Harder to Re Route a 14 Day Cruise!?

[TrueNorth74]

I totally agree, i'm thinking they will send us to canada, i hope i'm wrong but so many of these islands have been devastated and the west caribbean is to far away. Its still a cruise wherever we go

 

Send you to Canada in January? What on earth did you do wrong?? ;p

 

Bermuda would be a better possibility than that, but even that seems unlikely. I would think it'd just be whichever Caribbean ports they can manage.

[Laszlo]

From a BVI Facebook page, sorry for whatever reason I can't copy and past the FB source page

 

 

Chuck's latest -

It now appears we will be struck by Hurricane Maria on Wednesday. It is strengthening quickly. Needless to say, if we take a direct hit, it will be very, very bad.

Last night, we had a strong thunderstorm with a period of heavy rain. The thunder and lightning kept me awake, but at least I was protected and dry. There are thousands of people who don’t have adequate shelter. The rains, combined with the inescapable mosquitoes, would have made last night misery once again. Even people who are reasonably well off and have generators shut them off at night to conserve diesel. It’s hot, with no breeze, and no one has slept well for the past 11 days.

Some of the Expat managers and small business owners, shell-shocked by the whole experience, and having lost most of their things, have simply gone. Sometimes, they catch the first available evacuation flight or ferry and leave behind their pets, cars and remaining belongings. Often, they don’t leave any instructions, or even notice, to staff. Files and wet checkbooks are abandoned and others must now try to piece things together. One 60-year-old small business owner who’s had a successful business here for almost 20 years, lost everything and decided he’s too old to start over. He’s packing what he has left and returning to the States. He won’t be back.

A neighbor stopped by yesterday and we were talking about how this experience has not only exposed people’s true characters, but also their ability to cope with high stress levels. Of those staying with me after the storm, a mature, 40-something manager of a marina, responsible for the property and 24 large boats, immediately abandoned everyone and everything. He somehow managed to get on one of the first evacuation flights with pregnant women and children. At the other end of the spectrum, a 22 year-old young lady, in her first job after University, was the strongest and most responsible.

Without exception, those I’ve spoken with have told me how this experience has permanently changed their lives. It’s given everyone a chance to re-set their direction and priorities. The people who were born here are a resilient lot and are mostly working tirelessly. It’ll be interesting to see how many of the Expats return to the BVI and rebuild.

I believe I reported that the last two dogs I was caring for were gone. I spoke too soon. They’re back. But I did experience more than two hours yesterday of blissful peace and quiet. For the past few days, the dogs were being kept in my living room, which was one of my few rooms left completely intact and undamaged. My nice carpet is now a patchwork of dog poop. Imagine a Jackson Pollack in mostly brown shades. I guess I was growing tired of that carpet, anyway.

We are still lacking basic supplies like tarps, generators, and chainsaws, but I understand those things are on a large ship heading this way. Plywood is scarce but, again, I understand a load of ply is on a barge, now on its way from Florida. In fact, lots and lots of stuff should be somewhere in the pipeline, but is not here yet. Fuel is flowing and there’s food in the main stores, but that’s about it. People are cleaning up, but we really need tools, materials, and power from portable generators to make substantial progress. There’s only so much that can be done with machetes and hammers.

The mosquitoes continue to be a major, major problem. If there was ever a time for mosquito fogging, it’s now. I understand my daily posts are widely read. If anyone has a way to get the island fogged by airplane or helicopter, that would be an enormous help. Having said that, there are disaster specialists from the UK on the ground, so I’m sure they’re on it.

My oatmeal was especially delicious this morning, by the way. After I get through this, I’m hoping Oprah gives me a car.

[Laszlo]

The below message was posted by someone our my 14 day BA cruise in Feb........It was on their "My NCL Account"

 

September 18th at 10:00 AM (2:00 PM UTC)

Norwegian Cruise Line is heartbroken at the terrible impact Hurricane Irma has had on several islands in the Eastern Caribbean, ports that we have called on since the start of our 50 years in business, some of which are included in the itinerary that you are currently booked on. In the wake of this devastating storm and as part of our recovery efforts, we are working closely with our partners on the ground to determine the best way to continue to provide relief to the areas impacted by and recovering from Hurricane Irma and to determine the extent of damage that Hurricane Irma inflicted. We are anticipating that your current itinerary will be adjusted to ensure your comfort, safety and an outstanding guest experience. We anticipate having this information to you within the next two weeks as new ports of call are secured.

[qosmo8]

Send you to Canada in January? What on earth did you do wrong?? ;p

 

Bermuda would be a better possibility than that, but even that seems unlikely. I would think it'd just be whichever Caribbean ports they can manage.

LOL hey what happens on the ship stays on the ship;) , but my cruise is oct 31st and don't see how we are going to make it to the western carib and back in 11 days from nyc

[Laszlo]

LOL hey what happens on the ship stays on the ship;) , but my cruise is oct 31st and don't see how we are going to make it to the western carib and back in 11 days from nyc

 

You could easily do the Western out of NYC on an 11 day sail

[lovelights]

What is a typical refund on a cruise that may get less ports of call than scheduled? What if my sailing does not go to all 8?

 

In the past, when we missed ports, due to tendering problems because of the weather, all they did was refund the difference of the port fees back to our account. One time we missed Grand Cayman, and we got $17.00 back per person, and a day at sea. :O

[Arzeena]

The below message was posted by someone our my 14 day BA cruise in Feb........It was on their "My NCL Account"

 

September 18th at 10:00 AM (2:00 PM UTC)

Norwegian Cruise Line is heartbroken at the terrible impact Hurricane Irma has had on several islands in the Eastern Caribbean, ports that we have called on since the start of our 50 years in business, some of which are included in the itinerary that you are currently booked on. In the wake of this devastating storm and as part of our recovery efforts, we are working closely with our partners on the ground to determine the best way to continue to provide relief to the areas impacted by and recovering from Hurricane Irma and to determine the extent of damage that Hurricane Irma inflicted. We are anticipating that your current itinerary will be adjusted to ensure your comfort, safety and an outstanding guest experience. We anticipate having this information to you within the next two weeks as new ports of call are secured.

 

We got this as an email today for our February 24 Gem cruise.

[GlamorousGirl]

I'm booked on the 7 day South Caribbean in December. I got an email saying they will be changing the itinerary due to weather and will have an update within 2 weeks, with no further details. I am speculating St Thomas and St Maarten will be changed. Hopefully Barbados, St Kitts, and Martinique won't need to be changed after Maria, and that there won't be any issues sailing out of San Juan... so unfortunately I don't think anyone will have any iron-clad answer for you until the update in 2 weeks or so. But I agree with the post saying a longer cruise gives them more rerouting options. Even though we have a 7 day, not 14, I think sailing out of San Juan so far south will give them more options for my cruise too. Let's hope. Cruise to nowhere would be less than ideal!