Saint John Instead of Bermuda

[orville99]

5 minutes ago, Chrislynn55 said:

 

This cruise is being diverted to Saint John (New Brunswick), not St. John's (Newfoundland).

OK...still a bit nippy:

[BND]

12 minutes ago, cyntil8ing said:

Wasn’t a five day to Bermuda from Baltimore just canceled completely last week? I think I’d prefer a cruise over a cancellation.

 

That said, I have cruised in late August every year since 2010, and only had one itinerary change, until this year. Our August Bermuda cruise, a six day from Norfolk, ended up in the Bahamas. I had our three days in Bermuda all planned out and it was really disappointing to go to ports we’ve been to many times. The entire week before, our roll call and fb group sounded just like this post, trying to figure out possible changes that were in no way realistic.

 

Anyway, my other cruise that was rerouted this year was a Canada cruise. We ended up missing Bar Harbor and Halifax and floated in NY Harbor for two days instead. No casino at all.

 

But anyway, one of our stops was Saint John. We did a Bay of Fundy Coastal Photography Tour through the ship that was probably one of the best ship tours I have ever done. Small group with a photographer tour guide. We did four different stops, and got back in enough time to check out the surrounding area too.

 

One interesting note on Saint John. The tides change 28 feet every 12 hours. Snap a photo of the ship when you arrive and again when you leave. Look at the photos below and you can tell that more than an entire floor, or row of windows, “disappeared” because of the lower tide. Very cool!

 

 

 

Here are a few others from the day. Try to make the best of it and enjoy your visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, Vision was cancelled because they returned two days late due to the storm so not enough time to do Bermuda in 3 days.  

[luckyinpa]

did a princess cruise in 'normal weather' that missed halifax. maine and newport. casino got rich that trip. but one time in st john had so much fun renting a car and spending hours in the caves area. you must get there at low tide and get out or you WILL be trapped but thats part of the excitement

[Fouremco]

2 hours ago, Chrislynn55 said:

 

This cruise is being diverted to Saint John (New Brunswick), not St. John's (Newfoundland).

Thank you!!! It amazes me how many posts in this thread have the wrong name. It's a good thing they aren't navigating the ship! 😇

[nycluvscruises]

Energy on board is pretty positive! Captain did say we’re going to be sailing in 10-12ft swells tonight and to hang onto the railings. Let the adventure begin! 

[notscb]

9 hours ago, sunseeker2014 said:

maybe have a look at a map yourself

 

Lease self-aware comment made on this thread.

When you're heading south, it's not like you're going through a different ocean or something- it's the exact same ocean with the exact same weather challenges. What a weird claim to make.

[MaddyandMax]

Currently on this cruise. 
 

Anyone speak to royal about the compensation?  I’m not upset about the itinerary change.  I understand the storm system and knew when I was booking the cruise this could happen. What I’m upset about is the solarium is completely closed. Hot tubs and pools and the heated pools are closed. I didn’t think the compensation was fair from the beginning but I’m determined to have a good time. That said, now with all the other closures $100 is not fair compensation. We’ve heard the cruise two or three weeks before got 50% and they had two new port stops. We only have one. 
 

I just personally think compensation should be even. Those cruises got better port stops (Maine and Nova Scotia) and more compensation. I don’t know if they lost pool/hot tub access. 
 

Again, I’m not upset about the change. That’s saying a lot considering I’m Canadian lol. I just want fair compensation. 

[JessyCruises]

On 9/30/2023 at 8:26 AM, sunseeker2014 said:

I’ve cruised many times during hurricane season and this is a new low, getting an email that we’re cruising to a nothing town in Canada.  There’s no excuse for that.  That’s just throwing money away.  I can now use that money to sail with a different cruise line.  That’s the flexibility I have.  Thanks for your input though.

 

As someone from the "nothing town" you are referring to, your post is completely insulting.  I understand you are disappointed in the change, but is it really necessary to belittle the homes of others?  We may not be a booming metropolis, but we are a lovely city with lots of charm and friendly residents who are always welcoming to cruise ship passengers.  

Edited October 1, 2023 by JessyCruises

[JessyCruises]

On 9/30/2023 at 3:15 PM, Fouremco said:

Thank you!!! It amazes me how many posts in this thread have the wrong name. It's a good thing they aren't navigating the ship! 😇

 

It drives me bananas when people call it St. John or St John's instead of Saint John.   I know RCL used to put St. John in some information, not sure if they still do, which just adds to the confusion.  I try to correct people but sometimes I cannot be bothered because it just keeps happening.  

