the Port of Galveston, some people did make it to Galveston before the storm and (since there was no evacuation for Galveston) did get hotel rooms. The port did not reopen in time for the delayed cruise, so the cruise was cancelled. Those that did what RCI requested and made it to Galveston were out:

a) Their plane fare

b) The cost of hotel rooms waiting for a cruise that did not happen

c) The cost of food while waiting for a cruise that did not happen

 

And once the storm passed, both Houston airports remained closed and have yet to be back at full service levels, so the people who had traveled to Galveston could not fly home once it was known their cruise was cancelled.

 

And as one of those people posted yesterday:

I received another call today from Tamika in the executive office. They will turn down any claims I file for hotel, food, rental truck home ect. She told me that she couldn't discuss what other cruisers had recieved. We did have insurance through Royal . The kick in th e teeth? She said that was the money I'm still waiting on $355.67 was my cruise protection which they will not refund AND it won't cover any bills incurred by this cancelled trip that Royal Cancelled and not until last second!

Thank you for putting it into perspective better than I did. Sorry about what has happened to you personally. My post was trying to bring this very situation to light. It wasn't to start an insurance debate or personal responsibility debate. It's so simple to solve, RC NEEDS to just cancel the cruises to keep their customers out of harms way. The waiting for the last second is just mind boggling and reckless on their part. Some people are stupid and will try and make it here for that 13th sailing.

[ColoradoGurl]

All I can say is holy crap ! If anyone who has viewed the photos from SXM, or STT in the past 24 hrs is seriously thinking about intentionally going into the path of this thing to get on a cruise ship instead of running far far away they have to be out of their minds. We have friends in SXM who no longer have a condo. The Sonesta in Maho (a very sturdy high rise hotel...is toast). My assistants sister who lives in the Provo in the Turks just paid a small fortune to catch a private flight to get anywhere out of the islands and they landed in Atlanta last night.

 

The fact that a cruise company is even suggesting it is unbelievable. Someone mentioned something about personal responsibility on another thread. Doesn't Royal (or any other cruise line who is doing the same thing) understand corporate responsibility ? The fact they are not offering refunds, cancelling and intentionally asking people to come on down is pure and simply nuts. If this storm hits anywhere in Florida with anywhere close to the same velocity as it hit the islands the damage is going to make Andrew look like a walk in the park. It is mind numbing that anyone potentially wants to put themselves into a place either before it potentially hits, or after when there may in fact be no communication, massive problems with food and shelter, and well...you know....a state of emergency.

 

For anyone even thinking about it...here's a few links for you

 

just scroll down....https://twitter.com/jonathanfalwell

look at the photos here........https://www.facebook.com/calmos.desaintmartin/

again photos ....https://twitter.com/bienglace

 

If you're thinking about doing it....ask yourself if it is worth your life??

 

It's one thing for a Fla resident who makes it through unscathed to perhaps drive a few hours to a port....it is a whole entire other ballgame to "get there early" hoping to get on if the storm isn't "too bad"

 

And to the OP...I don't know if it is greed, or just pure and simply horrible management, or that the inmates are in charge of the asylum !!!

 

 

I totally agree!! I am still shocked that nobody has gone public with their stories to the news. I would love to see Royal held publicly accountable and have to explain their reasoning behind these decisions.

 

I posted an article on page 4 (post #80) that shows the cruiselines are already out there hard at work giving themselves good PR, and Royal Caribbean is claiming they have cancelled cruises and are giving people their money back, and yet I've seen no news articles of anyone calling them out for lying (or at least, sugar coating the truth by calling a shortened itinerary a "cancellation" and calling a future cruise credit a "refund.)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[lowsidr]

A lot of people do put their faith in a company like RC saying 'we think it will be safe and plan to sail our ship'. Especially if you are one of those people who thinks everything they see on tv is made up or overhyped for ratings (not saying it isn't but sometimes you have to listen to what they are saying). With the way corporate lawyers are these days when it comes to liability, I'm kind of surprised that they are letting them do it at all.

The thought of "reckless endangerment" comes to mind. If safety is their 1st concern they should be cancelling those early next week cruises. I believe it's a loss prevention/retention issue.

[lbjen]

The thought of "reckless endangerment" comes to mind. If safety is their 1st concern they should be cancelling those early next week cruises. I believe it's a loss prevention/retention issue.

 

It's definitely about loss reduction, they still have to pay all the staff to be on the ship next week, they will use fuel, all the food they ordered still has to be paid for even if they don't use it. If they can get people on board and spending money, they might break even on all of that. I'm sure they want to try and bring the ships back in to port to allow people who need to get off the ship to do that, but that should be it.

