ILL treatment by HAL!

[TwoTravelers]

We are booked with HAL on back-to-back cruises to Western and Eastern Caribbean. Due to hurricane damage to several islands HAL has deemed it necessary to alter the itineraries. This would be fine except HAL didn't take our situation in consideration because the second half or our cruise duplicates the first half. We have been loyal travelers with HAL but if this is their idea of fair play they have seen the last of us. I have complained to HAL and received an automated reply.

[Himself]

Come on. Please give HAL a break. They had to look out for the "total picture." There are a few places they cannot go because of the damage done by the hurricane.

HImself

[sail7seas]

Sorry Two Travelers but I do not agree with your opinion HAL has mistreated you.

Do you think they should have thought of only you when adjusting the itinerary to be sure you went to different ports? They have so many things they need to consider when reconfiguring an itinerary. Where can they get dock space? Distance they need to travel to get from here to there and the amount of time they have to do it. Costs. Overall pax satisfaction and interest in various ports. Infrastructure capacity for shore excursions and probably dozens of other considerations about which I have no knowledge or understanding.

I think you are being unfair in your assessment......But I am sorry for your disappointment.

(BTW....we went out of our way to book a set of b-to-b's for June on Maasdam and we will be repeating the exact itinerary on the second week. You will find plenty of different things to do on week two that you didn't do on week one.)

[Stevesan]

We are booked with HAL on back-to-back cruises to Western and Eastern Caribbean. Due to hurricane damage to several islands HAL has deemed it necessary to alter the itineraries. This would be fine except HAL didn't take our situation in consideration because the second half or our cruise duplicates the first half. We have been loyal travelers with HAL but if this is their idea of fair play they have seen the last of us. I have complained to HAL and received an automated reply.
Was yours a complaint or a request to reconcile your situation? Under the circumstances, they may be compliant in allowing you to reschedule one of the weeks, if properly approached.

[Druke I]

I agree with Sail7Seas.

As some of my British friends might say " Hard Cheese".

HAL can hardly be held accountable for significant hurricane damage and the necessity to alter itineraries.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Sorry, I totally agree with Sail as well. There are close to 2000 passengers on both those week's cruises. You can't possibly think HAL should adjust their itinerary solely to your desires just because you've chosen to cruise b-t-b.

Ill treatment was afforded you by good ole Mom Nature who happened to treat a lot of people badly over the past couple of months.

Why don't you just look at the duplicate ports as "sea days" and enjoy the ship while everyone is in port. Or go out and do something completely different each time! There's so much to enjoy on all the islands ... doesn't have to be a duplicate!

There's always a silver lining. Rather than looking at this as someone treating you badly (which no one did), look for the possibilities to improve your cruise and I'll bet you'll find it.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I have to agree that I am a bit surprised espeicially that you also live in Florida and have had to live thru the past 2 months of terrible weather. I think all the cruise lines have had to make drastic changes in regards to ports and tours. This is something they certainly did not plan and I am sure does not help them any way. I currently have reservations with a private company to swim with the Sting Rays in Grand Caymans in March. I am sure the ships will be returning by then but if not, Yes, I will be disappointed but not upset with the cruise line. First the Ship is the destination I am just happy to go where ever it goes:p

[RDMOREU]

Sail7Seas and HeatherinFlorida have the right idea, I believe. I know you're disappointed; but, take the lemons and make lemonade! Have a great time!

Dolores

[dakrewser]

Did you call HAL? Did you request a change to a different cruise? Did you ask for a refund?

Or are you expecting them to modify the itinerary so that you don't have to visit the same port twice?

But, help us to understand a bit more - can you post a copy of the note you sent as well as the reply?

[gliles]

You may think I am crazy but I would enjoy the same itinerary. We can spend the first week shopping and seeing everything we want to and the second week, anything we missed or just relaxation on the ship. I have never done a B2B so this opinion is just that...an opinion.

