Do Some Basic Research

[jlp20]

Before you start looking in to cruising, I suggest you take 10-15 minutes to do some reading so you don't make plans you can't complete or expect services based on false expectations. Every cruise line has a "contract" that all pax must agree to before the cruise. Most have a default that by merely stepping on the ship you agree to it. The ship and crew responsibilities as well as the passenger's part are spelled out. Recent "news" story had woman in her 25Th week of pregnancy being denied passage by Disney Cruises. Woman believing doctor's note would over ride Disney's cut off of 24 weeks. Entire altercation could have been averted.

[6rugrats]

What kills me about this story is Disney offered this stupid woman a refund, and she’s still complaining.

[paul929207]

Some people feel the rules do not apply to them.

[cb at sea]

It always amazes me how many folks travel without knowing anything about their choices....whether it's a cruise, or a land-based vacation...or, even flying nowadays!

 

A bit of research goes a LONG way!

[MrsPete]

A bit of research goes a LONG way!

Don't neglect this point too: Research is easier today than it ever has been at any point in history. Today's issue isn't finding information; rather, it's sorting through excessive information.

[frantic36]

Hmmm, this women taking a doctor's letter indicates she knew the cut off point was 24 weeks and was hoping her Doctor's letter would make them bend the rules. She would likely have known she was pregnant and her dates before the cancellation policy was due. I know it is rare possibility she didn't but I have my suspicions she knew what might happen hence she was ready to youtube it.

 

I wish I wasn't so doubting.

[CruiserBruce]

Don't neglect this point too: Research is easier today than it ever has been at any point in history. Today's issue isn't finding information; rather, it's sorting through excessive information.

 

Absolutely true. Cruise Critic is a great example. Tons and tons of info here...all one needs to do is look.

[njaloha]

In her vlog post, she claimed she didn't make the reservation. Someone else did but she didn't say who... Maybe her parents. She also said she wasn't angry about not being allowed onboard but how she and her family were treated..... Escorted out by Miami Dade officers wielding AK15s and being sniffed by K9 unit dogs even though they had just gone through security and weren't a threat. Then instead of being allowed to wait in air conditioning the 2 hours for their luggage to be retrieved from the ship, they had to wait out in the Miami heat with no offer of beverage with 2 little babies. She never expected this to go global and specifically explains why she's mad in her post. She never mentioned the Drs note in her vlog. Hmmmmmm don't know what that's about.

 

Don't slam the messenger, this is her perspective from her vlog post

 

 

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[njaloha]

And I read that Disney denied having offered her a refund.....

 

 

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[MCC retired]

I read about it all the time here on CC .

People booking first cruise Direct with the cruise line .

Then by the questions being asked here , indicate that they have

no idea what they booked , or even that they chose the right cruise line/ship/itinerary

to meet their expectations .

Lots of (No-cost to you) Cruise Specialist TA 's out there Online and In person .

[frantic36]

In her vlog post, she claimed she didn't make the reservation. Someone else did but she didn't say who... Maybe her parents. She also said she wasn't angry about not being allowed onboard but how she and her family were treated..... Escorted out by Miami Dade officers wielding AK15s and being sniffed by K9 unit dogs even though they had just gone through security and weren't a threat. Then instead of being allowed to wait in air conditioning the 2 hours for their luggage to be retrieved from the ship, they had to wait out in the Miami heat with no offer of beverage with 2 little babies. She never expected this to go global and specifically explains why she's mad in her post. She never mentioned the Drs note in her vlog. Hmmmmmm don't know what that's about.

 

Don't slam the messenger, this is her perspective from her vlog post

 

 

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That's fine I won't slam the messenger :).

 

I looked at her Vlog and her heavily edited youtube. I also read Fox news, Huff Post and various other news sites and they mentioned she had brought a doctor's note saying they felt she was fit to travel. Unfortunately for her it seems that her doctor's note doesn't override Disney's conditions of contract.

 

I am not sure why in such a large group some couldn't have taken the children and even herself to somewhere cooler while just one or two people waited for the luggage? That's why I find it great to be able to have games on my phone.....makes it easier if you get caught waiting in doctor's offices, airports etc.

 

I understand why the luggage could have taken awhile to find and get back to them. Think how long it takes to get your luggage to your room with thousands of passengers on a ship like that.

 

This is just my opinion.

[njaloha]

That's fine I won't slam the messenger :).

 

 

 

I looked at her Vlog and her heavily edited youtube. I also read Fox news, Huff Post and various other news sites and they mentioned she had brought a doctor's note saying they felt she was fit to travel. Unfortunately for her it seems that her doctor's note doesn't override Disney's conditions of contract.

