Just off Freedom caught in storm October 9th

[azureblue50]

I think anyone that sailed on the FOS and experienced the storm has a need to express and share thoughts, crazy or not. We wanna know what you saw and tell what we saw as we document it in our memory, validating it as a true "WOW" event.

Personally, the next day, I was jumping up and down on my swishy wet cabin carpet reading about our compensation. WOO HOO !! I was jumping again with joy this week when we received our 1/2 off next cruise certificate. Lookin to book. Hope to see you all again. :D

[TheMediaman]

I've read these forums for quite some time and have gained a lot from them. I thank all members for contributions.

 

In regards to the storm experienced by cruisers on Freedom of the Seas I'd like to offer the following thoughts and I think it's important to offer a proper persepective for those who read these forums who aren't visible members; those who may be considering a cruise be it first time or not.

 

Yes there was a storm. No I did not feel my safety (life) was threatened at any time. Yes the ship listed to port by some 10-12 degrees for an extended period of time. (Personally I'd rather have the continual list versus a roll and pitch...reminded me of being in the old 1960's Batman series)

 

Did any thought of neglect by the Captain enter my mind? No. For a person at that level to knowingly put ship and passengers at an unecessary risk is absurd. Imagine if that were true...the PR damage to RCI would be in millions of dollars lost. (I've read some posts inferring RCI may have put the pursuit of the almighty dollar ahead of our safety).

 

I thought it was impressive to hear stories from crew members who had very little to no sleep the night of the incident in the effort to tidy up areas of the ship for our continued enjoyment.

 

Yes there was water damage. Many staterooms including mine had varying degrees of water leaking through the bottom of sliding glass doors. I have empathy for those that experienced more water than ours. The sea water spray was part of the mixture of rain/sea water and when sea water gets into carpet and dries it can smell. It isn't mold or mildew (health hazard)...it just stinks...trust me...I'm a scuba diver and if any significant amount of water spills in the back of my SUV...within a day I'm going through gallons of Fabreeze.

 

Would someone who has never been on a cruise jump to negative conclusion by seeing "Storm hits cruise ship". Of course...If I was unfamiliar I'd think Ginger, Maryann, Skipper, Gilligan and a 3 hour tour (or that Youtube video of the cruise ship rolling in the rogue wave)

 

I think the proper perspective is that it was mother nature. Sometimes she just unpredicatbly flexes her muscle. The captain did his duty properly as we all came out of it safe and we were sitting on CocoCay sipping drinks the next day. It was maybe 2-3 hours of sitting in our staterooms where we couldn't and shouldn't be falling down stairs, tripping over our feet or other such things. Sure to some passengers it was unnerving, frightening, worrisome or any other word that may be applied. Emotion is a personal thing and I don't diminish what any passenger felt.

 

But by 10 ish PM we were fed our luxurious meal of sandwiches and pizza with bottle water and pop. (Soda). In bed and next day it was sunshine and sand between the toes. (I'm being sarcastic about "luxurious"...I was darn hungry by the end of it.)

 

I believe all aboard received some denomination of credit on their cruise account. The balcony staterooms where water found its way over the sliding glass door ledge were compensated with the 50% certificate. RCI didn't have to do either as it was an act of nature. But I am pleased that they did acknowledge quickly and efficiently. That was a very good step in customer service and PR.

 

Would I cruise again?

 

Overall I think what would worry me more than any storm, more than any ship leaning for a period of time, more than a few plates crashing...will be the restaurant prices in Venice. That will cause me more panic than any old windy storm. :D

 

Yes I'm cruising again. Booked into Venice aboard Grandeur June 2012. And yes the FOS compensation certificate I just received will be applied.

[derwoodff64]

We were in 6662. Flooding was extensive,the odor from mold and mildew was overpowering. We got hooked on balcony cabins several cruises back. Really enjoy having coffe out there in the morning and watching while we sail into a port. That was taken away from us until Friday when new carpet was installed. Enjoyed everything else about the cruise(after Sunday night) but coming back to the cabin at night was like an SNL Debbie Downer skit(cue the trombone) Apreciated the shipboard credit and offer of 1/2 off NEXT cruise. We just felt we didn't get the cabin we paid for on this cruise. We understand it was an unusual event,but someone,somewhere,made the decision to sail,which led to the event. We have nothing but praise for the crew,they were caught in the same situation we were and handled it as well as can be expected. The hotel staff did all they could given the circumstances and were as helpful as they could be. I hope "corporate" realizes this and appreciated their actions.

No certificate yet for us,just thought I'd put my two cents in to bump up the thread.

 

My Mom and Dad were in that cabin the week before. On Saturday night they couldn't use the Balcony due to the water from the splash of the waves bouncing off the glass doors. It never seemed to get into the room so I guess what we went through Sat. night wasn't as bad as your trip Sunday night. I however had a promenade room and well had a "few" and slept through it all!!!