[anngie]

I had not read the other responses when I thought that you are wrong to think that HAL has given you ill treatment. I really think that they are considerate to do any replacement ports for the ports that have been so damaged that they cannot accept cruise ships at this time. I have been reading some of the other boards and some of the other cruiselines are just putting sea days in for those ports and are not even telling their customers before they cruise. The HAL cruise that I have booked many months ago for December has an all new itinerary since the hurricanes. There are just so many available spaces in the ports and every ship cannot possibly get dock space.
I know that you are disappointed in missing some of the ports but you are not being mistreated.

[Cruising Jake]

I echo the sentiments that this was not "mistreatment by HAL" posted in other replies. Would you rather be unsafe and go to the originally scheduled ports?

DH and I do not even get off in most ports. We just love being on a ship with entertainment, food, people, activities, relaxation, warmth and each other.

[croll23]

I had to cancel my cruise on the 25th of September and HAL gave me a full refund and I booked another for October 24 and am more than happy. It isn't HAL's fault that A hurricane hit, I should have booked out of hurricane season.

[BigAft]

This is one of the most selfish and arrogant posts I have read. To feel you have been put out on your cruise while others have nothing is plain rude and uncaring.

I for one, would be happy and give thanks I was able to enjoy ANY type of cruise while others have lost everything.

Sorry I don't feel sorry for you.

Larry

[Rubysky]

Personally I think there should be "special" ships for people who are upset when there is a change made for their safty. You can go ahead and take that route right into the middle of the hurricane, civil unrest or whatever.

[ryansmemom]

We are booked with HAL on back-to-back cruises to Western and Eastern Caribbean. Due to hurricane damage to several islands HAL has deemed it necessary to alter the itineraries. This would be fine except HAL didn't take our situation in consideration because the second half or our cruise duplicates the first half. We have been loyal travelers with HAL but if this is their idea of fair play they have seen the last of us. I have complained to HAL and received an automated reply.


This is a tounge in cheek joke, isn't it? Surely someone is pulling our collective legs.

Linda

[HeatherInFlorida]

This is a tounge in cheek joke, isn't it? Surely someone is pulling our collective legs.

LindaYou know, Linda, I'm wondering if you may not be right about this. I hadn't thought of it, but I notice TwoTravelers has not reposted defending his/her position.

I'm editing this response because having done some research, I don't think it's a joke.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

This is a tounge in cheek joke, isn't it? Surely someone is pulling our collective legs.

Linda
Linda, I really do not think so. They have not posted much on the boards but have done a lot of cruises. I just read thru all their other posts and they seem quite legitimate. I think they were very serious but possibly did not mean for their frustration to come out the way it did. With all the responses that were against them I doubt they will post on this board again which is too bad, it looks liked with all thier experience in cruising they could be an asset.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Lisa, I did the same thing you did and that's why I edited my post above yours ... I realized they weren't trying to be funny. But I don't see why they wouldn't post again since I think most of us were trying to just point out nicely that maybe they weren't looking at it fairly.

Sometimes we react without thinking (after all all of us are a bit selfish at one time or another) That's one of the reasons I now ALWAYS preview and reread my posts:D .

[ryansmemom]

I did not really think it was a joke. That does strain credibility. However, you guys know me, I was trying to give them a gracious way out of this blunder. I read their former posts and they seem like nice people caught up in the heat of the moment. I hope they do come back and "fess up." We all make mistakes and get carried away by our emotions. I hope that we can all accept them if they realize what they said and how thoughtless and self-centered their complaint sounded given the circumstances and the losses suffered by those people living in Florida, the Caribbean and all other area hit by the devistation of those four hurricaines. I also hope they realize that we are reasonable people, ready to listen to legitimate complaints. However we all realize that a cruise line no matter how large or powerful cannot control the weather or the rules laid down by the governments of the countries we visit.

Linda

[cruzincurt]

First of all, that's the chance you take in booking a cruise during hurricane season.

Secondly, I don't understand why the Captain didn't check with you before sailing the second week.

Did you also complain that the dinner menu was the same the second week as well?

As us Americans say "tuff #$@%".

