Live from Silhouette

[vulcan1971]

I feel your post is tongue in cheek. You did not mind, but you seemed to think your issue (which was resolved)was worse than what happened to us. Perhaps it was. I am sure I would have been more stressed with that happening to me in Italy than if such had happened when I boarded in the US.

 

Well you are right about one thing. We knew about the issue back in July so I guess we should have canceled our Silhouette cruise before final payment huh? I just thought Celebrity would have taken better care of us as they have always done that in the past.

 

 

 

Perhaps we should have switched to the Reflection which had almost the same ports (San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten-so St. Thomas instead of St. Kitts) but left a day early. Especially since she was the same in cost.

 

 

 

Does anyone know if the Reflection was able to make all of her ports?

 

 

There was no tongue and cheek humor... I was being matter of fact about a real scenario on my most recent cruise. In my opinion, it was more complicated to deal with than just missing a port... Both for the passengers and the cruise company staff.

 

Since you are not the OP (and I was quoting them, not you), I don't know what situation you are making reference to.

 

By the way, embarking at a port 3+ hours away with less than 24 hours notice, is far more stressful than missing a port, regardless of what country you are in. :confused:

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

[CuzILoveCruising]

So... the Dec 7 Sailing has a change in itinerary. Guess what it is. No San Juan. We just got notice by email today. It will be a Sea Day. Only two ports on a seven night out of ft. Lauderdale.

[c-legs]

So... the Dec 7 Sailing has a change in itinerary. Guess what it is. No San Juan. We just got notice by email today. It will be a Sea Day. Only two ports on a seven night out of ft. Lauderdale.

At least, they are straight forward honest with their guests.:eek: That's a welcome change and I hope such approach will now become the norm, whenever similar situations arise.

I would think the 21st dec sailing will also be similarly modified.

While the Western itineraries are not as challenging from a time-keeping perspective, we have friends on board the current one who report the ship is cutting short on all ports,=late arrivals and/or earlier departures.:mad:.but no port missed. I suppose the 14th and 28th december itineraries will be ''officially'' & publicly modified to reflect the ''new reality''.

At least, when guests are told, they adjust their anticipations and expectations.

Cheers

Edited December 5, 2014 by c-legs

[momofmeg]

There was no tongue and cheek humor... I was being matter of fact about a real scenario on my most recent cruise. In my opinion, it was more complicated to deal with than just missing a port... Both for the passengers and the cruise company staff.

 

Since you are not the OP (and I was quoting them, not you), I don't know what situation you are making reference to.

 

By the way, embarking at a port 3+ hours away with less than 24 hours notice, is far more stressful than missing a port, regardless of what country you are in. :confused:

 

 

Sent from my iPhone 6 Plus on the T-Mobile 4G LTE Network using Tapatalk Pro

 

The OP is my daughter and most people here realize that if they have followed this whole thread. So yes, I was not happy with how you expressed yourself to her. You would feel the same if it was your family member wouldn't you?

 

I alos agreed your situation was stressful more than ours. I am sorry that happened to you Have you read ALL of my posts here on this thread? I already said Meg over exaggerated the issue in my first post on this thread.

 

You are comparing apples to oranges BTW as the 2 situations are entirely different. If you read all the posts on this thread from others on this cruise, most of us (who posted here who was on that cruise) are more upset Celebrity mislead us than that we missed the port. They knew we would not make SJ that morning but led us to believe we would be late, then 2 hours later said we would not go as we would have only 3 hours in port when the reality considering how far away we were from SJ (167 nautical miles at 11 am)we would have only made it there at the time we were scheduled to leave that port since the ship could only do 17 nautical miles an hour.

 

I am interested to see if the ship makes SJ next week. It appears the ship needs perfect conditions to make the ports on time at 17 knots an hour since she was late to all the ports on the cruise before ours. Since SJ is only scheduled from 3:30 to 9:00 pm, I can see that port being skipped if they are 2 hours late and only have 3 and half hours in port. that is not long enough for anyone to do an excursion.

 

but as I already said, since I knew about the issues back In July, I should have switched to Reflection whose ports were almost the same (St. Thomas instead of St. kitts) and whose price was the same; or even better we could have switched to Independence of the Seas which did the same exact ports except they did St. Maarten first and SJ last.

[momofmeg]

So... the Dec 7 Sailing has a change in itinerary. Guess what it is. No San Juan. We just got notice by email today. It will be a Sea Day. Only two ports on a seven night out of ft. Lauderdale.

