CocoCay pier tracker

[Matt]

For those wondering, it looks like the new pier being added to CocoCay will not be ready by September 14, 2018.  Here's a letter sent to a travel agent that was forwarded to someone going on a September Empress of the Seas cruise.

Quote

We can’t wait to welcome your clients’ onboard the Empress of the Seas for their upcoming September 10th, 2018 cruise.  

We are contacting you to advise that when they arrive in CocoCay on September 14th, the ship will tender guests to shore, instead of using the dock. This will not affect their vacation experience.

We hope they’re excited for their Havana & CocoCay vacation. While in port, they can enjoy a nature walk, visit the local markets, or if they’re looking for a more active pursuit, tell them to strap on some diving gear and check out the local reefs.

We thank you for your time and look forward to welcoming your clients’ onboard the beautiful Empress of the Seas.

 

[JLMoran]

19 minutes ago, Matt said:

This will not affect their vacation experience.

Considering how many people have recently reported having Coco Cay canceled due to inability to tender b/c of wind/waves, I beg to differ with the above statement.

[NS8VN]

3 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Considering how many people have recently reported having Coco Cay canceled due to inability to tender b/c of wind/waves, I beg to differ with the above statement.

That jumped out at me.  Having a dock versus tendering absolutely affects the vacation experience, otherwise they wouldn't be putting one in.  It's one thing to have to delay opening the dock cough-again-cough but that line is just a flat out lie, and a completely unnecessary one to boot.

[WAAAYTOOO]

To me, there is nothing more irritating than when Royal (and other Corps, to be fair) tells me that they are "enhancing" my experience with some new change to their policies that, invariably, do NOT enhance my experience.

The casino is famous (especially recently) for this one.  They proudly announce how much BETTER things are going to be for me when, in reality, they have made it harder for me in so many ways !

If you're changing your policy, just say so but don't try and convince me and everyone else that it's a change for my benefit.  It almost NEVER is.

[twangster]

I'm due to visit on the September 17th Mariner sailing.  No communication yet but I have long suspected we'll be tendering.

[fonemanbob]

Any time that there is a change it NEVER is for the betterment of what ever policy is being changed.   Sort of like the lottery games where they keep adding numbers and state that is so there will be more winners.  Have not seen multiple jackpot winners ever.    Why not state something like to whom it may concern please bend over and kiss most of your previous benefits goodbye.  Thank you for your business and we look forward to  being of service to you in the future .   ( SUCKER)       Kind of like the mob.  I make a the rules and you playa the game .    No offense to the mob either.      

[monctonguy]

There is usually nothing better for the consumer when any company states they are making things better or easier or "enhancing" some kinda of program or rewards or benefits.

 

I have actually called out companies on Social media as well as through email and phone when they falsely advertise or try to sell it to the public that its better.

 

Royal here is kinda being truthful as there is still a chance they will still make cococay..but to sell it as saying that it will not affect their vacation experience defn may not be 100% true, if  its too windy and they cant tender. But then Royal would argue that's the way its always been..so technically the dock not being ready doesn't change what it was or the way it was when you originally booked the cruise etc..

[Matt]

Looks like the Pier is now scheduled for November 2018

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/06/05/royal-caribbean-officially-opens-perfect-day-island-experiences-bookings

[monctonguy]

I am kinda disappointed about that...as it was the only part of the upgrade experience at Cococay that was free....and I really want to make it to CocoCay on my Oct/22/18 cruise as it maybe the last time to see the island before it totally changes....

 

Fingers crossed on calm enough weather to tender!

[striper405]

Anyone hear of any new updates. Going on Anthem Nov 17 this year hoping the pier is done by then. 

[twangster]

8 hours ago, striper405 said:

Anyone hear of any new updates. Going on Anthem Nov 17 this year hoping the pier is done by then. 

I'll be there next week, assuming tenders can operate, so I'll update my Empress blog in the live blog section if we make it. 

[bdtrex]

I will also be on the Nov 17th sailing of the anthem of the seas. 

Here is a YouTube drone video of the island. Gives a good look at the pier construction around 2:38 as well as the entire construction zone (walled off areas of the island).  Guessing it’s from within 2-3 weeks ago.

 

https://youtu.be/GpOhiWGmIgk

not sure if links work here, but if not just search Coco Cay published by On The Reef

[Al Horner]

I looked at the video. If construction of the pier and the rest of the new facilities is only this far along, I wonder if most of this is really going to be completed by my sailing on the Symphony in May 2019?

[striper405]

I know that video doesn’t look promising for november. 

[NS8VN]

I think Twangster's photos look more promising.  That drone footage is missing a lot of buildings that are visible in his photos and without an actual date for the drone video I would say it is over a month old.

[Kim&N8]

@CruiseLifeRick was at coco cay today with a few pictures over at cruise critic.

[Al Horner]

I looked and I couldn't find his pictures. Could you point me in the right direction? Thanks!

My Cruise Planner is really pushing CocoCay but I'm not signing up for anything until I have a higher level of confidence that our ship will actually be docking there and that the facilities will be open. Otherwise, it sounds like we are giving RCL an interest free loan for their construction that will take weeks for them to refund if the new facilities are not ready by May 2019.

[Kim&N8]

@kontraxed https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2665793&page=7

that’s the blog I think I have it pointed at the right page. They are in there though 

[Matt]

Looks like pier is now scheduled for January 2019.

