Live from Millie 6/30-7/12- Damage

[kingtns]

Just got word from my parents on the ship. They are enjoying themselves in spite of the problems. They are thrilled to be getting another cruise for free.

 

However, they asked me to post for anyone on board the ship who reads these posts and still has nothing better to do than complain: "Please either shut up or get off the ship...you are ruining the remainder of the cruise for everyone else!!! Thank you!"

 

I had to laugh at that one. My mom is not usually that way so it must be pretty bad! It's a wonder to me how anyone can have the will to live in such circumstances....no cooking, no cleaning, ability to visit Rome whenever they please, etc...and a free cruise in the future to boot...must be rough:cool: .

 

For those having a great time...keep enjoying the rest of your cruise!!!

I have to agree with your Mom...my son just said they are so lucky...they get to be on a ship for 12 day & now they get another one for free..."wish that would happen to us"

[Desertbelle]

P.S. Thanks berryhappy24 for the updates and the pictures, they were awesome!!

[cruising diva]

Who is the captain onboard the ML?

[mahdnc]

Captain Michael Karatzas is the Master of Millennium.

[Lois R]

Just got word from my parents on the ship. They are enjoying themselves in spite of the problems. They are thrilled to be getting another cruise for free.

 

However, they asked me to post for anyone on board the ship who reads these posts and still has nothing better to do than complain: "Please either shut up or get off the ship...you are ruining the remainder of the cruise for everyone else!!! Thank you!"

 

I had to laugh at that one. My mom is not usually that way so it must be pretty bad! It's a wonder to me how anyone can have the will to live in such circumstances....no cooking, no cleaning, ability to visit Rome whenever they please, etc...and a free cruise in the future to boot...must be rough:cool: .

 

For those having a great time...keep enjoying the rest of your cruise!!!

 

Hi, your post made me smile:) Please tell your parents hello.

I know they don't know me but I am glad they are having a good time,

even with all the mishaps.

So let me understand, the are getting a full refund for this cruise

AND another FREE cruise too?

Call me crazy but I would have enjoyed being on that one

with your folks too:D :)

[C 2 C]

Here are some photos Dh took on Thursday night and this morning of the progress.

 

Thanks for taking all this trouble to keep us informed. It is strange but the cruises that have something happen are always more memorable than the ones involved with "smooth sailing."

[bigreckster]

Thanks berryhappy24!! We're boarding Millie next week on the 12th and your accurate and timely updates have been absolutely incredible. With all of the "non-information" and mis-information eminating from this situation, you've been our main source of reliable feedback while we wonder if we're cruising or not on the 12th. While reading all of the ongoing litany on this board I have to agree that more information sooner would have assuaged a lot of the anxiety about the next cruise and put everyone in a calmer frame of mind. We've been on over 30 cruises and realize fully that "stuff" happens and there's little that you can do about it... but the best way to deal with calamity is to keep everyone informed and take a deep breath...and make the best of what befalls us (a cocktail or two doesn't hurt also!). I'm hoping you guys get to Venice as scheduled. Please continue to keep us posted on your progress throughout the rest of the cruise....we're all counting on you for the updates as they happen!!!! Have a pleasureable remainder of the cruise and again, thanks from all of us July 12'ers for the continued info. and updates!

[gkuhndo]

We are on the cruise starting July 12th, next week and are very glad you keep us informed about then ongoing repairs. If we meet in Venice next you are envited for a large beer or italian red wine. Thanks very much.

Regards, Günter from Switzerland.

[FinelyCruising]

Hi There!

 

I have read in a snapshort form all the disappointments. My heart goes out to everyone, this is so disappointing. I am pleased what the cruiseline has offered as reported on CC today, and that makes up for the economic part, but oh the disappointment that must have been felt must have been incredible.

 

Next time...look forward to next time....I'll be rooting for everyone of you! ;)

[Zoli47]

Gunter has the first round - I've got the second. Thanks for your updates. You have been invaluable to all of us and a hearty cheer to your excellent updates. See the rest of you on the 12th. Bon Voyage and clear sailing from today on.