[DISFANS3]

Travel safe to all..

[lowsidr]

I totally agree!! I am still shocked that nobody has gone public with their stories to the news. I would love to see Royal held publicly accountable and have to explain their reasoning behind these decisions.

 

I posted an article on page 4 (post #80) that shows the cruiselines are already out there hard at work giving themselves good PR, and Royal Caribbean is claiming they have cancelled cruises and are giving people their money back, and yet I've seen no news articles of anyone calling them out for lying (or at least, sugar coating the truth by calling a shortened itinerary a "cancellation" and calling a future cruise credit a "refund.)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

In their defense they did actually fully cancel some cruises and gave full refunds along with a 25% FCC if they chose to book another cruise within 30 days of the official cancellation. They are however stringing everyone else along right now by shortening cruises and "unassumingly I hope" steering people directly into a potentially very bad situation. As far as speaking out against them to a news crew? I'm not one to stick my neck out that far and at this point am giving them a bit more time to make a full cancellation announcement. I have been in contact with them directly and through James Fleet, I have not been able to obtain answers as far as timeline, they're lips are sealed, they just say keep checking for updates.

[reallyitsmema]

In their defense they did actually fully cancel some cruises and gave full refunds along with a 25% FCC if they chose to book another cruise within 30 days of the official cancellation. They are however stringing everyone else along right now by shortening cruises and "unassumingly I hope" steering people directly into a potentially very bad situation. As far as speaking out against them to a news crew? I'm not one to stick my neck out that far and at this point am giving them a bit more time to make a full cancellation announcement. I have been in contact with them directly and through James Fleet, I have not been able to obtain answers as far as timeline, they're lips are sealed, they just say keep checking for updates.

 

I thought you had the option to cancel and get a future cruise credit for you entire cruise fare? Are they allowing people to cancel now?

[lowsidr]

It's definitely about loss reduction, they still have to pay all the staff to be on the ship next week, they will use fuel, all the food they ordered still has to be paid for even if they don't use it. If they can get people on board and spending money, they might break even on all of that. I'm sure they want to try and bring the ships back in to port to allow people who need to get off the ship to do that, but that should be it.

My thoughts are along the same lines as yours. I would just pity the roughly 6000 people who could be dumped off at a port with no way out, nowhere to stay, no car rentals available etc. I'm confident RC wouldn't allow that to happen. My gut feeling is the Allure/Oasis will need to find another port, Lauderdale will most likely be flooded and employees may have evacuated or roads impassable. The 13th sailing for me personally would be great, love the incentives to go just don't get how they haven't figured out that's it's just too dangerous a call to make right now, the potential negative impact on thousands of people leaving or entering that area early next week cannot be understated.

[caribill]

Thank you for putting it into perspective better than I did. Sorry about what has happened to you personally.

 

Did not mean to suggest that any of this happened to me. I was reporting what others have posted.

[lowsidr]

I thought you had the option to cancel and get a future cruise credit for you entire cruise fare? Are they allowing people to cancel now?

They WANT you to call in and cancel. If you choose to do this you will receive a FCC in the amount of your total fare. No refund, no incentive to re-schedule another cruise, just an FCC. For me that doesn't work, my vacation next year is Brazil and our work is seasonal, can't take another in the near future as this week is our only week. It's a stay-cation at this point as our vacation funds are now being held captive. Those same funds could be used for evacuation right now, I'm in Naples, SWFL, not looking good for us right now.....

[lowsidr]

Did not mean to suggest that any of this happened to me. I was reporting what others have posted.

Gotcha. Regardless, it put it into perspective. It's a complicated issue, not just for cruisers but for the cruiseline's.

[dswallow]

How many of you believe that if you booked a hotel stay for 7 days and this is OK: you were to show up at the hotel to check in and were told the hotel wouldn't open for another three days and your stay is being prorated, come back in 3 days for the rest of your stay.

 

As a cruise line, there is a certain level of accommodation that you require be available to sell and deliver your goods. The infrastructure to get people to your ship, including the local airport, the port facilities itself, roadways between as well as hotels and other services have to be available. Anything that adversely affects those, adversely affects your product. You cannot stick your head in the sand and say to everyone "all that stuff is not my responsibility." As a cruise line, you rely upon that infrastructure for your product. You may not be in direct control of it, but you benefit by it every other day of the year, and base your product on it. So when it becomes unreliable or unavailable, your product is as much unreliable, unavailable or undeliverable as anything else.

