One thing that really gets me...I need to vent...

[macusa19]

After reading several posts during hurricane season...

 

There have been a few people who have been upset that they didn't receive (or received a SMALL amount) of compensation for the itenaries being changed, missed, or extended due to the weather. Why-if they intentionally booked a cruise during hurricane season-would one get upset by this?

 

I don't really need replies or knock-downs, as I am not trying to offend anyone, it's just something that was bothering me and had to share.:confused:

[herb]

I agree...

 

Weather is something a cruiseline has absolutely no control over. The best deals to be had are usually during the peak of the worst possible weather. Anyone who books a cruise during this period of time is really taking a chance. I may be a little upset that the itinerary was changed and that I might not get to see places I had been looking forward to seeing, but I would in no way blame the cruiseline nor expect any compensation.

[IBEEMOM]

I have a simple solution for this problem. Time permiting, just book a cruise when it isn't hurricane season.

[sea_u_onboard]

I booked our next cruise during hurricane season - with others. MY SIL & BIL were worried about going during this time - but I told them that the cruiseship is probably the safest place to be during a hurrricane - as the Captains are only conserned for their passengers welfare - so if they have to change the dates or change the ports or if we miss days so be it - the Captain is making decision to keep everyone safe. I know that I'm running a risk by traveling during hurricane season but it's the dates that work for all of us. So we will make the best of it.

[jenr]

We have taken every cruise during Sept, Oct or Nov. We know its hurricane season, but thats alright...its worth the risk. We have never had a problem with our cruises (knock on wood, we leave again in a week and a half), but if ports are cancelled or even if our cruise is cancelled thats OK. We will always have next time!!! And hey, we could even luck out and end up with a longer than planned cruise as a result of a hurricane too!!!!!!!!!!!

[halos]

We have taken every cruise during Sept, Oct or Nov. We know its hurricane season, but thats alright...its worth the risk. We have never had a problem with our cruises (knock on wood, we leave again in a week and a half), but if ports are cancelled or even if our cruise is cancelled thats OK. We will always have next time!!! And hey, we could even luck out and end up with a longer than planned cruise as a result of a hurricane too!!!!!!!!!!!

 

THAT is excatly the kind of attitude one must have when booking during hurricane season. You have to keep an open mind about the possibilities of changes.

The ironic thing is that most of the time when people have a great attitude like that...they seem to never have problems. Positive thoughts draw positive experiences. :D

[tef43]

After reading several posts during hurricane season...

 

There have been a few people who have been upset that they didn't receive (or received a SMALL amount) of compensation for the itenaries being changed, missed, or extended due to the weather. Why-if they intentionally booked a cruise during hurricane season-would one get upset by this?

 

I don't really need replies or knock-downs, as I am not trying to offend anyone, it's just something that was bothering me and had to share.:confused:

Bravo!!!

Never mind that they are also cruising at the cheapest time of the year. Gimme, gimme, gimme. :mad:

 

[DebBrown]

And albeit everyone deserves their vacation, how about thinking about those who went through the hurricanes and lost so much. So you miss a port or take a different itinerary, big deal. You are still on vacation, still on a ship, still eating until you are stuffed, can still get ice in your drinks and heaven forbid, you actually enjoy an extra sea day or two. :rolleyes:

[teedee]

After reading several posts during hurricane season...

 

There have been a few people who have been upset that they didn't receive (or received a SMALL amount) of compensation for the itenaries being changed, missed, or extended due to the weather. Why-if they intentionally booked a cruise during hurricane season-would one get upset by this?

 

I don't really need replies or knock-downs, as I am not trying to offend anyone, it's just something that was bothering me and had to share.:confused:

I certainly hope you don't get flammed, I agree with you completely. I frequently book cruises during hurricane season, the prices are so good I can usually get two cruises in for what one in the summer would cost. That being said I am well aware of the risk I take, that's why I buy insurance. Sure I would be disappointed if a cruise got cancelled or shortened, but I knew the chances I was taking going in. Besides, I think the compensation the cruiselines have offered during this hurricane season are very, very generous. They really don't have to do anything, and I've seen people getting as much as 50% off their next cruise! I'm scheduled to sail out of Fort Lauderdale this Saturday, I hope I make it, but if not there will be another cruise with my name on it!

Terri

[robbyxoxo]

I keep hearing about best prices being during hurricane season....and yet year after year as i keep close track of prices I always find the cheapest weeks to cruise is generally the beginning of december.....if you go look out to 2005 prices and locate the cheapest weeks id be willing to bet that beginning of Dec ranks as cheapest time to sail during the year.......so hurricane season may provide better prices than sailing peak times, but better prices can still generally be had later on in the season...

