Nieuw Amsterdam Stranded in Port Everglades - Advice?

[Walfam]

Wow, "future cruise credit equal to the amount of the cruise fare paid" in addition to the full refunds is, IMO, going above and beyond their duty.  Well done, HAL.

[MisterBill99]

3 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

Gee sorry to hear this..

 

Also, seems to be more and more ships having thesr issues with pods. Wondering if time to investigate the companies that make them. 

 

Seriously? What are they going to investigate? That a complex piece of equipment is not 100% reliable???

[Tinkerbell]

If cruises in the next couple of weeks have to be altered or cancelled what would be a typical scenario?   Trying to plan ahead and come up with a plan B.   

[MisterBill99]

6 minutes ago, Tinkerbell said:

If cruises in the next couple of weeks have to be altered or cancelled what would be a typical scenario?   Trying to plan ahead and come up with a plan B.   

 

They said in the letter that they would make a decision about next Saturday's sailing by Tuesday at 3pm EST.

[wesport]

Scheduled to leave on the NA saturday. Will know by 3pm of Tuesday.  Will keep everyone posted on what transpires. 

[spkack]

Yes, overall very fair of HAL and grateful for the refund and future cruise credit.  Best wishes to everyone booked on the NA in the coming weeks.  We were disappointed to get cancelled but it would be even more disappointing if our holiday week cruise was cancelled..  From what I understand from researching this issue, it does not sound like they can repair it in the water.  My understanding is a similar underwater repair on the Oosterdam has resulted in water leaking into the ship from the seal.

[timbom]

Was on canceled celebrity ship a couple of years ago with same problem and ship was out of commission till new unit could be sent from manufacture and ship put in dry dock.  Seems like a real bummer around the Holidays.

[MisterBill99]

14 minutes ago, timbom said:

Was on canceled celebrity ship a couple of years ago with same problem and ship was out of commission till new unit could be sent from manufacture and ship put in dry dock.  Seems like a real bummer around the Holidays.

 

But the ship can still operate with a single azipod, at reduced speed.

 

BTW here's an interesting article about past azipod failures (and settlements that cruise lines have reached with the manufacturers):

 

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Insights/Vista-just-latest-example-of-azipod-blues

Edited December 16, 2019 by MisterBill99

[chengkp75]

On 12/15/2019 at 3:06 AM, Stevedan said:

Had a bathroom odor issue on an RCCL ship.  Turns out the ventilation was blowing the stale air into the bathroom (smelled like a sewer) and just had to be reversed.  Maybe that's the problem and therefore can easily be fixed.

There is no way to "reverse" the air flow.  The bathroom vent is an exhaust vent, pure and simple.

On 12/15/2019 at 3:10 AM, spkack said:

Thanks all.  The odor appears to be drain related.  NA is at full capacity so no cabins for us to relocate to.  They have flushed the drains Andi it is between but not as we would like.  I believe the issue is one of the azipod thrusters and they have divers under the ship doing repairs which might explain the port authority boats

Try taking a glass of water and pouring it down the bathroom floor drain.  Not the one in the shower, but there will be either a "gutter" type drain across the doorway, or a round drain tucked away under the toilet.  These drains don't see water all that much, and so the dry AC air dries out the water in the trap, and the smell comes back up.

[Crusinsusan2]

3 hours ago, Walfam said:

Wow, "future cruise credit equal to the amount of the cruise fare paid" in addition to the full refunds is, IMO, going above and beyond their duty.  Well done, HAL.

 

Agree 100% that HAL has done more than most lines have offered. Spent our afternoon pondering what we would do if faced with this situation coming from the west coast. Would for sure make the best of it as the folks that were able to jump on another available ship, or rent a car/hotel stay put and enjoy for the 7 (6-5?) days and head home on scheduled flights. Double checked our usual trip interruption insurance. Crazy disappointed yes! Out of pocket no!  Just the same, heartfelt hopes for all that planned the b 2 b for a family planned Christmas holiday and not knowing at this point when repairs will be complete. No compensation or insurance can replace the time together, wrangling different households and school schedules.  Fingers crossed for a quick fix and beautiful Christmas for all!!!           

[HappyInVan]

On 12/14/2019 at 6:19 PM, crystalspin said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Enjoy your suite. 

 

 

How kind and helpful you are!

[mamaofami]

I’m sure you and all on board must be very disappointed. I know I would be,  but happy to hear that HAL has put safety first. 

