Vision moving to Norfolk?

[Skydome1]

Thanks BND for responding. Still wondering if RC will modify their check-in times on the letter. I think the the parking and boarding will be better if they provided detailed requirements. 

[read2learn]

I cruised from Norfolk on RCCL years ago when they left from Norfolk.It was great as I live about 30 minutes away and always had someone drop us off. There is a monitored parking area but in the past people returning on Carnival had problems with vandalism and theft from cars. I don't know if shuttles are available as I won't sail Carnival so haven't been there in quite a few years. If Rccl moves some cruises here and there are available cabins I will be on them. I don't even care about itinerary!!  I hope it goes smoothly for those with reservations.  

[elsiedd]

On 3/29/2024 at 1:09 PM, drummer d said:

 In reference to cruise being changed from Baltimore to Norfolk VA:

 

Has anyone considered asking Royal Caribbean about providing bus service from the Baltimore Cruise Terminal parking lot to Norfolk VA Cruise Terminal and back to Baltimore parking lot?

I think many would take advantage of this as long as the charge was reasonable or free.  

I asked this morning and they said there will be no shuttles going from Baltimore to Norfolk. But they will reimburse you for mileage, whatever that means. The person I talked to thought maybe gas receipts but he wasn’t sure. So that means my drive is 4 1/2 hours longer than I planned one way. Airline tickets were too expensive. 

Edited March 31 by elsiedd

[elsiedd]

On 3/29/2024 at 9:15 PM, Engineroom Snipe said:

I really want to make this cruise. I almost have my fabulous partner into the mood. I do not expect transportation or OBC.

 

I need to know that Royal owns this situation and starts to communicate what is happening in a fashion that makes me feel confident about a successful cruise experience.

 

Norfolk is saying, "We are open for business." Let us know where the parking is, when to arrive, here are the shuttles, let me know what I have to do to make this successful.

 

I need this from Royal, not from all of you loyal CC posters.Not from Norfolk City services which have been really great. I think Norfolk is owning this much more than Royal.

 

Royal is not communicating directly to me except for the minimum amount of information.

 

I have paid for the cruise and I am trying to make it work.

 

"Need Input." (Short Circuit, 1986)

I agree. They are slow in communicating to us passengers. They did finally send an email about the port change. But their original statement I found online. And we have no updates from them about where to park, etc.  It’s very frustrating. I’ve read some things online but I would like to hear from them. Where to park, will they shuttle us to the ship? 

[elsiedd]

On 3/29/2024 at 10:53 PM, Engineroom Snipe said:

To date, Royal has not communicated any type of parking available at the new port.

 

Why not?

 

I had parking in Baltimore no problem. They have it on their website.

 

With the new change, why not include the new parking site.

 

Why must we fend for ourselves with the City of Norfolk giving us far more information then what Royal is providing?

 

Royal Corporate is not impressing me at all.

It’s called Customer Service.  Now that’s an old fashioned idea. 💡 They can at least let us know. Not everyone has all day to sit and look up information on the internet that they could easily provide. 

[BND]

9 hours ago, elsiedd said:

I asked this morning and they said there will be no shuttles going from Baltimore to Norfolk. But they will reimburse you for mileage, whatever that means. The person I talked to thought maybe gas receipts but he wasn’t sure. So that means my drive is 4 1/2 hours longer than I planned one way. Airline tickets were too expensive. 

The email that went out had a link on it where you submit receipts.

[BND]

8 hours ago, elsiedd said:

I agree. They are slow in communicating to us passengers. They did finally send an email about the port change. But their original statement I found online. And we have no updates from them about where to park, etc.  It’s very frustrating. I’ve read some things online but I would like to hear from them. Where to park, will they shuttle us to the ship? 

Norfolk.gov has the parking and other info about Vision.    https://www.norfolk.gov/6030/Cruises

 

[gatour]

On 3/29/2024 at 4:50 PM, pghflyer said:

I actually have no idea about what day you are referring to or which itineraries are affected in which way. I live here, these are my people, and my town, and I feel terrible about the loss of life and long-term impact. But it doesn't mean people  have to just eat very significant changes that is no longer remotely what they purchased (i.e. new embarkation port 5 HOURS away.... I am not impacted but am still employed and could not magically come up with extra vacation days for those drives) That is why the for-profit business should carry insurance.

