3/23 Navigator Cruise Cancelled

[TBone2K]

This was posted at 9pm on 3/24:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/alertsContentPage.do?pagename=homepage_alert&rep=1

 

Here is the text of the announcement:

 

Navigator of the Seas – March 23rd Sailing

 

March 24, 2014 9:00 p.m. E.S.T.

 

Since the oil spill, Royal Caribbean International has been in close contact with the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities on when Navigator of the Seas will be able to leave Galveston, Texas, and begin the cruise. Regrettably, as of this time, they still have been unable to provide us a firm departure time.

 

We are sorry to say that because of this, we have made a decision to cancel the remainder of Navigator of the Seas' cruise. We understand that this is not the news that our guests were hoping to hear and we share in their disappointment. We are deeply sorry that we were unable to deliver the Royal Caribbean cruise vacation that they anticipated, and that we were looking forward to providing them.

 

In recognition of the impact this issue has had on their cruise, Royal Caribbean International will provide each guest with a full refund of the cruise fare paid. Royal Caribbean would also like to provide guests with the opportunity to sail with us again. We will be providing each guest with a future cruise certificate for 25% of the cruise fare paid for their March 23, Navigator of the Seas sailing.

 

Guests are invited to stay onboard Navigator of the Seas until next Sunday, March 30, and continue to enjoy the food and entertainment onboard. Or guests may begin to depart the ship this evening. When our guests leave the ship is entirely up to them.

Edited March 25, 2014 by TBone2K

[Handsome58]

RC, taking Lemons and making Lemonade!

[kimmiecruises]

I was wondering how things were going as far as the cruises go - so sad, but I think Royal's doing the best they can. As I was reading, I was thinking I'd stay on the ship if I could, and then read they are allowing it, that's great! No ports to visit, but being on the ship's still better than being at home/work :)

Hope they get this oil cleaned up soon, for many reasons.

[nelblu]

This a very good gesture on the part of RCL. A good deal.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

We feel bad for all of the Navigator cruisers on this sailing.

From what I understand they have the option of staying on board until Sunday or depart when ever. If it were me, not sure what we would do.

 

Sorry this happened, it was totally out of RC's control, good luck to everyone!

 

RC was very generous with the full refund and 25% future cruise credit.

 

***

Edited March 25, 2014 by Arizona Cruz Chic

[jonbgd]

If it was me I would stay onboard and enjoy the ship hotel.

 

But it has to be tough on first time cruisers or those that only cruise once a year.

[Cruisehappymn]

Wow. Giving a full refund, a 25% credit and allowing them to stay on board. That way people aren't scrambling to find a hotel, paying for meals out or airfare back home. I give Royal credit for making the best of a crappy situation.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

If it was me I would stay onboard and enjoy the ship hotel.

 

But it has to be tough on first time cruisers or those that only cruise once a year.

 

Yes especially those who are on spring break....teachers and the like. Some jobs require a years advance vacation notice.

 

If it were me I would stay on too, but not DH....he needs his casino!! :eek: :D :eek:

 

***

[hairymelon]

Wow, I really take my hat off to RCI for doing everything they can to stem the disappointment the cruisers must be feeling. I would stay onboard, enjoy the facilities and start planning the next cruise :D

[xxoocruiser]

If it was me I would stay onboard and enjoy the ship hotel.

 

But it has to be tough on first time cruisers or those that only cruise once a year.

 

Agree much tougher for first timers.

 

I'm on the 3/30 cruise. Taking all this in stride. If the worst thing that happens is getting to Galveston on Saturday only to find out the cruise is canceled, I hope RCCL is as generous and allows passengers to still board regardless of the ship remaining docked. After all any time meals, entertainment and lodging are provided free IMO is a good thing. Basically the ship is my destination regardless of the ports anyway.

[reallyitsmema]

Carnival Magic looks to be leaving.

[aurelius180]

Not a bad deal in an otherwise terrible situation. Free cruise with no port stops and credit for a future cruise.

[PerferWarmWeather]

Staying on board does allow folks the time to book their flights and not incur another hotel expense. :) for RCCL.

[ryano]

100% refund of the current cancelled cruise, 25% cruise credit toward future cruise AND allowing passengers to stay on board for the week?

 

Where can I sign up for a cruise like that? :D:p

 

Good job Royal Caribbean. You can never please everyone but this is a good gesture and fair if you ask me.

