Hurricane Irma Watch

[Pushkin]

Does anyone have an idea of what the impact of Irma will do to future eastern/southern Caribbean sailings? It sounds like the islands will be devasted. I am wondering how long before they will be able to port ships and be able to accept tourists.

 

Do the cruise lines still sail to islands that have not recovered from a hurricane?

[put me on a ship]

Hey there spleenstomper. I stopped looking at the weather channel because I got tired of the drama. I've been on my roll call for the September 10th sailing on Allure and MORE drama. Yes, it's BIG and right now it's a big ol' 5, but after raking the Antilles, Hispanoila, PR, Cuba etc it should calm down a bit. It's a fast moving storm, not a slow drowning drencher like Harvey so WHY are they canceling 7 day cruises?? If Allure can't disembark passengers on Sunday as scheduled, but could do it on Monday instead, why cancel a cruise ?? Why is everyone in PMS mode ?

 

I'm flying in to FLL on Friday, before the airports close. I'm bringing those battery powered tea lights, battery chargers for our phones, snacks galore and the latest Mitch Rapp book with a battery powered book light. i'm not being cavalier about this hurricane. I went through horrific tornados in WI , lived in Tampa for 7 years and my husband and I were chased from Miami and across Alligator Alley by Andrew. It was a memorable honeymoon that we still talk about 25 years later !

 

Why wouldn't Allure sail on Monday afternoon after the storm has passed ? Am I missing something ?? It sounds like if I am truly being a bit of a cheddar head, you would be the person to point it out. I just figured that it would be better to go a day earlier than to travel on Saturday and have FLL airport close in my face as I layover in Atlanta - thereby stranding us for 1-2 days before the airport opens again in FLL. And if Irma goes up the middle of FL, right up into Atlanta, well then I can spend yet another night in the Atlanta airport.

 

Can you, or can't you, wait out a hurricane - even a category 4 - in a hotel room ? Anybody ?? Real question, definitely not sarcasm, so please don't take it that way. I'm a feisty old broad but not mean !

 

You can wait out a storm anywhere you want, but doesn't mean you will be safe. Why would anyone intentionally go into a Cat 4 or 5 storm is beyond me. And as far as ports reopening, you do realize it's not magic, and as soon as a storm passes it opens? The area needs to be inspected, for several things. Debris in the channel, was the channel compromised, will it need dredging? Not to mention after a catastrophic storm, there will not be electricity or services. Not to mention that personnel will likely have evacuated, and won't be there.

 

My advice? Stay home. Book something else. That hotel room could be used by someone who is under a mandatory evacuation.

[put me on a ship]

Does anyone have an idea of what the impact of Irma will do to future eastern/southern Caribbean sailings? It sounds like the islands will be devasted. I am wondering how long before they will be able to port ships and be able to accept tourists.

 

Do the cruise lines still sail to islands that have not recovered from a hurricane?

 

It really depends on the damage. With that said, these islands make it a priority to open ports. Tourism is key to their economy.

[BecciBoo]

If you saw the news this AM, St. Maarten was heavily damaged. Had lots of pics out of there and that means the USVI will also be hit. I expect Coco Cay will also take a glancing blow on the heavy side of it. And then look out Miami. And on Sunday morning yet.

 

Lets not all hold our breath to see what RCCL will do this weekend! I would at least prepare to have my flight cancelled and just wait it out to see what credit or voucher they hand you.

[Coopdog08]

And just how do you KNOW this? You in a position to see lightning inside the eyewall?

 

 

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Cmon...there are several weather tools available by this thing called the internet to show you this.

[Artemis908]

St Martin got hit very badly

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/sep/06/hurricane-irma-caribbean-islands-category-5-storm

 

I know that they might change itineraries for sailings after the storm but how much can the western Caribbean honestly handle if everyone diverts there?

[Christefan]

Please go to for up-to-date (two days out) information from RCL:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/itineraryUpdates.do

[Livelongvintage]

Two hours and two supervisors later, RC is not refunding any bookings with a changed itinerary. I'm weary to even ask but could someone please educate me? Is that legal? I live in Florida and could very well need that money after being hit by a Cat 5 storm. The first woman I spoke to said I would be penalized for cancelling. Then was told my only option was a future credit. I've cruised exclusively with RC several times in the past, family and friends are exclusive to RC too. They have no regard for long time customers? Tears won't work either, I tried! This would have been my husband's very first cruise. Oasis would have been sailing 9/10

[Coopdog08]

If you saw the news this AM, St. Maarten was heavily damaged. Had lots of pics out of there and that means the USVI will also be hit. I expect Coco Cay will also take a glancing blow on the heavy side of it. And then look out Miami. And on Sunday morning yet.

 

Lets not all hold our breath to see what RCCL will do this weekend! I would at least prepare to have my flight cancelled and just wait it out to see what credit or voucher they hand you.

