Seashore itinerary change today

[craigtompkins]

Onboard the Seashore now. We were just informed that instead of leaving tonight, Nassau tomorrow, ocean cay, sea day and back to port Canaveral we are not leaving until tomorrow which will be a sea day. Then ocean cay, then Nassau and back. So pretty much swapped sea day and Nassau with some slight change in departure times. 

[Two Wheels Only]

Is it because of the weather?

[craigtompkins]

Yes. They said for our comfort. Was expecting them to say safety. The carnival freedom and mariner of the seas both got underway on time. 

[Sailor75]

How can two other ships leave but not MSC? MSC seems to have no problem changing port stops. The current sailing on the Meraviglia cancelled Bermuda because of weather, yet 4 other ships still went there. Instead, it went to Port Canaveral and Nassau right into the storm.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Sailor75
Wrong response

[craigtompkins]

Yes and it’s supposed to be in Nassau as we were scheduled to be tomorrow. 

[Sailor75]

You're about to have company, three ships are on their way in; everyone sailing as normal except MSC.

[CruisingWalter]

Itinerary changes are par for the course on any cruise line. Whatever the actual reason you just roll with it. What the other cruise lines are doing is irrelevant to what MSC is doing or will do.

 

That's why it's super important to have all the contact information for any private third-party excursions you might book. When your itinerary changes, and they do more often than you might think, you can get in touch with them if you have to change or cancel. 

[go.without.you]

Did you leave Port Canaveral? I'm boarding Seashore on Monday.

[Essiesmom]

Yes they are out to sea.  EM

[Homosassa]

16 hours ago, craigtompkins said:

Yes. They said for our comfort. Was expecting them to say safety. The carnival freedom and mariner of the seas both got underway on time. 

Here is a wild theory:

 

The other two ships either had itineraries or itinerary changes of the first port of call to a port that were south  of the weather system moving up the east coast of Florida with resultant high winds and seas (first twelve hours those ships would be rocking and rolling until out of affected area).

 

Your itinerary, on the other hand, would be right into those waves and wind. 

 

The change was for your comfort.

 

On the other hand,  Cruise Critic readers will now miss out on the potential of threads wailing about the rough seas and the poor decision to leave port.

[craigtompkins]

Please note, my post was not a complaint. I’ve cruised long enough to know things can change. I was only posting as an update to anyone that was interested as I know some people like to track these things. I was trying to prevent the post today that says “Why is the Seashore not in Nassau as scheduled?” post. 
I don’t care that Carnival or Royal decided to leave and we didn’t. That does not affect me. And it’s not like we are missing any ports or anything. 
 

[Homosassa]

4 minutes ago, craigtompkins said:

Please note, my post was not a complaint. 

Noted.

 

However, there are those who piled on to complain about how MSC makes changes when other cruise don't with the always popular childhood wail "But everybody else..." and then go on to pull in any other MSC itinerary change that is occurring.

 

For anyone interested, here is the marine forecast released this morning for that weather system causing problems for the NW Bahamas and east coast of Florida:

 

AMZ101-180315-
Synopsis for the SW N Atlantic including the Bahamas
1004 AM EST Fri Nov 17 2023

.SYNOPSIS...Low pressure of 1004 mb centered just N of the NW 
Bahamas near 28N80W is producing a wide area of easterly gales to 
the NE of the center, from 27N to 31N, W of 70W. This low will 
move NNE today and will be N of the area by tonight. Gales will 
continue to the north and east of the center through tonight. 
Potential Tropical Cyclone Twenty-Two is near 17.5N 79.1W at 10 AM
EST, and is moving northeast at 12 kt. Maximum sustained winds 
are 30 kt with gusts to 40 kt, and the minimum central pressure is
1004 mb. Twenty-Two will move to 19.3N 76.8W this evening, 21.9N 
73.3W Sat morning, 25.2N 68.9W Sat evening, become extratropical 
and move to 28.3N 64.8W Sun morning, 31.8N 61.0W Sun evening, and 
dissipate Mon morning.