[A&L_Ont]

It sucks, but I would stay for the week. No airfare changes etc... I would be by the pool as well as the flowrider.

 

I wonder if I left early is there a chance I would not be awarded my cruise points since I didn't complete the cruise that didn't happen? Not sure how that would work out? I also would assume all stores as well as casino are shut on board. I wonder if duty free would be able to happen since they didn't leave port?

 

Needless to say I hope it is warm for those stuck in port on board. I wish them a good time. I guess better to be stuck in port than stuck as sea, if those were the only options.

[islandchicklet]

100% refund of the current cancelled cruise, 25% cruise credit toward future cruise AND allowing passengers to stay on board for the week?

 

Where can I sign up for a cruise like that? :D:p

 

 

That's what I was thinking!!

[A&L_Ont]

100% refund of the current cancelled cruise, 25% cruise credit toward future cruise AND allowing passengers to stay on board for the week?

 

Where can I sign up for a cruise like that? :D:p

 

Good job Royal Caribbean. You can never please everyone but this is a good gesture and fair if you ask me.

 

Regretfully I would sign up for that as well. You can figure they need to use the provisions before they could spoil and they can still keep the bars open too.

 

I didn't realize that they were also getting 100% back as well. RC would be saving a bundle on the bunker fuel, so being overly generous is a wonderful thing. Hopefully first timers as well as seasoned cruisers that are unhappy can see through this unfortunate situation.

[Ourusualbeach]

I too think that the compensation was great. Whether or not I stayed on board for the week would most likely depend on the weather. Definately would stay a few days just to make travel arrangements though.

[reallyitsmema]

100% refund of the current cancelled cruise, 25% cruise credit toward future cruise AND allowing passengers to stay on board for the week?

 

Where can I sign up for a cruise like that? :D:p

 

Good job Royal Caribbean. You can never please everyone but this is a good gesture and fair if you ask me.

I think it is great they made a decision and are giving decent compensation, but you wonder if they are now second guessing themselves since Carnival Magic is on its way to Grand Cayman and Triumph is leaving at 5. They are in a no win situation.

[jonbgd]

I think it is great they made a decision and are giving decent compensation, but you wonder if they are now second guessing themselves since Carnival Magic is on its way to Grand Cayman and Triumph is leaving at 5. They are in a no win situation.

 

I was just thinking that.

[MADflyer]

While I am glad they have taken care of the passengers in the best way possible, I am wondering how this effects the crew.

 

RCI has gratuity based and incentive based contracts with most of their crew and I wonder if they are charging the $12 a day gratuities while passengers stay onboard at least. I would guess not.

 

Maybe someone who was on the sailing could confirm how they handled that issue.

[joepeka]

Yes especially those who are on spring break....teachers and the like. Some jobs require a years advance vacation notice.

 

If it were me I would stay on too, but not DH....he needs his casino!! :eek: :D :eek:

 

***

 

I had not considered that.... the casino won't be open while the ship is hoteling in Galveston. Also, was there a change to Texas law that now allows serving alcohol while in port? We haven't cruised from there in a few years but thought I heard the law had been changed. If not, I'm not sure a week on a cruise ship without the cold, frosty drinks would be quite the same. :(

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

I had not considered that.... the casino won't be open while the ship is hoteling in Galveston. Also, was there a change to Texas law that now allows serving alcohol while in port? We haven't cruised from there in a few years but thought I heard the law had been changed. If not, I'm not sure a week on a cruise ship without the cold, frosty drinks would be quite the same. :(

 

 

I haven't paid much attention to it because it wouldn't really concern us, so I don't understand the whole Texas liquor law thing, it may have to do with taxes.

 

***

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Don't want to rub salt into a wound, but one of the Carnival ships is sailing out. I beleive its the Miracle as the Triumph is still sitting in port with the Nav.

 

***

Edited March 25, 2014 by Arizona Cruz Chic

[Galveston Cruiser]

Don't want to rub salt into a wound, but one of the Carnival ships is sailing out. I beleive its the Miracle as the Triumph is still sitting in port with the Nav.

 

***

 

Carnival Magic is the ship leaving.

 

The cost of the bunker oil will be offset by dockage fees. RCCL is not saving anything.

 

RCCL made a wise decision and have treated their guests with fairness.

 

Perhaps those staying on the ship will take advantage of actually taking the time to see Galveston:D

 

Windy here, but weather is beautiful and supposed to be a fabulous weekend:)