 

People who bought a 7-day cruise, deserve a 7-day cruise. And if you are unable to fulfill what you sold, you need to refund what they paid, or provide a way for them to adjust their reservation at no additional cost, or possibly even provide a way to put that value towards different cruise plans now or in the future. If you want to give them an option to take a 4-day version instead, then you also have to recognize whatever screwed over your original plans is probably still somehow going to affect those accepting your changed plans. So that's certainly something you can offer, but it's not anything the same as delivering what was originally purchased.

 

It's VERY disconcerting to see RCL's behavior during these recent hurricane events. They seem to be in denial that their product requires support of other infrastructure to be usable and deliverable. And they are in denial that these storms impact that infrastructure more than just during the immediate traversal of the storm across land and sea.

[Luckybee]

How many of you believe that if you booked a hotel stay for 7 days and this is OK: you were to show up at the hotel to check in and were told the hotel wouldn't open for another three days and your stay is being prorated, come back in 3 days for the rest of your stay.

 

As a cruise line, there is a certain level of accommodation that you require be available to sell and deliver your goods. The infrastructure to get people to your ship, including the local airport, the port facilities itself, roadways between as well as hotels and other services have to be available. Anything that adversely affects those, adversely affects your product. You cannot stick your head in the sand and say to everyone "all that stuff is not my responsibility." As a cruise line, you rely upon that infrastructure for your product. You may not be in direct control of it, but you benefit by it every other day of the year, and base your product on it. So when it becomes unreliable or unavailable, your product is as much unreliable, unavailable or undeliverable as anything else.

 

People who bought a 7-day cruise, deserve a 7-day cruise. And if you are unable to fulfill what you sold, you need to refund what they paid, or provide a way for them to adjust their reservation at no additional cost, or possibly even provide a way to put that value towards different cruise plans now or in the future. If you want to give them an option to take a 4-day version instead, then you also have to recognize whatever screwed over your original plans is probably still somehow going to affect those accepting your changed plans. So that's certainly something you can offer, but it's not anything the same as delivering what was originally purchased.

 

It's VERY disconcerting to see RCL's behavior during these recent hurricane events. They seem to be in denial that their product requires support of other infrastructure to be usable and deliverable. And they are in denial that these storms impact that infrastructure more than just during the immediate traversal of the storm across land and sea.

 

 

And speaking of hotel's...interesting to see Disney's hurricane policy which allows for a complete cancellation/refund if they or "your place of residence" gets a hurricane warning

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/faq/hurricane-policy/warning-issued/

 

Good corporate ethics in this case !

[reallyitsmema]

They WANT you to call in and cancel. If you choose to do this you will receive a FCC in the amount of your total fare. No refund, no incentive to re-schedule another cruise, just an FCC. For me that doesn't work, my vacation next year is Brazil and our work is seasonal, can't take another in the near future as this week is our only week. It's a stay-cation at this point as our vacation funds are now being held captive. Those same funds could be used for evacuation right now, I'm in Naples, SWFL, not looking good for us right now.....

 

I understand you are stressed about the hurricane, but you spent these funds on a cruise and wouldn't have had them available for evacuation if the hurricane were to hit the week after your cruise, so that is stretching it. Plus, you keep saying you will go on the shortened cruise, so you weren't going to use this money to evacuate anyway. I also understand you don't like the options you were given, but you chose not to insure your vacation and have posted many times the reasons. I get it, you are frustrated, but they aren't stringing you along, they have made a decision on that cruise.

 

Now, will the ship actually make it in, I don't know, but as someone who would have had to fly in for that cruise, no one would be forcing me to endanger myself and my family. It would be my decision whether to travel to Florida or not and we would have cancelled our cruise. No way would I go down there and take up hotel rooms that are needed for those who live in the area, like my relatives.

 

Stay safe in Naples. We just sold my aunt's condo down there as we finally convinced her, at 94, to move into an assisted living facility up north, near family. I would have been flying down there this past weekend to drag her out of there kicking and screaming if she hadn't already been relocated.:D

[SRF]

How many of you believe that if you booked a hotel stay for 7 days and this is OK: you were to show up at the hotel to check in and were told the hotel wouldn't open for another three days and your stay is being prorated, come back in 3 days for the rest of your stay.

 

Sure, show up at the hotel while a hurricane is in town and see what you get.

 

IF the hotel is even open after 3 days. Structures get damaged.

