Jewel Of the Seas and Hurricane Sandy

There's still no news on what changes there will be to the itinerary. RCCL isn't giving out any info - they say they will let us know when we board tomorrow. :( I'm looking at the projected path for Sandy, and I really can't see where we would go to get out of the path. Do you think we'll stay docked for a couple of days till the weather clears? Or maybe swing WAY out east to try to go around it?? I'm really bummed, because I have a feeling we're going to lose 1 or more ports, and there are already too many sea days on this cruise. Any ideas on what they might do?

My parents are on the Jewel now and are planning to stay on board for the repositioning to Tampa. I talked to her yesterday and she said then the captain had not announced any changes. I hope you will all be safe and not have to much rocking and rolling as you head out tomorrow! Once you are around the storm you should be able to make up some time heading to St Thomas.

Barb, you can head to the Roll Call but there really isn't much new news. During a storm, the safest place is out at sea, not in port. We will probably swing out, perhaps toward Bermuda, and port there if it is not too rough to dock. DH thinks it's also possible we will miss one of our later ports toward the end of next week, to make up for any itinerary changes.

The projected path for the hurricane is a sharp left turn; I'm sure we'll be fine.

The good thing is we have two weeks to play with it... I know we'll have a fabulous time regardless of where we end up. :)

Any chance of getting another cruise or canceling out of this one if you have insurance? We don't fancy sailing at 5 p.m. out of Boston into the darkness and an unprecedented storm with 20-30 foot waves.

Might not be so bad. Forecast position for Sunday sailing time shows it to be midway between Bermuda and NC coast. So maybe a detour to the east before heading on a southerly course.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/211343.shtml?5-daynl?large#contents

Barb, you can head to the Roll Call but there really isn't much new news. During a storm, the safest place is out at sea, not in port. We will probably swing out, perhaps toward Bermuda, and port there if it is not too rough to dock. DH thinks it's also possible we will miss one of our later ports toward the end of next week, to make up for any itinerary changes.

 

The projected path for the hurricane is a sharp left turn; I'm sure we'll be fine.

 

The good thing is we have two weeks to play with it... I know we'll have a fabulous time regardless of where we end up. :)

I guess I don't understand why we would port in Bermuda. If we can actually get to Bermuda, why wouldn't we just proceed to St. Thomas as planned? Also, do you think we really need 3 1/2 days to get from Boston to St. Thomas and from Aruba to Tampa? Seems like a lot of time at sea to begin with.

Any chance of getting another cruise or canceling out of this one if you have insurance? We don't fancy sailing at 5 p.m. out of Boston into the darkness and an unprecedented storm with 20-30 foot waves.

We had 10 meter (39 ft?) seas on Vision not too long ago, and it was bumpy but exhilarating. Just take some seasickness remedies and you should be fine, assuming she gets into Boston and departs on time. Safe travels!

The lack of information from RCCL is not right. No updates since 10 am Saturday (next one at 10 am on embarkation day). My parents are on their way to BOS, but if they feel uncomfortable once they finally receive an update from RCCL they will most likely be stranded in Boston as flights out of there are all booked through the rest of today.

As for taking sea sickness pills and enjoying the ride...that works for some people, but not for others especially with the extreme conditions that they will most likely be facing.

My concern is not as much their ability to maneuver around the storm as it is the storm possibly not doing as predicted. If it doesn't turn as predicted, etc. they could be right in the middle of it.

I guess I don't understand why we would port in Bermuda. If we can actually get to Bermuda, why wouldn't we just proceed to St. Thomas as planned? Also, do you think we really need 3 1/2 days to get from Boston to St. Thomas and from Aruba to Tampa? Seems like a lot of time at sea to begin with.

The lack of information from RCCL is not right. No updates since 10 am Saturday (next one at 10 am on embarkation day). My parents are on their way to BOS, but if they feel uncomfortable once they finally receive an update from RCCL they will most likely be stranded in Boston as flights out of there are all booked through the rest of today.

 

As for taking sea sickness pills and enjoying the ride...that works for some people, but not for others especially with the extreme conditions that they will most likely be facing.

 

My concern is not as much their ability to maneuver around the storm as it is the storm possibly not doing as predicted. If it doesn't turn as predicted, etc. they could be right in the middle of it.