What do you propose RCCL to do?  Magically open the port of Baltimore.  They have an alternate plan.  It seems like they are offering full refunds if you don't like the alternate.

[pghflyer]

8 minutes ago, gatour said:

What do you propose RCCL to do?  Magically open the port of Baltimore.  They have an alternate plan.  It seems like they are offering full refunds if you don't like the alternate.

I don't envy their situation at all, this is bad for everyone. I think a change in port to 5-hours away warrants a full refund offer or an incentive to change ports and stick with it. So, this seems fair and a good customer service gesture.

[shipgeeks]

The posts here on CC, under RC, Carnival, East Coast Departures, roll calls, etc. have information that might be helpful for those affected.

[Starry Eyes]

42 minutes ago, pghflyer said:

I don't envy their situation at all, this is bad for everyone. I think a change in port to 5-hours away warrants a full refund offer or an incentive to change ports and stick with it. So, this seems fair and a good customer service gesture.

Have you called to request a refund and been refused?

 

They are making a up to $200 pp transport allowance; that’s a decent gesture for a situation the company did not create.  As you probably know, there are reports that people have called and received refunds; perhaps such requests are being handled on a case by case basis.  Norfolk is as close or closer for some passengers.

[TPKeller]

11 hours ago, elsiedd said:

So that means my drive is 4 1/2 hours longer than I planned one way.

 

I obviously don't know where you live, but your profile says Indiana.  Google tells me the drive from Indianapolis to Norfolk is exactly two hours longer than the drive from Indianapolis to Baltimore.

Just sayin'... you don't have to drive to Baltimore first, then to Norfolk!  There's a more direct route, and I can say from much personal experience, the last half of that trip is actually quite scenic! 😁

 

Theron

[Jimbo]

 

https://www.wavy.com/weather/norfolk-virginia-beach-cameras-live/

Edited March 31 by Jimbo

[TPKeller]

6 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

 

Is this a public webcam?

 

Theron

[BND]

7 minutes ago, TPKeller said:

 

Is this a public webcam?

 

Theron

I just posted this photo on you post on the Carnival Board. The pic is from the WAVY10 weather cam.  Norfolk local news channel.  https://www.wavy.com/weather/norfolk-virginia-beach-cameras-live/

 

Edited March 31 by BND

[Jimbo]

7 minutes ago, BND said:

I just posted this photo on you post on the Carnival Board. The pic is from the WAVY10 weather cam.  Norfolk local news channel.  https://www.wavy.com/weather/norfolk-virginia-beach-cameras-live/

 

Us Virginia people have to stick together, but you have to step up your game some. Beat you by about 10 minutes posting the picture and web site. lol  🤣 🤣

[BND]

13 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Us Virginia people have to stick together, but you have to step up your game some. Beat you by about 10 minutes posting the picture and web site. lol  🤣 🤣

You posted the photo.   I posted the link and where it came from, but whatever. I forgot it was a contest sheesh

Edited March 31 by BND

[SRF]

On 3/28/2024 at 6:09 PM, BND said:

They are giving OBC. Read down the 12 April email.

They are a lot nicer than CC.  They are giving $100 OBC per CABIN, not difference in level for the April 15 TA.

 

But surprised RCI is not offering bus transport to/from Baltimore, like CC is.

 

Hmm, they have to cancel a stop due to time and distance, when the cruise leaves from a place 8 - 10 hours down stream from Baltimore and returns to the same place.

[Engineroom Snipe]

9 minutes ago, SRF said:

They are a lot nicer than CC.  They are giving $100 OBC per CABIN, not difference in level for the April 15 TA.

 

But surprised RCI is not offering bus transport to/from Baltimore, like CC is.

 

Hmm, they have to cancel a stop due to time and distance, when the cruise leaves from a place 8 - 10 hours down stream from Baltimore and returns to the same place.

Fuel.

 

Fuel.

 

And again, Fuel.

 

Much less fuel than choosing Bayonne over Norfolk. I think that is the difference.

 

The amount of passengers trying to apply for the $200 reimbursement for mileage and other travel expenses will be pennies on the dollar compared to propelling the ship from Norfolk to Bayonne.