[Karynanne]

I've been reading this thread, and started to think about a thread someone had started last week. It was about comparing airlines to cruises.

 

Well, we know that things can and do go wrong with both. But a major difference is...let's say you're on an airplane, and stuck on the tarmac for upteen hours. No food, no beverage...nothing. You're upset, you're tired, and your frustrated because you can't reach your destination. Not a great situation.

 

With this particular cruise...a major mechanical problem occured, and yes, the passengers are disappointed, and inconvienced...BUT they are still on a floating resort.

 

Now in no way am I trying to minimalize this issue, and I am deeply sympathize with all of those onboard, but passengers are still fed, have wonderful service, and can enjoy all the amenities of the ship. It could definitely be worse...you could be stuck on a tarmac.

 

Karyn

[heatherb1958]

This experience has been tragic for some , long time planning, expense etc.etc. but on the other hand it has been a blessing for others- free cruise, on-board credit , free future cruise. We should be focusing on WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE!

It wasn't long a go that a ship sank in the Caldera at Santorini due to the ship hitting some rocks albeit a totally different scenario , it hit bow first so put a hole in the ship.

Too many people put themselves first. If you are alive, all is well, nothing else matters, just make the most of what life throws at you.:)

 

 

We have sailed on the Mille once and that was enough. We had nothing but trouble once we arrived landside after our Transatlantic crossing.

In St.Thomas they had the wrong size part for the fuel line to connect to the ship for re-fuelling. This meant several hours delay in leaving 'til they got the right size, bearing in mind this was not the first time Millie had been to ST.Thomas!!:mad: This meant NO casino, NO shops open.The island "dies" once all the cruise ships leave so there wasn't anything to do in town for those who bothered to go. Upside , at dinner we could hear our tablemates speak as the ship's engines were quieter:) .

Then we had the dreaded propulsion problems and limped into Fort Lauderdale 12+ hours early so emergency repairs could be done. Again, No casino, no shops , couldn't go ashore because immigration/customs wouldn't allow it until the next morning. The people in the aft cabins had to tolerate the noise of the repairs e.g welding,sparks flying, hammering etc.

What a flat ending to what had been an enjoyable cruise but after all that , nothing, no apology, nothing, not even a complimentary bottle of wine at dinner.

I have fond memories of that cruise:rolleyes:

[sasset]

Was the Millennium transatlantic that you described October, 2003? I remember a bucket brigade of Texaco tanker trucks delivering fuel until well after midnight in St. Thomas because the Millennium couldn't connect to the fuel barge.

 

Regards

[heatherb1958]

sasset- you are correct- October 2003 was the cruise. I take it you were on the one and same cruise. Don't upset me now by telling me you got onboard credits, free cruise and a letter from the CEO !!:D :p ;)

[hajekfam]

Oh yes - that infamous Mille trans in 2003. Wasn't it a generator that went out? I remember watching them cut the hole in the side and load it on the ship in Ft. Lauderdale and being glad that we had a cabin on the other side of the ship. We ddn't get anything for that one.

The 2005 trans was even worse - the cruise was shortened to 12 days with the best ports being chopped off - Marseilles and Rome due to a drydock extension. Instead of sending the ship to Marseilles for drydock, at the last minute they changed the drydock location to Northern Spain(2 days travel time each way) so they cut the cruise short about 2-3 weeks before sailing. They did put us up in hotels for the 2 days that we were supposed to be on the ship, but the hotels were way from the center of Barcelona and only included breakfast. Other meals and transportation were on our own. For missing the two days and two ports that gave us a small refund (basically the cruise fare for the two days) and a very small onboard credit. They also sent somebody from corporate to talk to us in Barcelona and sail across with us to try to calm us down. Not nearly anything that they should have done considering that this was the second time that they changed this cruise - it was originally supposed to sail 12 days earlier and we booked a back to back only to have Celebrity decide to put the ship in drydock between the Med Cruise & transatlantic - our dream cruise was shattered. To add to the problems, on the crossing, we were caught between epsilon and delta and went slowly towards Ft. Lauderdale so that we wouldn't go through either storm arriving late (well at least I got the extra cruising hours that I lost on the 2003 trans).