 

Hotel in the Virgins after one hurricane had NO windows. You would stay there, but the carpet and bedding was wet, and the bugs could get in at will.

 

RCI is NOT doing this on a whim.

[SRF]

And speaking of hotel's...interesting to see Disney's hurricane policy which allows for a complete cancellation/refund if they or "your place of residence" gets a hurricane warning

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/en_CA/faq/hurricane-policy/warning-issued/

 

Good corporate ethics in this case !

 

South Florida is only a Hurricane Watch as of 11AM EST NHC update.

 

So no refunds yet from Disney.

[lbjen]

I thought you had the option to cancel and get a future cruise credit for you entire cruise fare? Are they allowing people to cancel now?

 

No, they are refunding the cruises which RC has canceled, but if your cruise hasn't been canceled by them, you can choose a 100% FCC, or a 50% FCC and a 30%/50% refund depending on which sailing you're on. If they end up also canceling those cruises, people who didn't already choose the 100% FCC will get a full refund instead.

[lowsidr]

I understand you are stressed about the hurricane, but you spent these funds on a cruise and wouldn't have had them available for evacuation if the hurricane were to hit the week after your cruise, so that is stretching it. Plus, you keep saying you will go on the shortened cruise, so you weren't going to use this money to evacuate anyway. I also understand you don't like the options you were given, but you chose not to insure your vacation and have posted many times the reasons. I get it, you are frustrated, but they aren't stringing you along, they have made a decision on that cruise.

 

Now, will the ship actually make it in, I don't know, but as someone who would have had to fly in for that cruise, no one would be forcing me to endanger myself and my family. It would be my decision whether to travel to Florida or not and we would have cancelled our cruise. No way would I go down there and take up hotel rooms that are needed for those who live in the area, like my relatives.

 

Stay safe in Naples. We just sold my aunt's condo down there as we finally convinced her, at 94, to move into an assisted living facility up north, near family. I would have been flying down there this past weekend to drag her out of there kicking and screaming if she hadn't already been relocated.:D

Look, I never said "I" needed the funds to evacuate, I was pointing out that others who live in Florida may and further, some people who may be trying to get here for the 13th sailing could possibly be relying wholly on RCL to provide the cruise. People do stupid things, there are no hotel rooms available as I type so you are being a bit clueless. As for evacuation in general, my area may have mandatory evacuation, don't know yet but even if they did we it may already too late...it's bumper to bumper moving at a few miles an hour with fuel outages and people already running out of gas on the highway's. As for insurance, for the umpteenth time this situation is different, I'm guaranteed at minimum a FCC. What I keep pointing out is that it's simply too dangerous for RC to hold captive a refund on a shortened cruise directly at in area that is in a state of emergency and mandatory evacuations in effect. I'm not whining because I'm not getting what I want, I'm not whining about not buying insurance I'm just stating RC isn't handling responsibly, it seems they are making a fiscal decision in disregard to their customers best interest and safety..

[Lyncruiser]

Caribill and others -

Just wanted to say, I feel your pain. We were scheduled on Royal Caribbean when Hurricane Jeanne struck in 2004. We faced all the dilemmas that current passengers are facing.

 

Our cruise was to leave Miami on Saturday - the day the hurricane was to hit Miami. On Friday morning, RCCI was insisting our ship would travel as planned (that's why I'm suspicious of that big list of ships they currently claim are still going this weekend).

 

We were a family group flying from the West Coast and celebrating our dad's birthday. We had to leave Friday morning to have any chance of getting to Miami before the storm hit and being available for the still-scheduled sailing.

 

Our group included two elderly parents and a four-month old baby. Coach airfare to fly us all to Miami was about $6000. I purchased trip insurance for everyone. I was also treating the entire family group to the cruise.

 

On Friday morning, we had to make the decision to fly to Miami -- straight into a coming hurricane or stay home. Since RCCI continued to claim the cruise was going as scheduled, we felt we had no choice but to fly.

 

Also, I called the insurer explaining the situation and that the cruise was unlikely to go given the hurricane.

 

The insurance company response:

If your flight is going to Miami and you're not on it, we will NOT reimburse you for the airfare.

If your cruise sails and you're not on the ship, we will NOT reimburse you for the cruise fare.

 

So insurance is often not very helpful in these situations.

 

With no further information and unwilling to forfeit $6,000 of airfare and approximately $8,000 in cruise fare, we boarded our flight from So. Cal. on Friday morning, flying directly into the hurricane's path and having no idea if we would have to evacuate to a shelter. Our Friday night hotel rooms were at a hotel on South Beach.

