Interview with Ruby Wilson, stuck on Elvis cruise

[mzloolue]

This is an interview with blues queen Ruby Wilson about her experience on the recent Elvis cruise that was extended due to Gustav.

 

She says that many people were "sad" because they were stuck at sea!

 

http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=8954597&nav=menu59_2

 

It's a hurricane and out of human control and I would be happy to be "stuck" on a cruise ship!

[TCBcouple]

It's easy to say you would be happy being "stuck" on a cruise ship, but when you have kids at home, work, and other obligations at home, it's not all that fun. I had to make extended arrangements for my school age kids who were home with my Mother, I had to change my flight 4 times because of Carnival's lack of communication on what was happening, I had to cancel appointments that were scheduled for those days that I would have been home all at my own cell phone expense. It would have been nice for the cruise line to offer a complimentary anything to help ease the unhappiness, but they did nothing. They acted as though we were getting a deal being stranded on the ship for two extra days. I cannot even imagine how much my cell phone bill will be for all the phone calls I had to make and then make again because Carnival kept telling us one thing then another... The cruise line could have ported us in Florida and allowed us to leave the ship and fly home from there, but I guess that would have prevented them from making as much money as they could on the bar tabs that the passengers were creating. Carnival did not communicate ANY information to the passengers until well after we suspected something was going on. They told us we were on our way back to Mobile, only to wake up and realize that the ship was not moving and facing the wrong direction. Did they think we are too stupid to realize what direction the sun should be facing if we were traveling in the right direction? Unless you've been in the same situation, you have no idea what it is like to be held prisoner on a cruise ship that is as crappy as that one is. I'd be surprised if anyone even attended the Elvis Cruise next year. The staff that organized the cruise were just as bad at communication and organization as the cruiseline was.

[mzloolue]

I'm sorry that you did not enjoy your cruise.

The extra days anyway.

 

I have heard other people complain about the lack of communication from Carnival in similar situations.

 

Ms. Wilson said that the performers worked even during their break times to try to keep people amused.

[trock]

It's easy to say you would be happy being "stuck" on a cruise ship, but when you have kids at home, work, and other obligations at home, it's not all that fun. I had to make extended arrangements for my school age kids who were home with my Mother, I had to change my flight 4 times because of Carnival's lack of communication on what was happening, I had to cancel appointments that were scheduled for those days that I would have been home all at my own cell phone expense. It would have been nice for the cruise line to offer a complimentary anything to help ease the unhappiness, but they did nothing. They acted as though we were getting a deal being stranded on the ship for two extra days. I cannot even imagine how much my cell phone bill will be for all the phone calls I had to make and then make again because Carnival kept telling us one thing then another... The cruise line could have ported us in Florida and allowed us to leave the ship and fly home from there, but I guess that would have prevented them from making as much money as they could on the bar tabs that the passengers were creating. Carnival did not communicate ANY information to the passengers until well after we suspected something was going on. They told us we were on our way back to Mobile, only to wake up and realize that the ship was not moving and facing the wrong direction. Did they think we are too stupid to realize what direction the sun should be facing if we were traveling in the right direction? Unless you've been in the same situation, you have no idea what it is like to be held prisoner on a cruise ship that is as crappy as that one is. I'd be surprised if anyone even attended the Elvis Cruise next year. The staff that organized the cruise were just as bad at communication and organization as the cruiseline was.

 

Not that easy.. There are other ships that are actually scheduled for Florida.. and other ports.. They can not just pull into any port... Lots of Federal Regulations..

 

I am sure, even though the communication was poor, that they did the best they could..and as frustrating as it was...it Could have been worse.. Your family could have been making all the arrangements and phone calls.. Just something to ponder.

[Cruzman]

ANYTIME that I can get a 6 day cruise for the price of a four day, I'm gonna be shickled titless! The idea that anyone would bellyache about it is incredible.

