compensation for cabin repair

[LA_CA_GAL]

I have to wonder where you learned math.

 

BTW, that was quite rude.

[sail7seas]

DH would be over the moon if his work day was a mere 8 hours.

 

 

Ditto my DH. :)

 

Telling a guest to leave their cabin for eight hours, in advance of them even boarding, is really quite an imposition IMO

 

That is a long time to be told to stay away from your cabin..... on vacation. And, what is the likelihood if they say eight hours, it will stretch to longer?

 

I'd be adverse to this 'suggestion' they are making and to offer a spa treatment is very close to insulting IMO

 

We don't 'do the spa' and that would be worthless to us.

 

[navybankerteacher]

Obviously, your definition of "using it" is completely different than mine.

 

And my math was quite defined, clear and accurate.

 

A bit defensive. I simply pointed out that occupying the room, using the beds - whose existence is a crucial part of the room - surely amounts to having the use of the room; or do you maintain that you cease to exist while asleep? It is a strange sort of math which is used to argue that having the use of a space for 16 out of 24 hours (whether asleep in a bed, sitting in a chair or standing up) constitutes just half a day's use.

[PennyAgain]

We cruised many times with elderly family members. My late MIL quit cruising in her late 80's. Keeping her out of her room for 8 hours during a day at sea or in port would have been cruel.

 

She would have been nervous about doing so for days in advance and her attitude and pleasure for the cruise would have been tainted.

 

Spa Treatments for an 88 year old! Ridiculous!

 

The offer the OP has received is an insult. A good travel agent should work this out to gain a much better result.

[CowPrincess]

I completely agree with Penny Again. I'd try some push-back with the cruise line, e.g., "I'm sorry you will need to have the repairs completed on the previous cruise, or the following cruise. We cannot accommodate you." If the cruise line pushes back on YOUR push-back, I'd insist on a fare reduction (whatever %age of the fare you are all paying, e.g., 1/7 for everyone if it is a 7 day cruise) AND the guaranteed (in writing) use of some private, personal space where your elderly relative can relax and enjoy the time onboard. Asking an 88 year old to accommodate a "repair"? Ridiculous! And as Penny Again said, CRUEL. Their problem does not need to become YOUR problem. Maybe ask for an upgrade to your cabin, higher category, that doesn't need a repair???

[sail7seas]

I completely agree with Penny Again. I'd try some push-back with the cruise line, e.g., "I'm sorry you will need to have the repairs completed on the previous cruise, or the following cruise. We cannot accommodate you." If the cruise line pushes back on YOUR push-back, I'd insist on a fare reduction (whatever %age of the fare you are all paying, e.g., 1/7 for everyone if it is a 7 day cruise) AND the guaranteed (in writing) use of some private, personal space where your elderly relative can relax and enjoy the time onboard. Asking an 88 year old to accommodate a "repair"? Ridiculous! And as Penny Again said, CRUEL. Their problem does not need to become YOUR problem. Maybe ask for an upgrade to your cabin, higher category, that doesn't need a repair???

 

 

While I totally understand what you are saying, being so uncooperative could prove to be a bad choice. They have the power to be sure your cruise is less than you hoped it would be. All those subtle things that can make our cruises so much better...... or worse.

 

[navybankerteacher]

While I totally understand what you are saying, being so uncooperative could prove to be a bad choice. They have the power to be sure your cruise is less than you hoped it would be. All those subtle things that can make our cruises so much better...... or worse.

 

 

Exactly. Some reasonable substitute location should be made available - especially for an elderly passenger, and some compensation should be given for the inconvenience and loss of use of the cabin; but a confrontational (and greedy) approach in this case would likely prove counter-productive.

[jamessemaj]

All of the calculations of compensation strike me as funny. $3000 per day suite? I cannot near afford such luxury, but if I did, I would not accept any compensation for interruption of that luxury on any basis, and would cancel and take lesser, uninterrupted accommodations. End of worry, end of story. Take that suite and the 8 hour repairs and shove it.

