Mdchris

I gather that you let CCL choose the location of your balconies rather than choose them youself. It may have been better to research which balcony dividers can be open. Sorry this happened.

 

 

 

I have posted a couple of times on John Heald's FB page about feeling bad for those who had already flown home and missed out on the opportunity to use the ship as a floating hotel & enjoying time in SJ.

 

 

 

Are you saying that part of your families did remain on the ship & sail to SJ?

As I've mentioned in other posts, my FIL was working with a PVP from carnival who told us these cabins would connect. This really is a minute detail compared to the fact that one of the four couples was shipped off home while the remaining three couples are still on the ship. We live in the same town, requested to stay and we're still split up.

I apologize to the OP if you feel that my comments on the post you started were out of line. I figured this was a general post about the fire and evacuation as it's titled. To the others- As upset as I am about some of the outcome- most specifically being split from our group- I feel that it could have been much worse and I still saw some beautiful sights and spent some great time while we had it with the family. Not everything is black and white. I have the ability to look at the positives as well. As much as I wish that there would have been different outcomes -- at the end of the day- we didn't have any control over what happened and from this point forward all we can control is our attitudes. As disappointed as some aspects were, it was still better than being at work for the week.

Were the additional members of your party going home to the same place?

I apologize- I thought I answered this. Yes we all flew in to the same airport on the same flights. We live pretty close to each other

In addition to what I've already said- once I received my paper work , I went to Guest services and asked that out group not be sent and even mentioned I'd rather stay. They told me not to worry that everyone had to leave, and that the family would be shortly behind me

ETA- maybe Paul talked to the right person and I didn't. Maybe it was at different times of day when they were being instructed to answer questions differently. But I most certainly let them know id prefer to keep the family together and I'd prefer to stay as long as possible.

 

When the paper work was handed out there was not a place to indicate wishes or preferred plans. When they handed it to us - it was "in the rare event they needed to fly us home" at that time they still made it sound like we would be sailing Back to San Juan.

 

 

In addition to what I've already said- once I received my paper work , I went to Guest services and asked that out group not be sent and even mentioned I'd rather stay. They told me not to worry that everyone had to leave, and that the family would be shortly behind me

When I read "they placed us" ....Did you book a guarantee rate ?

 

 

 

Thinking that if opening all the balcony dividers was a high priority to some, to make sure you could do so, your cabins should have been hand selected.

No- a carnival vacation planner told us we would be able to do so in the cabins we booked. He wasn't educated enough in the deck layout to know that wasn't the case.

I'm sorry if I posted in a wrong thread- thanks for the insight. I'm just trying to chin up and wait until we can pick up celebrating where we left off

Ignore the ones that bug you. .. it's thd Internet after all.. but curious, did you purchase your airfare through CCL or independently? This might have something to do with the first out charter situation? In any case, your situation was mishandled and it is a learning situation for everyone to see what did and did not work. Please be sure to contact them to let them know. Not necessarily for additional compensation but for their learning purposes. It could help them better coordinate issues in the future.

 

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Our whole group had the same flights originally. We purchased Independantly through Jet Blue

Mdchris....

 

 

 

A couple of questions...

 

 

 

We understood that your flight home to Salt Lake was paid for and that you were being reimbursed for the airfare you would have otherwise used.

 

 

 

We also were led to believe that the initial paperwork you filled out gave you a choice of days to fly out and the possibility of flying to San Juan and staying there until your initially purchased cruise.

 

 

 

I am sure "this vacation" was ruined but you were fully reimbursed, received $150 in on-board credit, didn't have to pay gratuities, and that you get a 50% discount on another cruise....with the airfare reimbursement you aren't a dime out of pocket are you?

 

 

 

Just verifying some information we have received.

The airfare is being refunded to my understanding. I won't count on anything until I see it.

When the paper work was handed out there was not a place to indicate wishes or preferred plans. When they handed it to us - it was "in the rare event they needed to fly us home" at that time they still made it sound like we would be sailing Back to San Juan.

We spent plenty of money on the trip- not that I feel like I need to justify that to anyone. I used vacation that I won't have for this "do-over" vacation any time soon. Same with my husband who doesn't even receive paid vacation.

If you'll refer back to my first post- I have stated that I am thankful for what Carnival and its crew has done to try to right a wrong. Again- my chief complaint was that we were separated from our group even after I asked not to be.

We waited until about one in the morning until Mariott finally got a hold of them and arranged payment- took about an hour after we arrived more than ready for a hot shower and bed before we left at 5 am for our next flight

LOL Alaska was one of the exclusions - but we intend on a do over eventually

I think they planned on sending everyone home via charter plane but finally got clearance from the uscg. It's not like they can send everyone in one evening so they were splitting it up. Guess they area they were on was one of the first to be flown out.

