Not So Elated About Elation News (or lack thereof)

[cheshyrkat]

I guess the good thing is that we are not the guests of FEMA on a cruise ship sitting at a dock in New Orleans. We haven't lost our home and all worldly belongings. Finally, the small print does say that every cruise line has the legal option of changing any port call at any time they choose.

 

I don't see what FEMA and New Orleans have to do with my cruise. I am glad that I am not there. I feel bad for all affected...including some of our regular CC members. Heck, I've been affected indirectly by virtue of where I live! But so what?

 

I thought we stopped handling all concerns about cruises voiced on the board by issuing random guilt trips a couple of months back...I remember that period of time when you couldn't post on the board and not get flamed unless you put your disclaimer that you were praying/donating money/spending time with evacuees, etc...but I thought that time was past.

 

I am unhappy with the way things have been handled. I haven't approached it with quite as much emotion as the OP, but I can see the frustration. My frustrations are a little different, but part of what's bothering me is that I still don't know where the heck my cruise is headed! I can't change that. I know you can't change that, either...that's not what I expected. And most CC members don't have this problem any more. They know where they are going whether they like the destination or not. But I assure you that if there were more iteneraries that hadn't yet been announced there would be plenty more griping on the boards about it!

 

Sorry if I bother you with my venting! I think all the OP wanted to know was if anyone had any inside info regarding the disposition of this matter! I don't expect that anyone on the boards would be able to give any kind of solution to the issue or even advice on how to remedy it.

 

Maybe if you put youself in our shoes you could see why this is such a frustration! We are anxious and wondering what it all could possibly mean that our particular sailing...not even all 5 day Elation sailings...just the 5 day Elation sailings leaving on Mondays...have not been addressed! The last statement they issued was on the 11th with a promise of the final itenerary announcement to be made "shortly." Well. Here we are 5 days later and still hanging on! And when we call to find out what's going on, we are treated rudely. Sorry if that irks me. I won't lie and say it doesn't.

 

I feel like there is something they could have done from a customer service standpoint that would have dealt with the situation more efficiently and courteously. And yes, I am aware that legally they are not obligated to do much of anything with regard to everything...I have my docs and I've read all the disclaimers...but that's not the point either. I am upset with the customer care aspect of this situation. I'm not taking them to court...

[cheshyrkat]

I still can find nothing to the contrary, cheshyrkat. You?

 

No I haven't, but I haven't gone out and looked for anything either...

[CanTex]

HDawson. And so for EVERYONE else on EVERY other cruise, EXCEPT for the 5-Day Monday cruisers on Carnival, they are able to do this. Is this is what you're saying? If so, and with all due repect, I'm not buying. Also, please don't trot out "the port authority decides" as if, in the case of Cozumel, Carnival can only stand back and hope for the best. They OWN most of the facilities associated with at least one of the docks and call the shots as much or more as does the "authority".

 

That facility (Peurta Maya) was the worst damaged of the three and is mostly non-existent now.

 

I understand your frustration, but we're just coming to the close of what has been the worst-ever hurricane season since cruising gained its mass market appeal (and preceded by what might be considered the second worst season in that same time frame). Unfortunately, the after-effects are going to be seen for years to come.

 

We've had several of our last four cruises change ports (or entire itineraries) with no advance warning before we had already boarded. I know it's no consolation, but at least you have time to prepare for the possible alternatives.

[cheshyrkat]

That facility (Peurta Maya) was the worst damaged of the three and is mostly non-existent now.

 

One of the Coz natives who posts on CC said they are going to start using Puerta Maya for the tenders from the Carnival an Princess ships...Of course I don't know how exactly. I saw pics of the thing and it's mostly in the water rather than above it...

[bachstrad]

Checked with my TA this morning. I thought maybe they would have some inside info. No luck. Could it be that they are sticking with the original itinerary for the Monday Galveston cruises and since that's not a change of itinerary, they're not announcing it as a change and just haven't updated the update page? Now that I've read what I've just written that sounds pretty ludicrous, but waiting 6 days for an update that will be announced "shortly" is a bit of a stretch as well.