 

I am glad to know they were honest. That shows me many PAX were not happy on how they handed things on my cruise.

[scubagirl43]

I AM on the Dec 7 sailing right now and thought I'd share this with you. Sit tight and be prepared for a long read ...if you're interested in the reason for all the itinerary changes on the Silhouette that have been happening over the last several months....

 

If anyone has any comments, please feel free to message me personally. I wont be able to reply until around the 21st. my email address is in my signature.

 

-------------

 

Anyone who has been trying to get to the bottom of why many of the itineraries on the Silhouette have been changed (reduced times in ports and elimination of ports) in the past several months.

 

When the to go people advised us three days prior to boarding that San Juan will be eliminated due to engine problems affecting the propulsion and thus the speed, I did some investigating - first online, then with Celebrity Corporate, then onboard with an officer (Director of Envirnomental....) and then directly with the captain.

 

Before I tell my story of ?? diluted corporate BS ?? (I lack the best description for my venture), I was or am not out to seek any sort of compensation. Mind you when I hear that there are engine problems and, after researching online, that Celebrity has known for many months, and that itineraries are being changed because of it AND that a dry dock is scheduled in January to address it.... and THIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED until three days prior to sailong, it gave me great cause for concern to the point that, if I dont get the nuts and bolts of the engine issue, I'm not risking my 'behind' potentially being stranded on a ship in the middle of the sea without A/C, electricity, etc. (as we all know has happened on other cruiseline's sailings). And I would want at least an opportunity or choice to change my sailing or get a refund before I get onboard, of course.

 

In as brief a summary as I can possibly try to give, here's the skinny:

 

1) My research online showed there had been ongoing propulsion problems that prevented the ship from reaching full speed capacity back as far back as July 2014 and that dry dock was scheduled in January 2015.

 

2) Two days before sailing I spent 1/2 a day on the phone with corporate Customer Relations, elevating to Resolutions Specialist who liased with his Manager, all of whom didnt know or claim to know anything about a propulsion OR engine problem but ultimately offered me an add'l $100 OBC or the opportunity to do another sailing by end of January 2015. My request was to receive a refund or be given a Future Cruise Credit as I wasnt able to get down to the issue of the engine problem. I didnt want to go on this cruise without understanding the reasons for all the itinerary changes that seemed to be getting progressively worse.

 

3) While onboard I came upon a lecture being given by an Officer who heads the environmental aspects of the cruiseline. He claimed to know NOTHING about any propulsion problems. I continually probed for more info and he just kept going back to the reason why our ship had to change itineraries once again (which was due to a medical emegency that took us back to Ft Lauderdale in the middle of the first sailing night and cost the ship a loss of 8 hours) 7 hours per the captain in his announcement earlier that day). [We were going to San Juan after all, and now no longer to St. Kitts.] I am writing this right know while in San Juan port. And in answer to why the port of San Juan was also missed in the previous sailing, he said 'bad weather'. This officer, Dimitris was his name, explained that the ship runs on one engine and there are two separate engine rooms with two engines in each for a total of four, plus two back-up generators. I felt comfortable at least knowing, as he had stated, that the Solstice class ships would never be stranded without electricity or did he say WOULD NEVER BE STRANDED period? I think it was the latter. But he said he absolutely was not aware of any issue relating the the ship not being able to reach it's highest speed capacity. BS!

 

4) Now for my discussion with the Captain for about 10-15 minutes after his talk at the Captains Club's previous Celebrity cruise guests' complimentary Cocktail Party. Explaining first off that I was out to seek the truth what with so many guests expressing hearing lies and 'hiding of the truth' from Celebrity personnel. I explained what I knew about my online research and about people on Roll Call Boards who had had itinerary changes on prior Silhouette sailings.

 

So I ask:

What's up with the engine problem? His reply 'There is no engine problem' But I say 3 days prior to sailing we were given notice by our Agent re (see above 2nd para of this post).

Ok, I say: What's up with the propulsion problem? He says there are no issues with the propulsion problem.

Figuring he's not divulging anything that he isnt addressed with specifics to the issue,

I ask: OK! why is the ship not able to reach it's speed capacity? He says 'There had been data received by the manufacturer of (and I dont recall which component it was he was referring to, if he even specified) that was relayed to us and it was advised that we take precautionary measures'. Not offering up specifics, I carry on:

So these precautionary measures shorten the time in ports on some itineraries? Yes he said.

So these precautionary measures prevented us from going to San Juan this sailing? Yes he said.

So the ship is going into dry dock in January for reasons of precautionary measures. yes he said.

