Searching for Passengers left @ Port

[ShoMeChiefsFan]

I did not know about the fine. Carnival's excuse was weather related and the possibility of fines were never mentioned.

 

 

right there is your answer to the whole problem....Carnival is in charge of everyones safety, if you have Tornados on the ground and heading your way....i too would have sailed on....to minimize in passenger risk of gettin hurt.

 

 

To make a 2nd hand assessment of what has occured is uncalled for, the information that was given to the captain, was first hand from the National Weather Serivce.

 

I am sorry for the loss of dollars for your trip, but this is a lesson learned, always fly/drive in on the day before that way if there are problems you have a cushion window to fall back on.

[Timmys_mom]

There is a cruise travel specialist on MSNBC, who acts as a sort of "consumer advocate" for cruisers. This would seem to me something that she would be interested in.

 

Her name is Anita Dunham-Potter and she writes a regular column about situations like yours. She contacts the cruiseline and attempts to get a resolution. You can email her at anita@tripso.com

 

 

From her column on MSNBC:

"Sound off! Do you have a comment, an idea, a complaint or a problem for Anita to solve? Send her an e-mail and you might find yourself in her next column."

[Vanessa L]

right there is your answer to the whole problem....Carnival is in charge of everyones safety, if you have Tornados on the ground and heading your way....i too would have sailed on....to minimize in passenger risk of gettin hurt.

 

 

To make a 2nd hand assessment of what has occured is uncalled for, the information that was given to the captain, was first hand from the National Weather Serivce.

 

I am sorry for the loss of dollars for your trip, but this is a lesson learned, always fly/drive in on the day before that way if there are problems you have a cushion window to fall back on.

 

While I certainly don't want to undermine what the NWS may've told the Captain, I am from the part of the country where the tornados were (about 20 miles from Enterprise, AL) and having watched all the weather unfold (I have kids in the town I am speaking of), I know that there is NO WAY a tornado was going to hit the ship in the hour or so it would've taken to get off shore and away from the storms. That area is about 5-6 hours driving time from Orlando/Port Canaveral. Even if the storms were moving 100MPH (which they weren't) they still had time, and certainly had 10 minutes. Again, I'm not saying any of this to undermine what the captain was told, merely to say that the threat of tornados in that area during that time was not immediately imminent (as in, tornado warnings had been issued).

[Iamthesea]

My guess is that the captain was willing to wait, but the port authority came in and said "you have to leave now because of impending weather." Not only were thousands of passengers at risk if bad weather had hit, but the pier could have been severely damaged had a ship been tied to it during severe weather.

 

You might try to find someone on these boards (try roll call) that will be going on the next cruise. Have them ask the captain why he left! ;)

 

I assumed you would have waited until your originally scheduled flight out of Orlando - 4 days later before heading back home. Glad you got to go to Universal!

[cdnprincess]

right there is your answer to the whole problem....Carnival is in charge of everyones safety, if you have Tornados on the ground and heading your way....i too would have sailed on....to minimize in passenger risk of gettin hurt.

 

 

To make a 2nd hand assessment of what has occured is uncalled for, the information that was given to the captain, was first hand from the National Weather Serivce.

 

I am sorry for the loss of dollars for your trip, but this is a lesson learned, always fly/drive in on the day before that way if there are problems you have a cushion window to fall back on.

 

I don't know where the captain got his infor from. That is not the point I am making here. If you read my messages, the bus was in contact with the ship. I heard the rep call the ship and tell them we were 10 min out. Why did they not tell us that the ship was in danger and had to go. I am sure the weather reports were coming in all day and this was not a spur of the moment decision. They knew where we were and they knew how much further away we were. It was 4:10 when the ship left.

[StuartLittle]

right there is your answer to the whole problem....Carnival is in charge of everyones safety, if you have Tornados on the ground and heading your way....i too would have sailed on....to minimize in passenger risk of gettin hurt.

 

 

To make a 2nd hand assessment of what has occured is uncalled for, the information that was given to the captain, was first hand from the National Weather Serivce.

 

I am sorry for the loss of dollars for your trip, but this is a lesson learned, always fly/drive in on the day before that way if there are problems you have a cushion window to fall back on.

 

Doesn't matter. Carnival had them in their care, they owe them compensation. If they had to leave them, that is what they had to do, but that doesn't absolve them of their responsibility.

