Live on liberty!

[fdthird]

The LOS is sailing!! Enjoy a slightly rearranged itinerary everyone!! Let's hope the return to Galveston is better!!

[OKCcruiser8]

On my first cruise, we met up with a bunch of roll call people before sailaway and some girl sat there crying her eyes out because we were fogged in and we wouldn't have a sailaway party and if we don't move by x we'll miss a port and blah, blah, blah.

 

Same girl was all irritated because they no longer mailed out the documents so she couldn't do her "doc dance" when she opened the mailbox.

 

I avoided the roll call folks after that. The obsession with checking the boxes while on vacation reminded me too much of work. We didn't miss any ports, either.

 

Dinner was a bit of a mess because of the late boarding, but we had a nice little port party for ourselves. When we woke up we were at sea and we had a great time.

 

Of the three cruises I've been on in my life (all in Galveston, all in the winter) two of them have been delayed by fog. I will not be surprised if it happens to us on our Liberty sailing in about 3 weeks, either. It's what happens this time of year.

 

But I won't let anyone steal my joy if we are fogged in. I'm on a ship and I'm not at work. I don't care if I have a lounge or special seating. I don't care what color my key card is. I don't care if we're waiting on the pilot boats or if we're already at sea. I'm on a ship, and that's awesome.

 

Wish I had a like button. :) Lovely post!

[ckmommy]

We are moving. It was not foggy to Foggy and in but now pretty foggy again. But moving none the less. Lots of fun on here he flowrider and slides today!

[OKCcruiser8]

Looking at cruise cam it appears the fog is back. Seems it was a pretty small window on getting out of the harbor. Glad everyone made it!

[pspercy]

Looking at marinetraffic.com must be nearly 100 ships waiting to enter Houston Ship Channel!

[easyboy]

On my first cruise, we met up with a bunch of roll call people before sailaway and some girl sat there crying her eyes out because we were fogged in and we wouldn't have a sailaway party and if we don't move by x we'll miss a port and blah, blah, blah.

 

Same girl was all irritated because they no longer mailed out the documents so she couldn't do her "doc dance" when she opened the mailbox.

 

I avoided the roll call folks after that. The obsession with checking the boxes while on vacation reminded me too much of work. We didn't miss any ports, either.

Have also witnessed the same scene numerous times. It must then be the 'normal thing'.

[MrSnarkyPants]

Have also witnessed the same scene numerous times. It must then be the 'normal thing'.

 

You have the choice to find joy even when things aren't going to plan.

 

You also have the choice to not let anyone take your joy away.

 

Despite my nom de plume, I prefer being happy. In three weeks I will be sailing RCCL for the first time. I'll be that guy over in the Solarium watching the waves.

[fdthird]

You are so right about finding your own joy or the flip of the coin. So many folks only find the negative. On our LOS back2back in October, had a couple of occasions to stand on line at Guest Services, and could not believe the things people felt they needed to complain about. When life gives you limes, make Margarettas!

[kontraxed]

I guess I don't understand all the tears and drama. In four weeks I will be on the Liberty of the Seas for a week. This ship is a floating resort. Once I'm on the ship, I can drink Texas beer with no problem. Hopefully, they will have Shiner because that's a pretty good beer! That first night, I will eat in a specialty restaurant and then go to a show. It really doesn't matter if the ship has left port or is still sitting in the fog. Sooner or later, we will be at sea and the ship may (or may not) have a revised itinerary. I have made reservations for some shore excursions, but this too will work itself out. As long as I am on that cruise, I will be happy.

[BecciBoo]

Sorry no Shiner:( Also, I'm like you Kon, I can find something to do and enjoy no matter what happens...I make tons of margaritas!

 

We've been fogged in or out 3 times, no problem.

Edited December 28, 2016 by BecciBoo

[MLevin]

LOVE the positive attitude. Can't wait to sail in a matter of days. The vacation begins when I lock the door to the house and head out. While actually hearing people whine and complain is annoying, I find the humor in reading their rants on these boards. The smallest things seem to be huge issues. Like one person complaining they only got ONE towel animal the entire cruise? UGH....people!