 

[Homosassa]

And for anyone wondering why MSC would divert from Bermuda, takes a look at this marine forecast:

 

Bermuda Marine Forecast

This forecast covers an area out to 25 nautical miles from the coastline
Issued at 11:30 am - Friday, November 17, 2023
The next scheduled update will be issued at 4:30 pm

Small Craft Warning (Valid for  This morning through Tonight)

Gale Warning (Valid for Late Tonight through Saturday evening)

Small Craft Warning (Valid for  Saturday night through Sunday night)

Marine Synopsis - 

Moderate winds continue to veer as high pressure drifts away to the east. Later today and through the weekend, conditions deteriorate, as a deepening low passes to our west. Gusty gales accompany widespread, sometimes prolonged, heavy rain with embedded showers and possible thunderstorms. Moderate to rough seas become very rough on Saturday then gradually ease through the rest of the weekend.

Today - 

  Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 knots...  Developing light rain or drizzle with fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 1 to 3 ft... Outside the reef 6 to 9 ft, increasing during the night...  Sunrise: 6:50 am.

Tonight - 

  Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 knots, increasing 20 to 30 knots overnight with gusts to 35 to 40 knots, especially in showers...  Patchy rain and scattered showers develop during the evening with fair to poor visibility... Seas increasing, inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 8 to 12 ft...  Sunset: 5:17 pm.

Saturday - 

  Winds south-southeasterly 30 to 40 knots gusts to 50 to 60 knots, especially in showers, then veering southerly 20 to 30 knots by late evening with gusts to 35 to 40 knots and sharply veering northwesterly 15 to 25 knots overnight...  Widespread rain and showers with fair to very poor visibility and isolated thunderstorms... Seas inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 10 to 15 ft, decreasing during the night inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 8 to 12 ft...  Sunrise: 6:51 am; Sunset: 5:17 pm.

Sunday - 

  Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 knots, occasionally easing 10 to 15 knots then veering northerly overnight...  Scattered showers with fair to poor visibility and slight chance thunder, becoming isolated showers overnight with mainly fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 8 to 12 ft, decreasing...  Sunrise: 6:51 am; Sunset: 5:16 pm.

Monday - 

  Winds northerly 15 to 25 knots, veering north-northeasterly by midday...  Isolated showers with mainly fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 1 to 3 ft... Outside the reef 6 to 9 ft, decreasing...  Sunrise: 6:52 am; Sunset: 5:16 pm.

Tuesday - 

  Winds north-northeasterly 15 to 25 knots, veering northeasterly towards evening then easing easterly 12 to 18 knots overnight...  Light rain or drizzle with fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 1 to 2 ft... Outside the reef 4 to 7 ft...  Sunrise: 6:53 am; Sunset: 5:16 pm.

 

 

[Sailor75]

It looks like Carnival made it to Nassau in one piece, exactly where the Seashore was supposed to be.

[DCGuy64]

1 hour ago, Homosassa said:

However, there are those who piled on to complain about how MSC makes changes when other cruise don't with the always popular childhood wail "But everybody else..." and then go on to pull in any other MSC itinerary change that is occurring.

First, LOL to the reference about the childhood wail. Spot on! That is so tiresome to me.

Second, we were on the NCL Breakaway 2 weeks ago and people were saying the same thing about "how come we skipped Livorno, but Azamara and Viking didn't?" It turns out Azamara had docked the day prior, and Viking arrived in the morning before waters got choppy. Not that it matters to the complainers, 🤣.

[Sailor75]

That sounds completely different, these ships were scheduled to leave at the same time from the same port and all were going to the Bahamas, not that the details matter to you.

[Hydrotx]

2 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Outside the reef 10 to 15 ft

Meh, 40 knot winds and seas to 15 feet.  Who doesn’t love chumming the waters.

[young_k92]

Four Carnival cruises under my belt. One MSC. I can only comment on my experience, but it seems to me, when comparing my last 2 on Carnival with my first on MSC, one of 2 things is possible. Either Carnival absolutely does not care at all about passenger comfort and MSC does or Carnival has subpar employees who are in charge of planning and/or piloting the ship (probably the wrong term, I apologize) in comparison to MSC. The Carnival cruises have been miserable with excessive movement causing seasickness and we couldn't even tell we were moving on MSC. Carnival is dead to me after our last upcoming cruise with them that I can't get refunded for. Point is, I'm not shocked Carnival left as scheduled and that MSC didn't. MSC is a vastly superior product to Carnival in just about every aspect at this point. Now, if they'd just get Guy Fieri and his burgers on board, they'd be the perfect cruise line!