[gizmo]

Unfortunely these things do happen. Cruise lines do state in the documents they have the right to change the itinerary. Being an experienced cruiser you should be aware of this.
There are lots of problems with Western ports because of the hurricanes. Not every ship out there can just dock in any port.
I do realize this is a disappointment but stuff happens that you cannot control.
Look at it this way, at least you know about it ahead of time. There are cases that you do not find out about the change until you board.

[iluvcruzin]

Sorry you are disappointed Twotravelers. It can be irritating when all you get is an automatic reply on an e-mail. Hopefully you can rebook for another time when the itenerary will be back to the norm.

There are lots of changes in iteneraries and it is a bummer that it falls when one had plans to see certain places. Personally, I'm not hip-ho on the idea of going to Dominca versus Grenada on my sailing next February but will deal with it.

I really understand your reason for venting..


I can not agree with those who attack the poster for venting their disappointment. It's always the same old thing - I can almost expect the following almost regularly for a HAL complaint on this board. 1 - The poster gets attacks because they said something negative about HAL. 2 - There is a following who says "I agree". Some are genuine, some because it's the "group thing" 3 - There is someone who thinks it's a troll starting something bad.

There should be a sticky on the top of the message board entitled "rules of the HAL board" and in it. #1 - do not complain or say anything negative about HAL.

[Peggy Sue]

sorry for your disappointment...but it has been a rather unique year for weather .. that created some horrible situations in the islands, as well as Florida and other southern states. Go and double your fun in each port!!

Peggy Sue

[HeatherInFlorida]

Personally, I'm not hip-ho on the idea of going to Dominca versus Grenada on my sailing next February but will deal with it.
I know I'm off topic ... I apologize. But Maureen, I honestly don't think you'll be at all disappointed in Dominica. It's a magnificent island! Don't be put off when you arrive at the port. Once you get onto the island, it's a joy to see. I've been to both islands and Grenada is lovely, but Dominica is equally so.

[mhshapiro]

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!

If I were in this situation, I'd just try to make the second half "different" than the first by choosing different tours, onboard activities, etc.....

I think that with a little ingenuity it could turn out to be a very pleasant cruise experience.

[Spender Nui]

We are booked with HAL on back-to-back cruises to Western and Eastern Caribbean. Due to hurricane damage to several islands HAL has deemed it necessary to alter the itineraries. This would be fine except HAL didn't take our situation in consideration because the second half or our cruise duplicates the first half. We have been loyal travelers with HAL but if this is their idea of fair play they have seen the last of us. I have complained to HAL and received an automated reply.


I think there are a lot of HAL cheerleaders here ... but to complain about this change in itinerary because of a hurricane is rediculous.

[arzz]

We have taken numerous cruises and inevitably many ports are repeated -- in most cases this is really a good thing --- how can one possibly presume that in 5-8 hours you have experienced a whole island? There is always more to do and see -- actually being in the same port twice allows each visit to have less stress as you know you will be back -- and just think...how many times have you been shopping and seen something that you did not buy and kicked yourself later for your lack of action? This trip you can go back and pick it up!

Actually I was considering back to back Alaska for next summer, same itineray -- my plan is to alternate days on the strenuous shore excursions with more quiet "see and shop" days in between...to me it sounded like a good plan.

[superstein61]

I really understand your reason for venting..


I can not agree with those who attack the poster for venting their disappointment. It's always the same old thing - I can almost expect the following almost regularly for a HAL complaint on this board. 1 - The poster gets attacks because they said something negative about HAL. 2 - There is a following who says "I agree". Some are genuine, some because it's the "group thing" 3 - There is someone who thinks it's a troll starting something bad.

