Dear Celebrity Cruises - What´s you position on ports in Israel?

[Miaminice]

Apologies, but we don't have anything to share at this time.

 

Dear Celebrity:

 

Thank you for answering!

It would be much appreciated if you kept us informed about any further plans or changes.

 

Oliver

[TowandaUK]

We are booked on the Oct 18th Holy Land cruise. It is our first cruise and suspect that it will probably be our only cruise for financial reasons. We lost Egypt a while ago, that was replaced with Katakolon, which was subsequently replaced with Argostoli, so we are already used to the uncertainty of itineraries. Our main reasons for choosing this cruise were Egypt and Israel, so would be quite disappointed to lose both. However, I cannot believe that X would make major changes to itinerary without good cause - it must be a nightmare scenario for them. I am glad that they are not reacting in a knee jerk fashion - I would be really gutted if they withdrew Israel in a panic and then later the situation calmed down and it was found to be safe for us to have gone there.

It would be good to know what the plan is regarding the propulsion problem, particularly as cruises before and after us have already been informed of how that will affect them. It's quite possible that they are still working on that planning problem, which could be complicated by possible itinerary changes in Israel. However it seems like X haven't always been the best at communicating with customers, so that may account for some of the frustrations that we are feeling now at not knowing what may happen.

Whatever happens we are determined to make the most of wherever we go on this cruise. We have been married for 38 years and this is the first time we have been out of the UK, and are looking forward to it immensely.

[Miaminice]

TowandaUK:

 

You will enjoy cruising and become addicted just as most of us :)

 

I don´t want to get into the so called propulsion problem here too much. There are other threads for that.

 

I would just say: don´t worry about it too much.

The information I have from a maritime tec site, and I do not have any reason to daubt the info because it fits the actions taken, are as following.

 

Just as some other ships, Silhouette has azipods. On other ships using the same azipods a problem on some kind of seal or bearing occured. It is showing unexpected wear and tear and caused malfunctions. The problem is not specific to Silhouette but to the kind of pod. The malfunction obviously has not yet occured on Silhouette´s azipods. However, since the parts known to malfunction can only be changed in drydock which is due in November, the strain on the pods is reduced as a pecautionary measure. In other words, the rpms or the speed is reduced - resulting in a change of port times.

[scifimonkey]

Dear Celebrity:

 

Thank you for answering!

It would be much appreciated if you kept us informed about any further plans or changes.

 

Oliver

 

I also appreciate Celebrities interest and the fact that they take the trouble to monitor and respond to their customers concerns. It would be very helpful however for all those who are directly affected by this to have a little more transparency about both the Israel and the propulsion situation on Silhouette cruises ahead.

It would also be helpful if cc members shared their experiences of previous similar situations and outcomes rather than jumping on the OP as if they were being outrageous in wishing to know more about what for those involved is a difficult and worrying situation.

I will leave the propulsion issue as it is dealt with in other posts but it seems to me that the issue of Israel must have been on the table since the cruise was planned in the first place. The difficulties arising from the Alexandria cancellation with the originally inserted Katakolon having to be replaced by Argostoli also illustrate that it is not easy to find alternatives and I suspect it is nigh on impossible at short notice. The propulsion issues will no doubt limit options even further.

Israel is a volatile place and trouble is always likely to rear its head periodically so I find it hard to believe that there has not at least been an outline of a plan B in place since the outset. The current troubles will hopefully subside and the itinerary of the 4th and 18th October cruises pass off without incident however there is no way in which Celebrity can claim that any recurrence of the problem at the last minute is force majore or unexpected. This is not like a strike or bad weather or engine failure. The current troubles represent a known problem (as indeed are the engine issues) that clearly exist prior to their customers being asked to make substantial final payments of 10s of thousands of dollars.

It is not therefore IMHO unreasonable for their customers to request a statement as to what Celebrities plan B is, should the worst happen. Such a statement would allow customers to complete their booking in full knowledge of the facts and unless the plan B was a dreadful one, two extra sea days or a couple more dodgy minor Greek Islands, there should be no effect on take up and a big upswell of support for Celebrity as they underline their commitment to customer service.

If we know the potential alternatives we are forewarned and can do our own contingency planning. This will result in less stress for passengers, less need to compensate if things do go wrong and less unhappy passengers having to deal with unforeseen change.

Speaking for myself it would have a big positive impact on my willingness to complete my booking. I feel like at the moment,with no feedback on the impact of the troubles either with engines or Israel on my 18th October cruise I am being asked to speculate tens of thousands of dollars on a pot luck itinerary and much as I love Celebrity and the occasional flutter in their casinos this gamble is a bit on the rich side.

