Anthem changed itinerary 11/16/19

[CruiseKeeper]

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

Dear Guest, We know many of you have been keeping tabs on the weather in anticipation for your cruise tomorrow. Along with the help of our Chief Meteorologist, James Van Fleet, and our team of nautical experts we have been, too.   Currently, the situation is very fluid. The storm is quickly developing and with this particular storm, the swells have been higher than what’s being reported on the daily forecasts. So, we are being extra cautious and ensuring we have a good plan in place. Our goal is to always stay as close to our original itinerary. But given this information, this may not be the case. We’re being as transparent as possible, as early as possible, to help you plan the best cruise. Below, are the considerations we’re making through this decision process given what we already know:   First and foremost, your safety is our highest priority. We don’t want to make a decision too early and miss out on being able to take you to the Bahamas. Due to the way the storm’s moving and the swells it’s creating, we already know we will be unable to visit Port Canaveral, Florida. There is a potential for impact to our visit to Nassau, Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.   So, what’s the plan? We have a couple, actually.    Plan A: Currently, we hope to sail around the storm and stick to our Bahamas itinerary, and as long as it’s safe, we’ll visit Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Plan B: Should it be unsafe to stick to our original itinerary, we would visit Bermuda and overnight there. Bermuda is a snorkeler’s paradise, from the pink sand beaches, to the historic towns of St. George’s or Hamilton, and the natural wonders of Crystal and Fantasy cave, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. So, it would still be an awesome cruise!    As our newly reimagined private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay is very special to us and we are really looking forward to sharing it with you. If we don’t make it to Perfect Day at CocoCay, we’ll provide a Future Cruise Certificate for the value of one day in the hopes you’ll be able to sail with us again and experience this one-of-a-kind destination. Now, we understand with this uncertainty some of our guests may want to cancel their sailing. If you choose to do so, we’ll miss you onboard Anthem of the Seas. For cancelling, you’ll receive a Future Cruise Certificate in the value of 100% of your cancelled cruise fare and a refund of any taxes and fees, also any amenities and packages - like internet, beverage, and dining. You can expect to receive your refund 3 to 5 days after the sailing ends. As the cruise will still be sailing, we won’t be covering any travel expenses incurred to get you to/from the ship.    Our intention is to keep you informed every step of the way, so you know what to expect. We’ll provide another update for you Saturday morning.  Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow in Cape Liberty and aboard Anthem of the Seas! Sincerely,

[Biker19]

3 minutes ago, CruiseKeeper said:

Bermuda is a snorkeler’s paradise

Probably less so in mid-Nov.

[CruiseKeeper]

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Probably less so in mid-Nov.

 

I’m thinking of unpacking my shorts and swimsuit.  It will leave room for the cold weather gear.  

 

And Bonine.  😨

Edited November 15, 2019 by CruiseKeeper

[robtulipe]

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

Probably less so in mid-Nov.

I was thinking this exactly. Even just going to a beach there wouldn't be great in the later part of November.

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, CruiseKeeper said:

I’m thinking of unpacking my shorts and swimsuit. 

Really tough to pack given the uncertainly.

[AussieGirlKaz]

I just got that email too.

 

Having been to Bermuda at this time of year before it was still warm enough and the beaches warm enough for swimming. 

 

For me either way a break will be nice but am happy that they are putting our safety first and giving warning rather than just changing it mid trip or when we were on boars

[Biker19]

6 minutes ago, AussieGirlKaz said:

Having been to Bermuda at this time of year before it was still warm enough and the beaches warm enough for swimming. 

Forecast and normal high for this time of the year, is low to mid 70sF - a beach day might work for Canadians, not sure about others.

[AussieGirlKaz]

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Forecast and normal high for this time of the year, is low to mid 70sF - a beach day might work for Canadians, not sure about others.

I am from Australia and that is still beach weather for us too

 

[suesnake2002]

I am on Granduer, sailing the same day with the exact same itinary. And guess what?? We have been told NOTHING. In fact calls to rccl by fellow cruisers are being told there is no change to our intinary. 

