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Cari

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I recognize that Royal Caribbean is doing a lot for the hurricane stricken areas and kudos to them for that. I also realize that Royal Caribbean had no control and is in no way responsible for the devastation that Hurricane Irma did to these areas. BUT I do have an issue with Royal Caribbean advertising  a cruise with an itinerary of one thing and changing that itinerary due to speed regulations.

I don't know how long Royal has been doing cruises but it is my opinion that they know what ports they can do in a 7 days cruise and what ports they can't. I feel like they falsely misrepresented the cruise I paid for for myself and my family. ( Total of 7 people and 3 cabins ) with an itinerary of Nassau, Saint Thomas and St. Kitts. Only to find out after the cruise was paid for that due to speed regulations the itinerary changed to Nassau, San Juan and St.Thomas.

Now that Irma has devastated St. Thomas I find out that instead of St. Thomas ( which I totally understand ) we are sailing 2 days at sea to go to a beach with tiki huts selling souvenirs. I worked really hard and made payments for my family to experience amazing locations. Hati ( Royals private beach ) is not my idea of this vision I had for my family. I spend with airfare and cruise almost $10,000 to be 2 days at sea to go to the beach. 

I have 2 issues with this. 1. Royal falsely misrepresented this cruise to begin with. They have been doing cruises for a long time and you can't tell me that when they sold this cruise with the itinerary of Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Kitts that they didn't know that they would be able to deliver what they were selling. To this I am mad, disappointed and dissatisfied. 2. I understand that St. Thomas is devastated and keep all those affected in my thoughts and prayers and have myself donated money to these causes. BUT I feel like I and all the other passengers on this cruise are being slighted by being taken to Royal's private beach ( Hati ) 

Royal is not responsible for Irma and the devastation but they are responsible for falsely misrepresenting this cruise in the first place and have the responsibility to their passengers for complete satisfaction. I believe that is what is referred to as customer service. My question is instead of going to Hati why not go to St. Kitts or Cozumel, anywhere other than a beach with tiki huts?

 

  

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25 minutes ago, Cari said:

I recognize that Royal Caribbean is doing a lot for the hurricane stricken areas and kudos to them for that. I also realize that Royal Caribbean had no control and is in no way responsible for the devastation that Hurricane Irma did to these areas. BUT I do have an issue with Royal Caribbean advertising  a cruise with an itinerary of one thing and changing that itinerary due to speed regulations.

I don't know how long Royal has been doing cruises but it is my opinion that they know what ports they can do in a 7 days cruise and what ports they can't. I feel like they falsely misrepresented the cruise I paid for for myself and my family. ( Total of 7 people and 3 cabins ) with an itinerary of Nassau, Saint Thomas and St. Kitts. Only to find out after the cruise was paid for that due to speed regulations the itinerary changed to Nassau, San Juan and St.Thomas.

Now that Irma has devastated St. Thomas I find out that instead of St. Thomas ( which I totally understand ) we are sailing 2 days at sea to go to a beach with tiki huts selling souvenirs. I worked really hard and made payments for my family to experience amazing locations. Hati ( Royals private beach ) is not my idea of this vision I had for my family. I spend with airfare and cruise almost $10,000 to be 2 days at sea to go to the beach. 

I have 2 issues with this. 1. Royal falsely misrepresented this cruise to begin with. They have been doing cruises for a long time and you can't tell me that when they sold this cruise with the itinerary of Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Kitts that they didn't know that they would be able to deliver what they were selling. To this I am mad, disappointed and dissatisfied. 2. I understand that St. Thomas is devastated and keep all those affected in my thoughts and prayers and have myself donated money to these causes. BUT I feel like I and all the other passengers on this cruise are being slighted by being taken to Royal's private beach ( Hati ) 

Royal is not responsible for Irma and the devastation but they are responsible for falsely misrepresenting this cruise in the first place and have the responsibility to their passengers for complete satisfaction. I believe that is what is referred to as customer service. My question is instead of going to Hati why not go to St. Kitts or Cozumel, anywhere other than a beach with tiki huts?

 

  

I've been cruising for 25 years, and I've never heard of "speed regulations".  Maybe someone could expand on that.

