Carnival Liberty Evacuation

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

ETA- maybe Paul talked to the right person and I didn't. Maybe it was at different times of day when they were being instructed to answer questions differently. But I most certainly let them know id prefer to keep the family together and I'd prefer to stay as long as possible.

 

Were the additional members of your party going home to the same place?

[Carol_Hill]

mdchris--you are probably correct, pauley may have known better someone to talk to, to volunteer to stay, or he just got lucky. I definitely understand why you and the others are very upset at being separated and not being able to celebrate the actual day on the 50th anniversary with your family. I know that you understand that there was a lot of coordinating to do, but it certainly didn't work out well for you, or for several of your ship mates.

[Mdchris]

Were the additional members of your party going home to the same place?

 

 

I apologize- I thought I answered this. Yes we all flew in to the same airport on the same flights. We live pretty close to each other

[idiebabe]

ETA- maybe Paul talked to the right person and I didn't. Maybe it was at different times of day when they were being instructed to answer questions differently. But I most certainly let them know id prefer to keep the family together and I'd prefer to stay as long as possible.

 

I think you're right with this! I remember Pauley posting that he was actually speaking with a Care Specialist at the time they received word that the Ship was cleared to sail to San Juan and passengers could stay onboard.

 

[aflyingbuttress]

I am sure "this vacation" was ruined but you were fullu reimbursed, received $150 in on-board credit, didn't have to pay gratuities, and that you get a 50% discount on another cruise....with the airfare reimbursement you aren't a dime out of pocket are you?

 

Love how everyone is using the word "fully" to describe reimbursement. No, people were not fully reimbursed. They don't get back their vacation time or any moeny lost for not working. I've had several jobs that either had limited vacation (2 weeks per year for everything, including sick time) or no paid vacation.

 

Let's say someone on this ship makes $1000 per week and and does not have paid vacation time and they are traveling with someone who does get paid vacation. Together they paid $2000 for the cruise and are out $1000 for one of them missing work. $3000 total. They get back $2000 from Carnival but they are still $1000 short for one person missing work and plus lost vacation time for the other person.

 

I don't know about you, but if I spent $1000 on a vacation that didn't really happen, I wouldn't be able to do that again any time soon. And the person who did have vacation time does not get their PTO back and may not be able to take another vacation for at least a year.

 

But let's they do decide to book their 50% off future cruise. This time they lose $1000 for the missed work week, use another week of PTO, and pay $1000 for their cruise. Costing $2000. In total they've now spent $3000 for a $2000 cruise and used 2 weeks of vacation for a 1 week trip.

 

And there could potentially be other costs involved, like childcare, pet sitting, even additional days off depending how long they had to leave before the trip, money spent on gas, food, etc. that they didn't keep receipts for because they didn't know this was going to happen, and other stuff I'm sure. I couldn't tell whether all of their onboard expenses were covered either. I know they got $150 OBC but it sounds like they are not getting reimbursed for things like spa services or specialty dining. Those things are part of the vacation experience too and some people wouldn't be able to repeat that on another cruise.

 

Sorry, but that is not what I call being "fully" reimbursed. Not saying carnival should dole out more money. But people are not made whole here. That's pretty much impossible.

[aflyingbuttress]

The people I really felt bad for was the couple who was supposed to be renewing there vows on Monday. In the middle of getting her hair done the evacuation started. She walked around all day with a vail in her hair. Then the couple who was supposed to get married in Barbados. And I am sure so many more just like these.

 

 

:( what a shame.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

aflyingbuttress...

 

Understand your argument but people did receive a vacation even if it wasn't anything near what they had planned or anticipated. They had meals for the time they were away, a floating hotel, access to a beautiful island and its beaches, a pool, ship board activities.

 

Once I went on a road trip, took some time off from work, and several days into the trip our car engine exploded and the parts weren't readily available. We ended up staying in no mans land for several days until a bus came through which we caught to a larger town and actually bought a new car. Just one of the hazards of traveling. And no one reimbursed me for anything. Stuff happens.

 

Some people feel that the "accident" was somehow an avoidable incident that Carnival could have prevented. Next time one of my electrical outlets explodes when plugging something in ruining said outlet and the lamp I'll remember that I should have been able to prevent it from happening.:)

[aflyingbuttress]

aflyingbuttress...

 

Understand your argument but people did receive a vacation even if it wasn't anything near what they had planned or anticipated. They had meals for the time they were away, a floating hotel, access to a beautiful island and its beaches, a pool, ship board activities.

 

Once I went on a road trip, took some time off from work, and several days into the trip our car engine exploded and the parts weren't readily available. We ended up staying in no mans land for several days until a bus came through which we caught to a larger town and actually bought a new car. Just one of the hazards of traveling. And no one reimbursed me for anything. Stuff happens.