Lets just say I feel like the red headed step child. (Please note no disrespect meant to red heads or step children)

Second storm is moving south to north, so I doubt we will head north. Really doesnt matter cause I'm going on a cruise 

[CruiseKeeper]

2 hours ago, suesnake2002 said:

I am on Granduer, sailing the same day with the exact same itinary. And guess what?? We have been told NOTHING. In fact calls to rccl by fellow cruisers are being told there is no change to our intinary. 

Lets just say I feel like the red headed step child. (Please note no disrespect meant to red heads or step children)

Second storm is moving south to north, so I doubt we will head north. Really doesnt matter cause I'm going on a cruise 

 

The Grandeur can hang out in the Chesapeake.  Anthem can’t.  Maybe that’s why you haven’t been told anything...other than RCI’s incompetence.  😉

[suesnake2002]

Well after contacting rccl thru different media's i received a very nice call back. Unfortunately my phone was off at the time. But i got a long and informative voicemail. Stating as of now granduer is sailing around the storm and staying with current itinaries. An update will be made in the morning. Anthem is in a different "zone"   Therefore contingency plans are being made.

Thats all any of us want, some kind of info. Thank you royal. 

[sbtagent]

We have flown from Europe, and being told less than 24 hours that we can cancel, is not acceptable, we should have known before leaving, and we booked a vruise to get away from the darkness and winter in northern Europe, to come to the sun and warm climate. We been to Bermuda about the same time on a. Ruise from Boston to Florida, and it was raining, windy and not very warm. And booking this cruise, which I think is sold out, was to come to cococay and cape canaveral, not Bermuda for a day

[sbtagent]

I just called rccl, and they say the ship will make a call in Bermuda, staying there from the 18. to the 19.,

what is one night in Bermuda compared to Cococay, Nassau, and Cape Canaveral, if the Grandeur can do the sailing, I think we should have a compensation for this, even if the company says they cannot sail because of the wind. Is the Anthem more sensitive to wind than Grandeur ? I saw a television program with Capt Ban on Quantum, saying wind was his biggest enemy at sea, because of the large surface of the ship, he could not always get the ship into ports like Barbados and San Juan, where it was difficult to navigate this size of a ship. Cococay has in the past had many cancellation, where smaller size rccl ships went to Nassau instead.

[Jimbo]

2 hours ago, sbtagent said:

I just called rccl, and they say the ship will make a call in Bermuda, staying there from the 18. to the 19.,

what is one night in Bermuda compared to Cococay, Nassau, and Cape Canaveral, if the Grandeur can do the sailing, I think we should have a compensation for this, even if the company says they cannot sail because of the wind. Is the Anthem more sensitive to wind than Grandeur ? I saw a television program with Capt Ban on Quantum, saying wind was his biggest enemy at sea, because of the large surface of the ship, he could not always get the ship into ports like Barbados and San Juan, where it was difficult to navigate this size of a ship. Cococay has in the past had many cancellation, where smaller size rccl ships went to Nassau instead.

Put it this way in a storm, you will want to be on Anthem, not the little Grandeur where it will be a much rougher ride for sure. I think the above mention about riding in wind is he means as far as docking a ship into a port not sailing in the open sea.

Edited November 16, 2019 by Jimbo

[Ourusualbeach]

2 hours ago, sbtagent said:

if the Grandeur can do the sailing,

The Grandeur leaves from Baltimore which is 200 miles south of Bayonne.  There could be completely different weather forecasts for the areas so you can’t compare what itinerary one ship is doing to what the other can do.

[chengkp75]

Currently going north, passing Jacksonville, in about 6-10 foot seas.  Expected to get to 20 foot seas tonight as we approach Hatteras.  Sort of following behind storm, but still going to get nasty.  Grandeur will be sliding south behind it as well, but it will still be sporty for them.  Anthem would be sailing directly into it to go to Bahamas, but could skirt around north of it to go to Bermuda.  With wind and seas coming from the north/northeast, heading south like both Grandeur and Anthem would do will present following seas, which are particularly uncomfortable for cruise ships.