 

People will figure it out eventually when they book an excursion on their own that ends up being in a different province. 🤣

Edited October 1, 2023 by JessyCruises

[JessyCruises]

4 hours ago, MaddyandMax said:

Again, I’m not upset about the change. That’s saying a lot considering I’m Canadian lol. I just want fair compensation. 

 

I live across the street from the cruise terminal.  I did a 4 night to Canada as the start of a B3B on Oasis last year and sailed to my front door. We went home and did laundry and worked from home for the day.  🤣

 

This is a pic of the Liberty taken from my stoop last week.  

 

And this is it across from my condo building as I was coming home from Costco.

[cyntil8ing]

17 minutes ago, JessyCruises said:

People will figure it out eventually when they book an excursion on their own that ends up being in a different province. 🤣

Someone on my roll call did that. Shared an excursion she had booked, looking for others to join. Someone clued her in (nicely). I don’t know if she got a refund. I don’t remember if she posted again.

[Tatka]

On 9/30/2023 at 7:26 AM, sunseeker2014 said:

I’ve cruised many times during hurricane season and this is a new low, getting an email that we’re cruising to a nothing town in Canada.  There’s no excuse for that.  That’s just throwing money away.  I can now use that money to sail with a different cruise line.  That’s the flexibility I have.  Thanks for your input though.

Nothing town?!
Just because you are not familiar with St John doesn’t make it nothing town.

We cruised there at least 4 times and always found amazing places to go.

Just a few

 

- Hopewell Rocks tidal park  https://www.nbparks.ca/en/parks/33/hopewell-rocks-provincial-park

 

- Fundy Trail Parkway https://fundytrailparkway.com/

 

- St Martins sea caves village 

 

There are more

 

[JessyCruises]

26 minutes ago, cyntil8ing said:

Someone on my roll call did that. Shared an excursion she had booked, looking for others to join. Someone clued her in (nicely). I don’t know if she got a refund. I don’t remember if she posted again.

 

I actually know someone who booked a flight and flew all the way to St. John's when they intended to fly to Saint John.  🤣

[Jimbo]

On 9/30/2023 at 8:42 AM, shipgeeks said:

BTW, that redirected cruise turned out to be one of the best cruises ever, even for those who didn't have an opportunity to add shorts to their packing.  Maybe the fact that with the cancellations, the ship was uncrowded and service was spectacular.  Maybe having a good attitude about change helps.....

But will the ship have limes and mint?

 

Just got off a 14 night cruise that went to Manhattan, NY and Greenland and St. John's , NewFoundland but still couldn't get cases of limes onboard.

Edited October 2, 2023 by Jimbo

[stobe1]

1 hour ago, JessyCruises said:

 

As someone from the "nothing town" you are referring to, your post is completely insulting.  I understand you are disappointed in the change, but is it really necessary to belittle the homes of others?  We may not be a booming metropolis, but we are a lovely city with lots of charm and friendly residents who are always welcoming to cruise ship passengers.  

 

53 minutes ago, Tatka said:

Nothing town?!
Just because you are not familiar with St John doesn’t make it nothing town.

We cruised there at least 4 times and always found amazing places to go.

Just a few

 

- Hopewell Rocks tidal park  https://www.nbparks.ca/en/parks/33/hopewell-rocks-provincial-park

 

- Fundy Trail Parkway https://fundytrailparkway.com/

 

- St Martins sea caves village 

 

There are more

 

 

 

I doubt that person will be back to post on this thread. They vented their frustration, however misplaced, misguided and uneducated as it was, and have now moved on.

 

Another chronicle in the post-and-dash sagas.

Edited October 2, 2023 by stobe1

[Fouremco]

1 hour ago, JessyCruises said:

 

I actually know someone who booked a flight and flew all the way to St. John's when they intended to fly to Saint John.  🤣

Back in 2002, when we still lived in Halifax, there was a young British couple that was devastated when they arrived in Sydney, Nova Scotia, instead of in Australia. A few years later, a Dutch grandfather and his grandson did the same thing.

 

And a couple of years before COVID, either Celebrity or Holland America had a photo of the Sydney opera house accompanying a write up on Sydney, NS, for a Canada/New England cruise. SMH.