There should be a sticky on the top of the message board entitled "rules of the HAL board" and in it. #1 - do not complain or say anything negative about HAL.
I agree Iluvcruzin. I knew I would see the throng of regulars out bashing the OP for their comments.

hell - be honest people - no rational person one would like to book a back to back cruise with a variety of different ports only to find out you are repeating the same itenerary.

now - the OP didn't provide enough details for me to judge whether HAL is at fault here (ie did they try and reschedule, etc) but the OP doesn't deserve all the bashing they have gotten. no wonder they never returned to follow up

[Ziggy7]

We are booked with HAL on back-to-back cruises to Western and Eastern Caribbean. Due to hurricane damage to several islands HAL has deemed it necessary to alter the itineraries. This would be fine except HAL didn't take our situation in consideration because the second half or our cruise duplicates the first half. We have been loyal travelers with HAL but if this is their idea of fair play they have seen the last of us. I have complained to HAL and received an automated reply.
Write to HAL explaining your delema, say it nicely and to the point and maybe they will offer you some shipboard credit for your unhappiness, I have heard of others who have recieved compensation for things like this. We just recieved a 200.00 shipboard credit towards our next cruise because our TA complained that they did not have our second weeks docs at the pier as they promised. Dont call because you just get a somebody who cant do anything for you, if you put it in writting it goes to the proper authorty, I bet they will compensate you for your delema :) Just ask the right person :)
Oh, we did a b2b and got chased out by Charlye, we were lucky and only had to repeat one port but we had to miss the one port we most wanted to see, we were bummed but only for a few minutes, we paid too much for that cruise to let it get us down, and now we have a reason to go back there :) Good Luck!
:)

[kryos]

Why don't you just look at the duplicate ports as "sea days" and enjoy the ship while everyone is in port. Or go out and do something completely different each time! There's so much to enjoy on all the islands ... doesn't have to be a duplicate!
My sentiments exactly!

Sure, it's disappointing if you don't get to visit a port you had your heart set on. But look at it this way: There is no way possible to do everything you'd like to do in one short port visit. The advantage of going to the same ports a second time is that you now don't have to make choices ... "gee, I'll do that, but will miss this." Now you can do everything! Extra days at sea work the same way. You can play bingo if you didn't get a chance to do it on your last sea day!

Someone else on this board has the perfect sig line ... "a bad day at sea beats a great day at work!" Go with the flow and enjoy!

Blue skies ...

--rita

[HeatherInFlorida]

I agree Iluvcruzin. I knew I would see the throng of regulars out bashing the OP for their comments.

hell - be honest people - no rational person one would like to book a back to back cruise with a variety of different ports only to find out you are repeating the same itenerary.

now - the OP didn't provide enough details for me to judge whether HAL is at fault here (ie did they try and reschedule, etc) but the OP doesn't deserve all the bashing they have gotten. no wonder they never returned to follow upC'mon, Superstein, you can't possible be for real this time. You think this guy got "bashed"? Hey, I know bashing and this thread is not that. I will admit a few posters got nasty, but frankly they're not who you refer to as "regulars". I thought we were all trying to be quite positive with suggestions about how to handle that which no one can control. Are you familiar with the Senenity Prayer? Probably not. In it we ask for the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference

This itinerary change was caused by nature, not HAL. B2B cruises are not the suggestion of HAL ... people take them by choice. You don't even get a discount for doing it so to suggest that HAL "owes" something to the OP is simply not reasonable IMHO.

[superstein61]

C'mon, Superstein, you can't possible be for real this time. You think this guy got "bashed"? Hey, I know bashing and this thread is not that. I will admit a few posters got nasty, but frankly they're not who you refer to as "regulars". I thought we were all trying to be quite positive with suggestions about how to handle that which no one can control.


Heather - I am very real this time and he certainly did get bashed. Just look at some of these comments:

Come on. Please give HAL a break

As some of my British friends might say " Hard Cheese".

take the lemons and make lemonade!

DH and I do not even get off in most ports.

This is one of the most selfish and arrogant posts I have read.

Sorry I don't feel sorry for you

I think there should be "special" ships for people who are upset

This is a tounge in cheek joke, isn't it?

I think they were very serious but possibly did not mean for their frustration to come out the way it did

I did not really think it was a joke. That does strain credibility. However, you guys know me, I was trying to give them a gracious way out of this blunder.

I hope they do come back and "fess up."

We all make mistakes and get carried away by our emotions

I hope that we can all accept them if they realize what they said and how thoughtless and self-centered their complaint sounded

Secondly, I don't understand why the Captain didn't check with you before sailing the second week.

Did you also complain that the dinner menu was the same the second week as well?

