Grandeur Bashing on News

[basketsuze]

Anybody see this news story? It ran Saturday night.

 

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=6562759

 

Some of my thoughts:

 

1. The woman doesn't come right out and say it, but the inference is that they should have stayed in Bermuda, since they "knew" they were heading back in the storm. They also didn't say so, but I suspect this was this woman's first cruise. Regular cruisers know that rough conditions are always possible and you just deal with it. DH and I have been through TWO hurricanes on the Grandeur - Ernesto and Gaston - and yes, it was rough, but we never felt we were in danger, nor did we call a news station to complain.

 

2. I'm disappointed in the coverage, because they did not talk to other passengers who might have offered a different point of view, particularly if they were seasoned cruisers. She did say that the crew was great, though.

 

3. Wondering if Captain Rob will get in trouble over his statement about "the perfect storm". We love Captain Rob and his dry humor (not that he was being humorous this time, though). Hopefully nothing more comes of this.

 

4. What does the lady want other than to complain on the news??

 

5. Wasn't Herb (wraithe) on this sailing as well??

 

Thoughts?

 

Suze!

[abridalmaven]

These reporters only look for people that validate their story. I was pre interviewed about a story on the fuel supplement and when I was not enraged enough, I was told no thanks our story is ONLY about people unhappy and angry about it.

[MBeamTX]

It's more sensationalism from a local Fox station. Why am I not surprised?

[Cruising89143]

Sounds like her first cruise and maybe her last. I don't think that cruising is for her. I don't see where the Captain did anything wrong. I guess some people do not understand that you are on a ship that is sitting in water and that it may not always be calm seas. Also typical reporting by the media. Always getting it half assed done.:rolleyes:

[wraithe]

5. Wasn't Herb (wraithe) on this sailing as well??

 

Thoughts?

 

Suze!

 

Nope, I wasn't there, would have loved to be, though. Wonder what it'd be like to go through a storm on a ship with a keel.

[FL_Cruiser64]

Sounds like her first cruise and maybe her last. I don't think that cruising is for her. I don't see where the Captain did anything wrong. I guess some people do not understand that you are on a ship that is sitting in water and that it may not always be calm seas. Also typical reporting by the media. Always getting is half assed done.:rolleyes:

 

I agree. Another land based vacationer who should not get close to a cruise ship.

 

Obviously she contacted the TV Station. Maybe she too is looking for a refund.

 

Can you just imagine if every cruise ship stays in port and wait until the seas are calm. :eek:

[BILL-WI]

I would hate to see the story if it were not so "FAIR AND BALANCED!"

 

What a hatchet job!

 

Just another person looking for their reason to be important!:eek:

 

Get a life!:eek:

 

:mad:

 

BILL

[crookedhalo]

We also were aboard Grandeur during TS Ernesto in '06 and never felt unsafe. Having grown up on the bay and surrounding environs you learn to respect the water and what it can do. I'm pretty sure the woman interviewed has no real concept of how it all works. Honestly, does anyone really think that Bermuda was going to allow the ship to just "hang out" there until the storm passed? What if the storm never materialized (we all know how good forecasters are;) )? Also, I personally feel it's easier (and safer!) to ride a storm out at sea rather than at dock:p. I also hope that the captain doesn't run into any problems - I loved his daily updates while we were aboard!:D

[abridalmaven]

Sounds like her first cruise and maybe her last. I don't think that cruising is for her. I don't see where the Captain did anything wrong. I guess some people do not understand that you are on a ship that is sitting in water and that it may not always be calm seas. Also typical reporting by the media. Always getting is half assed done.:rolleyes:

I will never forget our first cruise and I was in awe, it was the Nordic Empress. But just prior to our cruise I met a lady at work who tried to talk me out of it. She complained how claustophic it was ,rocky and so on. So I was a little apprehensive. The only other ship I had seen was when my Sis sailed on a HAL ship a good 15 years before. Her cabin had metal bunk beds, a bathroom half the size they are now and a small porthole. The dining room also doubled as the theatre. So I came here and found out as much as I could and was pleasantly surprised when we did finally go.