I can tell you the RCCL, Carnival, Celebrity, and all the others consistently deliver as promised, and in many cases go way above what is required of them.  There are a few exceptions to the rule, but that's been my experience.  These itineraries are typically scheduled more than a year in advance, and in 99% of cases are itineraries that have been done hundreds, if not thousands, of times.

All kinds of issues come up from acts of God to mechanical problems to regulation changes.  The lines are typically good at advising and compensating passengers.

It looks like your cruise substituted San Juan for St. Kitts.  Maybe there is a new unforeseen law in St. Kitts, I don't know.  San Juan is an amazing place with so much history.  Then they dropped St. Thomas for Labadee due to the hurricane.   Most people find Labadee to be a really nice day in port.  It's not like they're dropping you off in down town Port-au-Prince.  

I hope you'll give the two new ports a chance.  I would also be disappointed not going to St. Thomas and St. Kitts.  But, San Juan is fantastic, and they take good care of passengers in Labadee.

As a side note, I would love for RCCL to use St. Croix more during the reconstruction of St. Maarten.  It is a great place to visit.

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I am assuming the ship you will be on is the Allure (power problems). Having been on the Allure last year for two weeks back to back and stopping in Labadee (Haiti) here's my two cents. 

You can always stay on board the ship. Believe me, there is plenty of entertainment and things to do. Labadee is more than "a beach with tiki huts". On one side is a nice cove with calm water and on the other side is Adrenalin Beach (ocean side). There are carts (free) that will transport you to any part of the beach, or you can walk. Yes, there are some tiki huts when you first get off the ship where you can buy souvenirs or t-shirts. There are umbrellas, lounge chairs, canopies, etc on all of the beaches. Some nice excursions also, check out the Dragon's Breath zip line which passes over Adrenalin Beach, that's how the beach the name. All of the food and beverages come off of the ship and the food is prepared in a large barbecue area. Take a look at the excursions for Labadee in your cruise planner. 

Hope you do have an enjoyable cruise in spite of the changes.:27_sunglasses:

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Welcome to the site!

I somewhat understand your dissatisfaction on the change of plans, but your use of "misrepresentation" makes me believe that you did not read the binding contract you agreed to when you spent $10,000 on a cruise.  I would strongly suggest reading all contracts you agree to, but that goes doubly when it involves dropping 5-figures.  Specifically Item 6a and 6c:

Quote

Carrier may for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone, or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging, or any activity on or off the Vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity.

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/CTC_Not_For_BR.pdf  Standard clause for any cruise line.

Like RCVoyager I also am curious what speed regulations you are referring to.  RCCL will try to avoid schedules that would require speeds at which the stabilizers would need to be retracted as that would cause a much rougher ride, but I am unaware of any actual regulations involved.  Regardless, I hope you make an attempt to enjoy your cruise.

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1 minute ago, NS8VN said:

Like RCVoyager I also am curious what speed regulations you are referring to

RC & NS,

I believe what Cari is referring to has to do with the Allure. One of the azipods was damaged (?) and the ship cannot attain a cruising speed over18 knots. If it does there is a lot of vibration, which is not good for the ship nor the passengers. As a result, Royal has changed the itineraries for the Allure replacing some of the islands that the ship cannot make due to her speed limitation.The Allure is scheduled for dry dock and repairs to the azipod the week of January 21, 2018. 

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I understand your frustrations and I would be upset, too. I've had ports changed after final payment. And while you can vice your disappointment to us or Royal, the cruise contact allows them to do what they're doing. When we book cruises, there's no guarantee that that itinerary will be honored not is there any obligation to do so. 

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Thanks for the explanation rjac.

Maybe not to the OP, but I believe this ship and cruise would be just fine.  

99% of cruises go on as planned just fine.  This particular ship and cruise have been affected by two issues that are not really in RCCL's control.  There is not a speed regulation, but rather a limitation that is attributed to a mechanical problem.  The repair is scheduled, and I'd be willing to bet those whose January cruises were cancelled due to the repair would gladly trade a cancelled cruise for a change or two in itinerary.