As us Americans say "tuff #$@%".

to complain about this change in itinerary because of a hurricane is rediculous.

get the picture? The OP was bashed. Soundly by many, maybe unknowingly by others. The OP has a right to be upset. Did they have a right to be upset at HAL - that no one knows without knowing more facts.


This itinerary change was caused by nature, not HAL. B2B cruises are not the suggestion of HAL ... people take them by choice. You don't even get a discount for doing it so to suggest that HAL "owes" something to the OP is simply not reasonable IMHO.
I agree that HAL can not control nature - butwithout having more facts, no one can judge the OP's comments and intent and what HAL did or didn't do.

As Dakrewser (who I rarely agree with posted):

Did you call HAL? Did you request a change to a different cruise? Did you ask for a refund? . . . But, help us to understand a bit more - can you post a copy of the note you sent as well as the reply?

If the OP tried to reschedule, get a refund for one of the weeks, etc and HAL did not comply, then I do think they have a legit complaint.

but without more facts - no one can answer - yet folks here were in a tizzy to assume one things and bash the OP

[shuttle-c]

The beginning post about HAL not accommodating them is ridiculous. There are 2000 passengers to consider. Complaining about having duplicate ports is such an insignificant thing to worry or complain about. If you live in Florida, people would understand that there are people without roofs now with mold growing in their houes. We have so many family and friends that don't have habitable houses right now. People are without work and so many unfortunate people, that complaining about two cruises back to back is like Maria Antionette telling the people to "eat cake".

Tough get over it, be glad you can afford a cruise.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Superstein, I sure don't always agree with you, but I have never known you to be so confusing in your observations. First, if you will read my former comment you will see I said "a few posters got nasty". So I acknowledged that.

But several of the posts you copied into yours are simply not nasty. For instance the suggestion to "take lemons and make lemonade" is not. Have you never heard this positive way of looking at things before? And "Come on. Give HAL a break" is not either. And of all the comments you site, I would say 6 of them could possible fit the description of "nasty".

Everyone commented on the facts as they were stated by the OP. If he had more to say, he could have put it in his original post or followed up to clarify what he was upset about. Since he chose not to, I have to suspect he was looking for a different reaction from people.

This is not a courtroom. Someone posted a gripe with a big frown face and stated he'd been ill treated and folks reacted that with the information provided they didn't feel he had been. You're trying to launch a veritible investigation to delve into every nuance of what the OP meant when I think it was quite clear at the onset!

I still think, that for the most part, people were more than fair.

[woodofpine]

Time to give it a break...

OP was a L-EE-TLE self absorbed, when the wolves attacked!

[Bill S]

OP titled his thread: "ILL treatment by HAL". I re-read his post, and this is the gist of his complaint concerning the repeated itinerary:

"This would be fine except HAL didn't take our situation in consideration because the second half or our cruise duplicates the first half. We have been loyal travelers with HAL but if this is their idea of fair play they have seen the last of us."

Now, how does HAL changing the itinerary due to hurricane damage rise to the level of "ill treatment"? I can understand OP's disappoiintment but I cannot agree with his assessment that by changing the itinerary out of necessity, and without considering his situation, HAL has treated him badly. But if HAL does not respond to his complaint, that would be "ill treatment" IMO. Maybe, that is what he really meant by ill treatment, but that is not how I interpreted his comment.

Perhaps if OP had titled his thread something in the nature of disappointment with itinerary change, or words to that effect, he would have received a more sympathetic reaction. HAL is not perfect and they admit they are not, but changing an itinerary by necessity is not "ill treatment" IMO, and the right to make itinerary changes is a perogative that is a part of HAL's contract with it's passengers. I'm sorry that OP will not get to visit all of the original ports and I understand his frustration. But OTOH, I'm also sorry he chose to categorize his disappointment with HAL's actions as "ill treatment". I do hope that HAL will at least respond to him.