[sm3ds]

We were on the Oct 9 Dream sailing. I am so glad we did not leave port until 4am the next moring. It was still rough. I spent the first 6 hours of the cruise dry heaving over the toilet. The rest of the cruise was great. I don't think I could have handled being on Freedom of the seas. I can't imagine how may people were seasick. What an awful experience for first time cruisers.

[klingoncruiser]

Wow, wild ride!:eek:

[T_Bone2012]

My wife and I took a Celebrity cruise back in 1999, and the seas got so rough that the late dinner seating was cancelled, the casino was closed, and most people were sleeping in the common areas in the middle of the ship. Waves were going over the first few rows of port holes (which would have been scary from the inside). My wife was sleeping soundly (thanks to some strong medicine), and a few of us with sea legs had a grand time socializing in one of the few bars that were still open. Th Captain apologized the next day, and my wife has been leery of cruising ever since. We went on another cruise 2 years later - ran into another storm, and she hasn't wanted to cruise since. I told her that the larger ships were much more stable, and we'll be off again in January on the Mariner of the Seas. Wish us luck, as I have a feeling this is her (our) last cruise if we hit rough weather again!

[sj25]

I think anyone that sailed on the FOS and experienced the storm has a need to express and share thoughts, crazy or not. We wanna know what you saw and tell what we saw as we document it in our memory, validating it as a true "WOW" event.

Personally, the next day, I was jumping up and down on my swishy wet cabin carpet reading about our compensation. WOO HOO !! I was jumping again with joy this week when we received our 1/2 off next cruise certificate. Lookin to book. Hope to see you all again. :D

 

I would agree it was an experience no matter what if it was your first or 50th cruise. I chuckled whe you said an "WOW" event...wonder if they would like us to post that as a wow...

I also was doing the jumping of swishy wet cabin carpert and when my certificate came made me jump again and know that little extra blowing my nose due to allergies of the mold smell was worth it and will enjoy the extra cruise I am doing in Jan and only ended up paying taxes.

 

We were on the Oct 9 Dream sailing. I am so glad we did not leave port until 4am the next moring. It was still rough. I spent the first 6 hours of the cruise dry heaving over the toilet. The rest of the cruise was great. I don't think I could have handled being on Freedom of the seas. I can't imagine how may people were seasick. What an awful experience for first time cruisers.

 

Wow guess a good thing you wasn't on this one. I don't get an upset stomach usually solid rock, but stomach was a little uneasy...

 

My wife and I took a Celebrity cruise back in 1999, and the seas got so rough that the late dinner seating was cancelled, the casino was closed, and most people were sleeping in the common areas in the middle of the ship. Waves were going over the first few rows of port holes (which would have been scary from the inside). My wife was sleeping soundly (thanks to some strong medicine), and a few of us with sea legs had a grand time socializing in one of the few bars that were still open. Th Captain apologized the next day, and my wife has been leery of cruising ever since. We went on another cruise 2 years later - ran into another storm, and she hasn't wanted to cruise since. I told her that the larger ships were much more stable, and we'll be off again in January on the Mariner of the Seas. Wish us luck, as I have a feeling this is her (our) last cruise if we hit rough weather again!

 

I do wish you the best. Mariner is my favorite ship and going out in Jan. should have a better chance on good weather.

[Mik789]

Anyone else get a certificate?

[Mik789]

Yes there was water damage. Many staterooms including mine had varying degrees of water leaking through the bottom of sliding glass doors. I have empathy for those that experienced more water than ours. The sea water spray was part of the mixture of rain/sea water and when sea water gets into carpet and dries it can smell. It isn't mold or mildew (health hazard)...it just stinks...trust me...I'm a scuba diver and if any significant amount of water spills in the back of my SUV...within a day I'm going through gallons of Fabreeze.

 

 

I may have to disagree with you about the smell. I've been in houses here in Florida that were soaked after a hurricane and loaded with mold,the smell was the same. Also,I was there Friday night when they replaced the carpet in the room,the old carpet was in the hallway for a bit,and there were noticable green and brown blotches on the underside,clearly,it was mold and mildew.

[Mik789]

One last shameless bump. Anyone else receive a certificate,or hear from RCCL concerning the 10/09/11 sailing?

[travelin_nat]

One last shameless bump. Anyone else receive a certificate,or hear from RCCL concerning the 10/09/11 sailing?

 

I'd say if you have not heard from them by now, give them a call. We've had ours a couple weeks.

[Mik789]

I'd say if you have not heard from them by now, give them a call. We've had ours a couple weeks.

 

 

We were considering a call this week,thanks for the info on how long you've had yours.