[Tatka]

4 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Back in 2002, when we still lived in Halifax, there was a young British couple that was devastated when they arrived in Sydney, Nova Scotia, instead of in Australia. A few years later, a Dutch grandfather and his grandson did the same thing.

 

And a couple of years before COVID, either Celebrity or Holland America had a photo of the Sydney opera house accompanying a write up on Sydney, NS, for a Canada/New England cruise. SMH.

I can imagine!!! 
City looks depressing… Except that Violin… I’m happy we rented a car ant went all the way to Cabot trail! Now Halifax is a beautiful city to visit. Especially now after boardwalk reconstruction 

[JessyCruises]

10 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Back in 2002, when we still lived in Halifax, there was a young British couple that was devastated when they arrived in Sydney, Nova Scotia, instead of in Australia. A few years later, a Dutch grandfather and his grandson did the same thing.

 

And a couple of years before COVID, either Celebrity or Holland America had a photo of the Sydney opera house accompanying a write up on Sydney, NS, for a Canada/New England cruise. SMH.

Wow!!  I cannot even imagine!! If it was their travel agent that booked it, they might want to reconsider their profession lol

 

[Fouremco]

6 minutes ago, JessyCruises said:

Wow!!  I cannot even imagine!! If it was their travel agent that booked it, they might want to reconsider their profession lol

 

IIRC, both pairs had booked their trip through the same Dutch travel agency, but it wasn't clear whether this was the fault of the travelers or the travel agency. I suspect that some European TA's may have never heard of our Sydney and simply booked it without realizing that they had the wrong one. 

[JessyCruises]

3 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

IIRC, both pairs had booked their trip through the same Dutch travel agency, but it wasn't clear whether this was the fault of the travelers or the travel agency. I suspect that some European TA's may have never heard of our Sydney and simply booked it without realizing that they had the wrong one. 

 

 

yikes!

 

[MaddyandMax]

12 hours ago, JessyCruises said:

 

I live across the street from the cruise terminal.  I did a 4 night to Canada as the start of a B3B on Oasis last year and sailed to my front door. We went home and did laundry and worked from home for the day.  🤣

 

This is a pic of the Liberty taken from my stoop last week.  

 

And this is it across from my condo building as I was coming home from Costco.

Your home is beautiful. Was just sitting in the Wind Jammer enjoying the view. It’s amazing how close to you the port is! 
 

Doing the Best of St Martin your at 10am. Really hoping to see the caves when the tide is out. Fingers crossed!  I’m not sure what time we’ll be here as we have a few things to do on the tour. 

[chengkp75]

Just a fun fact, Saint John has a larger population than the entire island of Bermuda.

[DrProfessor]

On 9/30/2023 at 11:13 AM, FloatyBoatyAgain said:

 

 

What a great explanation.  We are supposed to go to Bermuda late next week on Mariner and if they change it, we'll be fine, but it certainly helps to get this detailed explanation as to why.  The level of detail and explanation is very helpful including considerations of alternate routes and why those were a no-go as well.  Here's hoping we won't have a weather change for our trip to Bermuda, but if we do, I'll know it has some sound reasoning behind it.

 

We'll have fun either way.  We knew it was hurricane season when we booked it, so there's always a chance of changes.  As long as the boat leaves to somewhere (or nowhere), we'll be on it.

[JessyCruises]

1 hour ago, MaddyandMax said:

Your home is beautiful. Was just sitting in the Wind Jammer enjoying the view. It’s amazing how close to you the port is! 
 

Doing the Best of St Martin your at 10am. Really hoping to see the caves when the tide is out. Fingers crossed!  I’m not sure what time we’ll be here as we have a few things to do on the tour. 

Yes it is great, but I wish it was an embarkation port and not just a port of call.  It would be awesome to roll my luggage across the street and board a ship!  I don’t think we have the infrastructure for that (ie parking etc), but maybe one day!! 

 

I have been to the caves several times- they are really cool.  High tide is not until almost 3pm so I think you should be good.  I think they try to do the tours at the right time. 

[BND]

10 hours ago, Fouremco said:

IIRC, both pairs had booked their trip through the same Dutch travel agency, but it wasn't clear whether this was the fault of the travelers or the travel agency. I suspect that some European TA's may have never heard of our Sydney and simply booked it without realizing that they had the wrong one. 

Where had they cruised from?  It doesn't take a lot of thinking to know where Aus is and how long it would take to get there from the east coast.   Any TA who doesn't know geography shouldn't be one.