Searching for Passengers left @ Port

[maddea20]

I would think all that Steve is saying I would be hearing it from Carnival sometime soon, so I am getting my ammunition ready.

But yeah! I think I am getting somewhere and I get the fine print thrown at me !!! :) :) :)

 

Yeah I don't have a problem with him giving you some info. It was just funny seeing people saying this is so sad and you should sue and then here he comes like nope not gonna happen. Oh well! I hope you get a refund and maybe an apology. I would be very upset if this were me. You did get alot of great info from some of these posters. I learned a few things myself, even from Steveaaaa too.

[GayleR]

When you contact a manager' date=' you tend to hear, "I am sorry but there is nothing I can do. . . .

 

When the Executive Assistant of one of the top bananas contact a manager, you tend to hear, "I am sorry this happend, let me take care of it right away and, if you have ANY other problems or concerns, here is my direct dial number, please do not hesitate to contact me."

 

That is why you don't start at the manager. Let Some Sr. VP's executive Admin Assist, transfer you or forward your letter to the mgr.

 

Never fails to get the best results possible.

 

This is true. I was a Sr. VP's Exec. Assistant at a major retailer for many years. If I chose to make a letter writer happy, I called them to explain that one of our managers (in our case the store manager) would be calling to take care of them. Don't be fooled into believing the Sr. VP is going to do it. Doesn't happen in the real world; they delegate it down the chain.

 

This whole situation reflects poorly on Carnival in my opinion. I think your best option is to respond to the investigative reporter mentioned in an earlier post and see if they are interested in your story. Some posters say "Buy Trip Insurance" but as you can see from another current thread folks are having trouble collecting from the insurance companies because they have so many loopholes written into their coverage. Best bet I guess is to always fly in the day before, and cruise from a port that has vacation options other than the cruise in case something goes wrong.

 

I'd write to Uncle Bob first. When I received phone calls from customers threatening to contact the media, I would give them the phone number of the person they were threatening to contact. ;) You have to give the company (in this case, Carnival) the chance to correct it. I agree with going to the top, but give them the chance to make this right. If you don't get the results you are looking for, by all means, then contact the media.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[cdnprincess]

Have any of you written to him or called him. Is he a reasonable man?

[big_duck]

Have any of you written to him or called him. Is he a reasonable man?

 

UB is the senior executive of a major corporation, all his correspondance is handled by assistants. He may or may not become personally involved. Most likely not.

[Cruisin' Ron VA]

I was booked on Sensation Mar 1-4th and Bus was late and we missed ship. I am looking for the other passengers out there that were on the same bus. Are you there?

 

Geez I thought your question was pretty clear.

 

Sorry you missed the ship. Don't let these people get to you, some of them need to get a hobby. :rolleyes:

[cdnprincess]

Geez I thought your question was pretty clear.

 

Sorry you missed the ship. Don't let these people get to you' date=' some of them need to get a hobby. :rolleyes:[/quote']

 

Oh I had forgotten my initial question!!!

:)

[cdnprincess]

UB is the senior executive of a major corporation, all his correspondance is handled by assistants. He may or may not become personally involved. Most likely not.

 

I would think so. My boss never reads his mail and we are a tiny company, but what I wanted to know is has anyone has a positive experience?

[big_duck]

I would think so. My boss never reads his mail and we are a tiny company, but what I wanted to know is has anyone has a positive experience?

 

The answer to that is yes. Think of how to word things in such a way as to have the assistant make it worthy of the bosses attention.

 

Another tip: Don't say "you will never sail Carnival again", they will most likely consider you a lost customer and just round-file your complaint.

[cdnprincess]

The answer to that is yes. Think of how to word things in such a way as to have the assistant make it worthy of the bosses attention.

 

Another tip: Don't say "you will never sail Carnival again", they will most likely consider you a lost customer and just round-file your complaint.

 

That is why I did not rush to write the ltr. I wanted to calm down first and get all my thoughts together so I am not upset and I don't ramble. I also sent a copy to my travel agent to see what she thought.

[Caliber1]

That is why I did not rush to write the ltr. I wanted to calm down first and get all my thoughts together so I am not upset and I don't ramble. I also sent a copy to my travel agent to see what she thought.

 

Good thinking. Good luck!

[steveaaaa]

I want your view, but what you don't understand is the bus or the driver did not make the decision to wait the Carnival Supervisor Linda did. She admited it to us several times. If the bus was in an accident or flat tire, I can understand, but the supervisor made the decision to wait. If we had left when we were on the bus we would be at the port at least 3:30pm. I am sure they would have let us on the ship. If not I would be going after the airlines. At no time did the Carnival Employees tell us that we may be too late. Had that been the case, we would have insisted they leave the Delta passengers and take us to the port. I was told that the last bus leaves at 3:00. I was on it. Again, had my flight come in at the time it was supposed to at 1:15, I still would have been on that bus, because one couple came in at 1:30 and they were told to get on this bus. They came in on an earlier AA flight from Kansas and were not late. The final bus leaves anytime after 1:30 (after it gets full).

