Keeping with the weather-related questions...

[divinggirl]

My mom, who is cruising with me, just emailed me to ask a question even I hadn't thought of: Has there ever been a situation where a ship has not been able to sail due to adverse weather conditions? Like, if Charley hangs around FL until Saturday, and the seas are insane around there? What happens then? Anyone ever heard of this happening?

[DFD1]

If Ft. Lauderdale is in trouble due to the storm, the ships will most likely have abandoned the port ahead of the storm and have gone to sea in a safe area to ride out the storm. If that were to happen, those sailings that fell within that window of time would likely be cancelled. The cruise lines will most likely take whatever action necessary to safeguard the ship.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

About 4 years ago, friends of ours were scheduled to take a 4 day cruise out of Baltimore or Norfolk on Carnival. When they got to the pier, it was announced that because of bad weather and rough seas, the 4 day cruise was being cancelled. They got their money back plus 25% off a future cruise. Fortuneatly they drove so only paid for a day's parking. They got to stay on the ship overnight while they made plans to go to NJ for a couple of days.

:)

[divinggirl]

If Ft. Lauderdale is in trouble due to the storm, the ships will most likely have abandoned the port ahead of the storm and have gone to sea in a safe area to ride out the storm. If that were to happen, those sailings that fell within that window of time would likely be cancelled. The cruise lines will most likely take whatever action necessary to safeguard the ship.

So does this mean those on board would not be able to dock for disembarkation and have to suffer ;) another day or so at sea to ride it out? Wow, that would screw up so many people's flight's etc it would be unbelievable. I'm really glad I paid $30 to insure this trip.

[peaches from georgia]

It looks now as if Charley is heading more WNW over Cuba into the west coast of FL to the Tampa area and then be further north up the coast by Sat./Sun. Things should be manageable in FLL for ships to come in and out this weekend though not the calmest of seas I'm sure.

[Orcrone]

I live in the Norfolk area, home of the world's largest naval base. When there's a major storm approaching the navy spends millions getting all the ships out of the port ahead of the storm. Not only is there the potential damage to the ships, but also to the piers.

[jhannah]

This is a very interesting question. Probably not possible to really answer, as each ship/port/storm combination scenario would have to be determined on its own. Wonder if any cruise line has had to put people up on land for a night to let the storm pass before embarking the following day?

[divinggirl]

But you will get your $$ back, I see...I'm surprised that the pax got a reduction on a future cruise, considering it wasn't the cruise line's fault the ship couldn't sail, and I'm surprised they don't have a similar mindset when it comes to cruise airfare...But you have to get all the way down there before you know? I'd imagine that if it's so bad that the ship can't dock, my flight wiould probably be cancelled as well...

[Orcrone]

But you will get your $$ back, I see...I'm surprised that the pax got a reduction on a future cruise, considering it wasn't the cruise line's fault the ship couldn't sail, and I'm surprised they don't have a similar mindset when it comes to cruise airfare...But you have to get all the way down there before you know? I'd imagine that if it's so bad that the ship can't dock, my flight wiould probably be cancelled as well...divinggirl - if the storm was there at the same time as the ship was supposed to sail, then flying would be a problem. But keep in mind that hurricanes are huge. If it would make landfall a day ahead of the cruise that might keep the ship far enough away from the port that it could not get back in time for the next days embarkation. But the planes would have no trouble flying in the day after a hurricane.JMHO

[divinggirl]

divinggirl - if the storm was there at the same time as the ship was supposed to sail, then flying would be a problem. But keep in mind that hurricanes are huge. If it would make landfall a day ahead of the cruise that might keep the ship far enough away from the port that it could not get back in time for the next days embarkation. But the planes would have no trouble flying in the day after a hurricane.JMHO

Very good point...needless to say I would be on the phone to Seattle finding out if I should even bother...But, let's hope I am totally wrong on every single thing I've posted on this and other threads today relating to weather!!
:rolleyes:

[npeters]

Wouldn't a longer cruise (than that 4 day cruise example) just be delayed? Storms pass through within a day don't they (forgive me but we don't get many hurricanes in CA)? Where does travel insurance fit in? It covers cancellation and delays, whether the whole cruise is covered, or pays for lodging.

[rodree]

Once the port of Barcelona was closed due to high seas so we just skipped it and went to the next port. Port charges for Barcelona were refunded.

[sail7seas]

The very last worry the Captains and Seattle have when facing a Hurricane are those pax looking to board for the next cruise.

Primary importance are the souls who are aboard the ship....crew and pax. Their safety is parmount. Next is the safety of the ship. Next are the wishes of the Port Authority where they had planned to dock.

Whether some folks will have their cruise cancelled or be delayed is the last worry.....as it should be IMO (even if it were me who was booked and eager to go on my cruise.)

[divinggirl]

The very last worry the Captains and Seattle have when facing a Hurricane are those pax looking to board for the next cruise.

Primary importance are the souls who are aboard the ship....crew and pax. Their safety is parmount. Next is the safety of the ship. Next are the wishes of the Port Authority where they had planned to dock.

Whether some folks will have their cruise cancelled or be delayed is the last worry.....as it should be IMO (even if it were me who was booked and eager to go on my cruise.)

That's certainly what would result in the delay for oncoming pax, making sure the present ones are safely away from any bad weather. Oncoming pax are certainly the last thing on HAL's mind, but for those of us whose sailing may be affected, it's very pertinent. S7S, I am not questioning the priorities of anyone involved, just asking what the protocol is and if anyone has had experience with a similar situation.

npeters, insurance covers anything travel related, or at least mine does. If sailing were delayed and/or my flight from BWI was delayed/cancelled and I had to catch up to the ship or whatever, I am fully reimbursed. I have read that HAL does not reimburse air or any associated fees with catching up to a ship if you didn't book air with them.

Also note that it is a $300 fine if you embark and disembark in two separate US ports...therefore ,if the W. Carib sailing was delayed or you had to catch the ship, you could not do so until Cozumel if you didn't want to pay the fine.

Nikki

[smeyer418]

you really think that if the reason was a Hurriciane they would still impose the fine????

You know the government may be stupid sometimes but not THAT stupid...and my cruise last year was disrupted by the hurricaine. Those that didn't have insurance and refused to embark were given a partial credit for a future cruise.

[divinggirl]

you really think that if the reason was a Hurriciane they would still impose the fine????

You know the government may be stupid sometimes but not THAT stupid...and my cruise last year was disrupted by the hurricaine. Those that didn't have insurance and refused to embark were given a partial credit for a future cruise.
Well, my guess is that they would make you pay it and promise to reimburse (check's in the mail :rolleyes: )

Can you please give a few more details regarding your experience?
Thanks!
Nikki

[elmorejj]

smeyer, how do I join the PPS? ....jean ;)

[smeyer418]

What would like to know about my hurricaine experience?


In stead of turning right from NY(starboard) to go to Bermuda we tuned left(port) and went to Canada. At first they said- don't go and you lose 100% unless you had insurance that allowed you to cancel for no reason, we hear that some people didn't go and ultimately they were given 75% credit for a future cruise. I hear but it wasn't me that some people got $200 off a future cruise.

PS we really had a great time in Canada the weather was great :)


Also you join the PPS by adding it to your signature and you are an instant member