What is happening to Explorer in Sept 2013?

[Heidils]

Goodnes, this can't be a fun thing. If you can move about the cabin, then great! Some of us can't

 

If RCCL changes up the rules they should make good on it.

[Mustanggirl]

I know it really stinks. I am waiting for my phone call so I can change it to the 9/29/12 date. I would just book that date now, but I want to see what they offer me as the cabin I wanted is showing booked. Isn't that the reason for booking early so If you want a certain cabin you can be sure to get it. This has been going on for months and maybe if they would have told us 2 months ago the cabin I wanted might have been open. I hope I get some kind of compensation.

[gaylemh]

I just checked RCI website. There is now an 11 night Canada cruise listed with prices for September 8, 2013.

[Motorman23]

I just checked RCI website. There is now an 11 night Canada cruise listed with prices for September 8, 2013.

 

Well... I guess that confirms my Sept 15th will be going away since 4 days of that 11 day trip would be on mine. Hopefully they call us soon with what they are doing.

 

Mike

[fish6]

Well... I guess that confirms my Sept 15th will be going away since 4 days of that 11 day trip would be on mine. Hopefully they call us soon with what they are doing.

 

Mike

WOW....I can't believe they would post this new schedule without contacting current Bermuda reservations first....or maybe I can :rolleyes:

[SnappyNappi]

Yep... It is up with details and pricing for September 8th... it is 11-days that goes north and ends in Quebec City, Quebec. Here is the itinerary:

 

08-Sep Cape Liberty Cruise Port

09-Sep CRUISING

10-Sep Portland, Maine

11-Sep Bar Harbor, Maine

12-Sep Saint John, New Brunswick

13-Sep Halifax, Nova Scotia

14-Sep CRUISING

15-Sep Corner Brook, New Foundland

16-Sep Charolttetown, Prince Edward Island

17-Sep CRUISING

18-Sep Quebec City, Quebec

19-Sep Quebec City, Quebec

 

11-days arriving in Quebec City on day 10 and an overnight at the end. I would assume that they will be doing the reverse 10-day itinerary that will start in Quebec and bring the Explorer back to Bayonne for the Bermuda sailing scheduled on September 29th.

 

Seems that this mystery has been solved... good or bad. Sorry to those that had the early September dates booked to Bermuda. I had been hoping to be on the September 22nd sailing to Bermuda, but I guess it wasn't in the cards.

[red devil]

I just checked RCI website. There is now an 11 night Canada cruise listed with prices for September 8, 2013.

 

2013 DEPARTURE DATES:

 

• SEP 08
  

Ports of Call:

 

Cape Liberty Cruise Port, New Jersey; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Quebec City, Quebec

[Havana Daydreamin]

WOW....I can't believe they would post this new schedule without contacting current Bermuda reservations first....or maybe I can :rolleyes:

 

BELIEVE IT! It appears that the company just changes the reservation. Anyway that was my experience.

 

I was on the phone with RCI representative for quite some time yesterday convincing them that the September 8th date that I booked and reservation that I held in hand was in fact to Bermuda.

 

Instead, I was told, "No, it is an 11 night New England/Canada sailing." Finally, the rep did realize that my reservation preceded the change.

 

We are working now to change our sailings as we were anticipating Bermuda as a second leg to an Aug. 31, 2013 New England/Canada. And they are being quite helpful in this change.

[JAMESCC]

I'm about to book the 8 day sailing in Sept. I love the itinerary, but I'd rather do Boston on the way back, but its not a big deal. This is definitely the cruise for us, glad to see Explorer doing Canada/NE again.

[englishlady]

What a lack of customer service! I too can't believe they essentially cancelled (i.e. put into NA status) three sailings to Bermuda nearly 3 months ago, have annouced a totally new itinerary (Canada/NE) - all without ONE SINGLE communication to passengers booked on the original Bermuda sailings. AND no information is forthcoming even if we call them (which I did this morning)! All I was told is that my reservation for the cancelled sailing is currently "locked" meaning no changes can be made. This is customer service at its worst in my opinion. I love RCI and it's so disappointing how they are have managed this redeployment and change of itinerary.

 

Alma

[englishlady]

Not sure if this has gone out yet to all affected passengers, but I got a lot of attention from RCI today, a phone call followed by an email with an attachment that showed how Adam Goldstein not only read my mail (one hour after I sent it to him on Friday evening), but how he handled it personally and was provided an overview of the situation by one of his Operations VPs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm amazed he personally acted upon receipt of the email I sent him!!!!!

 

Some of the information provided to me today is pasted below. This, finally, is the information we've all be waiting for!

 

Alma

 

 

*****************************************************

Dear Guest,

Please be advised three Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas 7-Night Bermuda sailings have been redeployed to two open-jaw Canada/New England sailings; a 11-Night Bayonne-Quebec and a 10-Night Quebec-Bayonne cruise. As a result of this change all guests who are currently booked on this sailing will need to be moved/cancelled. This memo addresses compensation for guests booked on the impacted sailing.