 

Some people feel that the "accident" was somehow an avoidable incident that Carnival could have prevented. Next time one of my electrical outlets explodes when plugging something in ruining said outlet and the lamp I'll remember that I should have been able to prevent it from happening.:)

 

I don't think it was preventable or that Carnival didn't do enough to rectify the situation as best they could. There's nothing more they can do and I agree it's one of the hazards of traveling. But the majority of this "vacation" was spent being massively inconvenienced, frustrated, and anxious. You can call that a vacation if you want, but I don't blame anyone for not feeling like they had a vacation.

 

Again, not saying that Carnival was at fault in that sense. Just that people should be given a break when they aren't happy about how this turned out and not keep being told "well, you were fully refunded so..." That implies they should not be upset.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

"well, you were fully refunded so..." That implies they should not be upset.

 

I didn't use the word "well" and I never implied that someone shouldn't or doesn't have the right to be upset, I also understand how someone felt their vacation was ruined. Intonation in the written word is hard to decipher at anytime. My point in mentioning the compensation is that Carnival was doing the best they could to reimburse people for their out of pocket expenses (other than their personal spending habits) associated with the cruise and that "I" felt it was fair. Again your feelings may differ and you have the total right to those.

 

I don't think any of us are stating that "everything is now right with the world" because the shortened and unplanned cruising events were reimbursed. It's just nice that they are getting something worthwhile for all their troubles. That doesn't always seem to be the case.

Edited September 12, 2015 by Sweet Dutch Girl

[Star1]

I have been following all of this too. My question is trip insurance. I always buy insurance when I book my trip. I always wonder if I am buying an insurance that is worth it to cover me if needed. I always worry about medical but not the part about lost wages, pet sitting or hotels. Are these things covered in trip insurance????

WM

[luvtheships]

I have been following all of this too. My question is trip insurance. I always buy insurance when I book my trip. I always wonder if I am buying an insurance that is worth it to cover me if needed. I always worry about medical but not the part about lost wages, pet sitting or hotels. Are these things covered in trip insurance????

WM

 

My insurance paid for my limo ride from JFK back home for the 6 of us when we were delayed returning due to hurricane frances

 

Why? Because had we returned on the originally scheduled Saturday ...when my bil is off work and was planning to pick us up at no cost to us ....everything would have been fine....but as it turned out we arrived back home 4 days later...when bil was working and unable to get us...so I needed to arrange for a driver in an SUV at a cost of $175 plus 20% gratuity....and my Insurance paid it no problem.

 

So yes many things are covered you just need to read the policy....you would be surprised what is covered

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Edited September 12, 2015 by luvtheships

[lizardhowson]

No- a carnival vacation planner told us we would be able to do so in the cabins we booked. He wasn't educated enough in the deck layout to know that wasn't the case.

 

I see - for future reference, there are websites which tell exactly which balcony dividers can be opened - if your parties use their 50% booking offers in the future to try another cruise.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

I apologize- I thought I answered this. Yes we all flew in to the same airport on the same flights. We live pretty close to each other

 

In that case you have MORE than a valid complaint and I would make sure when you send Carnival the reimbursement email you preface it with the circumstances of your individual departure from the ship. Somebody DID drop the ball on that one and "Carnival" should be so informed. Sorry that happened.

[CptSticky]

The State Department does not need a paper Xerox copy to determine if you have a passport. Do you realize how simple it is to create a fraudulent Xerox copy.

 

I hate to disillusion you, but a Xerox copy is of no value what-so-ever. Too many people sincerely believe a copy gives them some imagined advantage.

I have felt the same way that you do for a long time. However, a couple of days ago (due to a similar discussion on another thread) I went to the State Department web site and it actually lists a copy of your passport as an item to bring to the consulate/embassy. So, apparently according to the State Department we are both wrong.:o

[Podna's]

I see - for future reference, there are websites which tell exactly which balcony dividers can be opened - if your parties use their 50% booking offers in the future to try another cruise.

 

 

Why the hec would someone not use a 50% off certificate?

[pusywillow]

Why the hec would someone not use a 50% off certificate?

 

I haven't used 100% off certificates.

 

Sue

[disneylover89]

I see - for future reference, there are websites which tell exactly which balcony dividers can be opened - if your parties use their 50% booking offers in the future to try another cruise.

 

Usually the key on the ships deck plans will tell you. We had connecting balconies on our Victory cruise and they were great. It did show on the key that they connected. It was a little symbol.