[Sailor75]

Well, I have 46 Carnival cruises and 8 MSC under my belt (also NCL, Princess, Disney, and RCL). I agree MSC has much nicer ships and are better than Carnival's, at least the MSC's I've been on; although the Mardi Grad was pretty nice. But, Royal Caribbean also left Port Canaveral and from what I could see every other line was sailing as normal, including Disney, Celebrity, NCL, etc. As far as feeling rough seas, I think it depends on the ship and how rough the water is. I think most people should expect some rough seas during hurricane season. As far as sub par staff, who knows, everyone has a different opinion. There are news articles on MSC involved accidents as well as many other cruise lines, including Carnival, etc. I sailed on the Carnival Liberty and got caught in Superstorm Sandy because the bridge staff's math must have been off. They were trying to get us back to Florida and avoid the storm; but, instead we ended up in it. When dishes are crashing, sea water is coming over the lido deck, and the ship is vertical; the captain probably should've turned back, but he kept going. I don't especially like Carnival either, I simply don't understand how every other cruise line still sailed except MSC. I guess it's just what they do, I know MSC certainly doesn't care what other cruise lines do.

[Sailor75]

On 11/17/2023 at 9:43 AM, Homosassa said:

Here is a wild theory:

 

The other two ships either had itineraries or itinerary changes of the first port of call to a port that were south  of the weather system moving up the east coast of Florida with resultant high winds and seas (first twelve hours those ships would be rocking and rolling until out of affected area).

 

Your itinerary, on the other hand, would be right into those waves and wind. 

 

The change was for your comfort.

I guess that was a wild theory because it was completely wrong. The other ships had no itinerary changes and one went to the exact same port (Nassau) as the Seashore was supposed to and they were all going to the Bahamas.

[Sailor75]

On 11/17/2023 at 10:45 AM, Homosassa said:

And for anyone wondering why MSC would divert from Bermuda, takes a look at this marine forecast:

 

Bermuda Marine Forecast

This forecast covers an area out to 25 nautical miles from the coastline
Issued at 11:30 am - Friday, November 17, 2023
The next scheduled update will be issued at 4:30 pm

Small Craft Warning (Valid for  This morning through Tonight)

Gale Warning (Valid for Late Tonight through Saturday evening)

Small Craft Warning (Valid for  Saturday night through Sunday night)

Marine Synopsis - 

Moderate winds continue to veer as high pressure drifts away to the east. Later today and through the weekend, conditions deteriorate, as a deepening low passes to our west. Gusty gales accompany widespread, sometimes prolonged, heavy rain with embedded showers and possible thunderstorms. Moderate to rough seas become very rough on Saturday then gradually ease through the rest of the weekend.

Today - 

  Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 knots...  Developing light rain or drizzle with fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 1 to 3 ft... Outside the reef 6 to 9 ft, increasing during the night...  Sunrise: 6:50 am.

Tonight - 

  Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 knots, increasing 20 to 30 knots overnight with gusts to 35 to 40 knots, especially in showers...  Patchy rain and scattered showers develop during the evening with fair to poor visibility... Seas increasing, inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 8 to 12 ft...  Sunset: 5:17 pm.

Saturday - 

  Winds south-southeasterly 30 to 40 knots gusts to 50 to 60 knots, especially in showers, then veering southerly 20 to 30 knots by late evening with gusts to 35 to 40 knots and sharply veering northwesterly 15 to 25 knots overnight...  Widespread rain and showers with fair to very poor visibility and isolated thunderstorms... Seas inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 10 to 15 ft, decreasing during the night inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 8 to 12 ft...  Sunrise: 6:51 am; Sunset: 5:17 pm.

Sunday - 

  Winds northwesterly 15 to 25 knots, occasionally easing 10 to 15 knots then veering northerly overnight...  Scattered showers with fair to poor visibility and slight chance thunder, becoming isolated showers overnight with mainly fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 2 to 4 ft... Outside the reef 8 to 12 ft, decreasing...  Sunrise: 6:51 am; Sunset: 5:16 pm.

