Time for a 12 day Scandinavian cruise out of Dover om the Carnival Pride

[Joanne G.]

On 7/20/2023 at 3:47 PM, jsglow said:

I completely understand your frustration and I understand your need for a quick decision the other night but in retrospect to have anticipated anything except a multi-day repair in Kiel might have been unrealistic.  At least there's no indication it's multi-week! The good news is that the parts seem to be on their way. That's very encouraging.  But these things take time. Think of it like a transmission rebuild on your car. This isn't an 'oil change'.

 

Here's what I think will happen. You'll be in Kiel until perhaps early next week.  And from there you may simply proceed on whatever mini-cruise Carnival cooks up. Once all those factors are known they'll decide on a proper credit and FCC to compensate you.  I'd anticipate a full update by the weekend at the latest as Carnival no doubt has numerous 7/21 cruisers cooling their heels in London right now.  They need to either be accommodated beyond the couple of days of hotel they've been provided beginning 7/21 or sent home. It all depends on the repair timetable.

 

All you can do is 'sit tight'. What you know is that your flight home is on 7/31. Everything between now and then is an adventure. And Carnival will do right by you in the end. Lemonade out of lemons.

You are basically right.  But as for anticipating anything but a multi-day repair, Carnival led us to believe it would be a speedy repair by saying they were exploring options for us on other cruises on “sister ships” out of Southampton on the 22nd as well as a shortened itinerary on the Pride.   We passengers had no way of knowing the problem required days and replacement parts from wherever.  
 

By the way, where in Southern Wisconsin are you?  I live in xxxxxx

[OneLuckyMom]

52 minutes ago, jsglow said:

I completely understand your frustration and I understand your need for a quick decision the other night but in retrospect to have anticipated anything except a multi-day repair in Kiel might have been unrealistic. 

I disagree.  At the time the OP had to make their decision, Carnival was talking up a possible shortened 7 day cruise, which would have meant they expected a quick turn around on repairs.  Now it's "several days" in a cargo port, which would make a 7 day cruise just about impossible given that the ship still has to get back to Dover.

Edited July 20, 2023 by OneLuckyMom

[RTCGA]

I am one of the 7/21 cruiser "cooling my heels" in London right now. I've booked a hotel for Friday and Saturday and starting tomorrow I'm going to enjoy my $100 dining per diem. I wish we had heard something today from Carnival. Thank you Joanne G. for your updates!

 

I think the sailings on the sister ships was always a long-shot. Everything was pretty booked up to begin. FWIW, it's possible that I booked the very last cabin available on the 7/21 sailing before everything went south. So it's a full, full sailing.

 

I am an eternal optimist, so with the information of "several days" it is not impossible for the ship to be repaired by Saturday and be in Dover by Sunday. (It might be later in the day...but they could make it.)

 

Cruise lines can make astonishingly fast repairs once they determine the problem. And Kiel is a giant shipyard with lots of resources. They want this ship back in service. A 7 day sailing half full is better than paying all that compensation and getting nothing (onboard spend, casino, spa, etc.)

 

I think Carnival knows exactly when the part will get there and how long it will take to install, but I think it probably needs to be inspected and cleared before sailing. (I'm thinking of the Virgin ship that struck the pier in Miami and was repaired and inspected and sailing that evening.) Again, they have every incentive to make this happen as quickly as possible.

 

So I'm going to enjoy my favorite London restaurants, Wagamama and Busaba and Nandos, and hope for the best. 🙂

 

 

[jimbo5544]

5 hours ago, jsglow said:

@jimbo5544, just wondering if you've arrived back in the UK yet? Do they have hotels lined up for you and what's the logistics prior to your presumed planned departure tomorrow?

So it was a very interesting day.  Crew was fantastic, off the charts, especially when they were up all night.  Once we got to the airport, things unravelled somewhat.  We were told to chill and come back at 12:15 for check in starting at 12:30.  Vouchers they gave us were not accepted in places outside security, told us to ty inside.  There were 200 Carnival guests trying to check in for charter.  Two reps came late and first two guests were handicapped and much discussion and absolutely nothing happening for 45 minutes.  Turns out it was about the batteries in their power chairs.  45 minutes and not one person thru check in.  We were maybe 1/3 back and got checked in at 1:50 for 2:30 flight.  The walk over to security, then thru customs, were told to run for flight.  They ended up waiting for all to get on plane.