Hopefully more info will be forthcoming, we can all complete with confidence and the whole thing will be a source of amusing banter in the sunset bar overlooking Ashdod! (The alternative of a written off vacation for 2014, no chance of another cruise until summer 2015 and my faith in Celebrity seriously soured is not so palatable)

[cruisegirl1]

Apologies, but we don't have anything to share at this time.

 

Thank you for responding. Perhaps if a situation like this happens again, Celebrity can consider changing the final payment date, allowing some sort of cancellation accommodations, or provide some sort of Plan B.

 

We could not take the financial risk had to cancel Oct 4th. Maybe next year.

 

M

[suekay]

Sacramentoox......when we cancelled a cruise our Choiceair flights were cancelled automatically with no refund. We were re- booking the same cruise with a different ta as we were not happy with the original ta, but flights were still cancelled. It took our new ta hours of negotiation with Choiceair to get the flights reinstated

[cruise52]

I disagree. Celebrity must by now be monitoring the potentially dangerous port (s), and putting together a plan B. This information could be shared with the caveat that the changes will only be made if the situation warrants doing so.

 

 

 

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Forums mobile app

 

YES, Exactly, this is all that we (people booked on Holyland cruises) are asking.

[cruise52]

Thank you for responding. Perhaps if a situation like this happens again, Celebrity can consider changing the final payment date, allowing some sort of cancellation accommodations, or provide some sort of Plan B.

 

We could not take the financial risk had to cancel Oct 4th. Maybe next year.

 

M

 

Sorry to hear you had to cancel. I understand completely. Our Holyland cruise is not until 10/25. We will have to make a decision soon as well. Not looking good.

[Texed]

Whatever happens we are determined to make the most of wherever we go on this cruise. We have been married for 38 years and this is the first time we have been out of the UK, and are looking forward to it immensely.

 

What a very classy post, and a great attitude. :)

[chamima]

Dear Celebrity:

 

We are booked for the Oct. 4th "Holy Land Cruise" visiting Ashdod and Haifa.

With the situation in Israel deteriorating fast, a lot of us registered in the roll call for that cruise are wondering if there is going to be a change or if there is any effort to find alternative ports.

 

Many are unhappy with the non-existing communication, a few already cancelled the cruise. With the final payment day getting close, I fear there will be more cancellations.

 

Some information about the issue would be helpful and maybe keep some of us from cancelling the cruise.

 

Best regards,

 

Oliver

 

I realize you don't want to hear from us - just some kind of information from Celebrity and they don't have the best history of communication.

The short post about having nothing to say was pretty frustrating and we're not even on these cruise.

I think it would have been easy (and not legally binding) to just say something like "We're monitoring the situation and the safety of our passengers is our highest priority."

That said - I've been to Israel many, many times. October is months away and I would expect things to calm down (as much as they can) by then.

However, no one can guarantee anything. Even if Celebrity assures you that they have a "plan B" it won't guarantee anything. Unfortunately , no matter what they say now, your only current alternative is to decide if you want to go on the cruise whether or not it goes to Israel.

Someone wrote about extending the final payment date. Without being any kind of expert I could pretty much guarantee that won't happen. :(

Sorry.

[cle-guy]

I don't see the uncertainty of the Israel porting to be any different than cruising the Caribbean within Hurricane Season.

 

An itinerary is in place, if a hurricane comes up it gets interrupted and ports canceled or changed. Celebrity does not post ahead of hurricane season its "contingency plans" for all cruises in the region "just in case". Not would I expect them to do so for calls in troubled areas of the world. There are just watt too many variables and "what if's" to consider.

[Phxazzcruisers]

I don't see the uncertainty of the Israel porting to be any different than cruising the Caribbean within Hurricane Season.

 

An itinerary is in place, if a hurricane comes up it gets interrupted and ports canceled or changed. Celebrity does not post ahead of hurricane season its "contingency plans" for all cruises in the region "just in case". Not would I expect them to do so for calls in troubled areas of the world. There are just watt too many variables and "what if's" to consider.

 

I agree 100%. Celebrity does indeed say often "We're monitoring the situation and the safety of our passengers is our highest priority."

Some folks are setting very unrealistic expectations on the cruise line as the vast majority of the posters have stated.

[scifimonkey]

I don't see the uncertainty of the Israel porting to be any different than cruising the Caribbean within Hurricane Season.

