Galveston weather concerns

[time4u2go]

My husband went down to Deck One to the doctor to see what happens if he runs out of medication. He said there was a bunch of luggage down there on those carts that they pick luggage up with. There is no one out to clean rooms this morning.

I'm curious...what was the answer to the question about the medication? I'm sure that's something many people don't think of, bringing extra medication in case a trip gets extended.

[Deptacon]

My husband went down to Deck One to the doctor to see what happens if he runs out of medication. He said there was a bunch of luggage down there on those carts that they pick luggage up with. There is no one out to clean rooms this morning.

 

I would hope if you traveled away from home you brought more than a 7 day supply of medication.

[JimAOk1945]

My husband went down to Deck One to the doctor to see what happens if he runs out of medication. He said there was a bunch of luggage down there on those carts that they pick luggage up with. There is no one out to clean rooms this morning.

What did the doctor say about additional medicine for your husband?

 

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[spleenstomper]

Yeah...a Quigee board had the same probability of forecasting this hurricane, despite the best of intentions of many weather professionals.

 

Yet Harvey is doing exactly what they (and I) said it would do days ago.

[Rasvar]

Just because the ship docks in port does not mean passengers will debark. As others have said no one gets off unless customs officers are there, if they cant get to the port then no one gets off any way. It's probably more advantageous for them to be in port than just cruising in a circle in the gulf. One, you will use considerably less fuel, second you have access to food and medical care on land. Yes I understand that road closures impact all that but you have no access at Sea, atleast in port you have some access.

.

 

I think the biggest problem is this is now a question of, if you can even dock, how long are the guests going to have to remain on the ship. Area is essentially in shelter in place mode, likely for another 24-48 hours. Even some passengers on the ship are going to start running into medical emergency if those requiring medicine start to run out. Docking in Galveston may not even allow them to get the medicine they need for a few days. I really think it is at least another three, maybe four, days before the the region will be operational enough. There is at least another 24 hours of rain and then the needed time for waters to subside. Truthfully, I think New Orleans and Tampa may be the only practical choices for those who flew into Houston for the trip to find flights out. Mobile simply doesn't have enough flight service available. New Orleans would be a good option for hotels and busing back to Galveston when safe.

 

I feel bad for everyone on this. I sympathize with passengers and the cruise companies trying to do what works best for everyone. This situation is actually progressing beyond some of the worst case forecasts. I just don't think that any argument exists for docking in Galveston that outweighs the current public safety issue on the ground. It has just gotten that bad in the last 12 hours.

[spleenstomper]

This was the track from Monday, August 22.

 

Royal Caribbean has been contrary to all of the weather forecasts from all reliable meteorologists, the national weather service, the national hurricane center and local emergency management.

 

Why? Who knows. They have been saying the opposite of everyone this entire time.

 

 

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[ducklite]

As the wife of a first responder, it is just unconscionable to me that RCI would in any way at all encourage people to come into the middle of an ongoing disaster zone. It makes me SO angry!

 

There should be zero uncertainty about this. Sure, they could have good luck and get into port. But is it worth even one lost life if someone drowns trying to drive in to make their cruise???

 

Honestly, my family has enjoyed RCI in the past. But we won't be booking with them again anytime soon. Too many other vacation choices these days to spend money with a company so clearly putting profits ahead of its customers' welfare.

 

I couldn't agree more! I get so freaking angry when stupid people who live in areas which flood refuse to leave their homes before a major weather event and then call for rescue (ie my husband) involving taking a boat through floodwaters to pull their sorry behinds out and take them to a shelter. It should just be left to Darwinism.

[ducklite]

My wife and I WERE booked on the Liberty for tomorrow. We are a five hour drive to the port and there was no way I was going to risk it. Every overhead digital sign over every interstate in our area says "don't drive to the gulf coast." I called to cancel tonight and was told by Jennifer that we would receive a 100% future cruise credit along with refunds for shore excursions, specialty dining, taxes and port fees. She said that's what almost all of her calls have been about tonight. We also have cruise cancellation insurance thru RC so I will file a claim as well and hope to get a full refund instead of just a credit, although I'm OK with that. I just can't believe that Carnival has handled this so much better than RC. Whoda thunk it?