I wouldn't want to be switched out of St. Thomas either, but nobody can control the weather.  The OP didn't state exactly when her cruise was, but it sounds like she's made final payment which means she's probably within 60 days of sailing.  Again, I understand her frustration, but she is sailing in hurricane season.  It sounds like St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and other ports will be out of service for several months.  Folks scheduled to port there over the winter will also probably be aced out because of a hurricane in September.  At least they have some time to reschedule if a particular port is that important.

I don't think the OP stated if she/he has much cruising experience.  It kind of sounds like she/he doesn't.  Cruising is wonderful in so many ways, but it's not magic.  RCCL can't help a mechanical issue or the weather.   One of the wonderful things about cruising is the the cruise lines understand the value (non magical) that passengers expect.  And they deliver 99% of the time.

I hope the OP can go with the flow.  Sure be a little sad that you're not going to St. Kitts or St. Thomas.  But, San Juan is amazing.  Depending on which pier the Allure uses in San Juan, you are at most a 10 minute cab ride from 2 massive forts that are more than 400 years old.  The shopping is good.  There is a rain forest, and a big city with all sorts of great things to do for the day. For the most part, it's not a great beach place, but Labadee is.  And it has all the great things to do mentioned by others.

Relax, enjoy, and report back to us after it's over.

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2 hours ago, Cari said:

I recognize that Royal Caribbean is doing a lot for the hurricane stricken areas and kudos to them for that. I also realize that Royal Caribbean had no control and is in no way responsible for the devastation that Hurricane Irma did to these areas. BUT I do have an issue with Royal Caribbean advertising  a cruise with an itinerary of one thing and changing that itinerary due to speed regulations.

I don't know how long Royal has been doing cruises but it is my opinion that they know what ports they can do in a 7 days cruise and what ports they can't. I feel like they falsely misrepresented the cruise I paid for for myself and my family. ( Total of 7 people and 3 cabins ) with an itinerary of Nassau, Saint Thomas and St. Kitts. Only to find out after the cruise was paid for that due to speed regulations the itinerary changed to Nassau, San Juan and St.Thomas.

Now that Irma has devastated St. Thomas I find out that instead of St. Thomas ( which I totally understand ) we are sailing 2 days at sea to go to a beach with tiki huts selling souvenirs. I worked really hard and made payments for my family to experience amazing locations. Hati ( Royals private beach ) is not my idea of this vision I had for my family. I spend with airfare and cruise almost $10,000 to be 2 days at sea to go to the beach. 

I have 2 issues with this. 1. Royal falsely misrepresented this cruise to begin with. They have been doing cruises for a long time and you can't tell me that when they sold this cruise with the itinerary of Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Kitts that they didn't know that they would be able to deliver what they were selling. To this I am mad, disappointed and dissatisfied. 2. I understand that St. Thomas is devastated and keep all those affected in my thoughts and prayers and have myself donated money to these causes. BUT I feel like I and all the other passengers on this cruise are being slighted by being taken to Royal's private beach ( Hati ) 

Royal is not responsible for Irma and the devastation but they are responsible for falsely misrepresenting this cruise in the first place and have the responsibility to their passengers for complete satisfaction. I believe that is what is referred to as customer service. My question is instead of going to Hati why not go to St. Kitts or Cozumel, anywhere other than a beach with tiki huts?

 

  

It's also worth mentioning, Cozumel is probably more than 1,000 miles from the area you are sailing to.

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2 hours ago, RCVoyager said:

 Cruising is wonderful in so many ways, but it's not magic.

That's funny, on another forum covering Disney Cruises someone very specifically was upset that DCL did not make magic happen.  They went to WDW before their cruise, which was cancelled.  That person expected DCL to set them up in accommodations for them since they couldn't get a new flight and was livid that they didn't.  Had never cruised at all before and decided they never will with DCL.  Which has led to a 10-page (and counting) argument.  (Complete aside, that person had asked a question a couple weeks ago about what happens if they win a big jackpot in a Nassau casino, yet was not prepared for the possibility of a hurricane in September.  Priorities.)

Moral of the story is that no cruise line can perform magic, not even the company with ships named Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy.