 

Heck, just look at the amount of fuel they would have burned from Norfolk to Baltimore and then Baltimore and back.

 

Virginians are correct. Maybe Royal starts the ship from Norfolk for the same cruise fare and saves a huge amount of fuel which equals a nice profit.

 

Benjamin Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned."

 

I will add, it is also a penny earned for stockholder dividend or Royal profit.

 

🤔

[SRF]

1 minute ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

Fuel.

 

Fuel.

 

And again, Fuel.

 

Much less fuel than choosing Bayonne over Norfolk. I think that is the difference.

 

The amount of passengers trying to apply for the $200 reimbursement for mileage and other travel expenses will be pennies on the dollar compared to propelling the ship from Norfolk to Bayonne.

 

Heck, just look at the amount of fuel they would have burned from Norfolk to Baltimore and then Baltimore and back.

 

Virginians are correct. Maybe Royal starts the ship from Norfolk for the same cruise fare and saves a huge amount of fuel which equals a nice profit.

 

Benjamin Franklin said, "A penny saved is a penny earned."

 

I will add, it is also a penny earned for stockholder dividend or Royal profit.

 

🤔

 

I understand that, but they are dropping a port due to "distance and time" while the cruise is technically almost a day shorter

[Engineroom Snipe]

12 minutes ago, SRF said:

 

I understand that, but they are dropping a port due to "distance and time" while the cruise is technically almost a day shorter

My post actually supports your observation.

 

Not about distance and time at this point as your accurately observe.

 

Maybe some other reasons like:

 

Save fuel by cruising a lower speed.

 

Keep the shops and casinos open for a longer period of time to make more money.

 

The spa services have been a bit slow so let's give them an opportunity to get some more business.

 

Believe me, I do understand your post.

 

It does not make any sense. So why did they do it......?

 

 

Edited March 31 by Engineroom Snipe
clarification

[TPKeller]

34 minutes ago, SRF said:

I understand that, but they are dropping a port due to "distance and time" while the cruise is technically almost a day shorter

 

There is a two-factor situation going on here.  All by itself, the shorter distance to the ocean from Norfolk instead of Baltimore would refute a "distance and time" reason.  But there's more to the story.

Independent of the itinerary or the distance to the ocean, they were forced to shorten the cruise by a day due to a major parade in downtown Norfolk on the originally scheduled return day.  A two hour parade walking directly in front of the cruise terminal right as thousands of passengers are disembarking is an untenable situation.

 

Once they lost that day, the impact and forced change to the itinerary manifested itself as the "distance and time" factor that they are claiming.

Theron

[Engineroom Snipe]

3 minutes ago, TPKeller said:

 

There is a two-factor situation going on here.  All by itself, the shorter distance to the ocean from Norfolk instead of Baltimore would refute a "distance and time" reason.  But there's more to the story.

Independent of the itinerary or the distance to the ocean, they were forced to shorten the cruise by a day due to a major parade in downtown Norfolk on the originally scheduled return day.  A two hour parade walking directly in front of the cruise terminal right as thousands of passengers are disembarking is an untenable situation.

 

Once they lost that day, the impact and forced change to the itinerary manifested itself as the "distance and time" factor that they are claiming.

Theron

I saw that posted earlier.

 

Maybe a reason Royal should have chosen Bayonne!

 

I am still trying trying to not lose my vacation home on this one!

 

🤣

[BND]

2 hours ago, SRF said:

They are a lot nicer than CC.  They are giving $100 OBC per CABIN, not difference in level for the April 15 TA.

 

But surprised RCI is not offering bus transport to/from Baltimore, like CC is.

 

Hmm, they have to cancel a stop due to time and distance, when the cruise leaves from a place 8 - 10 hours down stream from Baltimore and returns to the same place.

The cancelling a stop really doesn't have anything to do with time and distance perse. There is a large NATO parade on April 20 that goes right by the terminal. I'm betting Norfolk told RCI that they couldn't debark passengers and that the road would be closed on the 20th.

[Chloe8259m]

You CAN get a full refund, if you wish to cancel.  Just call RCC and tell them you want to cancel.  If you booked through a travel agent, they need to do it.  Tomorrow (Wednesday):is the last day to ask.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 2 by Chloe8259m
Misspelled word.