[sail7seas]

All of the calculations of compensation strike me as funny. $3000 per day suite? I cannot near afford such luxury, but if I did, I would not accept any compensation for interruption of that luxury on any basis, and would cancel and take lesser, uninterrupted accommodations. End of worry, end of story. Take that suite and the 8 hour repairs and shove it.

 

 

Again..... Understand what you are saying and agree, however, it's long past final payment and few of us, no matter our means, would willingly walk away from $3,000/day x 7 days. He would get no refund and insurance (if OP had it) would not call this a coverable event.

 

IMO.....

 

[notentirelynormal]

Maybe ask for an upgrade to your cabin, higher category, that doesn't need a repair???

 

They are already in the biggest cabin on board. Not sure how they would upgrade them unless the Captain had to move out of his suite. :D

 

If the OP's biggest concern is his mother having a place to rest and relax then I think the answer is another cabin to use for the day. Some kind of compensation is in line but really I don't see it as that big of a deal. We've had our toilet back up and, well, it was nasty. The offered us a cabin to use until ours cabin was cleaned. I said, don't worry about it, we will be on shore anyway. I get it, the OP paid a lot of money. Compromising works well in all situations.

[bob brown]

If the OP asked them to reschedule for another date to avoid the inconvenience, in this unusual case, I don't think they would charge them a cancellation fee...

 

Unfortunately it appears that the OP probably would still incur cancellation expenses for the flights, not to mention whatever else may be involved, so probably not an option so close to departure.

 

I would ask for a good refund for the loss of use for the day...the as mentioned thousand dollars seems reasonable in this case...

[LA_CA_GAL]

A bit defensive. I simply pointed out that occupying the room, using the beds - whose existence is a crucial part of the room - surely amounts to having the use of the room; or do you maintain that you cease to exist while asleep? .

 

You made the comment "I have to wonder where you learned math".

 

Last time I went to school, 16/8 is 2. $3,000 divided by 2 is $1,500.

 

Now, if you wish to debate what is considered "using a room", OK, you and I disagree and I can respect that.

[fishycomics]

Keep us all posted, love to hear what you will actually get, and actually do?

 

Peace:)

[navybankerteacher]

You made the comment "I have to wonder where you learned math".

 

Last time I went to school, 16/8 is 2. $3,000 divided by 2 is $1,500.

 

Now, if you wish to debate what is considered "using a room", OK, you and I disagree and I can respect that.

 

Why stop there? If you don't count hours asleep, you certainly shouldn't count hours away from the room for meals: say 3 hours per day; hours at shows: say 2 hours per day; hours at the pool: say one hour per day; hours at lounges, library, shops and Internet center: say an aggregate of another two hours per day. --- there's another 8 hours, so you are down to 8/8 - which is 1. $3,000 divided by 1 is $3,000.

[LA_CA_GAL]

Why stop there? If you don't count hours asleep, you certainly shouldn't count hours away from the room for meals: say 3 hours per day; hours at shows: say 2 hours per day; hours at the pool: say one hour per day; hours at lounges, library, shops and Internet center: say an aggregate of another two hours per day. --- there's another 8 hours, so you are down to 8/8 - which is 1. $3,000 divided by 1 is $3,000.

 

We can agree. Your math skills, like mine, are excellent.

 

However, your abilities to pick a nit are far better than mine.

[paul929207]

Why stop there? If you don't count hours asleep, you certainly shouldn't count hours away from the room for meals: say 3 hours per day; hours at shows: say 2 hours per day; hours at the pool: say one hour per day; hours at lounges, library, shops and Internet center: say an aggregate of another two hours per day. --- there's another 8 hours, so you are down to 8/8 - which is 1. $3,000 divided by 1 is $3,000.

Not sure why you are going off on this. To me, the purpose of the post was to give OP ideas on what compensation they might request. Any argument that increases their counter offer is something to consider. While you ccan certainly argue against it, LA LA GAL has a point that OP my take. Remember any counteroffer thay make is going to set the max they will get.

[navybankerteacher]

Not sure why you are going off on this. To me, the purpose of the post was to give OP ideas on what compensation they might request. Any argument that increases their counter offer is something to consider. While you ccan certainly argue against it, LA LA GAL has a point that OP my take. Remember any counteroffer thay make is going to set the max they will get.