[JohnR49er]

I wish DW and I could manage to get off from work for 2 weeks in a row for a btb. I guess I might be a little bummed about the duplication in ports, but 14 days on a ship would make me forget pretty quick.:rolleyes:

[mcduck]

At least you were made aware of the changes. HAL has not bothered to tell us that they have eliminated the Grand Cayman stop on our Christmas cruise, replacing it with a day at sea instead, and better yet, they have not bothered to refund the port fees for the stop at GC! I was hoping that we would get a replacement stop elsewhere if GC was not going to be available, hopefully Costa Maya as we have not been there. Another day at sea SUCKS as we enjoy visiting the various ports, but while HAL can only do so much as the number and availablity of ports is limited, the least they can do and notify their customers, and refund port charges.

[shipcafe]

MCDuck : Did you book through a travel professional? I would think that a fax went out to travel agencies, etc. . .? The travel professional would then, in turn, give you a call. If you're booked through a travel agency, the cruise line would not typically call you directly.

[mcduck]

You are of course correct that HAL would have notified my TA, not me, and that the TA may have dropped the ball. That light went on after I made my post, and I have also made that correction on a new thread that I started. I think that it is somewhat out of fustration, as the only port of four that we actually wanted to stop at was the one that got cancelled. OH well, it will still be 10 below here while we are sailing somewhere between Cozumel and Jamaica.

It is interesting that the BTB that was booked was an Western and an Eastern sailing and that they now stop at the same ports - that does seem kind of odd.

[shipcafe]

You are of course correct that HAL would have notified my TA, not me, and that the TA may have dropped the ball. That light went on after I made my post, and I have also made that correction on a new thread that I started. I think that it is somewhat out of fustration, as the only port of four that we actually wanted to stop at was the one that got cancelled. OH well, it will still be 10 below here while we are sailing somewhere between Cozumel and Jamaica.

It is interesting that the BTB that was booked was an Western and an Eastern sailing and that they now stop at the same ports - that does seem kind of odd.

Hi McDuck : Well, maybe they were NOT notified. I would just keep open communication with your TA in any case. See what they say. Also see what else I had mentioned in the other thread .. Good luck!

[RevNeal]

HAL has not bothered to tell us that they have eliminated the Grand Cayman stop on our Christmas cruise, replacing it with a day at sea instead, and better yet, they have not bothered to refund the port fees for the stop at GC!

We were supposed to stop at Grand Cayman on our 21-day Panama Canal Cruise. It wasn't until we were in Costa Rica that we were informed that our stop in Grand Cayman was being switched to Jamaica and that the difference in the cost of port fees was being refunded to us on our shipboard accounts. I wasn't happy about stopping in Jamaica. I've been there three times, and did like the idea of having to stop there again, and had been looking forward to Grand Cayman; however, since there wasn't anything I could do about it I just settled back and enjoyed a quiet day aboard ship (which, after the hell-day in Cartagena, was welcome). In your case, I think I'd prefer a different port, but that's just not always possible.

Please note, they refunded to us the difference between the port fees in Grand Cayman and Jamaica via a credit on our shipboard accounts. It was just $5 and some change, but I doubt that anyone turned down the credit. So ... please don't just assume that you will not receive a refund of port fees. They may well be applied as a credit to your shipboard account.

[ualtim]

I love these posts. Kind of get to see where everyone who responds stands. Typically, I just sit back and read'em as I do not feel like getting involved in a debate that can not be solved, but I could not resist.

As far as those who feel they have been "ill treated", I will never know how you feel as I am not privy to your inner thoughts. If you really feel that you were wronged, do the only thing a consumer can do in this situation and walk away and don't sail on HAL (can not do anything legally as it is stated in your cruise contract that they can skip or substitute the ports of call at anytime.)

As far as those who feel differently about the "ill treatment" and support HAL, that is your right too. Posting on the internet in a way is a form of free speech. Re-plying to that post is also a form of free speech. As long as you stay within the boards rules an regs, have at it. If one chooses to voice an opinion that is not "popular" you have to expect some swift replies that offer a counter point. Just as the Dixie Chicks learned, you may say anything you want to, but can you deal with the response?