From RC FAQ site

:

 

[monctonguy]

Interesting...defn taking longer than planned.....was the original expected date in Sept?...so been pushed back 4 months so far..

 

Not complaining as I was hoping for one last tender to CocoCay for old times sake on my Oct cruise.......fingers crossed for good weather of course with the tenders but...

[bdtrex]

Originally was to open in June, so 7 months behind. 

Looking at those pictures, January has almost no chance of happening either. They have about 450 feet done with 650 feet to go (plus the 400 feet of metal extensions). 

Disappointing just because this is the port I am most looking forward to and would hate to miss it. So hoping for good tendering weather when we get there. 

[Matt]

14 minutes ago, bdtrex said:

Originally was to open in June, so 7 months behind. 

Correct

[jticarruthers]

As long as they get the pier done by Memorial Day I am happy ... if not its the please please let the tendering gods shine upon us dance ...

[twangster]

I certainly would NOT put money on a January completion.  

Through early February they had planned to put two Vision class ships at the pier but cancelled all those two-fers.  I think they know it won't complete by January, or even February unless Mother Nature is very kind and there are no project slips.  For any one who has tried to do actual work in the islands, they learn quickly there are always unplanned issues that delay all projects.  Doing work on a small island even more so. 

While they are publicly suggesting January their actions are suggesting later.  

If any storms this hurricane season even hint that CocoCay is within the cone of uncertainty that will delay them even more as they remove construction equipment or lash it down in anticipation.  Just the prep time to prepare for a storm that doesn't have any direct impact will cost them weeks.  

It'll be ready when it's ready and not a day before.

[NS8VN]

Can't help but wonder how far back this puts all the other projects.  If they were banking on being able to dock a ship there and unload large cargo then every delay on the pier is an equally long delay on anything they need the pier for.  Then add the inevitable delays for those projects after construction begins in earnest.  They say perfection is unattainable, naming the park Perfect Day may have been a bad omen.

[twangster]

1 hour ago, NS8VN said:

Can't help but wonder how far back this puts all the other projects.  If they were banking on being able to dock a ship there and unload large cargo then every delay on the pier is an equally long delay on anything they need the pier for.  Then add the inevitable delays for those projects after construction begins in earnest.  They say perfection is unattainable, naming the park Perfect Day may have been a bad omen.

Not at all.  All cargo is offloaded by barges at the other tip of the island.   Concrete trucks come in this way.  Barge pulls up, ramp lowered onto island, truck drives off.  A road is there down the middle of the island.  The pier is designed for passengers, not cargo.   

[jticarruthers]

On ‎8‎/‎17‎/‎2018 at 3:29 PM, twangster said:

For any one who has tried to do actual work in the islands, they learn quickly there are always unplanned issues that delay all projects.  Doing work on a small island even more so. 

And yet they keep making plans without building in contingency to account for the fact that there are always delays ...

[twangster]

1 hour ago, jticarruthers said:

And yet they keep making plans without building in contingency to account for the fact that there are always delays ...

Worst case - they have to refund an excursion.  

I heaven't looked far into the future to se if two Vision class ships has been scheduled on the same day.  Likely will need to wait until the 2020 schedule is rolled out.  

[jticarruthers]

23 hours ago, twangster said:

Worst case - they have to refund an excursion.  

I heaven't looked far into the future to se if two Vision class ships has been scheduled on the same day.  Likely will need to wait until the 2020 schedule is rolled out.  

Worst case is they turn a previously completely royal to loyal customer into someone who no longer has any loyalty to the brand, starts booking cruises on other lines, pushing friends to consider other alternatives, etc. because they got burned by Royal's habit of over promising and under delivering and then following up with a "whoops, we know its too late to change your plans but if you book another expensive vacation with us we will give you a small discount".

That may have happened in my case the last time they went through promising upgrades and then not delivering them due to schedule slippage ;)

 

[twangster]

10 minutes ago, jticarruthers said:

Worst case is they turn a previously completely royal to loyal customer into someone who no longer has any loyalty to the brand, starts booking cruises on other lines, pushing friends to consider other alternatives, etc. because they got burned by Royal's habit of over promising and under delivering and then following up with a "whoops, we know its too late to change your plans but if you book another expensive vacation with us we will give you a small discount".

That may have happened in my case the last time they went through promising upgrades and then not delivering them due to schedule slippage ;)

 

All because a helium balloon ride didn't open on time?    Cococay will be open, a particular excursion such as the water park may slip.  

They've already provided a schedule when they estimate each attraction becoming available but if those slip you'll still visit Cococay.   You'll still have the beach that you have today.  

[jticarruthers]

No in my case it was the non-refurb of Adventure OTS that pushed me over the edge.

Hypothetically though ... if you have a family group that are all excited about going to Perfect Day at CocoCay ... maybe you book 4-5 cabins as a family and its a major investment for you all ... and then a month or so before the cruise is set to sail (so you know, final payment has been made already ;) ) ... they announce its not going to be ready and offer you maybe a $100 Future Cruise Credit per cabin as compensation. Whats the likelihood that you the "family" goes "ok no problem" ...

Now for me I wouldn't care in that circumstance since none of the new stuff holds any interest for me, but if its a major investment and your family is excited about the advertised features of CocoCay ... that would be a major deal.