The only pattern to the flights was the east coast cities- and since we are from Utah- I'm not sure how we got put into the Orlando charter. At the end of the day- if we hadn't been separated from our group at least we would all be in it together. On the ship or at home it would t matter as much as it does now. That's my largest complaint. It tore up the entire reason for the trip (my In laws 50th anniversary- on the day of the anniversary) even after I asked not to be split up.

Some made it sound the people who go off 1st and flew did it by choice, are you saying they made you leave the ship and then while at the airport they decided that they were taking back to San Juan?

 

 

 

No payment for Hotel? They dropped the ball big time it sounds

 

 

 

That is awful, make sure you contact them as you did not get the same deal as many other who got to get the full cruise

That's exactly what I'm saying. We had no choice - we were told to leave the ship even after I told them we would rather not be Separated from our group. I'll write an email but I doubt it will make a difference. Sometimes it is nice to just be heard. Thanks for letting me vent

Things are not that simple. You opted to charter, you were logged out of the ship computer system and onto the charter system. They didn't just give you a ride there, computer information was exchanged and logged .

 

 

 

Were you going to SJ or home?

They sent us to Orlando over night and home to salt lake today. There was no opting in or out of anything- just being herded around. Computers can be moved the other way just as easily- especially on a charter.

My intention is not to get into it with anyone- I just simply wanted to be heard that not everyone had a great experience and that not everyone was allowed to be "stranded on a free cruise " with the ability to actually do as they pleased

Mdchris

 

 

 

I am sorry your family vacation turned out the way it did :( I hope you get the chance for a do over:)

 

 

 

 

 

Reader

Thank you. I hope so as well.

We didn't opt to charter. We were told we had to. Not sure why everyone thought it was a choice- they gave us a letter with our flight info with absolutely no say in the matter.

Sorry that your cruise wasn't the best. Unfortunately, Carnival had no way of knowing when they would receive clearance to sail. Hope you have better cruises in the future.

We were still at the st Thomas airport when they were given clearance. I'd have liked to at least been given the option at that point- especially since it took some time for them

To actually sail.

We were on this cruise as a group of 8 - 4 connecting cabins. My husband and I got chartered off just hours before they set sail with the remainder of the family who was celebrating my husbands parents 50th wedding anniversary. Here are my thoughts:

1. I recognize that it could have been much worse.

2. I am grateful for the way carnival has worked hard to compensate and retain customers.

3. The crew was great.

4. BUT.....our cabins were booked together- connected to the same dinning table. They should have kept our group together.

5. There were problems at every turn no matter how hard we tried to stay positive. Our charter flight left 2 hours late. (They could have told us about the possibility of sailing before we left- it was that close.)

our baggage was two hours later to the plane than we were- another opportunity to at least give us a choice.

They sent us to the Marriot where they had failed to actually provide payment for the rooms we were promised.

And before the fire....

I requested chefs table any night but the 10th. There were three nights to chose from and we were put on the one night I asked them not to.

My FIL was promised that we could open all 4 of the balconies- he had been talking about it for MONTHS- it was the highlight of what he wanted for the trip. They placed us in an area where only two could be opened. Had we been a few cabins down- it would have worked.

I have tried so hard to be thankful and remain positive but the whole entire ordeal was not the sunshine and beaches it has been portrayed as. It was constantly being shuffled around and never knowing what the next few hour would bring- we had no control over a vacation that was a once in a lifetime celebration (50th wedding anniversary) I am so mentally and emotionally drained.

My biggest questions are on things to do at the ports! I am also trying to decide if the Cheers package is worth it on such a port intensive cruise. Any ideas on either of those?

Loving the review so far- we are cruising the Liberty on this itinerary in Sept. I've been anxiously awaiting the first Liberty review- thanks for all of the pictures! Can't wait to read the rest!

No advise sorry. Hope he's a laid back type of guy. I'd be SO pissed if my DH told me we were going on vacation with only 4 days notice.

 

 

 

I did surprise my DH with a cruise, but I told him before Christmas and the cruise was in the summer.

He is super laid back- a total go with the flow kind of guy. He rarely makes plans- it's usually me that does the family's schedule.....but maybe I'll tell him about a month before hand, just in case.

...Dang! You are so brave!

I guess I figure if he's pissed about it - he'll be pissed on a beach with a margarita in his hand. I just need a way to tell him

No credit card bill- I paid for it with some side jobs I've been doing

Haha- I don't think he would appreciate that as much

I've booked a 4 day cruise to surprise my husband for our fifth wedding anniversary. I'd love to hear some creative ways to let him know. I'll be telling him on our anniversary - which is Four days before we leave. I'm arranging work off for him and everything. I just need a really fun way to let him know. TIA

If they cancel you, do they keep the $50 pp already paid, or is it refunded?

Is there any sandy beaches nearby? Or all all inclusive a you can buy a day pass for?