 

We arrived in Miami about 4 pm on Friday. About 5 pm on Friday, RCCI announced that our 7-day cruise would leave the following Tuesday for a 4-night cruise. Those who took the 4-night cruise would get a 25% credit for a future cruise and a 50% on board credit. Those who didn't take the cruise were, if I recall correctly, entitled to a 100% FCC.

 

Meanwhile, we now had to figure out if we could stay in our hotel rooms until Tuesday (or if we'd be evacuated by the authorities). We spent Friday night at the hotel. Saturday, we learned that the port of Miami was closed. We also learned, however, that the storm likely would shift further east at the last minute. Our hotel was able to let us keep two of our four rooms (which made for crowded conditions but at least we weren't in a shelter). So, we hunkered down and stayed at the hotel.

 

What did insurance pay for? Two hotel rooms for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, as well as documented food expenses for those days. It wasn't a great deal of money on the insurance claim, plus I'd paid over $500 in premium for the insurance. My biggest frustration was that travel insurance was of no use in helping us in a tough situation.

 

Once on board, the 50% on board credit was nice. We bought a couple of things and then used the rest for a refund to my credit card. The 25% FCC was useless. I had paid for airfare and cruise for our entire family group. But, I only was entitled to the FCC for my cruise fare. The FCC was personal to each person in our group. So, the FCC could only be used for a future cruise if the person holding it had enough money to cruise again during the year. The people in my family did not. So, 10 FCCs went unused.

 

We've since stopped cruising and the way things were handled with respect to Hurricane Jeanne (and our incredible stress at being put in the position of having to fly elderly parents and a baby straight into a hurricane) is one reason why.

[lowsidr]

Caribill and others -

Just wanted to say, I feel your pain. We were scheduled on Royal Caribbean when Hurricane Jeanne struck in 2004. We faced all the dilemmas that current passengers are facing.

 

Our cruise was to leave Miami on Saturday - the day the hurricane was to hit Miami. On Friday morning, RCCI was insisting our ship would travel as planned (that's why I'm suspicious of that big list of ships they currently claim are still going this weekend).

 

We were a family group flying from the West Coast and celebrating our dad's birthday. We had to leave Friday morning to have any chance of getting to Miami before the storm hit and being available for the still-scheduled sailing.

 

Our group included two elderly parents and a four-month old baby. Coach airfare to fly us all to Miami was about $6000. I purchased trip insurance for everyone. I was also treating the entire family group to the cruise.

 

On Friday morning, we had to make the decision to fly to Miami -- straight into a coming hurricane or stay home. Since RCCI continued to claim the cruise was going as scheduled, we felt we had no choice but to fly.

 

Also, I called the insurer explaining the situation and that the cruise was unlikely to go given the hurricane.

 

The insurance company response:

If your flight is going to Miami and you're not on it, we will NOT reimburse you for the airfare.

If your cruise sails and you're not on the ship, we will NOT reimburse you for the cruise fare.

 

So insurance is often not very helpful in these situations.

 

With no further information and unwilling to forfeit $6,000 of airfare and approximately $8,000 in cruise fare, we boarded our flight from So. Cal. on Friday morning, flying directly into the hurricane's path and having no idea if we would have to evacuate to a shelter. Our Friday night hotel rooms were at a hotel on South Beach.

 

We arrived in Miami about 4 pm on Friday. About 5 pm on Friday, RCCI announced that our 7-day cruise would leave the following Tuesday for a 4-night cruise. Those who took the 4-night cruise would get a 25% credit for a future cruise and a 50% on board credit. Those who didn't take the cruise were, if I recall correctly, entitled to a 100% FCC.

 

Meanwhile, we now had to figure out if we could stay in our hotel rooms until Tuesday (or if we'd be evacuated by the authorities). We spent Friday night at the hotel. Saturday, we learned that the port of Miami was closed. We also learned, however, that the storm likely would shift further east at the last minute. Our hotel was able to let us keep two of our four rooms (which made for crowded conditions but at least we weren't in a shelter). So, we hunkered down and stayed at the hotel.

 

What did insurance pay for? Two hotel rooms for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, as well as documented food expenses for those days. It wasn't a great deal of money on the insurance claim, plus I'd paid over $500 in premium for the insurance. My biggest frustration was that travel insurance was of no use in helping us in a tough situation.