Guests currently booked with names and money in house on Explorer of the Seas 9/8/13, 9/15/13 & 9/22/13 7-Night Bermuda Cruise (BYE/BYE):

Re-book on select Explorer of the Seas or Grandeur of the Seas Bermuda or Canada sailings, in like accommodations, at the protected/lowest available rate or any Explorer of the Seas sailings at prevailing rate.

Select Explorer of the Seas Sailings Select Grandeur of the Seas Sailings

September 8, 2013 (New Voyage) September 13, 2013

September 19, 2013 (New Voyage) September 27, 2013

September 29, 2013 October 11, 2013

October 6, 2013 October 25, 2013

October 13, 2013

October 20, 2013

October 27, 2013

Receive $200 onboard credit per standard stateroom, $400 onboard credit for suites when you rebook an alternative sailing.

 

A full refund for amounts paid will be processed to the original form of payment if guests choose to cancel; however, they will not receive any of the above compensation.

A special help desk has been established to assist you with moving your reservation. The desk opened on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, and will remain open until Wednesday, July 25, 2012. All reservations that are not changed to the offered sailings by the specified close date, will be cancelled and ineligible for the compensation offered.

For Consumer Outreach: 1-800-205-9812 ext. 28581

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you and your party.

[Havana Daydreamin]

Lucky you....we got a phone call today, but no email as of yet. Still waiting for the resolution that was begun yesterday.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

RCI really kicked the doggie on this one. Not sure how they fumbled so badly, but I expect they will try to make it right for everyone eventually.

 

 

Not sure if this has gone out yet to all affected passengers, but I got a lot of attention from RCI today, a phone call followed by an email with an attachment that showed how Adam Goldstein not only read my mail (one hour after I sent it to him on Friday evening), but how he handled it personally and was provided an overview of the situation by one of his Operations VPs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm amazed he personally acted upon receipt of the email I sent him!!!!!

 

Some of the information provided to me today is pasted below. This, finally, is the information we've all be waiting for!

 

Alma

 

 

*****************************************************

Dear Guest,

Please be advised three Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas 7-Night Bermuda sailings have been redeployed to two open-jaw Canada/New England sailings; a 11-Night Bayonne-Quebec and a 10-Night Quebec-Bayonne cruise. As a result of this change all guests who are currently booked on this sailing will need to be moved/cancelled. This memo addresses compensation for guests booked on the impacted sailing.

Guests currently booked with names and money in house on Explorer of the Seas 9/8/13, 9/15/13 & 9/22/13 7-Night Bermuda Cruise (BYE/BYE):

Re-book on select Explorer of the Seas or Grandeur of the Seas Bermuda or Canada sailings, in like accommodations, at the protected/lowest available rate or any Explorer of the Seas sailings at prevailing rate.

Select Explorer of the Seas Sailings Select Grandeur of the Seas Sailings

September 8, 2013 (New Voyage) September 13, 2013

September 19, 2013 (New Voyage) September 27, 2013

September 29, 2013 October 11, 2013

October 6, 2013 October 25, 2013

October 13, 2013

October 20, 2013

October 27, 2013

Receive $200 onboard credit per standard stateroom, $400 onboard credit for suites when you rebook an alternative sailing.

 

A full refund for amounts paid will be processed to the original form of payment if guests choose to cancel; however, they will not receive any of the above compensation.

A special help desk has been established to assist you with moving your reservation. The desk opened on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, and will remain open until Wednesday, July 25, 2012. All reservations that are not changed to the offered sailings by the specified close date, will be cancelled and ineligible for the compensation offered.

For Consumer Outreach: 1-800-205-9812 ext. 28581

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you and your party.

[englishlady]

I would recommend that if you're booked on any of the three affected sailings, and are planning to move that sailing to one of the selected Explorer or Grandeur sailings, that you do so asap as you will only be able to move your reservation (and get the OBC) up until next Wednesday, July 25th. If you don't move your reservation by that date it will automatically cancel and your deposit will be refunded and no OBC will be due to you.

 

I've just called and moved mine. My friend also just called and moved hers. The agent we both spoke to was familiar with the redeployments of these three cruises, all the details, the available selected sailings, and the OBC.

 

The number you need to call is:

1-800-205-9812

Select Option 4, then select either Option 1, 2 or 3, depending whether you made your original reservation with (1) an RCI reservation specialist, (2) with a travel agent; or (3) online.

 

Good Luck!

Alma

[gaylemh]

I wonder if they will give the JS the $400 OBC. I have to figure out what I'm going to book. I already have a cruise booked for this September and May 2013 with RCI. I wonder if they will let me use the OBC for one of those. I also booked the 9/22/13 with a next cruise certificate, so I have to make sure it's switched over to another cruise or I will loose that $100 OBC too. Did they say if the OBC is transferable if you need to change the cruise?