 

I didn't think that 5 balconies in a row would be able to be open because the connecting doors would have to block the balcony door at some point and that becomes a safety issue

[Podna's]

I haven't used 100% off certificates.

 

 

 

Sue

 

 

Wow. That's all I got. :)

[Mtn2Sea]

Paisley, you've done a great job in reporting events surrounding an unfortunate turn of events. I've picked up a few pointers to remember for my next cruise. Don't let the negative people get you down. There are some people in this world that I will never understand.

[Honolulu Blue]

This thread seems to be winding down. The Liberty seems to be fixed well enough, the current passengers will be disembarking tomorrow morning, and the new group will be boarding a few hours later. The ramifications of this cruise, of course, will linger on for many of the passengers and Carnival for a long time to come.

 

I've learned a lot about Carnival and certain of its guests in the past few days. I'll keep the rest of the questions and comments I have to myself and simply thank those that reported to us what was/is happening.

Edited September 12, 2015 by Honolulu Blue

[retiredgram]

Pauly: glad you came back. I was just getting ready to post if you were still around.

Glad you are enjoying the last of your vacation.

 

When we experienced anything unusual on our cruise, we just said it was an excursion that we tried and hoped to not have to repeat. :rolleyes:

 

Thanks again for keeping everyone updated.

[littlekid58]

Paul pls ignore the haters you did a great job!!! Hope u enjoy the rest of your vacation!!

[cruisenfreak]

Just like so many others, I have followed your reporting since the fire and will echo the positive posters in saying we appreciated your first-hand account. Please try to ignore the negatives - they are certainly unwarranted. Mary Jane

[Sparky2]

We were on this cruise as a group of 8 - 4 connecting cabins. My husband and I got chartered off just hours before they set sail with the remainder of the family who was celebrating my husbands parents 50th wedding anniversary. Here are my thoughts:

 

1. I recognize that it could have been much worse.

 

2. I am grateful for the way carnival has worked hard to compensate and retain customers.

 

3. The crew was great.

 

4. BUT.....our cabins were booked together- connected to the same dinning table. They should have kept our group together.

 

5. There were problems at every turn no matter how hard we tried to stay positive. Our charter flight left 2 hours late. (They could have told us about the possibility of sailing before we left- it was that close.)

 

our baggage was two hours later to the plane than we were- another opportunity to at least give us a choice.

 

They sent us to the Marriot where they had failed to actually provide payment for the rooms we were promised.

 

 

And before the fire....

I requested chefs table any night but the 10th. There were three nights to chose from and we were put on the one night I asked them not to.

 

My FIL was promised that we could open all 4 of the balconies- he had been talking about it for MONTHS- it was the highlight of what he wanted for the trip. They placed us in an area where only two could be opened. Had we been a few cabins down- it would have worked.

I have tried so hard to be thankful and remain positive but the whole entire ordeal was not the sunshine and beaches it has been portrayed as. It was constantly being shuffled around and never knowing what the next few hour would bring- we had no control over a vacation that was a once in a lifetime celebration (50th wedding anniversary) I am so mentally and emotionally drained.

 

I gather that you let CCL choose the location of your balconies rather than choose them youself. It may have been better to research which balcony dividers can be open. Sorry this happened.

 

I have posted a couple of times on John Heald's FB page about feeling bad for those who had already flown home and missed out on the opportunity to use the ship as a floating hotel & enjoying time in SJ.

 

Are you saying that part of your families did remain on the ship & sail to SJ?

[Mdchris]

I gather that you let CCL choose the location of your balconies rather than choose them youself. It may have been better to research which balcony dividers can be open. Sorry this happened.

 

 

 

I have posted a couple of times on John Heald's FB page about feeling bad for those who had already flown home and missed out on the opportunity to use the ship as a floating hotel & enjoying time in SJ.

 

 

 

Are you saying that part of your families did remain on the ship & sail to SJ?

 

 

As I've mentioned in other posts, my FIL was working with a PVP from carnival who told us these cabins would connect. This really is a minute detail compared to the fact that one of the four couples was shipped off home while the remaining three couples are still on the ship. We live in the same town, requested to stay and we're still split up.

 

I apologize to the OP if you feel that my comments on the post you started were out of line. I figured this was a general post about the fire and evacuation as it's titled. To the others- As upset as I am about some of the outcome- most specifically being split from our group- I feel that it could have been much worse and I still saw some beautiful sights and spent some great time while we had it with the family. Not everything is black and white. I have the ability to look at the positives as well. As much as I wish that there would have been different outcomes -- at the end of the day- we didn't have any control over what happened and from this point forward all we can control is our attitudes. As disappointed as some aspects were, it was still better than being at work for the week.

Edited September 12, 2015 by Mdchris