[purpleally]

54 minutes ago, mamaofami said:

I’m sure you and all on board must be very disappointed. I know I would be,  but happy to hear that HAL has put safety first. 

Disappointing but they are going to get a free cruise

[woodworker&knitter]

I hear 100 guests transferred to the Koningsdam yesterday 

[TrolleyGirl]

2 hours ago, purpleally said:

Disappointing but they are going to get a free cruise

 

 

Not really,  the price those on the 12/14 NA sailing paid  is being forwarded to a future cruise credit.  They are not getting a refund plus a future credit. 

Edited December 16, 2019 by TrolleyGirl

[Samanthac25]

1 minute ago, TrolleyGirl said:

 

 

Not really,  the price those on the 12/14 NA sailing paid  is being forwarded to a future cruise credit.  They are not getting a refund plus a future credit. 

HAL said yesterday that they are getting both a refund and future cruise credit: 

 

Guests will receive a full refund of cruise fare and taxes paid, hotel package costs, prepaid shore excursions and amenities, and any additional travel fees resulting from rebooking air tickets. They will also receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit equal to the amount of the cruise fare paid.

[TrolleyGirl]

1 minute ago, Samanthac25 said:

HAL said yesterday that they are getting both a refund and future cruise credit: 

 

Guests will receive a full refund of cruise fare and taxes paid, hotel package costs, prepaid shore excursions and amenities, and any additional travel fees resulting from rebooking air tickets. They will also receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit equal to the amount of the cruise fare paid.

Thank you for the correction!  I did not see that release.

[LMD]

We were on the cancelled cruise. So disappointing but we did enjoy our 2 nights on board and are now at the Lago Mar beach resort in Fort Lauderdale.  There seems to be quite a few people here from the cruise.  The full refund and 100% future cruise credit and zeroed out ship board accounts was unexpected and very nice of HAL. People definitely had fun with the free bar last night.  

[purpleally]

33 minutes ago, TrolleyGirl said:

 

 

Not really,  the price those on the 12/14 NA sailing paid  is being forwarded to a future cruise credit.  They are not getting a refund plus a future credit. 

Is that new math?  They are getting back every penny they paid plus anything they purchased on board is zeroed out.  AND they are getting 100% of what they paid for cancelled cruise towards another cruise. That is a free cruise 

[Randyk47]

I will have to say HAL’s compensation for this missed cruise is one of, if not the best, package I’ve seen from any line.   

[TrolleyGirl]

1 hour ago, purpleally said:

Is that new math?  They are getting back every penny they paid plus anything they purchased on board is zeroed out.  AND they are getting 100% of what they paid for cancelled cruise towards another cruise. That is a free cruise 

No, please see post 67.  I noted my error.  

[MisterBill99]

2 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

I will have to say HAL’s compensation for this missed cruise is one of, if not the best, package I’ve seen from any line.   

 

Actually, Royal Caribbean did the same thing when they cancelled a cruise due to azipod issues last year. And they cancelled it days before people were on the ship. It's certainly a generous offer, one which should satisfy most people. Just that everyone saying "Oh, HAL is the best, no other company would do something like this" (especially the fan-boys and girls on FB groups) are way off the mark.

 

https://crew-center.com/royal-caribbean-cancels-radiance-seas-cruise-due-propulsion-issues

Edited December 16, 2019 by MisterBill99

[Shmoo here]

5 hours ago, purpleally said:

Is that new math?  They are getting back every penny they paid plus anything they purchased on board is zeroed out.  AND they are getting 100% of what they paid for cancelled cruise towards another cruise. That is a free cruise 

Well, it's "free" if the new cruise costs that amount.  

[MisterBill99]

12 hours ago, mamaofami said:

I’m sure you and all on board must be very disappointed. I know I would be,  but happy to hear that HAL has put safety first. 

 

It's not a matter of putting safety first. They could not legally sail with a single azipod without government approval and they did not get it in time to sail (they still may not have it).

 

And for those who say "no other cruise line would do what HAL did", Royal did the exact same thing (full refund and 100% future cruise credit) when they cancelled a Radiance sailing last year, three days before departure (as opposed to this case, where they had a boatload of passengers. Details on the attached link.

 

https://crew-center.com/royal-caribbean-cancels-radiance-seas-cruise-due-propulsion-issues

 

I like HAL but you folks need to get over the idea that they're doing extraordinary stuff given the situation.

Edited December 17, 2019 by MisterBill99