 

 

I understand but be prepared for the tough questions.

Were you late? Yes (because of the plane per your documents stated times)

Did you attempt to catch up to the ship? No

 

Did you inform the airline that you were late and missed the ship?

Did you phone your travel ins. company?

 

 

If you would have caught the ship the next morning, which considering the ship leaves at 4pm and arrives at 10am your insurance would have covered it all. It would be covered under trip delay.

 

I still don't know why you were not put on a small craft and taken to the ship?

I also just took a look on Mears site.... http://www.mearstransportation.com/CruiseTrans.htm

 

and it clearly states the time of 2.30 as the last bus. I am starting to assume that this is how mears gets its money.It takes you to the peir and even if you miss the ship,they get paid.:(

 

Without a recording of what was stated by individuals it will still be hard and it also states in the fine print,no one,even the employees of carnival or a subcontractor can be held responsible for anything except what is contained in the contract.

Steve

[cdnprincess]

I understand but be prepared for the tough questions.

Were you late? Yes (because of the plane per your documents stated times)

Did you attempt to catch up to the ship? No

 

Did you inform the airline that you were late and missed the ship?

Did you phone your travel ins. company?

 

 

If you would have caught the ship the next morning, which considering the ship leaves at 4pm and arrives at 10am your insurance would have covered it all. It would be covered under trip delay.

 

I still don't know why you were not put on a small craft and taken to the ship?

I also just took a look on Mears site.... http://www.mearstransportation.com/CruiseTrans.htm

 

and it clearly states the time of 2.30 as the last bus. I am starting to assume that this is how mears gets its money.It takes you to the peir and even if you miss the ship,they get paid.:(

 

Without a recording of what was stated by individuals it will still be hard and it also states in the fine print,no one,even the employees of carnival or a subcontractor can be held responsible for anything except what is contained in the contract.

Steve

 

Thanks for all the info, but I will continue to maintain that if the last bus leaves at 2:30, then why didn't it? and when we asked Mears desk they told us the last bus leaves at 3:00, so there is some definate mis-communication here. When we were leaving Orlando we went back to the same desk and asked again when the last bus leaves and we were told by Mears it was 3:00 and by Carnival (which was sitting right next to her) 2:15. Mears rep actually looked shocked and asked why. They did not even know what happened.

 

I know what you are going to say, but the fact remains. I did everything I could to get there on time, just short of driving the bus myself and I still got screwed. Life I guess. I have learned my lesson to only trust my instincts.

[big_duck]

Thanks for all the info, but I will continue to maintain that if the last bus leaves at 2:30, then why didn't it? and when we asked Mears desk they told us the last bus leaves at 3:00, so there is some definate mis-communication here. When we were leaving Orlando we went back to the same desk and asked again when the last bus leaves and we were told by Mears it was 3:00 and by Carnival (which was sitting right next to her) 2:15. Mears rep actually looked shocked and asked why. They did not even know what happened.

 

I know what you are going to say, but the fact remains. I did everything I could to get there on time, just short of driving the bus myself and I still got screwed. Life I guess. I have learned my lesson to only trust my instincts.

 

You left out the part about Carnival reps saying they were in touch with the ship and not to worry, thereby negating any attempts to seek alternate transport.

[cdnprincess]

You left out the part about Carnival reps saying they were in touch with the ship and not to worry, thereby negating any attempts to seek alternate transport.

 

Yes that too.

Also we called Carnival from the bus (reps not too happy about that) and gave them all our booking info and exactly what happend. They have a record of it all. I keep saying it. IT WAS ONLY 10 MIN.)

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a ship ready to leave port? I would love to know where we were when it happened.

[PelicanBill]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a ship ready to leave port? I would love to know where we were when it happened.

 

Assuming the engines are idling and the nav systems are loaded and ready for the trip, a ship typically closes up cargo doors and alternate gangways leaving one final gangway open, then on giving the dock crew the word it takes just 10-15 minutes to clear the lines and start moving away.

 

I have seen discussion, though, that the port officer signs off on the manifest 30-60 minutes before sailing and that is why boarding closes well before sailing time. Some people have reported arriving with 30 minutes to go but being denied boarding. Others have reported arriving 15 minutes before sailing and getting aboard.

[truecruiser]

Assuming the engines are idling and the nav systems are loaded and ready for the trip, a ship typically closes up cargo doors and alternate gangways leaving one final gangway open, then on giving the dock crew the word it takes just 10-15 minutes to clear the lines and start moving away.

 

I have seen discussion, though, that the port officer signs off on the manifest 30-60 minutes before sailing and that is why boarding closes well before sailing time. Some people have reported arriving with 30 minutes to go but being denied boarding. Others have reported arriving 15 minutes before sailing and getting aboard.

