Engineroom Snipe

Modifying my post to reflect @chengkp75 stating that port fees are normally for a fixed time period so that in this case, the additional time at dock would not be an issue which would increase a port fee.

While some cruisers avoid a Coco Cay itinerary, a huge amount will only go on a cruise that has it as one of their port stops. Coco Cay is a money machine for Royal and I, like yourself believe, if they can sneak a third ship in somehow, they would do it. The island would be packed and all of the cabanas and excursions would be at maximum price and sold out.

Asked my TA to pass on any information he gets, good or bad about our affected cruise. He is very good and only does cruises. Crickets as of now.

And create the terms for cancellation by passengers due to the changes (BIG IF) Might decide to give some FCC and OBC or give nothing at all. Corporate has to sing from the same page, distribute the information officially to all call centers, TAs, update webpages etc.

Unfortunately, there are many moving parts. Port fees are based on time at dock. The dock might need to be cleared for another ship. The harbormaster is normally reserved for a certain period of time and might be scheduled for another ship at a certain time. Many variables involved in the decision.

I do not think many of them would say the same words directly to you in an environment such as the Crown Lounge. But the anonymity of being behind a keyboard seems to make it happen more. I notice the people who try to have conversation here more than I do the "hit and runs".

Automatic time changes from smartphones connected to smart wrist device have been a known issue by cruisers. Still happens. I always take a shockproof old school watch with me and make sure it is on the time shown on the ship as you go through the gang-plank area. At that point, I do not care about the time on any cell phone or local display until I am back on ship. Missing the ship is one of my pet fears. Maybe that came from my military experience.

Like @jfio1021, I got tickets for under $20 per person so I will give it a try for the heated pool as @OCSC Mike mentioned. Other than that, I have always enjoyed the included no extra charge amenities on the island.

As I have stated, I hope I am wrong I have a vacation house so I will not be without shelter.

I have repetitively stated in so many words, "I hope I am wrong." My OPINION is that everyone is being overly optimistic Unless you have been directly involved with something like this, you are just speculating. Again, I hope I am wrong and have to eat crow. That would be good for everyone involved. Has anyone on this board ever been involved with doing anything underwater in such a complex situation to understand the total logistics necessary to make this happen under sixty days?

I wasted so many words lacking the proper quote you made. Precisely.

So few people understand your words which are stated well. The water flow is swift and difficult for divers. This is still a forensic scene until everything is analyzed and documented. So much has to be done. I feel your respect.

All of your undercurrents are understood. I hope you are right and I am wrong. That would be good for so many people.

@pghflyer. Are you sure, even paranoid people have real enemies (one of my favorite quotes)! Life is short and we are all doing our best. Carry on. 😁

You and I have had respectful discussions without animosity or vitriol. I understand your discussion that their is "power and resources" trying to get the harbor open. My OPINION is that the resources are limited despite how much power is brought to bear. The clock is ticking. Our debate will end on June 1st, 2024. The harbor will be clear and I will have to eat crow. This would not be the first time I am wrong. Now try and get @chengkp75 to agree with your opinion.

I stated in another post that waiting is the hardest part. Just let us know so we can adjust whatever plans we made. The stress comes from dealing with unknowns that we have no control over.

Do you know your lifeboat was probably provided by the lowest bidder? Be afraid, be very afraid! I am a very positive person. I want my cruise to succeed and I want your cruise to succeed. I keep saying that this incident was an extraordinary event and it is just going to take time to fix and repair. I wish I could wave a magic wand and fix everything in 60 days but I also have to deal in the reality of the situation, not just what "I want to happen."

What, to ruin my vacation? I am not that important! 🤣

I stated my case and I hope I am proven wrong. This is not I95 in Philadelphia on land that only had to be filled in and paved until a long term solution is found. Again, I hope I am wrong but after 47 years of working. No matter how fast I want to build a house, the foundation must be laid before any framing happens. The roof can only be put on after the framing. The plumbing and electrical can only be done at certain times. There are only so many special cranes to pull the metal out of the water. Divers need time to cut steel and attach the cranes to pull out the steel. Think of all of the steps involved and it can be done under 78 days?

A three month estimate takes us to June 12th, 2024.

Unlike One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), I do not live in a birdhouse. As I always say, time will tell, 65 days and counting.

But who is the source, the actual person providing this expert opinion?

The garbage pale can only handle so much before it is full. The debris is off-loaded from the barge and the piles can only get so big before there is no space left. Space is limited and this is part of being a contractor during demolition. Such minutia must be calculated and written into the contract.

"...or something like that is what I'm hearing,..." Who is telling this person that above?

The harbor is going to take at least three months to clear with the most optimistic of projections. I am in agreement with @chengkp75. The contracts have to be defined. The resources needed to clear the harbor must be relocated. The resources of the Armed Services cannot be utilized in most cases without an act of war. The military is not allowed to compete with the private sector in most cases so "bringing in resources from Norfolk from the military is a remote possibility unless sanctioned by Congress." Calculate the amount of tonnage in the water that needs to be cut, lifted, and barged to shore. What happens when it gets to shore? It has to be trucked for salvage or recycle. Each truck might be able to handle 60,000 lbs. Go back to line four, how much tonnage must be removed? When all of this is competed, how much time will it take to complete a precise, meticulous sweep of the channel to ensure that no debris is left behind? Even when the channel is clear, ship traffic will have to coordinate with the effort to clear the remaining bridge materials to facilitate an ultimate rebuilding of the bridge. There are SO many moving parts to this equation. I can bet my house against having all of the above done before June 1st, 2024. The Vision will need other alternatives at that point. Done of lecture and I hope I am wrong and everyone can go back to normal in the Port of Baltimore upon the date of June 1st, 2024.