 

Once on board, the 50% on board credit was nice. We bought a couple of things and then used the rest for a refund to my credit card. The 25% FCC was useless. I had paid for airfare and cruise for our entire family group. But, I only was entitled to the FCC for my cruise fare. The FCC was personal to each person in our group. So, the FCC could only be used for a future cruise if the person holding it had enough money to cruise again during the year. The people in my family did not. So, 10 FCCs went unused.

 

We've since stopped cruising and the way things were handled with respect to Hurricane Jeanne (and our incredible stress at being put in the position of having to fly elderly parents and a baby straight into a hurricane) is one reason why.

What a horrible worst case scenario and testament to the human condition and the faith you placed in RCL. I'm so very sorry you all had to endure all of that unnecessary stress and financial loss. It's stories like this from real people that hopefully will bring awareness, not criticism because someone didn't buy insurance or choose to cruise at the wrong time of year. Thanks so much for sharing this, hopefully it will spare someone from making the same mistake, not that it was your mistake.

[Cuervosar]

Caribill and others -

Just wanted to say, I feel your pain. We were scheduled on Royal Caribbean when Hurricane Jeanne struck in 2004. We faced all the dilemmas that current passengers are facing.

 

Our cruise was to leave Miami on Saturday - the day the hurricane was to hit Miami. On Friday morning, RCCI was insisting our ship would travel as planned (that's why I'm suspicious of that big list of ships they currently claim are still going this weekend).

 

We were a family group flying from the West Coast and celebrating our dad's birthday. We had to leave Friday morning to have any chance of getting to Miami before the storm hit and being available for the still-scheduled sailing.

 

Our group included two elderly parents and a four-month old baby. Coach airfare to fly us all to Miami was about $6000. I purchased trip insurance for everyone. I was also treating the entire family group to the cruise.

 

On Friday morning, we had to make the decision to fly to Miami -- straight into a coming hurricane or stay home. Since RCCI continued to claim the cruise was going as scheduled, we felt we had no choice but to fly.

 

Also, I called the insurer explaining the situation and that the cruise was unlikely to go given the hurricane.

 

The insurance company response:

If your flight is going to Miami and you're not on it, we will NOT reimburse you for the airfare.

If your cruise sails and you're not on the ship, we will NOT reimburse you for the cruise fare.

 

So insurance is often not very helpful in these situations.

 

With no further information and unwilling to forfeit $6,000 of airfare and approximately $8,000 in cruise fare, we boarded our flight from So. Cal. on Friday morning, flying directly into the hurricane's path and having no idea if we would have to evacuate to a shelter. Our Friday night hotel rooms were at a hotel on South Beach.

 

We arrived in Miami about 4 pm on Friday. About 5 pm on Friday, RCCI announced that our 7-day cruise would leave the following Tuesday for a 4-night cruise. Those who took the 4-night cruise would get a 25% credit for a future cruise and a 50% on board credit. Those who didn't take the cruise were, if I recall correctly, entitled to a 100% FCC.

 

Meanwhile, we now had to figure out if we could stay in our hotel rooms until Tuesday (or if we'd be evacuated by the authorities). We spent Friday night at the hotel. Saturday, we learned that the port of Miami was closed. We also learned, however, that the storm likely would shift further east at the last minute. Our hotel was able to let us keep two of our four rooms (which made for crowded conditions but at least we weren't in a shelter). So, we hunkered down and stayed at the hotel.

 

What did insurance pay for? Two hotel rooms for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, as well as documented food expenses for those days. It wasn't a great deal of money on the insurance claim, plus I'd paid over $500 in premium for the insurance. My biggest frustration was that travel insurance was of no use in helping us in a tough situation.

 

Once on board, the 50% on board credit was nice. We bought a couple of things and then used the rest for a refund to my credit card. The 25% FCC was useless. I had paid for airfare and cruise for our entire family group. But, I only was entitled to the FCC for my cruise fare. The FCC was personal to each person in our group. So, the FCC could only be used for a future cruise if the person holding it had enough money to cruise again during the year. The people in my family did not. So, 10 FCCs went unused.

 

We've since stopped cruising and the way things were handled with respect to Hurricane Jeanne (and our incredible stress at being put in the position of having to fly elderly parents and a baby straight into a hurricane) is one reason why.

 

That just blows all the way around.

 

I'm in a what is most likely a minority here because I would never buy travel insurance. Seems a suckers bet to me, but I research like a mad dog, and I've worked in the insurance industry so I know they'll do just about anything to keep their claims down.

 

Oh, and I don't travel the Caribbean during hurricane season.