 

 

[SoCalMomof3]

3 hours ago, hard_eight said:

Hadn't seen the free Cheers! that's pretty awesome. 

Another B2B passenger here 🙋‍♀️ 

only those that purchased the cheers package originally are receiving free drinks. We did not purchase the package and had to pay for our drinks today and probably tomorrow. 😢 Hoping once all the charter guests have left, they will start helping us b2b guests. 

[OneLuckyMom]

Looks like ship is on the move to the new dock...

[Etta1213]

20 hours ago, nascargirly said:

I think we need to add those towel clips.. those suckers will hold the pod, yes?

Denture cream maybe? 

Edited July 20, 2023 by Etta1213

[jimbo5544]

Much better on landing, waited 35 minutes for bags, then Carnival reps waiting outside baggage claim and 4 busses to Hotel.  We landed at Gatwick and took busses to Heathrow, Raddisson blu.  Very nice hotel checked us all in in ballroom, fairly quick.  Went and ate and back in room.  Exhausted, they have busses all times to both airports tomorrow, think we will do a cab,  Were told to save all receipts and send in for reimbursement.  Hotel already paid for.

 

Others in our group had other flights (all made it out), everyone on a flight goes to same hotel (different from ours.  will see them in airport tomorrow.  I am beat.

[OneLuckyMom]

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

Much better on landing, waited 35 minutes for bags, then Carnival reps waiting outside baggage claim and 4 busses to Hotel.  We landed at Gatwick and took busses to Heathrow, Raddisson blu.  Very nice hotel checked us all in in ballroom, fairly quick.  Went and ate and back in room.  Exhausted, they have busses all times to both airports tomorrow, think we will do a cab,  Were told to save all receipts and send in for reimbursement.  Hotel already paid for.

 

Others in our group had other flights (all made it out), everyone on a flight goes to same hotel (different from ours.  will see them in airport tomorrow.  I am beat.

Sounds like a rough day.  Have a good sleep!

[jimbo5544]

9 minutes ago, RTCGA said:

I am one of the 7/21 cruiser "cooling my heels" in London right now. I've booked a hotel for Friday and Saturday and starting tomorrow I'm going to enjoy my $100 dining per diem. I wish we had heard something today from Carnival. Thank you Joanne G. for your updates!

 

I think the sailings on the sister ships was always a long-shot. Everything was pretty booked up to begin. FWIW, it's possible that I booked the very last cabin available on the 7/21 sailing before everything went south. So it's a full, full sailing.

 

I am an eternal optimist, so with the information of "several days" it is not impossible for the ship to be repaired by Saturday and be in Dover by Sunday. (It might be later in the day...but they could make it.)

 

Cruise lines can make astonishingly fast repairs once they determine the problem. And Kiel is a giant shipyard with lots of resources. They want this ship back in service. A 7 day sailing half full is better than paying all that compensation and getting nothing (onboard spend, casino, spa, etc.)

 

I think Carnival knows exactly when the part will get there and how long it will take to install, but I think it probably needs to be inspected and cleared before sailing. (I'm thinking of the Virgin ship that struck the pier in Miami and was repaired and inspected and sailing that evening.) Again, they have every incentive to make this happen as quickly as possible.

 

So I'm going to enjoy my favorite London restaurants, Wagamama and Busaba and Nandos, and hope for the best. 🙂

 

 

Love the attitude.  Enjoy!!

[jimbo5544]

Just now, OneLuckyMom said:

Sounds like a rough day.  Have a good sleep!

Couple cocktails will not hurt tht process…..thanks

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, jsglow said:

Sleep tight @Joanne G. 

 

Take comfort knowing that Carnival fully stepped up for the guests that are on the way home.  They know that being tied up in the Kiel cargo area isn't a cruise. Right now they've gotten you a bed and a hot meal. They'll figure it out in time and you'll feel good about it. Trust them.

I agree, they always do.

[jimbo5544]

Did hear one story that one group leaving today had flight delay for 4 hours and not leaving till almost 10pm.  This was from another group that was leaving around same time.  Sure they are not happy campers.