 

He admitted that Celebrity had reported the problem in July which resulted in the reports from online news. [Curious... I had overheard some passengers saying they read about it earlier than July. Did anyone hear this on this board?]

 

Lastly, I asked why it would be that Celebrity withheld the precautionary measures it was taking from the passengers who wouldnt be able to make an informed decision (being that it might involve itinerary changes) at the time of booking their cruise vacation or st any time flr that matter. He said that was not within his dictation (or responsibility); that that would have to be answered by corporate personnel. Now that part makes sense to me.

 

5) I just spoke to our head Singles Host (our TA) who said that the info he relayed to us 3 days prior to sailing came straight from the memo they were given from Celebrity and was relayed to us guests as soon as they received it.

 

------------

 

Overall, If I had been given the truth straight up, up front, I wouldnt be blabbing on social media, but rather respecting the honesty of disclosure and not risking possible unnecessary cause for concern amongst guests who for whatever reason were not informed of the truths..... but I am so thoroughly unimpressed with the manner in which Celebrity personnel have dealt with my enquiries that I am spreading it like a virus.

 

For those of you with the absolutely wonderful attitude of 'just enjoy what the day has to bring'...... I do and I truly am having a fantastic time with the to go 40+ singles cruise. I highly recommend any singles try one of their many hosted singles sailings.

 

I believe passengers should have truthful information about a problem with a ship they're sailing. I, personnally, have no qualms with itinerary changes. The officers of the ship knows best. But, what I want is THE TRUTH behind WHY these itinerary changes are being made.

[notjaded]

I AM on the Dec 7 sailing right now and thought I'd share this with you. Sit tight and be prepared for a long read ...if you're interested in the reason for all the itinerary changes on the Silhouette that have been happening over the last several months....

 

If anyone has any comments, please feel free to message me personally. I wont be able to reply until around the 21st. my email address is in my signature.

 

-------------

 

Anyone who has been trying to get to the bottom of why many of the itineraries on the Silhouette have been changed (reduced times in ports and elimination of ports) in the past several months.

 

When the to go people advised us three days prior to boarding that San Juan will be eliminated due to engine problems affecting the propulsion and thus the speed, I did some investigating - first online, then with Celebrity Corporate, then onboard with an officer (Director of Envirnomental....) and then directly with the captain.

 

Before I tell my story of ?? diluted corporate BS ?? (I lack the best description for my venture), I was or am not out to seek any sort of compensation. Mind you when I hear that there are engine problems and, after researching online, that Celebrity has known for many months, and that itineraries are being changed because of it AND that a dry dock is scheduled in January to address it.... and THIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED until three days prior to sailong, it gave me great cause for concern to the point that, if I dont get the nuts and bolts of the engine issue, I'm not risking my 'behind' potentially being stranded on a ship in the middle of the sea without A/C, electricity, etc. (as we all know has happened on other cruiseline's sailings). And I would want at least an opportunity or choice to change my sailing or get a refund before I get onboard, of course.

 

In as brief a summary as I can possibly try to give, here's the skinny:

 

1) My research online showed there had been ongoing propulsion problems that prevented the ship from reaching full speed capacity back as far back as July 2014 and that dry dock was scheduled in January 2015.

 

2) Two days before sailing I spent 1/2 a day on the phone with corporate Customer Relations, elevating to Resolutions Specialist who liased with his Manager, all of whom didnt know or claim to know anything about a propulsion OR engine problem but ultimately offered me an add'l $100 OBC or the opportunity to do another sailing by end of January 2015. My request was to receive a refund or be given a Future Cruise Credit as I wasnt able to get down to the issue of the engine problem. I didnt want to go on this cruise without understanding the reasons for all the itinerary changes that seemed to be getting progressively worse.

 

3) While onboard I came upon a lecture being given by an Officer who heads the environmental aspects of the cruiseline. He claimed to know NOTHING about any propulsion problems. I continually probed for more info and he just kept going back to the reason why our ship had to change itineraries once again (which was due to a medical emegency that took us back to Ft Lauderdale in the middle of the first sailing night and cost the ship a loss of 8 hours) 7 hours per the captain in his announcement earlier that day). [We were going to San Juan after all, and now no longer to St. Kitts.] I am writing this right know while in San Juan port. And in answer to why the port of San Juan was also missed in the previous sailing, he said 'bad weather'. This officer, Dimitris was his name, explained that the ship runs on one engine and there are two separate engine rooms with two engines in each for a total of four, plus two back-up generators. I felt comfortable at least knowing, as he had stated, that the Solstice class ships would never be stranded without electricity or did he say WOULD NEVER BE STRANDED period? I think it was the latter. But he said he absolutely was not aware of any issue relating the the ship not being able to reach it's highest speed capacity. BS!