[englishlady]

I wonder if they will give the JS the $400 OBC. I have to figure out what I'm going to book. I already have a cruise booked for this September and May 2013 with RCI. I wonder if they will let me use the OBC for one of those. I also booked the 9/22/13 with a next cruise certificate, so I have to make sure it's switched over to another cruise or I will loose that $100 OBC too.

 

They are giving $400 OBC to those who have suites booked. Nice! I think they'll only give you that OBC if you move your 9/22/13 reservation to one of the selected sailings listed in the notification.

 

I also booked originally with Next Cruise. They moved my $100 OBC that I got with that over. Just make sure you mention it when they re-do the booking.

 

Alma

[Coralc]

I wonder if they will give the JS the $400 OBC. I have to figure out what I'm going to book. I already have a cruise booked for this September and May 2013 with RCI. I wonder if they will let me use the OBC for one of those. I also booked the 9/22/13 with a next cruise certificate, so I have to make sure it's switched over to another cruise or I will loose that $100 OBC too. Did they say if the OBC is transferable if you need to change the cruise?

 

I've been following Mike's story here, because we went through the same thing when Empress was sold. It was 5 months of N/A then, before they announced it.

 

I can say then that yes, JS were eligible for the $400 OBC but ONLY if you moved to one of the selected sailings. Your results may differ, but you will lose it if you book something else.

[gaylemh]

They are giving $400 OBC to those who have suites booked. Nice! I think they'll only give you that OBC if you move your 9/22/13 reservation to one of the selected sailings listed in the notification.

 

I also booked originally with Next Cruise. They moved my $100 OBC that I got with that over. Just make sure you mention it when they re-do the booking.

 

Alma

 

From the way I read the notice. If you book one of the selected sailing they will protect the lowest price, but it says if you book any other sailing you pay the current price. To me it sounds like the OBC is good as long as you book another sailing. I don't want to call yet until I decide what other time I can go. It would be great if they would apply it to my May 2013 sailing already booked.

[englishlady]

Forgot to mention that there is a Savings Certificate available from C&A for C&A members for the 9/29/13 sailing. They're offering $75 discount for Inside cabins and $150 discount for Outside/Balcony/Suites. If you're eligible to use the coupon, you can do so if you move your selected sailing to the 9/29/13 sailing.

 

Good luck!

Alma

[Mustanggirl]

As soon as I read the information above last night about you being able to move your sailing date I called. Yesterday I had reserved the 9/29/12 sailing because the original junior suite cabin I had booked on the 9/8 sailing was already taken, so I reserved another room that I wanted. So when I called last night they transferred my reserved cruise for 9/29/12 from the 9/8 and I got the junior suite I wanted and also got the 400 obc for suites compensation, as well as used the savings certificate of $125. off. If anyone has not yet moved their booking and are thinking about moving it to the 9/29 sailing I would suggest not to wait if you want a specific room. I would think with 3 cruises cancelled alot of people are going to want to move to the 9/29 sailing.

[englishlady]

.....So when I called last night they transferred my reserved cruise for 9/29/12 from the 9/8 and I got the junior suite I wanted and also got the 400 obc for suites compensation, as well as used the savings certificate of $125. off.

 

Cool!!!!! Good for you, Michelle! Very happy you got the $400 OBC and the savings certificate. So happy it worked out for you. Yes I'd recommend all other affected passengers move their ressies as soon as they can - especially if they're particular about cabin location, etc. - as I suspect that 9/29/13 sailing will fill quickly now.

 

Alma

[Motorman23]

I was fortunate to get the same exact room on the 9/29/2013 cruise. It is an inside room as we are going cheap since our youngest daughter is getting married next year we had to save a little. I am on the 9th floor inside near mid ship. Got it for the exact same price plus the OBC and coupon so I am happy. I looked to find a roll call but was not able to find one so I started one up. Here is the link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=34610422#post34610422

 

Mike

[deer horn]

I have a cruise that I booked for the Explorer on Sept 15, 2013 that now shows as NA yet when I check with RCCL they say I am still booked and they don't know why it says NA on the website. I did further checking and the Sept 8, 15, and 22 2013 cruises all say NA and have for about 1 week. The August cruises are listed as available and the last week of September cruise is available but the first three weeks of Sept 2013 are not available (NA). No one at RCCL seems to know why, anyone out there got any ideas? Maybe a 3 week charter? Oh well, it is a long ways off and I can definitely move it but was wondering what was going on.

 

Mike

I just booked the Explorer 09/19/2013. Booked a 10 night out of Quebec City. I hope I'm right?

[Yorkvillain]

I just booked the Explorer 09/19/2013. Booked a 10 night out of Quebec City. I hope I'm right?

 

You know this thread is a year old right?

[deer horn]

You know this thread is a year old right?

 

Nope didn't know that. I'm looking for the sept 19 2013 message board. DH

[Clarea]

Nope didn't know that. I'm looking for the sept 19 2013 message board. DH

Here is the roll call:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1703733