[steveaaaa]

After reading several posts during hurricane season...

 

There have been a few people who have been upset that they didn't receive (or received a SMALL amount) of compensation for the itenaries being changed, missed, or extended due to the weather. Why-if they intentionally booked a cruise during hurricane season-would one get upset by this?

 

I don't really need replies or knock-downs, as I am not trying to offend anyone, it's just something that was bothering me and had to share.:confused:

 

 

It is not that simple or easy.

 

Here are some factors....

Is the cruise the destination or the transportation to where you want to go?

 

Intentionally booking might be a neccesity as the kids are off from school.

Since the Hurricain season runs for 5 months that cuts into 12 months.

 

Why are July and August peak sailing prices?

 

Why not sail into rough seas? If I book hurricain season I expect the seas to be rough.

 

Why do people book Southern caribbean cruises? For the ports.

 

 

What about the emotional side of it all.Many people plan for months or years every detail then have it crushed like a bug.

 

It is easy for everyone to post with such a great attitude and to pat each others post on the back,until it happens to their cruise.

I for one would be mad and if cruising CCL, I would use the guarantee and get off. I have had a hurricain wreck a cruise so I speak from some experience.I was on the NCL Norway when a hurricain hit and all our ports were cancelled as planned.They ended up substituting ports that I did not like.

 

There needs to be a passengers bill of rights for cruises so there is no question as to what compensation if any is due.

What if you were sailing to Bermuda and paid the $289 per person for port charges and you ended up with a no where cruise.All CCL has to give you is $20 per the contract.What is wrong with that?

 

Steve

[serene56]

I have sailed during peak hurricane weather--this is the first year since 1999 that we did not sail during this time. I dont expect waters to be rough. Last year on the Voyager we sailed between two hurricanes.. Lily and Kyle. We had very nice weather..and water.

 

I think the only reason you didnt like those ports is because you had your heart set on other islands and couldnt help being disappointed. and yes--that stuff can affect the rest of your vacation.

[teedee]

I keep hearing about best prices being during hurricane season....and yet year after year as i keep close track of prices I always find the cheapest weeks to cruise is generally the beginning of december.....if you go look out to 2005 prices and locate the cheapest weeks id be willing to bet that beginning of Dec ranks as cheapest time to sail during the year.......so hurricane season may provide better prices than sailing peak times, but better prices can still generally be had later on in the season...

Robby - I'm booked on the Sept. 18 sailing on Century and the Dec. 4 sailing and the Sept sailing was cheaper. Don't know that this is always the case we may have just got lucky. But the cheap price for the Sept 18 cruise is what's allowing me to take the December cruise:)

Terri

[SevenVII]

It is not that simple or easy.

 

Intentionally booking might be a neccesity as the kids are off from school.

Since the Hurricain season runs for 5 months that cuts into 12 months.

 

Why do people book Southern caribbean cruises? For the ports.

 

What about the emotional side of it all.Many people plan for months or years every detail then have it crushed like a bug.

 

Steve

I dont understand how you are looking for emotional sympathy because you had to book a cruise during Hurricane season. If hurricane season is the only time you can go, then fine, its not Carnival's fault, its not anyones. There are other times availabe with kids breaks, but you CHOSE not to go then. Be it for financial reasons or whatever.

 

Now if Carnival made a mistake(not enough fuel, ran out of food) or somethjing like that and your ship had to be rerouted/cancelled I could understand genuine frustration! Would you be "emotionally stresses" if you booked a 4a guarantee and didnt get a 12a suite on boarding day?

[serene56]

I Would you be "emotionally stresses" if you booked a 4a guarantee and didnt get a 12a suite on boarding day?

 

Actually- I would have to say some people get really whammy when they dont get upgraded nd will be complaining at the pursers desk every chance about every thing.

[herb]

We can also only cruise during summer months since one person in our group is a school vice principal but we will generally cruise in July.. Less chance of hurricanes than in August or beginning of Sept. Yes, there can be a hurricane in July but it's the chance we take.

 

A cruise line cannot choose the weather.

[steveaaaa]

I dont understand how you are looking for emotional sympathy because you had to book a cruise during Hurricane season. If hurricane season is the only time you can go, then fine, its not Carnival's fault, its not anyones. There are other times availabe with kids breaks, but you CHOSE not to go then. Be it for financial reasons or whatever.