 

this is very interesting info. thanks for sharing it, Bill.

[cdnprincess]

Assuming the engines are idling and the nav systems are loaded and ready for the trip, a ship typically closes up cargo doors and alternate gangways leaving one final gangway open, then on giving the dock crew the word it takes just 10-15 minutes to clear the lines and start moving away.

 

I have seen discussion, though, that the port officer signs off on the manifest 30-60 minutes before sailing and that is why boarding closes well before sailing time. Some people have reported arriving with 30 minutes to go but being denied boarding. Others have reported arriving 15 minutes before sailing and getting aboard.

 

So they must have known at least 1/2 hr before they left that they were preparing to leave. That means we were still waiting at the airport for the late passengers. Interesting to know who Linda was talking to when she said we were 10 min out!!!

 

My father used to work on the ships (cargo, many years ago) and he told me the same thing (timing).

[mrdood]

So they must have known at least 1/2 hr before they left that they were preparing to leave. That means we were still waiting at the airport for the late passengers. Interesting to know who Linda was talking to when she said we were 10 min out!!!

 

My father used to work on the ships (cargo, many years ago) and he told me the same thing (timing).

 

As was stated before, the people on the bus were most likely talking to people (carnival reps) that were inside the terminal, and not to anyone on the ship, the people on the bridge may have not had any idea anyone was even close when they gave the order to depart.

 

Isn't this horse dead yet??? Do you have anything new to report on your communication with Carnival?

[cdnprincess]

As was stated before, the people on the bus were most likely talking to people (carnival reps) that were inside the terminal, and not to anyone on the ship, the people on the bridge may have not had any idea anyone was even close when they gave the order to depart.

 

Isn't this horse dead yet??? Do you have anything new to report on your communication with Carnival?

 

Relax, the letter was just sent. Are you sure you are not my husband he is just as impatient.

 

In order for a ship to leave, everyone must know about it. The ship/Captain and security. Who cares who she was talking to, when the decision was made I am sure whoever knew we were on our way also knew the ship was preparing to leave.

[truecruiser]

Relax, the letter was just sent. Are you sure you are not my husband...

 

Dood! That's funny! :D :p :D

[mrdood]

Relax, the letter was just sent. Are you sure you are not my husband he is just as impatient.

 

In order for a ship to leave, everyone must know about it. The ship/Captain and security. Who cares who she was talking to, when the decision was made I am sure whoever knew we were on our way also knew the ship was preparing to leave.

 

"Everyone must know about it..." I highly doubt the administrative people in the bowels of the terminal - the ones that would actually be on the phones, would know...:rolleyes: when we were running late for our 2003 Imagination sailing in Miami, we had the Carnival port people on the phone, but they could not tell us when the ship was going to depart, on time, late, early, or anything - per them, "we do not have that information" and they could not find anyone that knew.

 

...and if I were your husband, you would have most definitely made the ship:p so that case is closed;)

[cdnprincess]

I am not sure if I am coming accross clear enough, and if not I apologize.

All the posts have been great, and I understand about some people knowing we were coming and some not, or the ship having to pay some penalty if they are late. All good excuses, but they were not given. All we were told was that the captain made the decision to leave because of bad weather possibley coming in. After we questioned them (well yelled really) they said that the captain was worried they would not make it to the Bahamas on time (we were to stay in the Bahamas from 10:00am on Friday until 7:00 Saturday) again when we questioned them about spending nearly 24 hrs on the island they went back to the weather story.

I think my initial post was to see if anyone that was left came to this board or if anyone on the ship can tell me about any weather they experienced.

[Vanessa L]

Considering a ship the size and speed of these could get to the Bahamas within an hour or so makes this even more humorous in a not humorous way. A lot of people don't realize how very close the Bahamas are to the East Coast of Florida. Get a map out, it might surprise you. To say that they "might not make it to the Bahamas in time" is asinine given that 90% of the voyage down is floating very s-l-o-w-l-y around in the Atlantic so that it does take over night to get there. Speed the ship up, cut a straighter line there, but "can't get there on time" is ridiculous.

[truecruiser]

Considering a ship the size and speed of these could get to the Bahamas within an hour or so makes this even more humorous in a not humorous way. A lot of people don't realize how very close the Bahamas are to the East Coast of Florida. Get a map out, it might surprise you. To say that they "might not make it to the Bahamas in time" is asinine given that 90% of the voyage down is floating very s-l-o-w-l-y around in the Atlantic so that it does take over night to get there. Speed the ship up, cut a straighter line there, but "can't get there on time" is ridiculous.

 

 

this is so deliberate --- so they can keep the casinos open!

[Vanessa L]

this is so deliberate --- so they can keep the casinos open!

 

Nodding and laughing but still very sad for the OP.