Edited July 20, 2023 by jimbo5544

[jimbo5544]

11 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Without a doubt - we've enjoyed many a tinted meal in there! 🙂

 

Tom

And here I thought it was the martini……

[nascargirly]

5 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Much better on landing, waited 35 minutes for bags, then Carnival reps waiting outside baggage claim and 4 busses to Hotel.  We landed at Gatwick and took busses to Heathrow, Raddisson blu.  Very nice hotel checked us all in in ballroom, fairly quick.  Went and ate and back in room.  Exhausted, they have busses all times to both airports tomorrow, think we will do a cab,  Were told to save all receipts and send in for reimbursement.  Hotel already paid for.

 

Others in our group had other flights (all made it out), everyone on a flight goes to same hotel (different from ours.  will see them in airport tomorrow.  I am beat.

Thanks for all of the updates! Get some rest and safe travels!

[jimbo5544]

11 hours ago, Travelnplane said:

Did Carnival book you now just to London or do you have your whole journey booked through to your final destination?

To London, but we can make our original flight home as was intended.  Part of why we were different from others is we used fly2fun and others did not for several reasons.  They def did fly2fun first.

[jimbo5544]

9 hours ago, lazydayz said:

Safe travels and thanks for your live.  Love your photos and your attitude.  How long will you be in London? 

Just till tomorrow afternoon.  This as been the longest two weeks in a LONG time.  That said, it was a great cruise

 

[jimbo5544]

9 hours ago, jsglow said:

As I understand it, Carnival is getting everyone back to Heathrow in order to catch their regularly scheduled flights back home as if they had disembarked the cruise normally on 7/21.

That was at least the plan.  Worked for everyone we know, but I think there are still some on ship.

Edited July 20, 2023 by jimbo5544

[jimbo5544]

6 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

What a great looking airport area!

The only knock I have on the airport is the delay way theu do checkins.  Not jsut this airport have seen it in all the big ons in Germany.  

[jimbo5544]

6 minutes ago, nascargirly said:

Thanks for all of the updates! Get some rest and safe travels!

Thanks, just about ready, my better half is already out as are our two grand daughters across the hall. 

[jimbo5544]

Breakfast is free for everyone in the AM, signing off for tonight.  Will pick it tomorrow.  Appreciate all the comments.

[jsglow]

1 hour ago, Joanne G. said:

You are basically right.  But as for anticipating anything but a multi-day repair, Carnival led us to believe it would be a speedy repair by saying they were exploring options for us on other cruises on “sister ships” out of Southampton on the 22nd as well as a shortened itinerary on the Pride.   We passengers had no way of knowing the problem required days and replacement parts from wherever.  
 

By the way, where in Southern Wisconsin are you?  I live in Beloit. 

That's practically below the cheddar curtain in Illinois!  We're up in Dodge County living the dream.

[jsglow]

1 hour ago, OneLuckyMom said:

I disagree.  At the time the OP had to make their decision, Carnival was talking up a possible shortened 7 day cruise, which would have meant they expected a quick turn around on repairs.  Now it's "several days" in a cargo port, which would make a 7 day cruise just about impossible given that the ship still has to get back to Dover.

Which is why they'll essentially get all their money back and a massive FCC.

[chengkp75]

57 minutes ago, RTCGA said:

I think Carnival knows exactly when the part will get there and how long it will take to install, but I think it probably needs to be inspected and cleared before sailing. (I'm thinking of the Virgin ship that struck the pier in Miami and was repaired and inspected and sailing that evening.) Again, they have every incentive to make this happen as quickly as possible.

Quite a bit of difference between welding a temporary steel plate over a hole in the hull, and getting particular parts to repair a complex system.  Not all parts are stocked by the manufacturer, if they are not considered to be "wear parts" or "high usage", and are manufactured to order.  Especially with today's supply chain issues, many things take quite a while to get.  And, yes, after repairs are completed, there will need to be a "dock trial" of running the pod and steering it for a couple of hours before the ship is cleared.  Yes, they will do whatever they can to expedite this process, but a lot of it is out of their hands.

[BlerkOne]

25 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Quite a bit of difference between welding a temporary steel plate over a hole in the hull, and getting particular parts to repair a complex system.  Not all parts are stocked by the manufacturer, if they are not considered to be "wear parts" or "high usage", and are manufactured to order.  Especially with today's supply chain issues, many things take quite a while to get.  And, yes, after repairs are completed, there will need to be a "dock trial" of running the pod and steering it for a couple of hours before the ship is cleared.  Yes, they will do whatever they can to expedite this process, but a lot of it is out of their hands.

As the ship just had a dry dock, perhaps they should skip the testing phase. Or put the old parts back in. Whatever it takes.