Looking forward to the cruise today.... Bring on the waves.....:) One more for the Bucket list...

I understand waiting. However, waiting too long for passengers to make an informed decision is not right. Requiring passengers to board the ship to be able to be told what will be happening is not fair. If a passenger is not comfortable with what they hear they may not have the time or option of getting off. Even if they do get off they will then be stranded in Boston with the storm closing in.

While many people are excited to "bring it on," keep in mind the many people that, despite medication, etc. will be violently ill for days because of this---it may not be as much fun for them.

For what it's worth, I've sailed through a hurricane on a cruise ship. The Captains are pretty smart and they know how to navigate toward the less intense regions of the storm. It wasn't too bad. I think I felt rockier seas in the inside passage of Alaska than the waves and seas in the Caribbean during Hurricane Tomas two years ago. I really wouldn't worry too much.

I understand waiting. However, waiting too long for passengers to make an informed decision is not right. Requiring passengers to board the ship to be able to be told what will be happening is not fair. If a passenger is not comfortable with what they hear they may not have the time or option of getting off. Even if they do get off they will then be stranded in Boston with the storm closing in.

 

While many people are excited to "bring it on," keep in mind the many people that, despite medication, etc. will be violently ill for days because of this---it may not be as much fun for them.

I understand your frustration. About a decade ago, I was on a cruise during storm season...it was rerouted...each day we would get updates telling us what ports we'd miss and what substitutes they'd make for the next day or two. We missed some of the most scenic portions of that fall trip. I was sad about that, but I was safe. I read my cruise contract and discovered, as your parents will, that the ship can divert as needed for pretty much any reason.

The itinerary can change on any cruise, though most likely to change in storm seasons or in vicinity of social unrest. Rough weather can be encountered on any ship, but more likely during storm season. Those who believe they will be violently ill due to rough seas should not sail during hurricane season...in fact, if they suffer that bad of seasickness, they should question sailing at all.

Had I been able to get the time off work, I'd be on that sailing with your parents. Having been through it before, I'd have accepted without complaint any and all itinerary changes as well the rough seas....I was prepared for such when I selected the cruise.

Frustrated as you and your parents may be, it is all part of cruising. I trust that the captain will keep the ship out of harms way. This is predicted to be a slow moving storm. The ship can sail faster than the storm moves, so thugh the itinerary may continue to be adjusted daily as the storm track shifts (as happened to me in the story above), the ship will be kept safe. not necessarily in smooth waters or on the initially planned path, but safe.

best wishes to your parents.

The lack of information from RCCL is not right. No updates since 10 am Saturday (next one at 10 am on embarkation day). My parents are on their way to BOS, but if they feel uncomfortable once they finally receive an update from RCCL they will most likely be stranded in Boston as flights out of there are all booked through the rest of today.

 

As for taking sea sickness pills and enjoying the ride...that works for some people, but not for others especially with the extreme conditions that they will most likely be facing.

 

My concern is not as much their ability to maneuver around the storm as it is the storm possibly not doing as predicted. If it doesn't turn as predicted, etc. they could be right in the middle of it.

If that turns out to be the case, we should still be able to out-run Sandy. Thus far (always subject to revision) Sandy has pretty much followed the majority of the many forecasts. If she continues to do so, Captain Mac will find a way to provide the smoothest possible path. The first few days should have some bumps, but then we should be done with Sandy.

I have more concerns about our neighborhood here at home -- cannot move that.

Ray in NH -- for ONLY a little longer --got a date with Sandy (maybe)

If that turns out to be the case, we should still be able to out-run Sandy. Thus far (always subject to revision) Sandy has pretty much followed the majority of the many forecasts. If she continues to do so, Captain Mac will find a way to provide the smoothest possible path. The first few days should have some bumps, but then we should be done with Sandy.

I have more concerns about our neighborhood here at home -- cannot move that.

Ray in NH -- for ONLY a little longer --got a date with Sandy (maybe)

Ray I am also in NH and wish you the best of luck ... I usually don't get too stressed about these things but all the severe warnings are making me nervous.

I understand waiting. However, waiting too long for passengers to make an informed decision is not right. Requiring passengers to board the ship to be able to be told what will be happening is not fair... option of getting off...

