LIVE from Explorer with a bad propellor 2/1/09

[uksimonusa]

I call it the Labadee curse-

I was on the 1/23/09 sailing. This was my third and last attempt to see Labadee on a RCCL ship. All three trips had Labadee cancelled for one reason or another. I can only conclude that this company cannot handle the situation in which they have placed themselves. I have no plans to cruise RCCL again until I see some data showing they have addressed the issue of missing this port over and over again.

 

In that case then book your next cruise after the first week in December, that's when labadee ceases to be a tender port and cancellations will be very very rare

[megr1125]

Embarkation was easy....

 

If as Rancher dave reported, there was a reef strike,then it is RC's and/or the pilots fault...thus, in the interest of not ticking off 3100 people, they need to do something.....

 

Not sure about when it will be fixed or what they will do....but i imagine that water in the Hudson is always pretty murky....i presume they somehow remove it, lift it out of the water and go from there...i noticed a crane-like thing starboard aft when we were on the bus....

 

Seas are a little bouncy.....whatever......

 

as for skipping labadee...whatever. it's a tender port....once the pier is built there shouldn't be a problem....you can't control wind, but you should be able to pay attention to charts and know where to move the ship...

 

as for going in circles...Hmmmm.....i THOUGHT that seagull looked familiar!!!

 

later

[beachbuzzard]

When I heard they were going to try to make the replacement in Bayonne I was actually surprised, because I know how cold and murky the water is in February in this area. There are divers that are experienced in diving in cold waters, but the work is very difficult and time consuming. I think they will make another attempt in the warmer, clearer waters of the Caribbean. Are they planning to get to St. Thomas any earlier since San Juan has been cut from the itinerary? If there is room at port I'm sure they will get there as early as possible to try to make this repair.

 

If they cannot successfully replace the propeller, then I guess a future cruise will need to be canceled so they can take it to dry dock for a replacement. Those cruises that go on in the meantime can expect reductions in stops.... the 12-nighters will probably all lose San Juan on the front end but with Tortola already off the back end of the itinerary, they probably won't lose more than that. I'm not sure of the 9-night itinerary, but I heard the last cruise skipped Labadee.

 

Please keep us updated on what happens during the cruise... we're all hoping they can replace that propeller so everyone's cruises (including ours on 3/15) go on as scheduled.

[cabs]

Can anyone tell us who the Captain of the ship is? I would feel really bad if it was his fault.

Barbara

[geegee1]

Can anyone tell us who the Captain of the ship is? I would feel really bad if it was his fault.

Barbara

 

 

Why would you feel bad if it was the captain's fault?

[Namvet4]

I call it the Labadee curse-

I was on the 1/23/09 sailing. This was my third and last attempt to see Labadee on a RCCL ship. All three trips had Labadee cancelled for one reason or another. I can only conclude that this company cannot handle the situation in which they have placed themselves. I have no plans to cruise RCCL again until I see some data showing they have addressed the issue of missing this port over and over again.

 

Have you ever given any consideration to the fact that since these cancellations happened to you it might be your curse!:) j/k!

[Namvet4]

Embarkation was easy....

 

 

Seas are a little bouncy.....whatever......

 

 

as for going in circles...Hmmmm.....i THOUGHT that seagull looked familiar!!!

 

later

 

Watch that seagull! :) Thanks megr1125 for taking the time from your cruise/vacation to keep this MB forum/thread updated. Enjoy your cruise and have great memories.

[cabs]

Don't get me wrong I feel for all the passengers, I have been in their shoes also. I has have seen what happens to a Captain. The passengers will be taken care of. When you travel anywheres you have to go with the flow. Today it hurts, a year from now they will have something to laugh and talk about.

[wolfcathorse]

Can anyone tell us who the Captain of the ship is? I would feel really bad if it was his fault. Barbara

 

The captain is Capt Gunnar Todal

[cabs]

Thanks so much for the fast reply. I have friends getting on 2/13 and I do hope all goes well for them and also the passengers on now. My husband would be very happy that I was not on the ship this week. I spend enough time at my favorite Jewelers.

[petesweet]

Fixing a damaged propellor seems like a lot to ask from a diver. THose thongs are heavy. But, i suspect with NOS in frydock to repair the stabilizers, there may not be another drydock around that can handle a post Panamax size ship and is available.

 

Don't you just hate those heavy thongs?:D Something as big as the Explorer should know enough to stay away from them.:)

 

Seriously, we got off yesterday after a slower sail back to Bayonne. It was nice to get OBC for our "inconvenience," but it was no inconvenience for us. Labadee holds no special charm. There were lots of other opportunities to enjoy beaches.

 

Hope all goes well.

[alwalaska]

When I heard they were going to try to make the replacement in Bayonne I was actually surprised, because I know how cold and murky the water is in February in this area. There are divers that are experienced in diving in cold waters, but the work is very difficult and time consuming. I think they will make another attempt in the warmer, clearer waters of the Caribbean. Are they planning to get to St. Thomas any earlier since San Juan has been cut from the itinerary? If there is room at port I'm sure they will get there as early as possible to try to make this repair.

