Allure of the seas, crippled

[jnfr2424]

ok I just got an email that was much ado about nothing:

Dear Valued Guest,

We have updated information about your sailing.

Allure of the Seas currently has a speed restriction that will result in slight adjustments to your itinerary. For your convenience, the updates are noted below. We apologize for this change, but have no doubt that your vacation will be nothing short of amazing. We can't wait to welcome you onboard.

<img alt="">

Happy sailing!

and that's it My sailing date is November 26th - should I be worried so far in advance?

[boommer425]

ok I just got an email that was much ado about nothing:

Dear Valued Guest,

 

We have updated information about your sailing.

 

Allure of the Seas currently has a speed restriction that will result in slight adjustments to your itinerary. For your convenience, the updates are noted below. We apologize for this change, but have no doubt that your vacation will be nothing short of amazing. We can't wait to welcome you onboard.

<img alt="">

Happy sailing!

and that's it My sailing date is November 26th - should I be worried so far in advance?

 

 

 

 

Your picture with updated times did not post. What is the itinerary your on?

[androckb]

ok I just got an email that was much ado about nothing:

 

My sailing date is November 26th - should I be worried so far in advance?

 

Also on the Nov 26 cruise, here's the current itinerary that's showing for the sailing:

 

 

Compared to many of the others reporting changes, ours is relatively minimal. Same ports on the same days, but shorter time in Nassau, and different (and shorter) hours in St. Thomas. Everything else looks to be the same.

 

Not sure if you've been to the roll call for our sailing yet jnfr2424, but we're also discussing this there: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2370084

[BillOh]

The ship is not really "crippling" along. If one azipod has failed (a propulsion motor system, not an "engine"), she can still make about 75% of her rated speed, about 17-18 knots, which is as fast or faster than 90% of the world's ships. With 3 separate propulsion systems, having one down does not render the ship unseaworthy, so as long as the itineraries, as modified, can be met, they will not do anything to repair. As for a last minute cancellation, this is not likely as the number of drydocks that can handle Allure (and there's only one in the Western Hemisphere, and that one really can't handle her, see the video linked above), are limited and drydocks are typically booked years in advance, so getting a "last minute" spot requires that the ship is in an emergency condition. Given her timeline, I would suspect an April to June 2018 time frame for a docking. Since this is a mid-period docking, and most of the requirements could be done in the water, and the cofferdams are built for the Oasis class ships to use the Freeport dock, this would likely be a one week drydock.

 

 

Here is Oasis making around 17 knots with all 3 azipods at 50%

[blueraider09]

Hello all!

 

I'm new to the cruise critic boards but ended up here looking for information regarding the Allure of the Seas. We are on the September 17th cruise and due to this issue they have not only shortened our stay in Nassau by leaving early, but changed our port from St. Thomas to San Jaun! I have not had the chance to call and ask for compensation for this change because we specifically chose this itinerary for St. Thomas with the idea of going to St. John. I wanted to post on here to let everyone know that they are now changing ports for this issue. This is our first time on RCL and so far it has been very disappointing. I hope that we are the only ones that have this issue as it has completely changed our vacation. Good luck!

 

We have updated information about your client’s sailing.

Allure of the Seas currently has a speed restriction that will result in slight adjustments to their itinerary. For their convenience, the updates are noted below. The new port of San Juan, Puerto Rico offers the opportunity to visit the culturally rich city of Old San Juan and the lush rainforest of El Yunque. We apologize for this change, but have no doubt that their vacation will be nothing short of amazing. We can't wait to welcome them onboard.

DAY

PORT

Sunday

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

4:30 p.m.

Monday

Nassau, Bahamas

7:00 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

New Time:

1:00 p.m.

Tuesday

At sea

Wednesday

NEW PORT:

San Juan, Puerto Rico

12:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Thursday

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

8:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

Friday

At sea

Saturday

At sea

Sunday

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

6:15 a.m

ARRIVAL

DEPARTURE

 

[Biker19]

Welcome to CC.

[Lionesss]

Mmmm

On Allure now.

Um. Making great time

 

 

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[Cuizer2]

Hello all!