[Phenommom]

Please understand that it wasn't the ship itself. It was the PEOPLE. They herded us in like cattle through security. It was hot. The line moved slowly. There was only one security line open, so I'm guessing that they created the bottle neck on purpose so that check-in wouldn't be backed up. There is nothing more infuriating that standing in line for HOURS and watching people constantly cut in front of you in line. There was very little staff present, and the ones that were present didn't seem to care. It was a disorganized miserable mess that really started off the cruise on a sour note. When I went to customer service about another issue, the lady kept apologizing and blaming it on the weather situation. I can understand weather issues; however, the frustration was with the complete lack of responsibility on the part of Royal to adequately control the situation. We traveled on Royal in 2010 on the Oasis. After a cruise on Norwegian and Disney, we couldn't wait to come back to Royal. Not so much now.

 

 

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[Junkhouse]

Please understand that it wasn't the ship itself. It was the PEOPLE. They herded us in like cattle through security. It was hot. The line moved slowly. There was only one security line open, so I'm guessing that they created the bottle neck on purpose so that check-in wouldn't be backed up. There is nothing more infuriating that standing in line for HOURS and watching people constantly cut in front of you in line. There was very little staff present, and the ones that were present didn't seem to care. It was a disorganized miserable mess that really started off the cruise on a sour note.

 

It doesn't sound like a pleasant situation. Like the airport though, security is handled by the TSA. I am assuming the TSA staff had to be on site when the actual cruise was supposed to come in and their bureaucracy and union contracts kept them from staffing up later in the day. Also, some probably didn't show up for work the day after Christmas. Had a relative who worked in the travel industry and they assumed during the Christmas holidays half of the staff that was supposed to work called in sick or whatever.

[LoneStarJeffe]

Please understand that it wasn't the ship itself. It was the PEOPLE. They herded us in like cattle through security. It was hot. The line moved slowly. There was only one security line open, so I'm guessing that they created the bottle neck on purpose so that check-in wouldn't be backed up. There is nothing more infuriating that standing in line for HOURS and watching people constantly cut in front of you in line. There was very little staff present, and the ones that were present didn't seem to care. It was a disorganized miserable mess that really started off the cruise on a sour note. When I went to customer service about another issue, the lady kept apologizing and blaming it on the weather situation. I can understand weather issues; however, the frustration was with the complete lack of responsibility on the part of Royal to adequately control the situation. We traveled on Royal in 2010 on the Oasis. After a cruise on Norwegian and Disney, we couldn't wait to come back to Royal. Not so much now.

 

 

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I get the frustration. however, the facility is planned to handle 3000 + people arriving over many hours. It cannot handle everyone showing up at once. Your point about lines not being open for security is a valid issue to raise. I suspect it depends on availability of people to work much later than planned. Ideally RCCL has contingency plans for covering security screening positions when there are delays. But even contingency plans do not always equals no impact. I wonder if the delay combined with the holiday season combined to have people just decide not to show up for work?

 

My assumption is when things like this happen, I just plan on delays and try to be positive. There will be long lines, frustrated people, and things will not go smoothly. I was on the cruise out of Galveston when the oil spill happened. No ships could move and they ended up canceling the cruise the next day. We had boarded late evening and spent the night on the ship just like you. Long lines and we did not get on board until midnight. But I do get your frustration and concerns. Best wishes the rest of your cruise is enjoyable despite the poor start.

[BecciBoo]

But get our point too Mom...however annoying the process, it is only a fraction of your cruise...you are now, I assume, having a blast...that's what is truly important. Talk about the good stuff now...cant wait to hear it:D

[fdthird]

As others have said, I don't think you can hold Royal responsible for all the issues you had. They really can not control scheduling of TSA personnel and it was indeed the day after Christmas. Don't you think when you travel during the holidays you should expect some issues? Combine that with an incredible fog condition which delayed for hours the arrival of the ship, and the departure for almost a day, and you have perhaps a once in a lifetime series of events. As the expression goes, "Sh-t Happens!"

[tugboat]

What is amazing is in US ports the coast guard closed the port when foggy.

In Canada this past October you couldn't even see the dock from deck four or 10 feet in front of you. We still left on time:confused:

[Phenommom]

The cantaloupe is delicious.

 

 

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[MrSnarkyPants]

What is amazing is in US ports the coast guard closed the port when foggy.