So to me, there are cruising people and non cruising people, just like roller coaster people and non roller coaster people.;) And then there are some poeple who should never leave their own homes because they expect things to be exactly like at home.:eek:

[LMD]

I just got home today from this cruise. We stayed a couple extra days in Baltimore for the Preakness.

 

Never once did I feel like I was in danger. Yes, the seas were rough, very rough but I don't think there was anything that could have been done differently. Captain Rob was GREAT, and did an excellent job of keeping us informed. They had to reduce the speed down to 7 knots which caused us to get into Baltimore at 9:30pm, instead of 7:00am. They were very accomodating and allowed those who wanted to get off the ship then to do so, and the others were allowed to spend the night on the ship in the Baltimore port. They had phone lines available to those who needed to change airline reservations, etc. and I believe they paid up to $100 for the change fee. Captain Rob did a Q&A our last day which unfortunately I missed but a friend of mine went.

 

He said that Captain Rob was greeted by a standing ovation, which he rightfully deserved. Captain Rob mentioned that staying in Bermuda was not an option. One of the reasons mentioned was that some people only take a certain number of days medication with them on cruiseships and it really is important that they try to get back in a reasonable amount of time.

 

We had a great time on the cruise. The staff as a whole was probably the best that I've ever experienced. In addition, I think a huge majority of the passengers were very positive about the experience.

 

A trip I'll never forget. :-)

[cruiserbryce]

Ahh...fair and balance Fox:rolleyes:

 

Its a story, they ran with it, no matter how naive and one sided it was

[kingsgirl]

What did she expect? Them to go the other direction? Not to go at all? Really...

[FL_Cruiser64]

I just got home today from this cruise. We stayed a couple extra days in Baltimore for the Preakness.

 

Never once did I feel like I was in danger. Yes, the seas were rough, very rough but I don't think there was anything that could have been done differently. Captain Rob was GREAT, and did an excellent job of keeping us informed. They had to reduce the speed down to 7 knots which caused us to get into Baltimore at 9:30pm, instead of 7:00am. They were very accomodating and allowed those who wanted to get off the ship then to do so, and the others were allowed to spend the night on the ship in the Baltimore port. They had phone lines available to those who needed to change airline reservations, etc. and I believe they paid up to $100 for the change fee. Captain Rob did a Q&A our last day which unfortunately I missed but a friend of mine went.

 

He said that Captain Rob was greeted by a standing ovation, which he rightfully deserved. Captain Rob mentioned that staying in Bermuda was not an option. One of the reasons mentioned was that some people only take a certain number of days medication with them on cruiseships and it really is important that they try to get back in a reasonable amount of time.

 

We had a great time on the cruise. The staff as a whole was probably the best that I've ever experienced. In addition, I think a huge majority of the passengers were very positive about the experience.

 

A trip I'll never forget. :-)

 

This is good to read.

 

Seems like you actually had cruisers on the ship (except that one TV woman). :D

[FL_Cruiser64]

What did she expect? Them to go the other direction? Not to go at all? Really...

 

:eek: A TA for the cost of a Bermuda cruise???

:D

[kingsgirl]

This is good to read.

 

Seems like you actually had cruisers on the ship (except that one TV woman). :D

 

Thanks for sharing!

[Cruising89143]

Ahh...fair and balance Fox:rolleyes:

 

Its a story, they ran with it, no matter how naive and one sided it was

 

Yep, all we need is Bill O'Reilly and it would be complete.:rolleyes:

[ChevyCruiser]

Just keep this issue in mind when you hear ANY news story.:rolleyes:

 

I wasn't on this cruise, but have sailed twice with Captain Rob on the Grandeur and all I know is I'd sail with him anywhere, anytime.

 

That's NOT the kind of coverage the news jackals look for though.....