[Sealicker]

I don't know where the captain got his infor from. That is not the point I am making here. If you read my messages, the bus was in contact with the ship. I heard the rep call the ship and tell them we were 10 min out. Why did they not tell us that the ship was in danger and had to go. I am sure the weather reports were coming in all day and this was not a spur of the moment decision. They knew where we were and they knew how much further away we were. It was 4:10 when the ship left.

 

...but do you really know if the person on the other end was on the ship? or was a ships officer? or was it just pier staff? I doubt you could even possibly know the answer to that. Even if it was someone on the ship, it was probably the pursers desk, and NOT the officers on the bridge who may or may not have ever been told about your group.

[Jenna1983]

Wow. what a horrible situation to be in. I imagine I'd be in tears.

 

I would expect a better resolution after writing letters to Carnival than American Airlines. They demolished a completely brand new suitcase (which in turn brand new clothing had a rip in it, dirt stains I can't get out) and lost one shoe from two different pairs out of a different suitcase and they told me, "Too bad" after saying, "We hope we can earn your trust in the future." They'll never get the opportunity to earn my trust ever again for their crappy customer service. Thank god for Travel insurance.

[cdnprincess]

...but do you really know if the person on the other end was on the ship? or was a ships officer? or was it just pier staff? I doubt you could even possibly know the answer to that. Even if it was someone on the ship, it was probably the pursers desk, and NOT the officers on the bridge who may or may not have ever been told about your group.

 

 

Other than taking the phone from her and speaking to the person myself, no I would not be certain who she was talking to. She said herself she was "in contact with the ship" I assume it was an actual person on the ship. Do I believe her? I really don't know now. Would'nt the captain want to know if all his passengers were on the ship or have that info? I am not talking about hours here. 10 minutes. is all I am saying. We were going so fast on that bus, I was praying nothing would happen. Of course if it did I was insured and I would not be complaining now (company insurance). There was no communication at all. We were put at ease and told we would make it and then we got blamed when we did not. How frustrating is that.

[cdnprincess]

Wow. what a horrible situation to be in. I imagine I'd be in tears.

 

I would expect a better resolution after writing letters to Carnival than American Airlines. They demolished a completely brand new suitcase (which in turn brand new clothing had a rip in it, dirt stains I can't get out) and lost one shoe from two different pairs out of a different suitcase and they told me, "Too bad" after saying, "We hope we can earn your trust in the future." They'll never get the opportunity to earn my trust ever again for their crappy customer service. Thank god for Travel insurance.

 

I was on an Air Transat flight that had mechanical problems. totally not airlines fault, but we got hotel for the night, dinner, breakfast in airport, breakfast in the airplane and a few weeks later a $200 cdn check per passenger. After I got the check I wrote a letter thanking them, but that I was a nervous flyer and the problems freaked me out and I got another $100.00 check.

[StuartLittle]

...but do you really know if the person on the other end was on the ship? or was a ships officer? or was it just pier staff? I doubt you could even possibly know the answer to that. Even if it was someone on the ship, it was probably the pursers desk, and NOT the officers on the bridge who may or may not have ever been told about your group.

 

 

Why would it matter who they were talking to?

 

Once they boarded that Carnival sponsored bus, prior to scheduled departure time, it was out of their hands. Carnival (or their appointed agents/employees) we're calling all the shots. If the employees (or whomever) made the decision hadn't waited on another late plane, the OP would have been on the ship. That is the bottom line. Carnival needs to take responsibility for it. And if not, you have a slam dunk case for reimbursement via legal means if it gets that far.

[Sealicker]

Other than taking the phone from her and speaking to the person myself, no I would not be certain who she was talking to. She said herself she was "in contact with the ship" I assume it was an actual person on the ship.

 

Not necessarily, in contact with the ship, could easily and more likely mean the port staff. I am not undermining their responsibility, I believe you are owed a complete refund, an apology and a credit on a future cruise, Carnival did not do right by you.

 

Often the ship staff and the shore staff have many communication issues... and it is very likely that the bridge staff that gave the order to go, may not have known if you were 10 minutes or 10 hours away.

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

Other than taking the phone from her and speaking to the person myself, no I would not be certain who she was talking to. She said herself she was "in contact with the ship" I assume it was an actual person on the ship. Do I believe her? I really don't know now. Would'nt the captain want to know if all his passengers were on the ship or have that info? I am not talking about hours here. 10 minutes. is all I am saying. We were going so fast on that bus, I was praying nothing would happen. Of course if it did I was insured and I would not be complaining now (company insurance). There was no communication at all. We were put at ease and told we would make it and then we got blamed when we did not. How frustrating is that.