My opinion on this thread? I am a bright-sider when it comes to cruise vacations. Cruise lengthened due to unforseen circumstances, :), extra day on the ship. Cruise shortened due to a hurricane, :), ship board credit and a good chunk off my next cruise. Port of call skipped or substituted, :), an extra at sea day or another opportunity to do something in a port that I did not have time to do before. Cruise canceled due to mechanical break down, OK, you got me there. Hard to bright side that one, but at least you get a full refund and likely a future cruise discount.

Have I ever received "poor" treatment from a cruise line? Yes. Voiced our displeasure to the cruise line and worked with them to try and resolve the difference of opinion. Did not like their response, so all things being equal, we will choose another cruise line ahead of them when booking another cruise. It is not the we will never sail with them again, just that we will not choose to sail with them if there is an equal or better option. That is all you can do as a consumer.

Walk into Yankee Stadium wearing a Red Sox cap and start screaming Yankees S--k, you will get a less than favorable response.

[doone]

I know its disappointing to have your itinerary changed and stop at ports you didn't intend on stopping at or eliminate ones you were looking forward to, I think most of us have had that happens to us, but who in the world would want to stop at a port where its been destroyed by hurricanes???? Not me. Then that would bring on another complaint.

[sail7seas]

.....Not to mention the port is closed and accepting no cruise ships! HAL and all other lines have no choice but to not call there. Even if they could stop there, it isn't conceivable to me someone would actually want to visit a devastated island where the locals are struggling to survive. To see such desperate circumstances and people trying to rebuild their lives. Not my idea of a fun, happy, carefree vacation.

[shipcafe]

I just found out from a friend on a similar (if not the same) sailing that port charges and taxes are being adjusted to reflect the port changes.

I would contact your TA and make sure that this is taking place.

Hopefully that resolves the "rip off" phenomenon ;)

[HeatherInFlorida]

.........Walk into Yankee Stadium wearing a Red Sox cap and start screaming Yankees S--k, you will get a less than favorable response.
IMHO, this statement is brilliant. In a nutshell it really says it all. TwoTravelers just showed up in the wrong stadium!!!!!:D

[Giorgi-one]

Two Travelers:

Aren't you glad you posted so all your fellow Cruise Critics could offer words of encouragement? Don't take it too seriously. I have had the same thing happen to me on numerous occasions. You ask a simple question or describe a situation and after about ten reponses you wonder if you are on the same thread. I understand how you feel although I have never done a back to back cruise. However, as you proably did not have to be told, you can easily find something to do for two days in any port. In fact, I have always wondered why some cruises don't consider spending more than just a few hours in each port. Then I remembered the revenue from shops and casinos and came to my senses.

Seeing the same ports twice is bad enough, but you will have to eat the same filets, lobster, etc for two weeks. Maybe you could go vegetarian the second week. Try to gut it out!!!

[shipcafe]

Note that among the backlash, however, is useful information by which to go about getting a correct response! ;)

[mcduck]

Re-reading what I wrote late last night surprised me this afternoon, as I was way more upset than I needed to be. I think that it was the last straw on a very bad week or so, when even a minor molehill becomes a moutain.

Have not heard back from our TA yet, but have no problem with a ship board credit for the port fees. I think the biggest dispointment is that there was no replacement port, just another day at sea. (I was expecting CG to be cancelled and was hoping for a replacement stop at Costa Maya). We choose our cruises by ports first, ship second. And as I said in my post on the twotravelers thread, it will still be 10 below back home while we are sailing somewhere between Cozumel and Jamaica, rather than moored at GC - like I said sometimes small molehills become mountains until you stop and relect and figure out that the glass is not half empty.

I have never had a bad experience with HAL, and as I have said before, even our two teens prefer to sail HAL over Carnival and Princess, as they consider it "classier". (They prefer to spend their sea days on the balcony reading and just enjoying the sun.)

My apologies to all, and thanks to those with positive comments.

[ekerr19]

mcduck-

Good luck to you - sometimes just venting your frustration can help. :)

[Ziggy7]

Re-reading what I wrote late last night surprised me this afternoon, as I was way more upset than I needed to be. I think that it was the last straw on a very bad week or so, when even a minor molehill becomes a moutain.

