billfromtulsa

I would bet they were scrambling to take care of the Veendam passengers. I know I got a call from them Friday evening about my cancellation, and they had about 700 of those calls to make. Sorry you didn't get an answer, but I'll bet that had something to do with it.

Bill

Hello bill we were a transatlantic with you sorry to here your cruise is canceled. Just arriving in Montreal on the Masdam.The Veendam is docked in Quebec city saw her yesterday hard to understand why it's taking so long to fix the problem. Hopefully you are able too replace you're cruise with one you will be just as happy with!

 

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Hello! Yes, I do remember you. We have already rebooked on the Oct 10 sailing of the Westerdam for a 15 day SAN-FLL cruise through the canal. We thought quickly and came up with a good plan B that met our time requirements. Flying on Thursday and sailing Friday!

Bill

Just got an official notification from HAL that the 7 day sailing on October 11 has also been cancelled due to the propeller issue.

Bill

Come over to our very quiet roll call and stir it up a bit. Any interest in private tours? We have some open. See you in a week!

Already been there and waiting for a response. We are indeed interested in private tours.

Bill

Well, that didn't take long. Pam and I are now booked on the Westerdam leaving on the 10th out of San Diego. Hope you all get taken care of, and get to enjoy a cruise soon!

Bill

This is the post that really set me off:

 

 

 

Roy

Understood, Roy. It rubbed me the wrong way also. Good cruising!

Bill

I'll put blame on both feet here. It would be really nice if HAL would say "We're doing our best but we need to do more investigating to know when the ship will be ready" and customers would accept that and go with the flow. Misinformation doesn't help but neither does demanding an answer when none is possible.

 

Also, I'm wondering how many supplies loaded last weekend will need to be discarded, or perhaps go to a Quebec food bank.

 

Roy

I certainly didn't "demand" an answer. I asked the question and took what they gave me as the truth. No more, no less.

That sounds right. Good. :)

Please enjoy Boston. We'll try to make you feel welcome. :)

Nope you made me mad.:) Just kidding, but I have cancelled flights and hotels. Now to figure out about getting to Quebec City on the 11th.

Bill

I'm disappointed for you.

Refund 100% I get but am not sure what 100% credit for future bookings means. Book any other 7 day cruise for free? That would be nice.

 

I believe it means we get a credit equak to what we paid for the cruise toward another cruise.

Just got an email from HAL. October 4 cruise is cancelled. 100% refund and 100% credit for future bookings. Now I wonder if we are going on the 11th....

Well, just talked to another rep at HAL and she said they expected news by noon Pacific time and we would be getting emails or calls. I expect they are waiting on testing before making the final call. She said to look for an email or I could call back about noon.

Bill

I also book directly with HAL.

Did they notify you individually? Your PCC? An e-mail?

 

No notification period. I am an interliner, but I really doubt that makes any difference in this case. I read about it here on the boards. I am 4 star with HAL, but that doesn't seem to make any difference either. I am in the official dark and I just made a hotel reservation for Saturday night also "just in case".

Not so oblivious.

If I hadn't read Cruise Critic all week, I would not have known. I live in Boston and have sailed from here often. It wouldn't occur to me the ship wouldn't be there to board on Saturday and I would head to the port as scheduled. I wouldn't even have thought to go to the HAL site to see if there was a 'travel advisory'. It isn't like there's a hurricane blowing up the coast that would put people on alert.

 

I wonder how many TA's have been informed in order for them to tell their clients?

 

Good point. I booked directly through HAL, so no TA in the middle to notify. This is almost getting comical on their part claiming we are sailing as scheduled.

Bill

It's a pretty sad day when customers have to get important information regarding their cruise from the news or from Cruise Critic. I trust what I read here from credible posters more than I would trust information from a HAL telephone rep.

Maybe someone else booked should make the call and see what answer they get....

Do you suppose there are many passengers on the Oct 4 cruise completely unaware that the ship is having trouble.

Only the oblivious ones...:)

Just got off the phone with a rep at HAL and they said that we are sailing on schedule. She said the update was from this morning. Who knows.....

Bill

Yesterday's length blog about the propeller problem is back ... along with a different topic for today.

Could be just the timing of putting the new post up. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

For those of you that follow Captain Albert his blog from today is very informative.

You mean the lack of one? I also don't see the original one that was posted from the 30th. Am I missing something, or is it really gone?

Good news!

 

Happy for you on both accounts.

Seems you've had more than enough stress this week and you are READY to cruise. :)

 

Hope you have a great time. It's a wonderful itinerary.

 

Thanks Sail7Seas! It is an exciting time for me on both counts. We are doing two 7 day back to backs on the Veendam, so should be very relaxing.

Just got off the phone with a HAL rep, and she said we are set to sail. She said she just got an email saying the situation had been resolved and we are sailing on the 4th as scheduled.

Great news!

Surgery today is over, kidney stone is gone, and so am I on Friday!:)

Bill

Captain Albert's explanation is a very good lesson to Hal Hdqs. The truth, with a intelligent admission and statement of the problem is the way to go. Cruisers just want the facts.

 

Looking forward to sailing on the MS Veendam, in early 2016.

Sail the small ships while you can.

We were on the Veendam with you in Antarctica. Good to see you are still doing well. We are scheduled on the Veendam for October 4 and October 11 for 14 days back to back.

Bill

I live in Quebec City. They move the ship to another location because this week it is the biggest cruise week in Quebec. So if the ship stayed where it was it was a mess as oct 03 the piers are all full with 5 cruise ships in town. Scuba divers are working on it right now. Holland America is trying to avoid drydock. Will see and keep posting as soon as i have more news

Thanks for the personal update! Please let us know what you hear as it goes along.

Bill

Glad you are home safe and sound. Hope they get the problem fixed and the ship back to Boston by Saturday.

Bill

Just got off the phone with HAL and was told Oct 4 is still a go. The rep told me the current sailing was cancelled out of an abundance of caution, but the Veendam should be ready for the next sailing. Let's hope he knows what he is talking about.

Bill

Van you tell us where you heard this?

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