 

An itinerary is in place, if a hurricane comes up it gets interrupted and ports canceled or changed. Celebrity does not post ahead of hurricane season its "contingency plans" for all cruises in the region "just in case". Not would I expect them to do so for calls in troubled areas of the world. There are just watt too many variables and "what if's" to consider.

 

Except you cannot predict the location of a hurricane three months in advance. So the planning to deal with it would be quite different.

Also, with respect, Caribbean ports are not so different from each other as Med. Ports. So a switch has less impact on pre cruise planning.

Still we are not going to convince you or phxazz of this so will you go down the line or put up a lob next?

 

My block volley is

 

There is only one variable that concerns the passengers on these cruises -

What if we do not stop in Israel?

 

Apparently the answer from Celebrity is at present "we don't know".

 

Many of us folk who are actually on these cruises think that's a bit weak and that a cruise company should be able to say more and you think it's fine to leave it at that.

 

Think that summarises everything so maybe you should go back to worrying about how you will be treated in Jamaica and Dubai( which by the way is worse than Jamaica) and leave us to worry about our itinerary which is looking rather more holey than holy.

 

We could all probably spend our time more fruitfully trying to help other CC members across the rest of the board as this is looking more and more like a fifth set tie break that never ends. It would also appear that the thread seems to be being edited to remove many of the posts critical of Celebrity and requesting the publication of a plan b itinerary so I am not sure we are playing on a level court.

Edited July 20, 2014 by scifimonkey

[NLH Arizona]

Except you cannot predict the location of a hurricane three months in advance. So the planning to deal with it would be quite different.

Also, with respect, Caribbean ports are not so different from each other as Med. Ports. So a switch has less impact on pre cruise planning.

Still we are not going to convince you or phxazz of this so will you go down the line or put up a lob next?

 

My block volley is

 

There is only one variable that concerns the passengers on these cruises -

What if we do not stop in Israel?

 

Apparently the answer from Celebrity is at present "we don't know".

 

Many of us folk who are actually on these cruises think that's a bit weak and that a cruise company should be able to say more and you think it's fine to leave it at that.

 

Think that summarises everything so maybe you should go back to worrying about how you will be treated in Jamaica and Dubai( which by the way is worse than Jamaica) and leave us to worry about our itinerary which is looking rather more holey than holy.

 

We could all probably spend our time more fruitfully trying to help other CC members across the rest of the board as this is looking more and more like a fifth set tie break that never ends. It would also appear that the thread seems to be being edited to remove many of the posts critical of Celebrity and requesting the publication of a plan b itinerary so I am not sure we are playing on a level court.

If you are looking for an itinerary that is more holy than holey, you might want to cancel now and consider re-booking for next year, in hopes that the situation is not still underway at that time, or take a land vacation, where they might not be as concerned as Celebrity is with your safety.

 

If I were on the cruise, I would like Celebrity to look at all their options (continuing with the original itinerary, looking for alternative ports that would enhance my cruise, etc.) and all of this takes time. I understand it is frustrating, but wouldn't you want them to do what is best for you, instead of making a hasty decision.

[cle-guy]

Except you cannot predict the location of a hurricane three months in advance. So the planning to deal with it would be quite different.

Also, with respect, Caribbean ports are not so different from each other as Med. Ports. So a switch has less impact on pre cruise planning.

Still we are not going to convince you or phxazz of this so will you go down the line or put up a lob next?

 

My block volley is

 

There is only one variable that concerns the passengers on these cruises -

What if we do not stop in Israel?

 

Apparently the answer from Celebrity is at present "we don't know".

 

Can you predict if missiles will be firing at cruise ships those particular Days Celebrity will be on port? Seems to me no cruise ships have been fired on since the incident reported, the tensions in there region remain as they have for the last 2000 years, and as noted, all other cruise lines scheduled to call those ports on october:

1. Costa Pacifica
   
2. Thomson Celebration
   
3. Thomson Spirit
   
4. Ocean Princess
   
5. Seabourn Odyssey
   
6. HAL ms Rotterdam
   
7. HAL ms Prinsendam
   
8. TUI Mein Schiff2
   
9. Azamara Quest
   
10. Celebrity Sillouhette
    
11. Celebrity Constellation
    
12. Silversea Silver Spirit
    
13. Silversea Silver Wind
    
14. Hapag Lloyd ms Europa 2
    

 

are all still scheduled to port in Ashdod in October with no publicized contingency plans. Not sure why X should be expected to do something that is not customary, especially when many other lines aren't doing anything yet either. Maybe they can spend 1 day at 1 of the ports, maybe it's as scheduled, maybe they are keeping the port calls, and as they approach the port, they have no choice but turn around and do a port day. Too many variables to consider, so "stay the course" unless something requires a change, then manage that change at the time it is needed, if it is needed.