 

Now if Carnival made a mistake(not enough fuel, ran out of food) or somethjing like that and your ship had to be rerouted/cancelled I could understand genuine frustration! Would you be "emotionally stresses" if you booked a 4a guarantee and didnt get a 12a suite on boarding day?

 

WHoa..It is not me looking for sympathy.I am merely offering some factors of why people get upset.It is real easy to read about people's frustrations and then make a judgement. I already stated I would use the guarantee.I am aware that sailing in the summer is a risk and I assume that risk.

Steve

[headhurt]

Some people just like to complain. Imagine if the Captain decided to go to a port, even if they would be sharing it with a hurricane, people would be screaming that he was negligent, yada, yada, yada. I guess as far as some people are concerned...damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

 

I don't think CCL should obligated to compensate anyone for missed ports due to circumstances beyond their control...like hurricanes. That is the risk you take for booking during Hurricane Season. No one made you do it.

 

I'll reserve my sympathy for the folks who lost everything to Ivan/Frances/Charley. I'm sure they could care less about missed ports on a cruise ship.

[taszmom]

I can't wait to go on my Oct 2nd cruise so I can get out of Florida and AVOID the hurricanes LOL! At least on a cruise ship I can get away....It's hard to get out of Florida with a half million other people on two lanes of I-95 & the Turnpike. All kidding aside, I choose to cruise in hurricane season well aware of the risk and fortunately have been lucky so far....had itinerary changes, but that's ok by me. I am just looking forward to getting away for a week even if it's all sea days!

 

You'll also notice that most travel insurance only covers complete cessation of your trip, not bad weather delays or changes in itinerary. So you can't even buy trip insurance to cover those things.

[Starlake666]

I think people take advantage of the great prices and book during hurricaine season, BUT, they don't really expect the hurricaine to happen during THEIR cruise! And when it does, they just get mad!!! Kind of like when people smoke for 30 years, get lung cancer, and then ask why me?

 

Human nature I guess.

 

And I agree, the prices are great in early Dec ! Not Christmas week or New Year's though !! YIKES!!! They double or triple then !

[JJS2K3]

There is a difference between being disappointed and complaining/whining and it can be harder to differentiate the two on a message board as opposed to face-to-face. Not to mention peoples different levels of english, writing skills, etc. I tend to give people writing on these boards the benefit of a doubt unless it's very blatant moaning and groaning. What's wrong with showing a little empathy for your fellow CC'ers? While I dislike whining and complaining I can still be empathic to those who are disappointed when things don't go well, regardless of the reason.

 

And on a related topic, why is it that someone can not express their disappointment without someone inevitably reminding them how good they have it or how bad it is for others? Because others have it worse means you're not entitled to your feelings? That is just plain wrong.

[judyf]

I agree it bugs me too the hear everyone complain about things that happen during thier cruise during hurricane season. I don't book then if I did I would need to go with the flow and expect changes and delays.

[beachbum6264]

I was on the Aug. 29 sailing of the Inspiration...a 7 day cruise turned into a 9 day due to Hurricane Frances. I think Carnival did a GREAT job, considering all the changes that had to be made, and made quickly. We got an extra day in Cozumel (2 days at Paradise Beach, what can be better than that?), and an extra day at sea. Sun was shining, booze was flowing, casino was open (on sea day), plenty of food, what's to complain about? But people did complain. If I have to be in a hurricane shelter, that's the kind I want to be in!!!!! Worst thing that happened: they were using paper napkins in the dining room, and you had to keep your towels and re-use them (running out of water to wash them).

Me? I was a happy camper, didn't want to leave when we did get back to Tampa on Tuesday!

[steveaaaa]

I agree it bugs me too the hear everyone complain about things that happen during thier cruise during hurricane season. I don't book then if I did I would need to go with the flow and expect changes and delays.

 

judyf...

Were you not complaining about a tender situation on your Inspiration cruise some time back and you called CCL and got the 10% off cruise discount and figured you should have gotten more?

 

That sure seems to be a change or delay to me.

Steve

 

PS.If it was not you, I apoligize

[SevenVII]

I'll reserve my sympathy for the folks who lost everything to Ivan/Frances/Charley. I'm sure they could care less about missed ports on a cruise ship.

But therein lies another problem. I do hope that no one is hurt during a hurricane but these people are taking the danger of living in a hurricane area. Just like the cruisers who are cruising during later summer/fall. I guess if you really love the beach and you balance in the risk/reward of you living there then go for it. Yet to see many people who get their homes ruined and are now in despair so they could be beachfront....not my cup o tea!