 

I'm new to the cruise critic boards but ended up here looking for information regarding the Allure of the Seas. We are on the September 17th cruise and due to this issue they have not only shortened our stay in Nassau by leaving early, but changed our port from St. Thomas to San Jaun! I have not had the chance to call and ask for compensation for this change because we specifically chose this itinerary for St. Thomas with the idea of going to St. John. I wanted to post on here to let everyone know that they are now changing ports for this issue. This is our first time on RCL and so far it has been very disappointing. I hope that we are the only ones that have this issue as it has completely changed our vacation. Good luck!

 

 

I don't think that Royal Caribbean will offer any compensation, but I sure would be interested in the response you receive.

[Cuizer2]

Here is Oasis making around 17 knots with all 3 azipods at 50%

 

I'll bet I could make 17 knots with two hands in less than four minutes.

[Cuervosar]

The problem is basically a design flaw. When they initially did the maths for the ship, they failed to anticipate the ever expanding girth of the average American. With a captive population of over 5,000 on board and the CDC reporting Americans gain about 2 lbs of fat per day the engines just can't handle the load.

 

So do you know exactly what the problem is?

[Abnrrafflesaug3]

Hello all!

 

I'm new to the cruise critic boards but ended up here looking for information regarding the Allure of the Seas. We are on the September 17th cruise and due to this issue they have not only shortened our stay in Nassau by leaving early, but changed our port from St. Thomas to San Jaun! I have not had the chance to call and ask for compensation for this change because we specifically chose this itinerary for St. Thomas with the idea of going to St. John. I wanted to post on here to let everyone know that they are now changing ports for this issue. This is our first time on RCL and so far it has been very disappointing. I hope that we are the only ones that have this issue as it has completely changed our vacation. Good luck!

 

We have updated information about your client’s sailing.

Allure of the Seas currently has a speed restriction that will result in slight adjustments to their itinerary. For their convenience, the updates are noted below. The new port of San Juan, Puerto Rico offers the opportunity to visit the culturally rich city of Old San Juan and the lush rainforest of El Yunque. We apologize for this change, but have no doubt that their vacation will be nothing short of amazing. We can't wait to welcome them onboard.

 

 

 

DAY

PORT

Sunday

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

4:30 p.m.

Monday

Nassau, Bahamas

7:00 a.m.

2:30 p.m.

New Time:

1:00 p.m.

Tuesday

At sea

Wednesday

NEW PORT:

San Juan, Puerto Rico

12:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Thursday

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

8:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

Friday

At sea

Saturday

At sea

Sunday

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

6:15 a.m

ARRIVAL

DEPARTURE

 

 

We're on this sailing too! Really looking forward to it, but just found out today of the change of itinerary. Surely we would be entitled to some form of compensation? It isn't, after all, what we booked!

[reallyitsmema]

We're on this sailing too! Really looking forward to it, but just found out today of the change of itinerary. Surely we would be entitled to some form of compensation? It isn't, after all, what we booked!

 

Read your cruise contract, you are not entitled to any form of compensation.

[Twin Dad]

We are on the 4/1/2018 sailing with the same itinerary but with different times: 7 am - 2:30 in Nassau, 10-7 in St. Thomas, and remainder is the same. Such a long ways off but was surprised by the difference. Oceanic changes perhaps.

 

Dan

 

Also on the Nov 26 cruise, here's the current itinerary that's showing for the sailing:

 

 

Compared to many of the others reporting changes, ours is relatively minimal. Same ports on the same days, but shorter time in Nassau, and different (and shorter) hours in St. Thomas. Everything else looks to be the same.

 

Not sure if you've been to the roll call for our sailing yet jnfr2424, but we're also discussing this there: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2370084

[Abnrrafflesaug3]

Read your cruise contract, you are not entitled to any form of compensation.

 

Seems a bit unfair. I mean, four weeks before departure, I can't cancel because I would loose too much money, and they just change the itinerary? Surely they should do something?

[uksimonusa]

Seems a bit unfair. I mean, four weeks before departure, I can't cancel because I would loose too much money, and they just change the itinerary? Surely they should do something?

 

They did do something, they gave you another port instead of just a cruising sea day, you booked a 7 night Caribbean cruise and that is what you are getting.

[Sascol]

Seems a bit unfair. I mean, four weeks before departure, I can't cancel because I would loose too much money, and they just change the itinerary? Surely they should do something?