 

Many of us folk who are actually on these cruises think that's a bit weak and that a cruise company should be able to say more and you think it's fine to leave it at that.

 

As noted I am on a cruise scheduled to call in Ashdod myself. I don't find it weak at all. I find it to be part of the cruising custom and experience, wether i like it or not, it is the way things are done.

 

Anyone concerned about missing the ports or with strong opinions on optional ports, needs to wait until the conflict n the region ends some time int he next 2000 years.

 

We could all probably spend our time more fruitfully trying to help other CC members across the rest of the board as this is looking more and more like a fifth set tie break that never ends.

 

I am trying to help CC people letting them know the policy is changes happen last minute, complaining here isn't gonna change that, and part of the cruising experience is that ports change last minute often and for many reasons, and are not generally reported far in advance to allow for the option of maintaining the initially publicized itinerary.

 

I try to inject facts and reason, where many try instead to inject rhetoric and hyperbole.

 

Think that summarises everything so maybe you should go back to worrying about how you will be treated in Jamaica and Dubai( which by the way is worse than Jamaica) and leave us to worry about our itinerary which is looking rather more holey than holy.

As to Dubai/Jamaica, I have gay friends living in Dubai (in fact the primary reason I chose this itinerary, so I could visit them, the cruise being a nice perk) I keep in touch with. Several years ago the government imposed a basic don't ask don't tell policy after a prince there had a gay lover killed that made things explode there. So it's tolerated now, and there are gay bars even. But I do thank you for your concern and trying to help out the CC community with those comments. :rolleyes:

Edited July 20, 2014 by cle-guy

[scifimonkey]

If you are looking for an itinerary that is more holy than holey, you might want to cancel now and consider re-booking for next year, in hopes that the situation is not still underway at that time, or take a land vacation, where they might not be as concerned as Celebrity is with your safety.

 

If I were on the cruise, I would like Celebrity to look at all their options (continuing with the original itinerary, looking for alternative ports that would enhance my cruise, etc.) and all of this takes time. I understand it is frustrating, but wouldn't you want them to do what is best for you, instead of making a hasty decision.

 

Yes, and as I have said elsewhere I am waiting on further info from them which I am sure will come just as it has recently done on the Black Sea cruises.

[NLH Arizona]

Yes, and as I have said elsewhere I am waiting on further info from them which I am sure will come just as it has recently done on the Black Sea cruises.

I'm so sorry, I must have misunderstood your comment (Many of us folk who are actually on these cruises think that's a bit weak and that a cruise company should be able to say more and you think it's fine to leave it at that.), thinking that you wanted an immediate response from Celebrity as to what any alternative plans are. Hopefully, the cruise will end up to be all you want it to be.

[scifimonkey]

Can you predict if missiles will be firing at cruise ships those particular Days Celebrity will be on port? Seems to me no cruise ships have been fired on since the incident reported, the tensions in there region remain as they have for the last 2000 years, and as noted, all other cruise lines scheduled to call those ports on october:

1. Costa Pacifica
   
2. Thomson Celebration
   
3. Thomson Spirit
   
4. Ocean Princess
   
5. Seabourn Odyssey
   
6. HAL ms Rotterdam
   
7. HAL ms Prinsendam
   
8. TUI Mein Schiff2
   
9. Azamara Quest
   
10. Celebrity Sillouhette
    
11. Celebrity Constellation
    
12. Silversea Silver Spirit
    
13. Silversea Silver Wind
    
14. Hapag Lloyd ms Europa 2
    

 

are all still scheduled to port in Ashdod in October with no publicized contingency plans. Not sure why X should be expected to do something that is not customary, especially when many other lines aren't doing anything yet either. Maybe they can spend 1 day at 1 of the ports, maybe it's as scheduled, maybe they are keeping the port calls, and as they approach the port, they have no choice but turn around and do a port day. Too many variables to consider, so "stay the course" unless something requires a change, then manage that change at the time it is needed, if it is needed.

 

 

 

As noted I am on a cruise scheduled to call in Ashdod myself. I don't find it weak at all. I find it to be part of the cruising custom and experience, wether i like it or not, it is the way things are done.

 

Anyone concerned about missing the ports or with strong opinions on optional ports, needs to wait until the conflict n the region ends some time int he next 2000 years.

 

 

 

I am trying to help CC people letting them know the policy is changes happen last minute, complaining here isn't gonna change that, and part of the cruising experience is that ports change last minute often and for many reasons, and are not generally reported far in advance to allow for the option of maintaining the initially publicized itinerary.