[cheshyrkat]

Okay...I told y'all earlier about losing my $200 shipboard credit. Well over the past 2 days I have been on the phone with Carnival trying to remedy this situation and needless to say (but I'll say it anyway...) the reps at the call center have been useless and rude and unaccommodating. I was going to try to contact Customer Service, but the message I needed to send was longer than the limit on the form, so I emailed "Uncle Bob" as a last resort. I know some on the boards have strong feelings about the use of his email for some kinds of issues, but seriously, I had tried all the other things I could think of and it truly was a last resort.

 

Well a girl from the Reservations Administration office called me back in no time at all and corrected my problem without a fuss at all. I was super happy about that! While I had her on the phone I asked her what, if anything, she knew about where Elation Monday sailings were going and she looked at her information and told me that as of now the Monday sailings will be stopping on Wednesday in Progreso from 7a-3p and then on Thursday in Calica from 9a-5p. I don't know that this is gospel or anything, but the woman was knowledgeable on other issues and willing to help. I would think there is a chance that this could change and perhaps that's why they haven't issued a formal statement, but I'm about 80% confident in the accuracy of what she told me. She was reading it off something and listed all the departure dates then read off the new itenerary associated with those dates. What do you think??

[4yanx]

I think that the ONLY thing we know for SURE at this point is that "shortly", in this case, means not less than one week.

 

Personally, I also think that they know where these heavily booked Monday cruises will be going, but are trying to avoid refunds, etc. by waiting until the very last minute to officially annouce changes.

 

Glad you heard back from "Mr. Bob" I wrote a very courteous and concise note and never heard a word back from him.

[cheshyrkat]

I think that the ONLY thing we know for SURE at this point is that "shortly", in this case, means not less than one week.

Personally, I also think that they know where these heavily booked Monday cruises will be going, but are trying to avoid refunds, etc. by waiting until the very last minute to officially annouce changes.

Glad you heard back from "Mr. Bob" I wrote a very courteous and concise note and never heard a word back from him.

 

Well I didn't technically hear back from him because I assume they just read my email and forwarded it to a reservations specialist and she's the one I talked to. I had issues other than just the Coz thing that needed straightening out, so I don't think it was anything too special. I did take advantage of the fact that I had her as a captive audience and asked her what she knew...

 

I know also that they probably aren't making any announcements because the first cruise it affects is (relative to the other departures) farther in the future. I don't think they'll avoid cancellations by waiting until the last minute. If the cruisers don't want a different itenerary they'll cancel even if it's a last minute announcement. If anything it will give them less opportunity to book the rooms emptied by those who will cancel when the change offers them the opportunity to do so.

 

I do not think that it was a good customer service move, but like others say, there are people to replace us and that kind of lessens the impact of our protests...Supply and demand, you know?

[LUV CRUISIN']

4yanx, I am right there with you. And I feel the way you do. I am leaving out on 11/28. I feel blessed and lucky to be going...... and while I would much rather go to COZ.......at this point, I just want to know WHERE THE HECK we are going, so we can book at least one fun excursion. I WILL enjoy my vacation..... because I have decided to do so. The tragedy that the folks on the coast went thru, has NOTHING to do with this now. Sure it started the whole thing, but I am sick of folks telling us that we do not have a right to be disapointed in the way our vacation is turning out ........ because other folks are suffering. YES..... WE ARE BLESSED TO BE GOING!!!! WE KNOW THAT!!!!!! But there always have been, and always will be someone out there....somewhere...... who is suffering, or who has seen tragedy. That does not mean that others should quit living, or quit planning vacations, or quit expecting decent customer service. DUH!!!!

[cheshyrkat]

I talked to my person again today just to confirm what she had told me and she said her paperwork has Elation Monday departures going to Progreso and Calica like I said earlier. She said it has not been publicly announced yet but that an announcement should be forthcoming. I'm more confident in her accuracy today than yesterday. I'm going to start looking into excursions in those places tomorrow. Hope it's helpful to you, too!