Wow, seriously? Get off? Hmm. That is an option I have not even considered. We have sailed around/out run two hurricanes and it was absolutely fine. The captain and his crew would not put the passengers and ship in jeopardy.

I'm excited to get on the ship and since we have two full weeks, there are lots of options. Naturally there will be some itinerary changes, but that is what you get for cruising in hurricane season.

We await the 10 am date and then we are off on our adventure!!!!!!

My parents are well aware of the cruise line's right to change ports--they've sailed on 50+ cruises all over the world. That is not at all their concern--they could care less which ports are moved/cancelled except for one (and that one will still be there another day).

What they, and I, am upset about is the lack of information from Royal Caribbean. In the past they have been very up front with information, but that is not the case this time. It's after 10 am and no update.

Yes, Sandy has followed predictions so far, but living in FL I can tell you that doesn't mean anything.

PS - My father just spoke to Royal Caribbean and was told that the ship may be leaving Boston early even if they don't have all passengers.

Royal Caribbean just posted their 10 am update at 11:15 am.

Jewel of the Seas

Given Hurricane Sandy's current location and projected path, Jewel of the Seas will not depart Boston, Massachusetts, today, as scheduled, but will remain docked in port until Tuesday, October 30. Due to the delayed departure from Boston, it will be necessary to modify the itinerary. Guests sailing on Jewel of the Seas will receive additional information on their revised itinerary once the board the ship today.

This was news to my parents who are checked in and waiting to board the ship (they were still trying to decide what they would do, but figured they should keep proceeding until they got information).

Just read the update and posted in the other Sandy thread, but it looks like Jewel is not going out until Tuesday!

Jewel of the Seas

Given Hurricane Sandy's current location and projected path, Jewel of the Seas will not depart Boston, Massachusetts, today, as scheduled, but will remain docked in port until Tuesday, October 30. Due to the delayed departure from Boston, it will be necessary to modify the itinerary. Guests sailing on Jewel of the Seas will receive additional information on their revised itinerary once the board the ship today.

Edit: Saw I was posting the same time, sorry for the duplicate info.

Any chance of getting another cruise or canceling out of this one if you have insurance? We don't fancy sailing at 5 p.m. out of Boston into the darkness and an unprecedented storm with 20-30 foot waves.

We were on a recent cruise with 20-30 foot waves and didn't have any problems. Newer ships sail right thru large waves with little effect. Wouldn't want to be on a huge tall ship. We sailed Princess one year and hit some weather with winds. Because the ship was so high and top heavy, it swayed alot more than a shorter ship with fewer decks.

NCL ships are lower and sleeker and seem to handle the rough seas better than most other ships we've sailed during storms.

We were on the Jewel repo last year and we sailed out of Boston into a monster of a storm (in this case it was a Nor'Easter snow storm that left millions in the dark for a week). We hit hurricane force winds as soon as we got out to sea. It was a very rough night and first day, but we never felt like we were in danger. The Captain decided that it was safer to be out to sea than to be tied up to the pier in Boston.

It is a two week cruise, and they will adjust the itinerary. This storm is predicted to be much worse than the storm last year. They are predicting the worst flooding in New England in 70 years. The main issue here is safety and people being able to get into Boston to get on the ship. It's hurricane season. It's the risk you take.

Just talked to my mom on board the Jewel. They are having a nice lunch for all the back to back passengers. They have been told they will remain in port and that they will most likely miss Barbados. She said everyone seems happy and calm. Enjoying lunch and the ship.

I am on the Jewel having a cold one we will skip two ports St Thomas and Barbados

My opinion better safe than sorry.

May you have a good, safe time, no matter when you sail and where you go.

Say hi to Lorenzo in the Champagne Bar for me.

I am on the Jewel having a cold one we will skip two ports St Thomas and Barbados.

I am onboard too and the notice said eventually we are going to St.Thomas and St.Lucia, a few more sea days and then Aruba and Curacao. We miss St. Kitts and Barbados.

In general passengers seem to be taking it well but many are upset. Any excursions booked through RCI will be refunded in on board credit. I don't think they will open the stores or the casino until we are at sea. Bummer! LOL