[Iluvcdays]

I called RCCL Friday after reading that so many people had received thier vouchers. I found out that my vouchers had been sent to an old mailing address (RCCL has my new address on file) and they just applied the money toward my future Alaska cruise right over the phone. I think you should have received them by now.

[StrikeEagle]

One last shameless bump. Anyone else receive a certificate,or hear from RCCL concerning the 10/09/11 sailing?

 

what certificate are you talking about? I got the $200 on board credit which was already refunded on my credit card ( minus the onboard spending balance).

 

About hearing from RCC concerning the 10/09/2011. Not sure if it is regarding specifically about the 10/09 sailing, but I received an email from RCCL with a link for the surveys/comments. Been cruising with RCCL 5 times already and this is the first time I receive an email with a link for the survey/comments

[Mik789]

what certificate are you talking about? I got the $200 on board credit which was already refunded on my credit card ( minus the onboard spending balance).

 

About hearing from RCC concerning the 10/09/2011. Not sure if it is regarding specifically about the 10/09 sailing, but I received an email from RCCL with a link for the surveys/comments. Been cruising with RCCL 5 times already and this is the first time I receive an email with a link for the survey/comments

 

 

Cabins that were flooded from the incident are supposed to receive a certificate good for 1/2 off their cruise. We received a link to a survey/comment also.

[travelin_nat]

what certificate are you talking about? I got the $200 on board credit which was already refunded on my credit card ( minus the onboard spending balance).

 

About hearing from RCC concerning the 10/09/2011. Not sure if it is regarding specifically about the 10/09 sailing, but I received an email from RCCL with a link for the surveys/comments. Been cruising with RCCL 5 times already and this is the first time I receive an email with a link for the survey/comments

 

RCI issued certificates to some customers for 1/2 off a future cruise. If you had damage to your cabin, and your letter outlining your compensation mentioned this future discount, you should have received the certificate. Otherwise, the OBC is the only compensation that (I believe) most passengers received.

[StrikeEagle]

RCI issued certificates to some customers for 1/2 off a future cruise. If you had damage to your cabin, and your letter outlining your compensation mentioned this future discount, you should have received the certificate. Otherwise, the OBC is the only compensation that (I believe) most passengers received.

 

Thank you for the explanation. Did you guys receive an email from RCCL with a link for survey/comments ?

[travelin_nat]

Thank you for the explanation. Did you guys receive an email from RCCL with a link for survey/comments ?

 

Yes, and I seem to recall others did as well. I don't think it had anything to do with the incident.

[Mik789]

I called RCCL Friday after reading that so many people had received thier vouchers. I found out that my vouchers had been sent to an old mailing address (RCCL has my new address on file) and they just applied the money toward my future Alaska cruise right over the phone. I think you should have received them by now.

 

We hadn't received ours so we called last Friday. Turns out RCCL corporate didn't have our correct address,they sent them to an old address. Hopefully they come this week. Anyone who hasn't received theirs should give corporate a call.

[xevioso]

I have been telling my friends, after they have seen the videos of the people on board the Concordia, that I know somewhat what they went through, as panic was starting to set in somewhat on our cruise, as we tilted 11 degrees, and I did put on my life jacket at one point. Anyone else on this cruise in October feel the same way?

[pstone1]

It just makes me appreciate even more how awesome Captain Rob was during our unpredicted weather event. All the Royal Caribbean Captains we have sailed with have been extremely professional. The Concordia Captain is a disgrace to Captain's everywhere. What a horrible shame!

 

Paula

[travelin_nat]

It just makes me appreciate even more how awesome Captain Rob was during our unpredicted weather event. All the Royal Caribbean Captains we have sailed with have been extremely professional. The Concordia Captain is a disgrace to Captain's everywhere. What a horrible shame!

 

Paula

 

Well said, Paula. How are you?

[xevioso]

My thought after being in the October cruise and seeing what happened on TV is that the best place to go during an emergency is NOT your muster station...despite what they say you should do. But the bets place to go with your life jackets is the CENTER of the ship, right in front of the stairs, next to a railing, with the doors to the decks on either your left or your right. That way, when the ship starts tilting, you won't be trapped on the side that is tilting towards the sea; you can run upwards towards the side that is being tilted away from the sea.

 

If everyone thought this way, it would be chaos. But it's what I will do the next time I am in a situation like this, which is hopefully never. Anyone else feel this way?

[pstone1]

Well said, Paula. How are you?

 

Hi Nat:

 

We're doing great - hope you are too! We're flying to Hawaii to sail on the Radiance around HI then to Vancouver in April so there's been LOTS of planning for the trip. Also, just starting to relax after the holiday craziness (in a good way). Do you have your next cruise booked yet? We applied our credits toward this upcoming HI cruise which made it even nicer. Can't wait to "get out there" again!

 

Paula