Sailing in February

[Sealover64]

What is the protocol for Cruise lines when they must change ports/itineraries due to natural disasters like Irma? Is there a time requirement? How do passengers coordinate flights?

[Clarea]

What is the protocol for Cruise lines when they must change ports/itineraries due to natural disasters like Irma? Is there a time requirement? How do passengers coordinate flights?

Just want to welcome you to Cruise Critic.

 

Also, there is no time requirement. Each cruise line has their own policies. I suggest you ask this on the cruise line forum of interest to you.

[OCruisers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! :)

When a port of call on your itinerary will not be possible, it normally takes a while for the cruise line to make other arrangements.

[LHT28]

If embarkation or debarkation port then it will be an issue but if it is a port stop then they may just have a sea day or if possible will go to another port

Usually with disasters they do not have too much notice when things will happen as in the case of IRMA

If the airport is closed the airlines may try to work with you

 

You might say what info you are actually looking for

[Keith1010]

If it is a port of embarkation or disembarkation they try to do this as early as possible. However, if it is an act of god/natural disaster they might have to do this at the last minute. This applies to all cruise lines.

 

Take Hurricane Sandy. If a ship was ending their cruise when the hurricane hit in New York City and also embarking the next cruise there because the ports were closed for a few days they had to find another port. I know a cruise line that had to move the port of embarkation and disembarkation all the way down to Charleston SC. For those already on the cruise they got an additional couple of days. For those not on the cruise they had their fares adjusted. However, they still had to get there on their own or return on their own.

 

This is why it is important to consider travel insurance.

 

As to other ports on an itinerary they can be changed at the last moment. An example is you are supposed to tender somewhere and the weather makes that impossible due to safety the port is dropped and you have a day at sea. Other times say there is a hurricane they can substitute a port. How it works on your cruise does not vary by cruise line. They all take the same approach. If a port is missed they will give you a credit for the port fees and may even give you an on board credit. If several ports are missed say due to weather such as on a crossing many cruise lines will give you a credit towards another cruise as a good will gesture.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have had change of ports as late as a couple of days before we were to arrive at those ports.

Just go with the flow.

[Sealover64]

Just want to welcome you to Cruise Critic.

 

Also, there is no time requirement. Each cruise line has their own policies. I suggest you ask this on the cruise line forum of interest to you.

 

 

Thank you!

[Sealover64]

If embarkation or debarkation port then it will be an issue but if it is a port stop then they may just have a sea day or if possible will go to another port

Usually with disasters they do not have too much notice when things will happen as in the case of IRMA

If the airport is closed the airlines may try to work with you

 

You might say what info you are actually looking for

Thank you! New to CC and I was concerned about debarkation. SeaDream has contacted us and we were able to get new flights.