Have not heard back from our TA yet, but have no problem with a ship board credit for the port fees. I think the biggest dispointment is that there was no replacement port, just another day at sea. (I was expecting CG to be cancelled and was hoping for a replacement stop at Costa Maya). We choose our cruises by ports first, ship second. And as I said in my post on the twotravelers thread, it will still be 10 below back home while we are sailing somewhere between Cozumel and Jamaica, rather than moored at GC - like I said sometimes small molehills become mountains until you stop and relect and figure out that the glass is not half empty.

I have never had a bad experience with HAL, and as I have said before, even our two teens prefer to sail HAL over Carnival and Princess, as they consider it "classier". (They prefer to spend their sea days on the balcony reading and just enjoying the sun.)

My apologies to all, and thanks to those with positive comments.Dont give up hope yet, they might change your itinerary again, maybe with Costa Maya as a port :)

[dakrewser]

Re-reading what I wrote late last night surprised me this afternoon, as I was way more upset than I needed to be. My apologies to all, and thanks to those with positive comments.
Even harder to say that a simple "I'm sorry" is "I may have overreacted."

I'm sure you'll have a very good cruise, mcduck, whichever places your ship ends up going.

As for twocruisers, somehow I don't think we'll hear them same sentiment. And that's too bad - nothing worse than deciding you'll have a rotten time even before you head up the gangplank.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Quite by accident, I happened on a very interesting thread that might be something some of you who are supposed to stop in Grand Cayman. Some of it won't apply to you at all and truthfully I didn't read the whole thing. But it has some very good info about what's going on there:

Cruise Critic Message Boards - Grand Cayman Excursions (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=80469)

Since there was so much discussion about GC on this thread, I thought I'd post this link here.

[mcduck]

No dakrewser - there is no "may" about it - I simply DID!

[superstein61]

Superstein, I sure don't always agree with you, but I have never known you to be so confusing in your observations. First, if you will read my former comment you will see I said "a few posters got nasty". So I acknowledged that.

But several of the posts you copied into yours are simply not nasty. For instance the suggestion to "take lemons and make lemonade" is not. Have you never heard this positive way of looking at things before? And "Come on. Give HAL a break" is not either. And of all the comments you site, I would say 6 of them could possible fit the description of "nasty".

Everyone commented on the facts as they were stated by the OP. If he had more to say, he could have put it in his original post or followed up to clarify what he was upset about. Since he chose not to, I have to suspect he was looking for a different reaction from people.

This is not a courtroom. Someone posted a gripe with a big frown face and stated he'd been ill treated and folks reacted that with the information provided they didn't feel he had been. You're trying to launch a veritible investigation to delve into every nuance of what the OP meant when I think it was quite clear at the onset!

I still think, that for the most part, people were more than fair. Heather - OK, let me clear this up - I think some of the responses were outright nasty - as you do. And others , while not nasty, were critical.

I guess my point is why criticize the OP without having all the facts?

I don't have a problem with people being critical when the situation calls for it (as I have done this myself) - but the OP didn't give enough info IMO to justify all the criticism received.

[TwoTravelers]

After reviewing all the comments on my posting, for those that were constructive, I thank you. For those that were unduly critical, stuff it! Figure out what category your posting fits yourself.

For everyone's information HAL restored the original itinerary and a excellent cruise was enjoyed by all. Good night all.......

[~Nereus~]

There are no realities, only perspectives...

Can't understand those people who have to flame someone who has had a bad experience... If someone states they had rotten service and will never cruise that line again someone else will state they had the best service ever and almost accuse the poster of various attitudinal shortcomings...

We just did a B2B on the Sun Princess and had various stops altered and duplicated...
If we had booked the cruise only because we would visit certain ports we would have been upset... but because we cruise a lot we like any port days where people get off our yacht... We have our own issues with Princess and I also got flamed for expressing OUR experiences...

Even if you disagree because your experience was different, people still have the right to express their opinion of what happened to them... without being flamed or ridiculed...

[grammymurray]

So maybe you can talk to Mother Nature or God and see what you can do about stopping the hurricanes? at least you have a home to return to!