[FL_Cruiser64]

Yep, all we need is Bill O'Reilly and it would be complete.:rolleyes:

 

Or as Keith Olberman would say "Bill Orally".

 

:D

[Cruise Cat]

WhoooHooo! One less cruiser competing for my next cruise!

[Captain Jake]

Or as Keith Olberman would say "Bill Orally".

 

:D

 

Keith wishes he was half the newsman as Big Bill or had half the ratings:D

[basketsuze]

We also were aboard Grandeur during TS Ernesto in '06 and never felt unsafe. Having grown up on the bay and surrounding environs you learn to respect the water and what it can do. I'm pretty sure the woman interviewed has no real concept of how it all works. Honestly, does anyone really think that Bermuda was going to allow the ship to just "hang out" there until the storm passed? What if the storm never materialized (we all know how good forecasters are;) )? Also, I personally feel it's easier (and safer!) to ride a storm out at sea rather than at dock:p. I also hope that the captain doesn't run into any problems - I loved his daily updates while we were aboard!:D

 

Crookedhalo - remember, not only was it rough leaving Baltimore due to Ernesto coming up the coast, but the ship broke something fairly important to it's operation - I believe a rudder - and we were late getting back to Baltimore. Remember Captain Rob's announcement, and him explaining that the Coast Guard insisted on escorting us on our way back to Baltimore? I got such a kick out of his explanation, that while the Grandeur could go 23 knots, the coast guard cutter could only go 10, and that we were not permitted to "leave them in the dust"! Hee hee hoo hoo haa haa!! He is such a class act, and also did a Q&A in the Theatre that time as well! I felt bad for the people who missed their flights. It wasn't a big deal for us since we drove to the port.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Ships are built to with stand rough sea conditions. Leaving Bermuda and not staying was most likely the best call.....if the ship stayed the storm would probably would have been worse...not to mention messing up the schedule for the next cruise.

It wasn't just the Captain who decides to leave, he is directed by Miami.

Captain and RC made the right choice.

 

***

[crookedhalo]

Crookedhalo - remember, not only was it rough leaving Baltimore due to Ernesto coming up the coast, but the ship broke something fairly important to it's operation - I believe a rudder - and we were late getting back to Baltimore. Remember Captain Rob's announcement, and him explaining that the Coast Guard insisted on escorting us on our way back to Baltimore? I got such a kick out of his explanation, that while the Grandeur could go 23 knots, the coast guard cutter could only go 10, and that we were not permitted to "leave them in the dust"! Hee hee hoo hoo haa haa!! He is such a class act, and also did a Q&A in the Theatre that time as well! I felt bad for the people who missed their flights. It wasn't a big deal for us since we drove to the port.

 

I remember that too;) Since we also drove to the port wasn't an issue for us either. Was very neat to sit in the lounge and pick out locations as we went up the bay "Look, there's the Cliffs!" "Look there's the gas terminal" "Look there's Solomon's":D He and his entire staff were great to my group (we had a burial at sea on this trip and they were very accomodating and helpful too us - and compassionate), I would sail her again in a heartbeat! I was really sorry to see them reduce the number of cruises out of B'more:( Norfolk is the next best option (short of driving to Philly or NY):o

[mommabean]

ooohhhhhhh. Barf bags. :eek:

 

Now that's a sign they should've stayed in port. Scary! And she's such an authority that she second guesses the captain. I feel sorry for the pilot when she flies back to Bermuda next time. What's she going to say when he "hits" a cloud? :rolleyes:

[crookedhalo]

ooohhhhhhh. Barf bags. :eek:

 

Now that's a sign they should've stayed in port. Scary! And she's such an authority that she second guesses the captain. I feel sorry for the pilot when she flies back to Bermuda next time. What's she going to say when he "hits" a cloud? :rolleyes:

 

LOL, while I haven't been on as many cruises as some people:( , I believe I've seen barf bags out at some point on each of the five cruises I have been on;) - not that I've ever had to use them;) (I'm a water country girl - got sea legs before I could even walk!)