avw3 Posted January 30, 2016 #1 Share Posted January 30, 2016 We are hearing that Independence of the Seas arrived in Port late this morning after 8 o'clock. They are still trying to clear all the passengers off of the ship and we are being told there are still 200 people on board that need to leave before we can board. Hoping to have more information soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avw3 Posted January 30, 2016 Author #2 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Update: we are now being told that Customs and Border Patrol still have to clear 200 passengers off the ship before we can begin boarding. Wedding party is being allowed to board because their ceremony was supposed to happen at 12:30 on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avw3 Posted January 30, 2016 Author #3 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Update: 100 passengers still waiting to be cleared to leave. They hope to start boarding in about 20 minutes. 4000 pax stand-in outside in the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisingthesuitelife Posted January 30, 2016 #4 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Thanks for the updates, I hope you manage to get on board soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avw3 Posted January 30, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Being told there are 11 people left on the ship and once they leave we will start boarding. Hopefully in the next few minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serious sealeggs Posted January 30, 2016 #6 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Do you know what's causing the delay? I have friends on this sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avw3 Posted January 30, 2016 Author #7 Share Posted January 30, 2016 See first post but basically the ship got in late for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avw3 Posted January 30, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Boarding has begun! There are still hundreds maybe thousands outside that haven't checked in yet though. My guess is we will not sail away at 4:30 as planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CocoCandy Posted January 30, 2016 #9 Share Posted January 30, 2016 It is a nightmare here. Thousands of us standing outside in lines that are not moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingsince94 Posted January 30, 2016 #10 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Not exactly an ideal way to start a vacation. Let's hope that this is the only hiccup and you will soon be sailing on a wonderful cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cljjlc Posted January 30, 2016 #11 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Yeah cruise definitely not getting off to a great start. From outside looks like practically ever pax is outside waiting. I'm normally patient and any day cruising is better than a day at work but my bladder has been rather full for a couple hours now in the heat so I'm hoping they plan on some OBC to ease its pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summerknight Posted January 30, 2016 #12 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I am so sorry for all of you. This happened to us last January. No fun at all. Wishing you a wonderful vacation.....happy cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avw3 Posted January 30, 2016 Author #13 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Captain just announced sail away will be at 6:30 or 7:00 sincerely they are still loading luggage and supplies for cruise. They need to do an OBC to make up for the inconvenience in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLACRUISER99 Posted January 30, 2016 #14 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I think you folks are getting greedy by asking for OBC for a couple hours delay. Unless you are joking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cljjlc Posted January 30, 2016 #15 Share Posted January 30, 2016 No not joking. 3 hours in the sun with no bathroom not wanting you to leave line no one offering water or information is not good customer service imho. Now that we have finally got up they have taken all the food up. No porter at all had to hand carry all luggage. Just not impressed with RCI I can take the delay but at least tell me why point me toward a bathroom and give me some water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogimax Posted January 30, 2016 #16 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Part of it is because debarkation is a total nightmare on Independence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRUKREW Posted January 30, 2016 #17 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I wonder if they would still charge you for the full day for the drink package?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cljjlc Posted January 30, 2016 #18 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Part of it is because debarkation is a total nightmare on Independence. Embarkation isn't much better. No towels in the room called housekeeping they told me they would bring some before 10 pm. We bought the drink package no tumblers in the room no one in the bar area wants to give me any because they say it's in the room. Worst customer service ever on a cruise. Tried to order simple cruise drinks no one knows how to mix them. Hopefully it gets better but I'm done with RCI I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted January 30, 2016 #19 Share Posted January 30, 2016 We were watching the Port Everglades webcam and wondered why Independence of the Seas was still there. Thanks for the updates. Hope the cruise gets better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted January 30, 2016 #20 Share Posted January 30, 2016 We were watching the Port Everglades webcam and wondered why Independence of the Seas was still there. Thanks for the updates. Hope the cruise gets better. looks great in the twilight, wish I was there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired LEO Posted January 30, 2016 #21 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Part of it is because debarkation is a total nightmare on Independence. Yep, they think it's bad now wait until they get off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yogimax Posted January 30, 2016 #22 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Yep, they think it's bad now wait until they get off. You mean try to get off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamFritz Posted January 30, 2016 #23 Share Posted January 30, 2016 When we started a 5 day cruise out of Tampa a few years ago, fog delayed our boarding by six hours. We were among the first on the ship at Just after 5:00pm. We got a $25 OBC. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
setsail Posted January 30, 2016 #24 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Captain just announced sail away will be at 6:30 or 7:00 sincerely they are still loading luggage and supplies for cruise. They need to do an OBC to make up for the inconvenience in my opinion. I agree, we all should get OBC for reading this thread:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeglassbrad Posted January 30, 2016 #25 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I am also on this sailing its almost 7 still in port and no luggage. I have never started a cruise out like this. What a waste of a first day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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