 

If they cannot successfully replace the propeller, then I guess a future cruise will need to be canceled so they can take it to dry dock for a replacement. Those cruises that go on in the meantime can expect reductions in stops.... the 12-nighters will probably all lose San Juan on the front end but with Tortola already off the back end of the itinerary, they probably won't lose more than that. I'm not sure of the 9-night itinerary, but I heard the last cruise skipped Labadee.

 

Please keep us updated on what happens during the cruise... we're all hoping they can replace that propeller so everyone's cruises (including ours on 3/15) go on as scheduled.

 

According to the Maritime reports that have been posted on another thread, they are not getting to St Thomas until the 6th (Friday) which is a day later than planned, but they are supposed to get there at 0500 and stay until 11pm.

 

They will probably have to miss at least one other port since it is taking them so long to get there. I am guessing they are waiting to see how things go before they make other announcements and plans. I hope the fix works well.

[RaMar]

If you go to cruiseclues you can track the EOS on the ship tracking site. It seems to be sailing very slow. Hope that the 2/13 sailing is not cancelled as a result of this issue. Good luck to all!

[beachbuzzard]

If you go to cruiseclues you can track the EOS on the ship tracking site. It seems to be sailing very slow. Hope that the 2/13 sailing is not cancelled as a result of this issue. Good luck to all!

 

The last report I see on that site is from over 36 hours ago (2009-Feb-01 06:00 UTC -- it is now 2009-Feb-02 18:44 UTC as I post this). Hard to tell how fast they're traveling based on that data.

 

If they do not arrive in St. Thomas until Friday (as posted by alwalaska), that is a long time on board with no stops for those of you sailing now. Enjoy your vacation anyway -- hopefully the activities staff has a bunch of fun stuff planned for you all!

[rrshinn]

A similar issue on the QM2 a few years ago when one of her pods was damaged in Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale. I think they had near mutiny onboard but I can't remember how they addressed the problem. I'd say RCI is looking for available dry dock space (limited by size of Explorer). I'm not sure if the old Brooklyn Navy Yard Dry Dock (Graving Dock) is still operable? Would be very convenient if it was. Someone is going to have their cruise reduced or changed to help remedy the problem.

[sprite]

Anyone a fan of "Deadliest Catch," the Discovery show about fishing in the Bering Sea? They was a case of a damaged propeller that was replaced all under the really, really cold water.

 

I imagine this has all been done before and the divers should be able to handle it in St. Thomas no sweat.

[setsail]

Anyone a fan of "Deadliest Catch," the Discovery show about fishing in the Bering Sea? They was a case of a damaged propeller that was replaced all under the really, really cold water.

 

I imagine this has all been done before and the divers should be able to handle it in St. Thomas no sweat.

 

Of course, the prop is only a little bit bigger than an outboard motor.

[mom2NnB]

If you go to cruiseclues you can track the EOS on the ship tracking site. It seems to be sailing very slow. Hope that the 2/13 sailing is not cancelled as a result of this issue. Good luck to all!

 

 

MY TA called RC and they said they were not canceling our cruise. I hope its true.

[Got2Cruise]

Hey Meg, so sorry about the issue, but it seems as if you are taking it all in stride. Nothing that a few cocktails and a lounge chair can't solve.:D

[Gonzo70]

Thanks for starting this thread; I know a lot of people are interested in the outcome. I hope that you have a wonderful cruise despite the problems with the prop. Keep us posted if you get the chance! :)

[crisndeefromde]

Hi Meg!

 

thanks for keeping us posted. Glad you are going with the flow....if you are a casino person...play those progressive pennies on that back wall. very very hot machines. the progressive paid three times in one day for over a thousand each time.

 

What dining room and seating are you?? We had Lavern and Dana and loved them.

 

Safe cruising!

[luv2travel29]

yes, meg, thanks so much for the updates... keep us posted, i board on the 13th, hopefully.........;)

[laxxcoach]

Anyone a fan of "Deadliest Catch," the Discovery show about fishing in the Bering Sea? They was a case of a damaged propeller that was replaced all under the really, really cold water.

 

I imagine this has all been done before and the divers should be able to handle it in St. Thomas no sweat.

 

I think that there is a little difference in size on the prop for a 160 foot boat and a 1000+ foot ship. For one you need a crane to get the prop which is probably greater than 20 feet in diameter. The shaft alone is probably bigger then the prop on one of the fishing boats.

 

It can be done in cold water, but in cold water where you can't see is next to impossible.

[Dan Askin]

Hi folks,

 

We've been looking into Explorer, and received the following statement from RCI, much of which has already been discussed on this thread. Note the date of arrival in St. Thomas and amended itinerary.:

 

"Explorer of the Seas starboard propeller was damaged when it made contact with a submerged object while departing Samana, Dominican Republic, on January 28. While the ship is operating safely, its cruising speed is currently reduced to approximately 18 knots, rather than 22 knots. A dive team attempted to make repairs in Cape Liberty Sunday, but poor underwater visibility prevented that. Repairs will take place when the ship is docked in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., Thursday.

"During its current February 1 – 13, 12-night sailing, the ship will not make its scheduled port call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, February 4."

[cruisePRN]

.

 

I was really amazed at the amount of upset passengers giving guest relations grief. They were afterall getting very well compensated.

 

.

 

What is well compensated to you may be not well compensated to another. What do you consider well compensated?