[DqALEX]

The last time I was on the Legend we were a day late back to port. Our 8 night turned into a 9 night cruise. People were upset. Up on the lido deck the extra day it was very quiet. The casino also was very quiet. The line at the information desk was over and hour wait. people had to change air twice because our time beck to port was changed twice. Others were upset because they had to get back to work. My kids were happy to say the least.

[BigDfromTN]

Leave it to a Memphis Station to do a story about a Carnival Fantasy cruise and picture a Princess ship!!!

[airlink diva]

Leave it to a Memphis Station to do a story about a Carnival Fantasy cruise and picture a Princess ship!!!

I grant you that the person that put the piece together never sailed on a cruiseship and think that all the cruiseships look the same regardless of the line!!

Happy sailing!!

[thoneycu]

It's easy to say you would be happy being "stuck" on a cruise ship, but when you have kids at home, work, and other obligations at home, it's not all that fun. I had to make extended arrangements for my school age kids who were home with my Mother, I had to change my flight 4 times because of Carnival's lack of communication on what was happening, I had to cancel appointments that were scheduled for those days that I would have been home all at my own cell phone expense. It would have been nice for the cruise line to offer a complimentary anything to help ease the unhappiness, but they did nothing. They acted as though we were getting a deal being stranded on the ship for two extra days. I cannot even imagine how much my cell phone bill will be for all the phone calls I had to make and then make again because Carnival kept telling us one thing then another... The cruise line could have ported us in Florida and allowed us to leave the ship and fly home from there, but I guess that would have prevented them from making as much money as they could on the bar tabs that the passengers were creating. Carnival did not communicate ANY information to the passengers until well after we suspected something was going on. They told us we were on our way back to Mobile, only to wake up and realize that the ship was not moving and facing the wrong direction. Did they think we are too stupid to realize what direction the sun should be facing if we were traveling in the right direction? Unless you've been in the same situation, you have no idea what it is like to be held prisoner on a cruise ship that is as crappy as that one is. I'd be surprised if anyone even attended the Elvis Cruise next year. The staff that organized the cruise were just as bad at communication and organization as the cruiseline was.

 

Your words are pretty harsh and it's sad that you did not enjoy your Elvis cruise. I would be frustrated at a lack of communication also but you are saying they never told you any thing about the condition of the weather and what their plans were to do about it :confused:

With that said, you chose to cruise not only during hurricane season, but in PEAK hurricane season and out of a port that is very subjective to hurricane hits. :rolleyes:

We cruise when we can with our dds and we are aware of the possibities so we prepare ourselves for the worst and we purchase trip insurance. :)

[Terry305]

ANYTIME that I can get a 6 day cruise for the price of a four day, I'm gonna be shickled titless! The idea that anyone would bellyache about it is incredible.

 

 

Crus If I get 2 extra days I will be thrill, I live in Miami, I always leave from the port in Miami with my car waiting for me and driving 40 minutes to get home after I get off form the ship, DD is a 20 year old so I dont need to make arrangements for her, so i am in a good situation, but if someone is flying is a complete different story, is not as easy as it looks, so people get upset, but in reality is not the cruise line's fault is the weather and that is out of anyone hands. Also people had to go back to work, family all sorts of things.

[Georgia Peach 4]

We cruise with our kids, so them missing a few days of school wouldn't be a big deal. Adding a few extra vacation days would be a great deal, it's like winning a prize. Do they charge you gratuity for the extra days? I'll bet not - so you're getting a short mini cruize for free.

 

Hey - does this count as another cruise on your belt?;)

[cruiselover999]

Note to self: Do NOT take a cruise during peak hurricane season unless I have the ability to be VERY flexible.....:rolleyes:

[echo]

We got stuck on RCl for an extra 3 days once due to a huricane. They kept us well informed and let us use the satelitte phone to call and make arangements during certain hours. They even took us to ther private island to keep us out of harms way. I was antsy and ready to get off by day 10. And I'm sure there were some upset people, but its not the cruise lines fault. It was hurricane season after all. Sorry if Carnival didnt handle it well. By the way our cruise insurance picked up additional stuff to do this.