 

 

 

I am not sure why in such a large group some couldn't have taken the children and even herself to somewhere cooler while just one or two people waited for the luggage? That's why I find it great to be able to have games on my phone.....makes it easier if you get caught waiting in doctor's offices, airports etc.

 

 

 

I understand why the luggage could have taken awhile to find and get back to them. Think how long it takes to get your luggage to your room with thousands of passengers on a ship like that.

 

 

 

This is just my opinion.

 

 

 

Agreed heavily edited. To get her story straight perhaps or to make it more palitable.

Maybe they didn't grasp how long it would take to get their luggage back...lesson learned. Rookie cruiser mistakes.

 

This is like that story about the elderly couple in California who accidentally left their passports in their checked bags, except they never got their luggage until the ship came back.

 

I find it amazing in this recent climate of passenger vs cruise line/airline debacles, that she never expected this to go global.

 

And didn't I read that the contract even says Drs note not accepted?

 

 

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[rccampbell]

This is good info, especially for young people that book their cruises 12-18 months in advance. Anything can happen during that time including getting pregnant. If your cruise line has a pregnancy cut off time frame, know what it is and do some calculations before final payment or before you actually get on the plane or drive across country.

[njaloha]

This is good info, especially for young people that book their cruises 12-18 months in advance. Anything can happen during that time including getting pregnant. If your cruise line has a pregnancy cut off time frame, know what it is and do some calculations before final payment or before you actually get on the plane or drive across country.

 

 

 

True True. Good point.

 

 

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[cruisemom42]

Not related to the Disney/pregnancy issue, but the biggest cause of contract-related upset that I've seen on these boards relates to cruisers who select a cruise based on wanting to visit a specific destination -- and then at some point the cruise line eliminates that destination (either in advance or at the last minute) due to a variety of reasons.

 

This is fully covered under the cruise contract terms as well. They may change the ports/itinerary for just about any reason. At least for passengers in the US. I believe that some passengers have better protections -- for example, if the cruise line 'materially' changes the cruise, they are obligated to offer a refund if you book in the UK. (e.g., if several ports are changed or if the locale of the cruise shifts).

 

And yet -- time and again people come to the boards and complain because their trip was 'ruined' due to the cruise line's decision to skip Israel or substitute another Greek port for Istanbul, etc....

 

It is something often said here but worth repeating -- if any specific port or location is CRITICAL to your enjoyment of the cruise you booked, you are better off looking at a land trip.

[maryann ns]

One thing people often fail to do is check the dates ships will be in a particular port in terms of whether that is a holiday or a day that most museums are closed.

 

Some ships also have much shorter port times than others.

 

From what I have seen you get what you pay for in terms of port dates and times.

[jlp20]

And I read that Disney denied having offered her a refund.....

 

 

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With the ship sailing in minutes, I would say that cabin was empty. In other words the company lost money as is.

[njaloha]

With the ship sailing in minutes, I would say that cabin was empty. In other words the company lost money as is.

 

Undoubtedly more than one cabin considering the large group unless it was a family cabin that could accommodate 4 adults and what looked like 2 or 3 teenage kids plus the 2 babies.

 

I'm not saying Disney should have refunded the pax their fare. :cool: I'm saying there are multiple stories being reported as to whether they received a refund or not. If Disney didn't refund their money, obvi Disney still has Disney's money so I don't see how the company lost money except in shore ex and on board spending. I wonder tho if there was a gty booking that might have filled those cabins! :D:D:o :o

[Joebucks]

In her vlog post, she claimed she didn't make the reservation. Someone else did but she didn't say who... Maybe her parents. She also said she wasn't angry about not being allowed onboard but how she and her family were treated..... Escorted out by Miami Dade officers wielding AK15s and being sniffed by K9 unit dogs even though they had just gone through security and weren't a threat. Then instead of being allowed to wait in air conditioning the 2 hours for their luggage to be retrieved from the ship, they had to wait out in the Miami heat with no offer of beverage with 2 little babies. She never expected this to go global and specifically explains why she's mad in her post. She never mentioned the Drs note in her vlog. Hmmmmmm don't know what that's about.

 

Don't slam the messenger, this is her perspective from her vlog post

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

For a cruise terminal, they will utilize guards that are ready to handle most dangers that could be experienced. You know, like if something dangerous did make it on board, then we would be hearing about " the cruise line was at fault for not caring about our safety". Unfortunately, they didn't have a "less intimidating" guard to escort them out when the one family member lost his mind and the family was no longer needed in the terminal causing a disturbance. Because again, imagine if there was complications of her pregnancy. "Disney let my child die" "Disney didn't properly warn me of the dangers"

 

 

It's one thing to be a first-time cruiser and not know some minor things. Pregnancy is major. How stupid can you be to not look into this? In this world, we have demanded that the corporations hold all of the responsibility. I surely would not take the liability in this super litigious world to deal with a 25 week pregnancy.