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@rjac is correct.  To further expand I've heard that one propellor was damaged.  They trimmed the metal but these propellers are highly engineered and tuned.  With metal cut away means the prop is imbalanced.  St Kitts requires a leg at full speed which is now not attainable.  A couple of years ago Allure had bearing issues which caused speed restrictions.  Growing pains of new ships.  On Youtube is an RCTV video "Project Atlantis" that covers the work to fix it in 2013.  Similar dry dock will be employed to replace the propeller which is being cast and tuned over the coming months (you don't just buy one of these props at a typical marina).  Perfectly safe ship, she just vibrates at top speed which in the long term would cause additional damage and not be pleasant for anyone on board.

Any cruise is subject to itinerary changes.  As others pointed out that is in the contract.  I've sailed in the Loft Suites on Oasis and Allure.  I have a Grand Suite coming up on Harmony.  With airfare and hotels and all the rest I've spent more than you, more than once.  How much money is spent on the cabin has no bearing on the contract. I've been to Labadee twice and loved it both times.  I'm going again soon and looking forward to it.  Not to be mean or insensitive to your situation but it sounds like perhaps cruising isn't best suited to you.  Royal has not misrepresented the cruise, I believe you misunderstood how cruising works.  

Perhaps CFAR insurance should have been purchased (Cancel For Any Reason).  Consider that for your next non-cruise vacation too.

 

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I've mentioned this before, but RCCL and this forum is a lot like a family with RCCL being the parents.  We, the children, sometimes have minor gripes about this or that, but always with the understanding RCCL (our parents) are trying to do the best they can with the information at hand.

Then a newbie comes along in his/her first post with unreasonable complaints, and we all circle the wagons around RCCL.

I really like that about this forum.

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I appreciate all of your comments. Just FYI this is not my first cruise but this is the first one that the itinerary has been changed. I appreciate all the recommendations for things to do in each of the ports. This is the first cruise for my 2 children and their family. I booked this particular cruise because of the ports. Thus my disappointment for Hati. You can't fault me for this and my feeling that I could have spent a lot less and still visited a beach. As I mentioned I appreciate all your comments and recommendations of activities. Thank you Cari

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23 minutes ago, Cari said:

I appreciate all of your comments. Just FYI this is not my first cruise but this is the first one that the itinerary has been changed. I appreciate all the recommendations for things to do in each of the ports. This is the first cruise for my 2 children and their family. I booked this particular cruise because of the ports. Thus my disappointment for Hati. You can't fault me for this and my feeling that I could have spent a lot less and still visited a beach. As I mentioned I appreciate all your comments and recommendations of activities. Thank you Cari

 

I'd bet the ranch you and family will still have a very good time together and I'm pulling for you!

pops

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Cari,

I don't know whether you have tried this but I would contact RCCL and find out if you can change your cruise. I had a cruise this month, on another line, that was going to Key West, St. Thomas and Nassau. Since two of the ports weren't able to port in, they changed the cruise to a Western Caribbean. I have done 5 Western cruises and didn't want to do it again. My TA called the cruise line and I was moved to a February cruise with an Eastern itinerary. My flight was through Southwest and they changed it to the February date without a problem.

I have a November cruise with RCCL that the same thing has happened, can't go into two of the ports and changed to a Western, as of right now. My TA called RCCL and I can change to a different date to an Eastern, but with this I booked my flight with American and if I change I will lose $200. I don't want to do Western so I will changed and pay the fee.

You might try calling them and see if they will change your cruise but you might lose money on the air.

Candie

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Thank to Candie 

I appreciate this and will check with my TA. That is the same exact reason I chose this cruise. I have done the western cruises also and am not excited about the ports. I wanted this to be an unforgettable time for my family. My daughter-in-laws were so excited to swim with dolphins. Now that is not an option. 

Thank you pops for your encouragement.

All my best 

Cari

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I totally agree with you. We have been on several cruises and are platinum members. My husband and I have been on 3 cruises that were going to St Thomas and that have been changed to San Juan. We were really looking forward to returning to St Thomas this year when once again was changed to yet again San Juan. Now that the hurricanes have destroyed St Martin we now will no longer be going there. We booked the cruise for the ports of Nassau, St Thomas, and St Martin. Who Knows where they are going to send us now. It's very frustrating not knowing. We have no desire to go to San Juan, Haiti, Coco Cay. We have been there, done that. Still waiting to find out now where we will be going. Just wish they would let us know sooner than later. 

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