 

4) Now for my discussion with the Captain for about 10-15 minutes after his talk at the Captains Club's previous Celebrity cruise guests' complimentary Cocktail Party. Explaining first off that I was out to seek the truth what with so many guests expressing hearing lies and 'hiding of the truth' from Celebrity personnel. I explained what I knew about my online research and about people on Roll Call Boards who had had itinerary changes on prior Silhouette sailings.

 

So I ask:

What's up with the engine problem? His reply 'There is no engine problem' But I say 3 days prior to sailing we were given notice by our Agent re (see above 2nd para of this post).

Ok, I say: What's up with the propulsion problem? He says there are no issues with the propulsion problem.

Figuring he's not divulging anything that he isnt addressed with specifics to the issue,

I ask: OK! why is the ship not able to reach it's speed capacity? He says 'There had been data received by the manufacturer of (and I dont recall which component it was he was referring to, if he even specified) that was relayed to us and it was advised that we take precautionary measures'. Not offering up specifics, I carry on:

So these precautionary measures shorten the time in ports on some itineraries? Yes he said.

So these precautionary measures prevented us from going to San Juan this sailing? Yes he said.

So the ship is going into dry dock in January for reasons of precautionary measures. yes he said.

 

He admitted that Celebrity had reported the problem in July which resulted in the reports from online news. [Curious... I had overheard some passengers saying they read about it earlier than July. Did anyone hear this on this board?]

 

Lastly, I asked why it would be that Celebrity withheld the precautionary measures it was taking from the passengers who wouldnt be able to make an informed decision (being that it might involve itinerary changes) at the time of booking their cruise vacation or st any time flr that matter. He said that was not within his dictation (or responsibility); that that would have to be answered by corporate personnel. Now that part makes sense to me.

 

5) I just spoke to our head Singles Host (our TA) who said that the info he relayed to us 3 days prior to sailing came straight from the memo they were given from Celebrity and was relayed to us guests as soon as they received it.

 

------------

 

Overall, If I had been given the truth straight up, up front, I wouldnt be blabbing on social media, but rather respecting the honesty of disclosure and not risking possible unnecessary cause for concern amongst guests who for whatever reason were not informed of the truths..... but I am so thoroughly unimpressed with the manner in which Celebrity personnel have dealt with my enquiries that I am spreading it like a virus.

 

For those of you with the absolutely wonderful attitude of 'just enjoy what the day has to bring'...... I do and I truly am having a fantastic time with the to go 40+ singles cruise. I highly recommend any singles try one of their many hosted singles sailings.

 

I believe passengers should have truthful information about a problem with a ship they're sailing. I, personnally, have no qualms with itinerary changes. The officers of the ship knows best. But, what I want is THE TRUTH behind WHY these itinerary changes are being made.

 

Sorry for the problems you experienced. I too have had enough with the failure of management to honestly address issues that I had on the Millennium. Had they been forthright from the beginning, all would be good. Their insistence of treating their customers as like we are idiots, rather than rational actors, is very unfortunate. It destroys the Celebrity brand.

[AtlantaGa52]

Sorry for the problems you experienced. I too have had enough with the failure of management to honestly address issues that I had on the Millennium. Had they been forthright from the beginning, all would be good. Their insistence of treating their customers as like we are idiots, rather than rational actors, is very unfortunate. It destroys the Celebrity brand.

 

I was on the November 30 sailing and at check in they gave a sheet of paper showing the shortened port calls. We we late arriving to several ports and the changes caused me to miss an excursion I had booked independently.

It appears they have had problems for months but continue to advertise port calls as if there is no problem.

I like the line but feel somewhat cheated.

Here is a picture of the wake and I never saw the speed above 17 kts.

[captainoliver]

Sorry for the problems you experienced. I too have had enough with the failure of management to honestly address issues that I had on the Millennium. Had they been forthright from the beginning, all would be good. Their insistence of treating their customers as like we are idiots, rather than rational actors, is very unfortunate. It destroys the Celebrity brand.

 

San Juan has been cancelled as a port of call on the Dec 21 Silhouette sailing due to issues with propulsion. No advanced notice or warning despite the fact that Celebrity has been aware of issues dating back to June. Wish I saw these threads ahead of time. Terrible customer service, Celebrity. Keep eroding your brand equity!