 

The point of the exercise was to figure some reasonable compensation. An octogenarian needs a place to be; inflating a cash claim does not achieve that primary goal. As long as the discussion focuses on money compensation it is essentially a pointless exhibition of greed -- made more absurd by logical gymnastics. A ship's officer's cabin (or some other private space) made available for the 8 hours in question would achieve the goal, supplemented with some material compensation for the inconvenience. Any proposal based solely on dollars represents an attitude as insensitive as the ships decision to schedule the repairs in the first place.

[sail7seas]

JMO, but the chance of them offering use of an Officer's cabin is about zip, nil and none...... and it should be. That is their private space and I can think of oh so many reason no guest should be permitted there but for the escort and permission of the officer. We have visited in a number of such cabins but always with the Officer present and for given entertainments and reasons.

 

No guest belongs in their alone, IMO.

 

[spookwife]

yeah but let's face it.. offering a 2 hour spa treatment is laughable at best. you are going to be kept outta the room for a MINIMUM of 8 hours. sorry but that is unacceptable no matter what kind of cabin you have, let alone the highest category on board and having an elderly passenger who is almost certainly going to need access.

 

they can spring for dinner at one of the specialties minimum. I am unfamiliar with Reflection, but does it have a lounge area for passengers in the Spa? if this is normally a for fee venue they can toss in a day pass as well, at least then Grandma may be able to rest of she needs to. and yes asking for OBC would not be remiss either. I wouldn't demand anything ridiculous like a thousand dollars. unless you can spend a grand in 8 hours( and not in the Casino) I Think you are pushing the boundaries just a smidge as far as compensation. but a few hundred? oh hell yes.

 

no one should be forced to take a shore excursion just because it eats up a time period and gives them 'something to do while we can't be in our cabin' if I wanted to do that excursion, I prolly woulda booked it already, you know?!

[navybankerteacher]

JMO, but the chance of them offering use of an Officer's cabin is about zip, nil and none...... and it should be. That is their private space and I can think of oh so many reason no guest should be permitted there but for the escort and permission of the officer. We have visited in a number of such cabins but always with the Officer present and for given entertainments and reasons.

 

No guest belongs in their alone, IMO.

 

 

Yes, an officer's cabin is private space; but is it any more private than a cabin, for the uninterrupted use of which the passenger has paid? If the ship needs to take away something it has contracted to provide to a passenger, the ship should be prepared to provide a reasonable substitute. The exclusive use of a treatment room in a spa might suffice; but barring something like that, an officer's cabin should not be deemed sacrosanct. From the information given: a weeks lead time for selecting the date involved, it seems apparent that some sort of an upgrade, rather than any vital repair, is involved. Remember: the ship (and the ship's officers) are only there because the passengers book space--it is far more appropriate that a ship's officer be inconvenienced than a passenger.

[CraftyEC]

The only way that the offer of Spa treatments would be anything approaching acceptable is if the offer comprised of free usage of the Spa area, and a selection of treatments, throughout that whole 8 hour period. This would provide a feasible alternative to accessing the suite, and somewhere to be during that period. However, I think this should be in addition to a generous OBC offer or a refund of part of the cost of the cruise. Most estimations on here seem to be in the region of $1000 to $1500, which sounds reasonable depending on the other services offered. And without the offer of a resting place for the elderly party member (either in the Spa or in an alternative stateroom, it wouldn't have to be more than a clean if basic cabin) I would not even be negotiating.

[sail7seas]

Yes, an officer's cabin is private space; but is it any more private than a cabin, for the uninterrupted use of which the passenger has paid? If the ship needs to take away something it has contracted to provide to a passenger, the ship should be prepared to provide a reasonable substitute. The exclusive use of a treatment room in a spa might suffice; but barring something like that, an officer's cabin should not be deemed sacrosanct. From the information given: a weeks lead time for selecting the date involved, it seems apparent that some sort of an upgrade, rather than any vital repair, is involved. Remember: the ship (and the ship's officers) are only there because the passengers book space--it is far more appropriate that a ship's officer be inconvenienced than a passenger.