In Canada this past October you couldn't even see the dock from deck four or 10 feet in front of you. We still left on time:confused:

 

The Houston Ship Channel is a busy narrow waterway lined with petrochemical plants. The pilots don't mess around with fog because there is little room for error under the best conditions.

[Junkhouse]

The Houston Ship Channel is a busy narrow waterway lined with petrochemical plants. The pilots don't mess around with fog because there is little room for error under the best conditions.

 

My point is that the cruise terminal is on an auxiliary channel off the Houston Ship Channel right at the mouth. The authorities I have to say can't think outside of the box if they can't figure out a way to keep that traffic flowing. There are no petrochemical plants between the Gulf and the pier.

[Doug S]

...Once I'm on the ship, I can drink Texas beer with no problem. Hopefully, they will have Shiner because that's a pretty good beer! ...

 

In my experience Shiner is available on day one until it runs out. (at least on my last 3 Liberty cruises, including 12.11.16). It is not always visible at the bars, you may have to ask. I saw BecciBoo said no Shiner, but maybe she was referring to the duration of the cruise where it is not offered.

Edited December 30, 2016 by Doug S
wrong date

[J & G]

The Houston Ship Channel is a busy narrow waterway lined with petrochemical plants. The pilots don't mess around with fog because there is little room for error under the best conditions.

 

 

You are very correct! And the water on either side of the ship channel is very shallow. When two cargo-size ships approach, they often cannot pass side-to-side and so they do a very scary-looking maneuver called The Texas Chicken....difficult and tricky in perfect weather - impossible in fog!

 

The point where the cruise ships exit the Galveston Channel is one of the busiest marine intersections in the US...Bolivar Roads. It is packed with cargo and petrochemical traffic going to and from the Bayport, Texas City, and Port of Houston terminals. The Houston Ship Channel is part of the Intercoastal Waterway and is a working waterway with lots of ships carrying dangerous chemicals. Don't mess with them in fog!!

 

Just like on an airplane... If the pilot doesn't feel it's safe, I don't want to go!!

 

 

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Edited December 30, 2016 by J & G

[MLevin]

The ship channel is very unique (and narrow). As we know from various accidents or incidents, the slightest error shuts down the channel which is not a good thing. While frustrating as a passenger on a cruise ship waiting to leave, I would rather be safe than....!

 

so how is she/Liberty. We will be sailing on Monday? How are the seas? I am a bit nervous as this is my second cruise and I am worried about sea sickness. I am prepared (kind of) with sea bands, lots of ginger (gum, candies, drinks....), benedryl and ativan. I don't tolerate Bonnie or Dramimine well...so hoping seas will be calm and I won't need to medicate!

[BecciBoo]

In my experience Shiner is available on day one until it runs out. (at least on my last 3 Liberty cruises, including 12.11.16). It is not always visible at the bars, you may have to ask. I saw BecciBoo said no Shiner, but maybe she was referring to the duration of the cruise where it is not offered.

 

My husband never found it, he's a Shiner man, so that is good news...at least for a while.

 

The crew always swear by green apples for sea sickness too.

 

 

Hey Tug!:D

Edited December 30, 2016 by BecciBoo

[Lisa77064]

We just got off Liberty this morning. Fog was terrible on embarkation. Check in was terrible but we couldn't board until late in the day due to the delayed arrival so it was a true "cattle call". At least turn on the AC. Saw that poor man in need of medical attention. Anyone could have become dehydrated in that awful hot muggy line.

 

The cruise was great over all. The employees were so calm and super friendly considering the immediate turnover of passengers and delayed departure. The main dining room seemed short handed but we had some of the friendliest servers ever.

 

Room attendant - fantastic for the most part. I think all of the employees were very tired as a result of the mad rush.

 

Menu in Main Dining seemed to be reduced to a smaller selection of foods.

 

Windjammer lacked variety but was never overcrowded.

 

Casino was TIGHT.

 

We had one change of ports from Belize to Costa Maya? I believe. Worked for us.

 

Sister won $$ at bingo.

 

Casino still TIGHT.

 

Did an RCI excursion in Roatan - requested refund. It was that bad.

 

Arrival in Galveston was easy. No lost/stolen luggage this time.

 

I'm betting the casino is still tight.

 

We still had a blast. Any cruise is a good cruise in my book.