[CruiseKeeper]

ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS

Dear Guest, As we previously advised, we’ve been closely monitoring a winter storm with the help of our Chief meteorologist, James Van Fleet. As a result of the forecast, we’ll need to change our itinerary. To ensure we steer clear of unfavorable weather, we’ll now visit King’s Wharf, Bermuda and overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, instead of sailing to the original ports planned. Your boarding time will remain the same and all guests must be onboard by 2:00 PM. We’re terribly sorry for this last-minute change, but please know, we made this decision to maintain a safe and comfortable journey. For your convenience, we’ve included your new itinerary below. Day Port of Call Arrive Depart Sat Cape Liberty, NJ (NY Metro)   EMBARK Sun Cape Liberty, NJ (NY Metro) ANCHORED   Mon Cape Liberty, NJ (NY Metro)   4:00 PM Tue Cruising     Wed King’s Wharf, Bermuda 8:30 AM   Thu King’s Wharf, Bermuda   3:30 PM Fri Cruising     Sat Cape Liberty, NJ (NY Metro) 6:00 AM   Any pre-purchased Royal Caribbean International shore excursions for the missed ports and any remaining taxes and fees will be refunded to your Onboard Account. These refunds are a refundable credit and can be used anywhere onboard. So, once your onboard, feel free to head to the Shore Excursion’s desk to book new tours for King’s Wharf. And, any unused credits will be refunded back to your credit card on file about 3 - 5 business days after the sailing ends. We feel terrible about missing Perfect Day at CocoCay and we were really looking forward to sharing it with you. So, as we previously advised, we’re providing you with a 1-day Future Cruise Credit for missing CocoCay, as we want you to experience it. The amount will be based on the cruise fare paid, per person, non-inclusive of taxes and fees. You can expect to receive your credit by email on Thursday, November 21st, 2019. We hope you will use this certificate to join us again. While we hope you choose to stay, if you decide not to sail, we’ll miss you onboard Anthem of the Seas. For cancelling, you’ll receive a Future Cruise Certificate in the value of 100% of your cancelled cruise fare and a refund of any taxes and fees, also any amenities and packages - like internet, beverage, and dining. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment 3 to 5 days after the sailing ends. As the cruise will still be sailing, we won’t be covering any travel expenses incurred to get you to/from the ship. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation during this fluid and unexpected circumstance. We remain confident that your time with us will be nothing short of amazing. Sincerely,

[Biker19]

^ that looks familiar - hanging out just far enough off NY to allow shops and casino to open, but not going anywhere - did that on Adventure in Sept. For those going, if you go outside, you can still pick up cell signal.

[Georgeny]

Never fun to change from a warm to cooler/cold itinerary. The hazard of sailing from East Coast Fall/Winter. We sail Dec20th fingers crossed. Last year was fine a previous year we stayed docked until late than ran south.

 

Wish you all good luck and a great cruise no matter what.

 

George in NY

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

^ that looks familiar - hanging out just far enough off NY to allow shops and casino to open, but not going anywhere - did that on Adventure in Sept. For those going, if you go outside, you can still pick up cell signal.

For tomorrow, it looks like they will be anchored at the Stapleton anchorage between Brooklyn and Staten Island.  Not sure what they mean on Sunday, though.

[Biker19]

30 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

For tomorrow, it looks like they will be anchored at the Stapleton anchorage between Brooklyn and Staten Island.  

That may not be far enough for the casino and shops to be open - would be a frustrating day on board, though you might have a nice view of the city the whole day.

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

That may not be far enough for the casino and shops to be open - would be a frustrating day on board, though you might have a nice view of the city the whole day.

Definitely not far enough out, you are still within the NY Harbor limits.  Probably would have preferred to  stay at the dock tomorrow, but I"m guessing another ship is coming in.

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, chengkp75 said:

Definitely not far enough out, you are still within the NY Harbor limits.  Probably would have preferred to  stay at the dock tomorrow, but I"m guessing another ship is coming in.

Either there's no space or RCI is too cheap to dock in Manhattan or Brooklyn to let folks roam NY for the day. Hmm....I wonder if they'll allow/setup tendering off the ship?

[mahqueen310]

I live in NJ so anchoring off Staten Island until Mon. 4pm is not exciting. Neither is Bermuda in November for me.  I cancelled.

Can I use my FCC on another cruise that I have already booked?  Is there ever any compensation from the insurance company for the trip I didn't take under these circumstances?

TIA

[Biker19]

16 minutes ago, mahqueen310 said:

Can I use my FCC on another cruise that I have already booked?

Yes.