Monday - 

  Winds northerly 15 to 25 knots, veering north-northeasterly by midday...  Isolated showers with mainly fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 1 to 3 ft... Outside the reef 6 to 9 ft, decreasing...  Sunrise: 6:52 am; Sunset: 5:16 pm.

Tuesday - 

  Winds north-northeasterly 15 to 25 knots, veering northeasterly towards evening then easing easterly 12 to 18 knots overnight...  Light rain or drizzle with fair visibility... Seas inside the reef 1 to 2 ft... Outside the reef 4 to 7 ft...  Sunrise: 6:53 am; Sunset: 5:16 pm.

 

 

It seems I need to repost, the Meraviglia was leaving Bermuda on Friday not arriving Friday, so these weather reports issued on the day they were to leave have no relevance. So, again, your saying cruise ships should change ports because of small craft advisories?

[Homosassa]

19 hours ago, Sailor75 said:

 

 

OK, folks, let's all admit the deeply held secret we have all been hiding:

 

MSC exists as a cruise line to change itineraries or stay in port whenever it can. Saves money on fuel.

 

In addition, the idea of weather patterns and  their influence on marine conditions that may extend far out from the location of the storm is not a factor. Neither are localized conditions to be considered such as tides, currents and winds. The idea that a ship's captain may also look at conditions that may impact the passengers enjoyment of a port if the ship docks or impact the ability of the ship to leave port is also not a factor as that is also can be weather related.

 

Th availability of ship berths at a port to accommodate changes in a ship change of itinerary  is not a factor.

 

The amount flexibility in the port's schedule to accommodate the passage of incoming and outgoing marine traffic through channels is not a factor. This of course may include the influence of tides, winds, wave height and currents on the schedule. Oh  wait - we have already accepted  local conditions  are not a factor.

 

I am sure that all ports have an unlimited supply of pilots and tugs (if necessary or required by the port)  to accommodate any ship at any time.  Of course, we know that local conditions are not a factor for the schedule at the port.

 

Speaking of local conditions, the idea of civil unrest  in any area has no part of deciding to change an itinerary.

 

The itineraries of other ships should be a factor. It doesn't matter if their itineraries may be taking them out  of any areas impacted by a storm system Oh, wait - we have already accepted that weather systems and their impact on sea conditions is not a factor.

 

Nor should we consider the size or equipment available of any other ships sailing anywhere in the world in any conditions. The idea of wind speed and direction affecting  a ship's  maneuverability depending on heading  is not important as weather is not important.

 

The only conclusion as  stated  in the second paragraph of this post, is that MSC is a  huge  scam set up to only make money and that no other factors exist that might influence a ship's captain to change itinerary or schedule.

 

Indeed, a ship's captain should fall to his knees and give thanks for the number of experts that can analyze and make decisions about what should be done without analyzing all of the data that was used in the decision.

 

 

[Cruiselovey]

Oh boy what a ***** show of a trip.  This is my 4th time on Msc and my last.  I understand the weather Impacting departure, but with the casino closed they did not add any additional entertainment.  The whole cruise they had no trivia at night, no games, every night they had a pool party!!!! Same Concept, different theme. So after the main shows, not Much to do the rest of the evening.  I talked with one of the crew and they said when the ship was in Europe, the cruisers did not like those things, only parties.  So they didn’t adjust to the us market.  A lot of the crew were also new, so the service was terrible.    
 

   There was a severe shortage of kaluha on the ship, we only found  one bottle on one night.  How is that possible???  The first night we had early dinner at 5:15 and our waiter and asst didn’t show up until

5:50 because they were Working the safety drill.  We were finishing up at 7:20, with another table next to us, when

the head water came over screaming, literally, wrap It up we have another dinner at 7:30!!!!  We were all like what, it isn’t our fault.  I reported him after dinner, but never heard back from anyone.  I could go on and on,   I will just close with I thought I would Never say I had a bad bad cruise.

but this one truly was!!!!!

 

[quattrohead]

Seashore had just arrived from Europe so there could have been paperwork and inspection issues too as well as new staff.

I don't think the weather had much to do with it, we were on the last Seaside cruise from PC and staff morale seemed low....many just waiting to get off and go home.

The Seaside is a great ship, so smooth, quiet and fast, Just like Divina and Meravillia. They know how to build a good ship, then do everything possible to mess up the actual customer experience.