 

:( You have every right to be frustrated. Who at Carnival so far has told you they are not responsible? If it was one of those horrors at Guest Relations, disregard their words. Write your narrationm direct it to Uncle Bob and the executives and request what you think is fair. I am thinking, as fair compensation something along the lines of a full refund of the cruise cost and either a free cruise or a refund of all of your "airline/transport/cab to airport from home" expenses. To me that is the least they can for you. The very least.:mad:

[pholter]

I would definitely email Bob Dickinson or Uncle Bob as we all call him. Give him the facts and see what happens. The fact is that you paid and booked your transfers with Carnival. They are responsible for whomever they hire to get you there- JMO. You boarded the bus within their time limitations and then MEARS really screwed you by waiting for Delta. You were stuck on Carnival paid transfers that was out of your control. The bus should have taken all but the Delta passengers to the ship and departed by the 3pm final time.

 

Sorry this happened to you, but now I have to say I feel much safer booking all my stuff independently even more now.

[Sealicker]

Why would it matter who they were talking to?

 

It doesn't matter, I clearly stated in my previous post to the OP who is responsible. I was addressing the issue of the decision made by the captain to leave, he may not have had a clue that anyone was close.

 

...all just guesses at this point.

[Sealicker]

Why does everyone think that writing the CEO of a billion dollar corporation is the answer????

 

Have you tried a manager?

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

Why does everyone think that writing the CEO of a billion dollar corporation is the answer????

 

Have you tried a manager?

 

When you contact a manager, 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.

[Sealicker]

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.[/quote']

 

I just doubt the UB ever sees anything, I am sure there is a whole department that deals with his mail. Maybe that department can get results who knows...

[Guest CRUZIN' SUZIN]

I just doubt the UB ever sees anything, I am sure there is a whole department that deals with his mail. Maybe that department can get results who knows...

 

Whenever I am in a no-brainer situation like this, I do a little research and find out the top top top bananas, their location and phone numbers if possible. Call or write to them. It doesn't matter who actually reads the letter, just know that someone will give it special attention. cc a few other executive also. Just to be thorough

 

The only rule is you have to be right to start out with. Based on the particulars of this story, an executive asst will greenlight just about anything to make this go away.

 

In short, you have to deal with people who are bigger than your problem.

[LHP]

I just doubt the UB ever sees anything, I am sure there is a whole department that deals with his mail. Maybe that department can get results who knows...

 

Actually he is more hands on than you would imagine. I have gotten several "personal notes" from him, one phone call and he had my current PVP call me with "an offer I could not refuse" after we had one problem on the Holiday that I thought would end our cruising (not just with Carnival). We have used that PVP ever since.

[Knights on the Beach]

Why does everyone think that writing the CEO of a billion dollar corporation is the answer????

 

Have you tried a manager?

Because with Carnival, sometimes that is the best way to get results. In this case, I believe the OP has a very valid complaint and this is something that should go straight to the top. It grates on my nerves when people want to write to him with petty complaints, but this is by no means a petty complaint.

[Sealicker]

Because with Carnival, sometimes that is the best way to get results. In this case, I believe the OP has a very valid complaint and this is something that should go straight to the top. It grates on my nerves when people want to write to him with petty complaints, but this is by no means a petty complaint.

 

I agree, this is a valid complaint! It just is strange so many jump on the UB bandwagon, but if it works, great, by all means write him.

[steveaaaa]

Why did they not put them on a small tender like boat and meet up with the ship enroute?

Steve

[Sarahjb001]

So sorry about your experience. As far as I'm concerned, you did nothing wrong, short of cutting it a bit close. Many people spoke of arriving the day before, however, that does involve, for many, an extra expense of a hotel night, extra day off of work/school, etc. It's not always a no-brainer decision.

IMHO, if the bus/shuttle was from Carnival, and they assured you that you were OK. then they should compensate you for the day you missed aboard. (per diem) My guess is, they won't. And, I'm sure it's in the fine print of your contract that they don't have to. But, it would be the right thing to do.

I hope you enjoyed the rest of your cruise!

 

SB

[Knights on the Beach]

Sarah, they didn't just miss one day -- they missed the whole cruise.