 

Carnival has learned a lot about managing their business, retaining guests, and creating exceptional PR since the poop cruise and the Concordia. http://fortune.com/video/2016/04/12/carnival-cruise-line-changes-image/

[Traciewatson]

We are on LOS Sept 3rd and we would happily give our food and supplies to those in Texas who have been effected by this storm. That being said, I did speak with RCI this morning and they said there will absolutely be no changes to the next sailing and that unless we had travel insurance there would be no refunds or credits for the next sailing only this one that's supposed to leave today. Those in Galveston and Houston any thoughts on Houston Hobby even being open for flights in a week? Will we be able to get in and out of Galveston and will the port be open? I know it's just a guess as nobody will know for sure.Thanks all and may everyone be safe.

Edited August 27, 2017 by Traciewatson
spelling

[spleenstomper]

 

People are on their roofs awaiting rescue. 2,000 calls for rescue that have gotten through to 911.

 

911 is overwhelmed.

 

 

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[ducklite]

I agree with your post. However, I did take a California coastal cruise and really enjoyed it. And yes, prior to that cruise I had visited all four port via a horseless carriage.

 

Which is why I said many instead of all. It's the same with people who live in New England taking Fall Foliage cruises. They can look out their backdoor and see the same thing.

[ducklite]

Southwest has more than one class of seat???

 

I think they meant fare buckets. There are typically three for each flight.

[spleenstomper]

To the daughter who is worried about her parents driving: they won't be able to leave the cruise parking lot. This update from one hour ago:

 

 

 

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[ducklite]

I believe that they want to get into port and then if people who live in the area want to debark they can. If the airports are still closed and main roads impassable then passengers have a free floating hotel. I do not believe anyone will be forced to leave until airports and roads are open again. I could be wrong but we shall see shortly.

 

Except people can't get off and go home because they can't get off the island. Additionally if they come into port they will pay port dockage as well as losing revenue from the casino and bars. Better to stay 20 miles offshore and continue to sell booze and take people's cash in the casino.

[spleenstomper]

New update just now:

 

(sorry Barry H to be relaying 3rd hand doom scenarios to you. Feel free to ignore and keep on believing RC)

 

 

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[sewingmolly]

I'm here in Houston and no one should plan to travel into or thru Houston for probably the next 48 hours, definitely the next 24 hours. I'm near downtown and we received over 22 inches of rain last night and it's still raining. Many roads are impassable and those that can be used are needed for emergency vehicles. There are also lots of people driving on the wrong side of the roads and freeways because the other side is under water.

 

Four years ago, I took the Freedom of the Seas out of Galveston. We were delayed getting off the ship, until about 11. We were told by crew members that the delay was because the customs officials were not there yet. We were told that they are not based in Galveston and have to come from Houston and were caught in traffic. Now this was unofficial from a random crew member, not an official PA announcement. But should this be true, it makes getting off the ship in the current conditions very doubtful.

[ducklite]

Agree completely.

 

The only people I have seen helping and not being greedy is the local hotels. They are offering people stuck on the island waiting for ships discounted rates. I saw the Hilton and San Luis both for $89 or less.

 

It was self-serving to keep the rooms filled due to rampant cancellations. At $89 a night they are still making a ~$40 profit on each room.

[lbjen]

And $89 to stay at the Galveston Hilton is $90 too much.

[scrotser]

It was self-serving to keep the rooms filled due to rampant cancellations. At $89 a night they are still making a ~$40 profit on each room.

 

That may be true, but they could have jacked up the price for people who might have no other option.

[ducklite]

What do they really need if they are only debarking and not embarking people, and not reprovisioning? Customs and porters (which are not cruise-line specific)...what else do they need?

