Itinerary Changes - How Far in Advance?

[alaska2023]

How far in advance does RCI typically make itinerary changes due to potential tropical storm/hurricane avoidance? We’re sailing from Canaveral on Harmony in 2 days, with stops in CocoCay, Nassau, Jamaica, and Labadee M/T/Th/Fr. According to invests, we could potentially encounter 98L/Hermine, especially if it stalls a bit. Likely storm path is low-confidence right now, but I’m wondering when we would learn of a reroute, since we’re only 48 hours out. Do they ever make these decisions on the fly/day of, or will we likely know in advance?

Edited September 23, 2022 by alaska2023

[1025cruise]

They try to wait as long as possible to make changes. You might not find out until you are on board.

[erby2283]

When I sailed on Anthem in Oct 2016, one of our ports we were supposed to go to Bermuda and found a letter in our stateroom upon arrival that our stop there was cancelled. I think they just gave us longer time in another port (but it was so long ago, I don't remember exactly). 

Edited September 23, 2022 by erby2283

[sandebeach]

Storm path is still uncertain. Miami mayor just had a press conference, saying now is he time to go over your hurricane plan. All of South Florida, from Tampa to Broward, is watching closely. There is a big possibility you might have some kind of an itinerary change, just watch for emails if they come. 

[alaska2023]

1 minute ago, sandebeach said:

Storm path is still uncertain. Miami mayor just had a press conference, saying now is he time to go over your hurricane plan. All of South Florida, from Tampa to Broward, is watching closely. There is a big possibility you might have some kind of an itinerary change, just watch for emails if they come. 

Yep, hubby works with The Weather Channel, so we’re getting hourly updates from his hurricane team colleagues there. Even if we’re not directly in the path, we may encounter storm-related weather/sea issues at some point, especially if it stalls, so was wondering when we may hear of any definitive itinerary changes. Sounds like it could be anytime up to day-of/last-minute.

[ONECRUISER]

Me, at least half dozen times only found out AFTER Boarding or start of Cruise

[alaska2023]

With itinerary changes, does everyone have an opportunity to book excursions through RCCL for new ports, or is it kinda too late for that at that point, and everyone’s on their own?

 

 

Edited September 23, 2022 by alaska2023

[ONECRUISER]

11 minutes ago, alaska2023 said:

With itinerary changes, does everyone have an opportunity to book excursions through RCCL for new ports, or is it kinda too late for that at that point, and everyone’s on their own?

 

 

Port Changes Royal has always come up with new Excursions to chose from, if not before Cruise will after boarding

[BND]

1 hour ago, alaska2023 said:

With itinerary changes, does everyone have an opportunity to book excursions through RCCL for new ports, or is it kinda too late for that at that point, and everyone’s on their own?

 

 

We had  Coco Cay cancelled several times before the pier was built.  One time, we just went straight to Nassau for an overnight instead of just the next day scheduled port visit so we had more than 24 hours.  They added excursions as we were approaching Nassau.  This was on GR a few years ago, so you had to book them via the excursion desk but they did have some.   

Edited September 23, 2022 by BND

[cruisegirl1]

We are currently on board harmony, and got our itinerary changed from an eastern Caribbean cruise to a Western Caribbean Cruise on Friday night, for a Sunday sailing. We’ve had itinerary changes with less notice than that. Some the day before, and some once on board 

 

m

Edited September 23, 2022 by cruisegirl1

[cruisegirl1]

1 hour ago, alaska2023 said:

With itinerary changes, does everyone have an opportunity to book excursions through RCCL for new ports, or is it kinda too late for that at that point, and everyone’s on their own?

 

 

Yes, on the current Harmony that changed itinerary  two days prior to sailing, there were plenty of excursions available to those who wanted to book them.  
 

Just to make matters worse, the computer system was down the  on Sunday, so no one could make any excursion reservations show reservations etc.

 

m

[Aggiebuttercup]

We had itinerary changes 2 days into the cruise before (hurricane was headed to Belize the next day, just like we were, so we turned around and went to the Bahamas). 

 

There were a few shore excursions offered, but not nearly the number and variety that would normally be available.  I believe there was free wifi for a few hours for people to change plans.

[Birdnutty]

We were on a western Caribbean itinerary once , and while onboard, after sailaway, they announced we were changing to Eastern Carib.  Didn't matter - adjusted attitudes and had a ball.  With hurricanes out there (and lots of other surprises), you need to be prepared for anything.

[Spurschick]

We were on 8 night southern Caribbean earlier this year. We could see the storm headed for the abc isles before we left but we’re not told of any changes until a few days into the sailing.

 

I am expecting this weekends Harmony will be pretty straightforward with the only question mark being Jamaica as the storm is quite close to there at the moment so depends on what if any impact it has on Jamaica.

[monorail81]

42 minutes ago, Spurschick said:

We were on 8 night southern Caribbean earlier this year. We could see the storm headed for the abc isles before we left but we’re not told of any changes until a few days into the sailing.

Where did they route you instead?

[BirdTravels]

A few years back, we had a cruise on the Anthem to Bermuda switch to NE/Halifax with a 2 day notice. While we got multiple emails and calls, there were some people that still showed up at terminal in Bayonne in shorts expecting to go to the beach... when we were going to the much cooler Canadian climate. There were shore excursions available in all ports. 

 

While RCCL owed us absolutely nothing for the change based on their cruise contract, they gave us an OBC equal to 50% of our cruise fare. Needless to say, there was a lot of eating, drinking and shopping on that cruise!

[shellunderwater]

On Allure tomorrow.  Found out today we are losing Roatan Tuesday.   Dodging Ian as we transit from FL to Mexico area Monday.  Probably going around Cuba to east and south instead.

Edited September 25, 2022 by shellunderwater