[nyschauer]

Note to self: Do NOT take a cruise during peak hurricane season unless I have the ability to be VERY flexible.....:rolleyes:

You are right. During peak hurricane season anything can happen.

Hurricane season is why the price is lower

[sixy-six]

What I find funny is TBC complaining in this post and a anouther thread,

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=839931

 

About how bad of a time they had. But when you read the News artical. Wison is ready to go agine.

[Fergus]

TCB, you mention in both of your posts that Carnival just wanted to make money off of you by keeping you out to sea...........has it occurred to you that they will lose an incredible amount of money by possibly having to refund ALL of the passengers who were supposed to board your ship when you returned?? It's not like the cruiseline is making money hand over fist in situations like this..........think about the issues they face with food suppliers having to rearrange deliveries, modify the quantities they'll need on the next cruise, take care of other supplies for the ship, crew members who were maybe leaving the ship after that cruise and had to change their plans, shore excursions for both your cruise and the next to be rearranged, bus/luggage service that had to be dealt with, people who had probably already shown up in port for the next cruise and had to find hotels, etc. etc. Do you think 2 additional days of bar tabs is going to cover all those expenses??

[arpie05]

My thoughts, too, are that Gustav was not a big surprise to anyone so the fact that they needed to safely stay at sea should not have been a shock! It would be like planning a cruise out of Miami in the next couple of days and be surprised that Ike caused issues.

 

I understand about missing families but the roads were closed due to weather so even if they had come home a day sooner - they would have had trouble getting home.

 

The decisions are made by more than just the captain so people just need to relax and realize when things are beyond control. The trip could have been canceled before they left since they knew approx when the hurricane was arriving - for days before it hit.

[futaba951]

It's easy to say you would be happy being "stuck" on a cruise ship, but when you have kids at home, work, and other obligations at home, it's not all that fun. I had to make extended arrangements for my school age kids who were home with my Mother, I had to change my flight 4 times because of Carnival's lack of communication on what was happening, I had to cancel appointments that were scheduled for those days that I would have been home all at my own cell phone expense. It would have been nice for the cruise line to offer a complimentary anything to help ease the unhappiness, but they did nothing. They acted as though we were getting a deal being stranded on the ship for two extra days. I cannot even imagine how much my cell phone bill will be for all the phone calls I had to make and then make again because Carnival kept telling us one thing then another... The cruise line could have ported us in Florida and allowed us to leave the ship and fly home from there, but I guess that would have prevented them from making as much money as they could on the bar tabs that the passengers were creating. Carnival did not communicate ANY information to the passengers until well after we suspected something was going on. They told us we were on our way back to Mobile, only to wake up and realize that the ship was not moving and facing the wrong direction. Did they think we are too stupid to realize what direction the sun should be facing if we were traveling in the right direction? Unless you've been in the same situation, you have no idea what it is like to be held prisoner on a cruise ship that is as crappy as that one is. I'd be surprised if anyone even attended the Elvis Cruise next year. The staff that organized the cruise were just as bad at communication and organization as the cruiseline was.

 

In Carnival's defense, you were supposed to dock Wed. morning in Mobile. However, the Coast Guard had the port closed until they ensured that all the navigational buoys were in the correct places and secured. That is what the delay was preventing you from arriving back in Mobile in the AM. Carnival is at the mercy of the weather and Coast Guard. I'm sorry that your safety seems to be such an inconvenience for you. As for just pulling into the port of Tampa, there are a boatload of laws and regulations preventing that from happening. It would take a team of lawyers all night long to explain the miriad complex laws that govern foreign flagged passenger vessels operating out of US ports. My advice to you, and I'm sure you've already figured this out; stay away from NOLA, stay away from Mobile, stay away from Carnival, stay away from hurricanes and stay away from Elvis.