 

LEO and USCG who are both quite busy dealing with emergency situations right now and the least of their concern is a cruise ship that could be safely sitting outside the danger zone or porting elsewhere instead of wasting valuable resources. Getting into port would also require the services of the port pilot and their crew as well as dock workers who tie up the ship. Those people might not be able to reach the port due to the weather conditions.

[purduemom1]

This is actually reminding me a little bit of the aftermath of Sandy in the NYC area. Everyone who lived here knew there was no way that the NYC Marathon should - or really even COULD - go on, and the decision should have been announced on Tuesday at the earliest, but Bloomberg refused to forfeit the "revenue" that the runners coming in would bring to the city and so it was not cancelled until FRIDAY AFTERNOON. (Incidentally after most people were already in the city. AND after news outlets showed the massive number of generators that had been set up in Central Park solely for the purpose of the marathon while people trying to just survive in the city and outer boroughs (and whole area) were dealing with no power, etc. Those who make it all about the revenue make me sick.

 

We were on Brilliance, Quebec to NJ when that happened. We overnighted in St John NB to wait out the storm. Had to skip Bar Harbor, docked in Portland where some tried to debark but couldn't get flights. During all of this the captain gave us updates but downplayed the worst of it even though we all could watch news reports to the contrary. At one point he announced that all 3 NYC airports were open when they were not. All on board had no idea just what we would find when we docked in NJ and how we would get home. Put a real damper on the last few days on board. I spent a lot of our port time in Portland attempting to reserve a hotel near EWR and was successful. It became evident to us that RCCL's responsibility would end at the port and it would be up to us to fend for ourselves. We also withdrew money from an ATM in Pirtland and made sure we had packaged food and bottled water to take with us off the ship. RCCL opened up the option to book their transport to the airports since taxis and shuttles were not yet fully operational and gas was in short supply. We docked as scheduled and 2 of the 3 airports were open but not fully up to speed. We saw long gas lines and some of the damage but not a lot of flooding. Many hotels were closed due to damage and those that were open were full and running airport shuttles at longer intervals to conserve gas. We were able to get a flight out the next morning and all turned out ok for us I have no idea how other pax fared but I do know that many did not have contingency plans in place.

[time4u2go]

LEO and USCG who are both quite busy dealing with emergency situations right now and the least of their concern is a cruise ship that could be safely sitting outside the danger zone or porting elsewhere instead of wasting valuable resources. Getting into port would also require the services of the port pilot and their crew as well as dock workers who tie up the ship. Those people might not be able to reach the port due to the weather conditions.

I think you missed my point. Go back and read the post I was responding to (which was quoted in my post). It was about porting in New Orleans. It's post #846.

[ducklite]

Even if they could get the ship re provisioned for the next cruise, it would be irresponsible to put all that food and drink onboard. Send those supplies to a shelter, there's going to be a lot of people that need it. Royal is acting like this storm is just an inconvenience, not the natural disaster that it is shaping up to be. I wonder if Micheal Bayley would of had a cruise depart New Orleans a few days after Katrina.

 

 

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If he thought he could get away with it, I am sure he would. And if they couldn't provision he'd just feed guests cheese sandwiches all week and then play the martyr and try to say they did the best they could.

[Galveston Cruiser]

The facts are: Houston area is impassable. Galveston is fine.

For safety, passengers should stay on the island.

They have no concept how horrendous the situation.

There are plenty of hotels.

 

Please don't think you can make it- you can't!

 

 

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[Lionesss]

Side note:

 

I remember when September 11 happened.

 

The gas station on our corner raised the price of gas to $9.99 a gallon.

People panicked---people bought.

The station was reported to the powers that be ( I actually do not know who to report this too)

And the next day was on the news if you bought gas here take your proof of purchase, receipt, or statement for a refund to that days previous price gouging cost.

 

So, do not know who, but in the event of stupid people trying to make a profit on victims of circumstances help is available, just have to find it.

 

I wonder in this situation in Texas if the Red Cross could help with these hotel rooms.

 

Take care.