So after 2003 & 2005, what do we do? - book the Millie trans for 2007 with the Med as a back to back. We're hoping that all goes well for this one and whatever problems they are having with the Millie are totally fixed and not just a temporary solution to be fixed in drydock after prime sailing season (like just before the transatlantic again).

[heatherb1958]

hajekfam- What's the expression? Oh I know ,3rd time lucky!! :) :) :D

[sasset]

sasset- you are correct- October 2003 was the cruise. I take it you were on the one and same cruise. Don't upset me now by telling me you got onboard credits, free cruise and a letter from the CEO !!:D :p ;)

 

Yup. That was our first Celebrity cruise. For us, with that little exception at the end, it was quite nice. We were on a Millennium trqansatlantic again last November. It had a few issues too. But still a good trip overall.

And no, no onboard credits, letters or future cruise credits. I remember we could see the trucks coming, up on the pool deck, from over a mile away.

 

Regards

[LynandBill]

Hi berryhappy24,

 

We leave in 2 months for a well needed vacation on the Millennium. Can't wait! We just upgraded today to CC cabin 6136 but may switch to another CC cabin as we now believe there is no cover over balcony at all. Looks like a great cabin for balcony space but we do like some privacy. Any advice?

 

Thanks,

Bill and Lyn

[J9sling]

Hi, your post made me smile:) Please tell your parents hello.

I know they don't know me but I am glad they are having a good time,

even with all the mishaps.

So let me understand, the are getting a full refund for this cruise

AND another FREE cruise too?

Call me crazy but I would have enjoyed being on that one

with your folks too:D :)

 

Sorry, I misunderstood my parents. The cruise that they are on is free. I don't believe there is a future free cruise. I didn't get to talk to them for long. Even if only this cruise is free (except for the cost of the flight of course) they were very satisfied with with what Celebrity offered. They are missing some ports but have loved what they have seen and still have more to come. They are having a great time...after all, they're on a free cruise! Who wouldn't enjoy that?

[pgh]

To include on "berryhappy24"'s post....the 11 pm Update on-board the Millie....

• 100% of the cruise will be refunded plus any monies spent on excursions after the incident occurred.
  
• Future excursions (Corfu??) will be free as well.
  
• Corporate has flown representatives from Miami to begin handling the situation directly from the ship.
  
• The port of Naples has been cancelled, however there will be free buses tomorrow, should space be available.
  
• Internet access from the ship is now free.

Finally, this is a quote from my friend, "This is still an unfolding story since there is no guarantee the last damaged propeller blade can be removed and replaced."

 

Keep positive!!!

 

Pam

[Germancruiser]

After all X- is handling the situation nicely, from all the news we got.

Would love to be there.

[C 2 C]

An official press release:

http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1023332&highlight=

[Fblack]

Getting your cruise fare back is nice, but what if you spent $2,500+/- on buying your own airplane tickets. I guess you get stuck.

[Lois R]

Sorry, I misunderstood my parents. The cruise that they are on is free. I don't believe there is a future free cruise. I didn't get to talk to them for long. Even if only this cruise is free (except for the cost of the flight of course) they were very satisfied with with what Celebrity offered. They are missing some ports but have loved what they have seen and still have more to come. They are having a great time...after all, they're on a free cruise! Who wouldn't enjoy that?

 

J9, thanks for the clarification:)....I would still enjoy sailing

with your folks:D ...and you as well!

[lilreckster]

Getting your cruise fare back is nice, but what if you spent $2,500+/- on buying your own airplane tickets. I guess you get stuck.

 

I don't see how they'll get stuck for the airfare since they will end in Venice and leave there for home as scheduled. The date for disembarkation hasn't changed...