Absolutely devastating in St Maarten. The pics and videos coming out are horrific damage and flooding. I would imagine it will be a good month if not longer before cruise ships head back and if doing a land vaca it may be longer. Supposedly what they considered there four strongest building/structures are destroyed.

[Artemis908]

Two hours and two supervisors later, RC is not refunding any bookings with a changed itinerary. I'm weary to even ask but could someone please educate me? Is that legal? I live in Florida and could very well need that money after being hit by a Cat 5 storm. The first woman I spoke to said I would be penalized for cancelling. Then was told my only option was a future credit. I've cruised exclusively with RC several times in the past, family and friends are exclusive to RC too. They have no regard for long time customers? Tears won't work either, I tried! This would have been my husband's very first cruise. Oasis would have been sailing 9/10

 

Do you have trip insurance? If not look to see if the credit card you used has any trip protection. Mine has coverage if my home is affected by stuff like a hurricane. But are you saying that they offered you a 100% cruise credit? At least you can plan something in the future if you can't get a refund.

[jsausley]

They're offering it as 50/50 credit (50% refund and 50% future cruise credit) or 100% credit, but not 100% refund.

[ReneeFLL]

And your meteorologist qualifications are......

It doesn't matter what his qualifications are. He isn't a meteorologist for Royal. :rolleyes:

[Livelongvintage]

Do you have trip insurance? If not look to see if the credit card you used has any trip protection. Mine has coverage if my home is affected by stuff like a hurricane. But are you saying that they offered you a 100% cruise credit? At least you can plan something in the future if you can't get a refund.

 

No trip insurance. I've risked it multiple times in the past with no issues but lesson learned I guess. Thanks for the tip on the credit card. I will check into that. 100% cruise credit is definitely better than nothing.

[LMaxwell]

Two hours and two supervisors later, RC is not refunding any bookings with a changed itinerary. I'm weary to even ask but could someone please educate me? Is that legal? I live in Florida and could very well need that money after being hit by a Cat 5 storm.

 

Yes it is legal. If you were on the ship and your home damaged you would still need the money. Insurance and flood insurance handles that, not the cruise line. Insure yourself against unforeseen circumstances that could result in financial shortfall. That's all insurance does is repay you for these events.

[gatour]

If you look at the cruise contract, they reserve the right to change the itinerary, with no compensation due.

[island lady]

Irma is a 400 mile wide storm. Much wider than the state of Florida from west coast to east coast. No matter where you

are in Florida, if it continues on the forecast path...you are not safe. Irma is a bulldozer that would cover the entire state

if it rips up the middle.

 

RCI (IMHO) is being generous to refund money...though they did not cause the situation. They are having to deal

with this thing also. As are all Florida residents. I just hope I have a home to go back to and am worried about my

friends and family too.

 

Be safe everyone.

[spleenstomper]

 

 

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[spleenstomper]

And just how do you KNOW this? You in a position to see lightning inside the eyewall?

 

 

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Geez, a neat invention called "radar". You can google it if you want to see it, but Irma has hit a little shear so winds are now down to 175 mph

[slyster]

my brother was supposed to have a connecting flight early Monday morning (5am) out of San Juan into Orlando. He's on a cruise right now. I told him I expected every flight out of Florida on Monday to be cancelled. He's scrambling to find another flight that connects elsewhere. Perhaps Atlanta, but I'm not even sure that's safe at the moment.

[spleenstomper]

 

 

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[island lady]

 

 

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Scary indeed. :o

[brunello22]

Two hours and two supervisors later, RC is not refunding any bookings with a changed itinerary. I'm weary to even ask but could someone please educate me? Is that legal?

 

Yes, it is legal; read your cruise contract. The cruise line may alter the itinerary, for any reason, with no compensation due to the guest.

[pmclary9]

Any thoughts on how Sept. 10 NCL Breakaway sailing to Bermuda out of NYC might be affected?

[husky01]

We have already made the decision to cancel our cruise. I'm very disappointed, but we were supposed to fly into Miami on Sunday for our cruise on Monday and I do not want to be in the middle of a hurricane. I have already changed our flights, but when should I contact to RCI to cancel our cruise? I have insurance, which gives me a 75% refund of my costs, but if they end up cancelling would I be entitled to a 100% refund? Just curious if I should cancel now or wait a couple of days. Thanks for the feedback and please everyone who lives in FL and on the islands be safe.

[blackshirt]

We have already made the decision to cancel our cruise. I'm very disappointed, but we were supposed to fly into Miami on Sunday for our cruise on Monday and I do not want to be in the middle of a hurricane. I have already changed our flights, but when should I contact to RCI to cancel our cruise? I have insurance, which gives me a 75% refund of my costs, but if they end up cancelling would I be entitled to a 100% refund? Just curious if I should cancel now or wait a couple of days. Thanks for the feedback and please everyone who lives in FL and on the islands be safe.

Yes, you will get a 100% refund if they cancel but they've already made decisions on all sailings scheduled for Sunday. What ship are you on?