 

 

We have all made multiple ASsumptions in this thread and we all know the results of that, customarily.

 

No one knows if the ship does not have empty cabin(s) in which these guests can rest during the day if they wish.

 

The ship should not be agreeable to providing an Officer's cabin under any circumstances, IMO

 

Not to mention, Junior Officers certainly do not have spacious accomodations that the guest in a $3,000/day Suite would likely be 'comfortable'. ;)

 

Certainly no one is suggesting the Captain, Hotel Manager, Chief Engineer, etc should be opening their cabin for the private use of such guest? :eek:

 

That is not going to happen. :)

I cannot agree any guest should be using any officer's cabin on a private basis. Who knows what 'souvenirs' they might help themselves to and just how would someone prove it? Not to mention any other proper and improper reasons I think it just plain out of the question.

 

We can agree to disagree. :)

 

 

 

[navybankerteacher]

The only way that the offer of Spa treatments would be anything approaching acceptable is if the offer comprised of free usage of the Spa area, and a selection of treatments, throughout that whole 8 hour period. This would provide a feasible alternative to accessing the suite, and somewhere to be during that period. However, I think this should be in addition to a generous OBC offer or a refund of part of the cost of the cruise. Most estimations on here seem to be in the region of $1000 to $1500, which sounds reasonable depending on the other services offered. And without the offer of a resting place for the elderly party member (either in the Spa or in an alternative stateroom, it wouldn't have to be more than a clean if basic cabin) I would not even be negotiating.

 

Correct: the offer of an alternative resting place is an essential minimum. It would inconvenience an officer - but he/she would have the same week's notice to vacate the cabin -- and should not be seen as any more immune to inconvenience than a passenger ---- whom the ship, for its own purposes, has chosen to inconvenience.

[Thoie]

Yes, an officer's cabin is private space; but is it any more private than a cabin, for the uninterrupted use of which the passenger has paid? If the ship needs to take away something it has contracted to provide to a passenger, the ship should be prepared to provide a reasonable substitute. The exclusive use of a treatment room in a spa might suffice; but barring something like that, an officer's cabin should not be deemed sacrosanct. From the information given: a weeks lead time for selecting the date involved, it seems apparent that some sort of an upgrade, rather than any vital repair, is involved. Remember: the ship (and the ship's officers) are only there because the passengers book space--it is far more appropriate that a ship's officer be inconvenienced than a passenger.

 

A staff member's cabin is their home for many months - not just holiday accommodation for a few weeks. While I am of the opinion that the cruise line should provide a room with beds during the period, I don't think it's appropriate to ask a staff member to let strangers into their home, in the staff-only parts of the ship. Given that the suite cost is $3000 a day, I don't think that $1000 is inflating the request too high (bearing in mind that it's inconveniencing 3 people.

 

I'd find it difficult having nowhere private to go for 8 hours, but my room doesn't cost that much. If it was my (cheaper) cabin a spa treatment and a private place to change/leave belongings would be reasonable compensation. I wouldn't expect that private place to be a staff member's cabin though.

[toberman]

As I read thru this thread I keep coming up with a whole lot of questions.

 

This can't be a safety issue or it would be done now, not later - looks more like a retrofit of some sort. From what I've seen, maintenance crew on a ship don't work 8 hour shifts - rather 'as required'. I'm guessing they say 8 hrs 'just in case', while the whole thing may only take 4 or 6. But!! It might take 10 !!.

 

I agree they've looked at the manifest and decided they only have to displace 3 people this time, while other times could be up to 6.

 

Do they know Mom is 88 and needs several naps per day etc?? My thought is what if Mom is not feeling well that day? Will they postpone? Like 7seas said - you could force the issue once on board (day of).

 

Why can this not be done on a turn-around day? Ask the people on board to leave my 8am, and tell the oncoming group they may not have access til 4pm. Give them a small compensation.

 

Apart from the math gurus - I don't think any compensation is enough. It just shouldn't happen!!

 

Good Luck