 

They may apologize, but beyond that there will be no compensation. I agree, this itinerary change stinks for you if that was your main destination but this is all covered in your cruise contract. This is not an RCCL thing - this is how just about any cruise line would handle the situation.

[Ready to go]

Aside from ship problems during hurricane season you can never be sure what changes will be made to Caribbean cruises

[reallyitsmema]

Seems a bit unfair. I mean, four weeks before departure, I can't cancel because I would loose too much money, and they just change the itinerary? Surely they should do something?

 

It is disappointing when they change itineraries, but at least you are getting a replacement port for the one you are losing. I have lost port days before and have just had an additional sea day.

 

We were just on Allure in May and chose the St Kitts itinerary because we had never been there before, so I do understand your frustration.

[The Grumpus]

We are on the 4/1/2018 sailing with the same itinerary but with different times: 7 am - 2:30 in Nassau, 10-7 in St. Thomas, and remainder is the same. Such a long ways off but was surprised by the difference. Oceanic changes perhaps.

 

Dan

It's appears to be a propeller and/or azipod issue which is slowing down the ship. RCI has changed all the Eastern Caribbean sailing through the end of the year so perhaps they believe the issue will be corrected by 4/1/2018. Or they are just waiting till after final payment to notify you.;)

[rjrpar]

Hello- Ok question for all you experts out there. This engine problem do you think that they will be crippling along until dry dock as an early poster mentioned? This was talked about on another page and some seemed to think they may cancel some up coming cruises to fix issue. Just curious what your thoughts are. We are schedule to sail on the 9/3/17 sailing and it makes me nervous they will cancel last minute. Not trying to panic people just honestly have no idea about ship engine issues. lol

 

 

 

There are no experts out there, just people with a little knowledge. It is a "wait and see" game at this point

 

 

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[Lazz]

I just read where it is a damaged propeller

 

https://www.******************.com/2017/08/17/allure-of-the-seas-slowed-propulsion-issue

 

When the Captain was asked a few weeks back (the week they returned at Midnight and had a plan to sail out at Midnight) - he indicated that they had a team of divers that went under the ship and worked in a enclosed environment (basically an underwater dry dock) - there was damage to one of the 3 propellers. The damage was cut away to help reduce vibrations. A new propeller has been ordered (one can't just get those on Amazon), it's creation time can take up to six months. Once it's created, it will be shipped to Port Everglades where they are going to attempt to replace in the same fashion that the initial fix was done. This is a new technique they have been working on to alleviate having to put the ship into Dry Dock. For now, the Allure has to sail under 20 knots to avoid heavy vibrations (think of driving a car when one of the tires has a giant chunk missing out of it).

 

So the big question is that of timing. I would assume that at least one sailing would be cancelled so that they could replace the propeller. If so, which week will be cancelled and when will we know? I sail June 10th.

[mikegrip]

For the poster worried about the 9/3 sailing we are on it as well and they have changed the itinerary. No official announcement yet but its in the cruise planner with the new times.

[kateg]

I am most disappointed that we were informed 2 days after our final payment was due-otherwise I probably would have cancelled and planned a different trip. I understand that Royal has the right to do pretty much whatever...but if I had wanted to go to Puerto Rico I would have booked one of the many cruises that goes there. I booked for St Thomas and I had an awesome bucket-list worthy excursion planned for my kids. There is nothing close to equivalent in San Juan. I am really bummed and honestly may not cruise again. I don't cruise for the ship...I know many people do.

[dd likes to cruise]

I am most disappointed that we were informed 2 days after our final payment was due-otherwise I probably would have cancelled and planned a different trip. I understand that Royal has the right to do pretty much whatever...but if I had wanted to go to Puerto Rico I would have booked one of the many cruises that goes there. I booked for St Thomas and I had an awesome bucket-list worthy excursion planned for my kids. There is nothing close to equivalent in San Juan. I am really bummed and honestly may not cruise again. I don't cruise for the ship...I know many people do.

 

Did you call and see if they could make an exception and let you change since it is just days after full payment? I would at least try if it matters that much to you.

[The Grumpus]

Did you call and see if they could make an exception and let you change since it is just days after full payment? I would at least try if it matters that much to you.

A couple people on my sailing have requested that and they are telling me no dice - even if paying the difference.