 

I try to inject facts and reason, where many try instead to inject rhetoric and hyperbole.

 

 

As to Dubai/Jamaica, I have gay friends living in Dubai (in fact the primary reason I chose this itinerary, so I could visit them, the cruise being a nice perk) I keep in touch with. Several years ago the government imposed a basic don't ask don't tell policy after a prince there had a gay lover killed that made things explode there. So it's tolerated now, and there are gay bars even. But I do thank you for your concern and trying to help out the CC community with those comments. :rolleyes:

 

Nice shot though that list must have been pre prepared? and glad that things have improved in Dubai since I was last there.

I am hanging in and trusting in Celebrity to deliver the current itinerary if they can and a decent alternative if they cannot. As I have said elsewhere i have always been prepared to go with the balance of probability and it would appear from those who have taken the trouble to share their experience of similar situations in the region that decent alternative ports have always been substituted. If that happens here then I will have no complaints. Hopefully for all of the passengers, Celebrity and even more importantly the Israelies and Palestinians the trouble will subside and we will be able to enjoy the planned ports!

[cle-guy]

Nice shot though that list must have been pre prepared?

 

Not pre-prepared, there is a website I use to find out what ships are in which ports when to help me find itineraries that involve ports I want to visit, or see how many ships and people may be in a port on any given day to see if I think the ports will be crowded or not. So I just checked there for the list of cruises visiting Ashdod on October and recapped here.

[scifimonkey]

not pre-prepared, there is a website i use to find out what ships are in which ports when to help me find itineraries that involve ports i want to visit, or see how many ships and people may be in a port on any given day to see if i think the ports will be crowded or not. So i just checked there for the list of cruises visiting ashdod on october and recapped here.

 

tt?

[cle-guy]

tt?

 

no....see my signature to email me...

 

 

\/ \/ \/ \/

[NLH Arizona]

I think I need to brush up on internet slang! LOL!

[Kevnzworld]

I don't see the uncertainty of the Israel porting to be any different than cruising the Caribbean within Hurricane Season.

 

An itinerary is in place, if a hurricane comes up it gets interrupted and ports canceled or changed. Celebrity does not post ahead of hurricane season its "contingency plans" for all cruises in the region "just in case". Not would I expect them to do so for calls in troubled areas of the world. There are just watt too many variables and "what if's" to consider.

 

The difference is this, This isn't just a " Mediterranean " cruise which may have ports altered. It's billed as a " Holy Land " cruise. Ie Jerusalem . It's the point of the cruise. If ones on a Caribbean cruise that changes ports or islands to avoid weather, no big deal.

Celebrity has an obligation IMO to offer a plan B before final payment.

[cruise52]

The difference is this, This isn't just a " Mediterranean " cruise which may have ports altered. It's billed as a " Holy Land " cruise. Ie Jerusalem . It's the point of the cruise. If ones on a Caribbean cruise that changes ports or islands to avoid weather, no big deal.

Celebrity has an obligation IMO to offer a plan B before final payment.

 

Agreed. Some people don't care where they cruise or stop and have stated they don't cruise for the ports. Some do, me included. In my opinion, we shouldn't be put in the situation of having to cancel because they can't give us a contingency plan, knowing TODAY that the top destination of this itinerary may have to be eliminated. I understand they may not know until the last minute if they will need to exercise a contingency plan. However, they have notice today of the possibility and they could at least give their paying customers some idea of the ports they will consider in a contingency situation. The fact that the industry as a whole chooses to handle this situation by providing no information doesn't make it right. I get that some on here think this practice is acceptable, but many of us do not.

Edited July 20, 2014 by cruise52
Clarification

[buggins0402]

The difference is this, This isn't just a " Mediterranean " cruise which may have ports altered. It's billed as a " Holy Land " cruise. Ie Jerusalem . It's the point of the cruise. If ones on a Caribbean cruise that changes ports or islands to avoid weather, no big deal.

Celebrity has an obligation IMO to offer a plan B before final payment.

 

I'm just reiterating what Crusemom said, but they are not going to pay port fees for alternate ports so they can't give a firm plan B. But, if you pull up an atlas and make educated guesses of alternate ports and base it on the track record of how well the cruise lines found alternate ports on the fly a few years ago, you can relax.

 

Back in 2012, I remember asking about plan B's and saw what the cruise lines were doing and decided to just chill and let things happen. There are not a lot of ships doing Holyland itineraries which works in your favor if there is a diversion.

Edited July 20, 2014 by buggins0402