[neatokimmo]

This is a good lesson for all. Be sure your contacts back home have internet access and they know how to book flights. Leave your boss' number with them so they can call. Leave a credit card with them so they can arrange things on land.

 

I am assuming since the tower was up doing cell phone calls, that the internet was too. It is way cheaper per minute.

[Umbarger]

Goodness. I cant believe people complained about this. Did you want the captain to put all your lives at risk and cruise you thru a hurricane?

 

I was once on a cruise that was lengthened one day because of a storm. I was thrilled. I didn't even bother to change my air ticket till I got to the airport. I had insurance and it covered all my extra expenses.

[WichitaDave]

I'm not about to justify the negative comments about the cruise, but I wonder how they do make these decisions? I was on what I call the "Katrina Cruise" three years ago...the Sensation left New Orleans the day before the storm hit. A little rough that first day and a lot of uncertainty the entire time, but a nice, unextended:confused: cruse otherwise. Since they weren't letting anyone back in New Orleans, they docked in Galveston and gave everyone $150 for the inconvience. Luckily, we had flown on this one, and I asked the purser for advice on how to change our flights since I didn't look forward to paying $7 a minute for the phone or internet...they told me to wait until we got to Cozumel and use a pay phone! (Cost $4 total!) AFTER watching everyone panic on the phones and internet, they announced they were waiving those charges as well. After getting a free bus ride to Houston, we were home at the same time on the same connecting flight we had originally scheduled, and got a refund check of what was left of the $300 credit we got. I never heard what happened to all the cars parked in New Orleans and if the owners ever wanted to or were allowed to go back there to get them. Just goes to show you that even though we all go through the same conditions on a tough cruise, the particular circumstances we end up with depends on a lot of luck and individual plans and circumstances. Can't blame the cruiseline for everything. A lot of people on this cruise had no home to go to when they got back. Guess that is the cruiselines fault as well.

[JerseyshoreBruce]

I realize it would be a little bit of a pain....but you know what give me 2 extra days for nothing and I will be doing cartwheels. What could my company do....its like a blizzard....you have no control over it. So I go back to work 3 days late....pay a little extra for the dogs kennel....big deal! I will trade places with anyone whinning about this anytime;)

[Leo Jay]

Even outside of hurricane season, passengers should always anticipate that there's a possibility they won't be back on the scheduled day. That said, with anything from commuter train delays to airport delays to cruiseships caught in hurricanes, I suspect the thing that most causes upset is lack of communication. Even if you they at least say, "we don't know what the plan is yet, because we have to talk to X, Y and Z, and where we can go next depends on the number of other ships already out there, how the weather might change, etc., so please bear with us, we'll give you another update in 6 hours." at least people have some sense of what's going on. Not saying that CCL did or didn't do a good job of that, because I wasn't there.

 

I'm not really convinced by the cynic's view that the cruiseline doesn't care because they're making so much extra money in the casino and on drinks. I'm not sure the economics work in their favor, given the volume of free (prepaid) food and drink available. I don't see how anyone could feel the least bit coerced into spending money they don't really want to.

[jaja]

Note to self: Do NOT take a cruise during peak hurricane season unless I have the ability to be VERY flexible.....:rolleyes:

 

well said !

[lgerrish]

Call me flexible, but I think an extra day or two on a cruise ship would be wonderful! I value my life more than to complain about the cruise ship not traveling through a hurricane.

 

I'm sure if someone HAD to know the time the ship would be moving or changing direction and when it would port, they could find the answer at the purser's desk or from another official employee. At times when announcements are given, I do not always hear them - depending on where I am on the ship at that time. I'm sure Carnival did their best to secure the safety of their passengers and crew members and keep everyone informed, considering their constant communication with the Coast Guard concerning the Hurricane and what was best for the ship.

 

Sure, it's inconvenient when you have flights, children you left at home (why didn't you bring them?), work schedules to rearrange. But "tihs" happens - life happens - deal with it.

 

And - don't cruise during Hurricane season unless you can be flexible! Just makes sense!