[Mike981]

Learning how to decipher so much information AND realize that so much information is just opinion. Just think about the topic and you can figure it out.

 

I say it all the time, practice patience and letting speed bumps roll off your back. And in all honesty, you need start at home before your trip.

 

That said, don't expect perfection. You just set yourself up for disappointment.

[jlp20]

For a cruise terminal, they will utilize guards that are ready to handle most dangers that could be experienced..

This was nor security. Because woman refused to leave, police (who were on scene anyway due to cruise) were called. Suspect it was explained to her it was a civil matter, but if she stayed it could lead to arrest for trespass. By the way, all those caveats in the cruise contract are there so pax have no standing for litigation for any of the myriad of clauses listed.

[Z'Loth]

Not related to the Disney/pregnancy issue, but the biggest cause of contract-related upset that I've seen on these boards relates to cruisers who select a cruise based on wanting to visit a specific destination -- and then at some point the cruise line eliminates that destination (either in advance or at the last minute) due to a variety of reasons.

 

(text deleted)

 

It is something often said here but worth repeating -- if any specific port or location is CRITICAL to your enjoyment of the cruise you booked, you are better off looking at a land trip.

Gee wiz.... my upcoming cruise is in September.... it's hurricane season, that's why I'm getting a good price. I'm looking forward to ten days of relaxation. And the only port stop that I am 100% expecting is Miami, FL. All five of my scheduled stops are around the level of "looks interesting", but unlike my Alaska cruise, none of the port stops have excursions that are screaming "book now".

[Hlitner]

A few months ago we had a thread here on CC (I cannot remember where) about a woman who raised exactly this issue (it could have even been the same women who was recently denied boarding). She had asked a question about what happens if you are in the third trimester and 1-2 weeks beyond the cut-off point dictated by the ship. She got absolutely no support on CC...and everyone told her not to cruise. A few of us dared to suggest that the health of both her and her baby were best served by not getting on a ship that does not have the medical equipment and staff needed to deal with a major problem related to her pregnancy.

 

When we watched the news and saw the woman interviewed my thoughts were "what an idiot....(and I am talking about the woman and her family). They knew the rules and thought that it did not apply to them. Its not much different then those that show-up at the port for a closed-loop cruise without the necessary documents...thinking...."the rules do not apply to me."

 

Hank

[ilikeanswers]

While I can't comment specifically about this woman's case as someone who was researching their first cruise I don't feel that cruise companies put T&Cs front of mind on their websites:confused: I found it really convoluted to find the T&Cs page. It usually involved clicking through multiple pages and an almost Where's Wally like seeking for tiny obscure links hidden in a bunch of other hyperlinks.

 

Being a seasoned traveller I have learnt to seek out T&Cs but I can understand how people with little travel experience who are cruising for the first time might not think to check this stuff:rolleyes:. While it is easy to say it is the responsibility of the potential cruiser to seek T&Cs I do think cruise lines could do a bit more to make it accessible and front of mind. Really all it would take is one clear hyperlink on the itinerary page:D

[njaloha]

While I can't comment specifically about this woman's case as someone who was researching their first cruise I don't feel that cruise companies put T&Cs front of mind on their websites:confused: I found it really convoluted to find the T&Cs page. It usually involved clicking through multiple pages and an almost Where's Wally like seeking for tiny obscure links hidden in a bunch of other hyperlinks.

 

Being a seasoned traveller I have learnt to seek out T&Cs but I can understand how people with little travel experience who are cruising for the first time might not think to check this stuff:rolleyes:. While it is easy to say it is the responsibility of the potential cruiser to seek T&Cs I do think cruise lines could do a bit more to make it accessible and front of mind. Really all it would take is one clear hyperlink on the itinerary page:D

 

I'm browsing some cruises doing mock bookings to see cabin availability on a big cruise travel site and on the "GUEST OPTIONS" page, there's an 'i' in a blue circle that says PREGNANCY RESTRICTIONS. This is what it says, "

Pregnancy Restrictions

 

Pregnancy Restrictions: Celebrity Cruises cannot accept guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during the cruise or cruisetour. A physician's 'Fit to Travel' note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks). your pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that you are in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.

I've never noticed it before. But there it is.