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prettygigi
Guest
eu
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Helen233
Guest
well I was looking forward to taking my first cruise in september, Now I don't know. Ya'll went through hell, sheer hell, this was certainly NO VACACTION for you.
sorry to hear of this, boy I bet you kissed the ground when you finally got to the cruise ship!
sorry to hear of this, boy I bet you kissed the ground when you finally got to the cruise ship!
M
masq
Guest
Helen233,
I don't mean to scare first time cruisers.
This was our fifth time cruising and had it been our first, I would have probably curled up in the fetal position and cried. :lol
I just want people to be aware of what can happen. There are thousands of people that cruise each week with no problems what so ever. We just happened to be unlucky that week. However, if you do the 'always' things at the top of the story, you have a little less of a chance for these things to happen and if they do happen, you're a little better prepared.
Enjoy your September cruise!!
I don't mean to scare first time cruisers.
This was our fifth time cruising and had it been our first, I would have probably curled up in the fetal position and cried. :lol
I just want people to be aware of what can happen. There are thousands of people that cruise each week with no problems what so ever. We just happened to be unlucky that week. However, if you do the 'always' things at the top of the story, you have a little less of a chance for these things to happen and if they do happen, you're a little better prepared.
Enjoy your September cruise!!
K
Ken_2001
Guest
masq..I just directed the people from the main community msg boards over to read this, apparantly they read it when you first posted it. but still we were all captivated.
Walk on over to the community message boards, c'mon in sit down and have a drink with us!! :lol
They'll welcome you with open arms. Trust me! they really all do know you! =hug
Walk on over to the community message boards, c'mon in sit down and have a drink with us!! :lol
They'll welcome you with open arms. Trust me! they really all do know you! =hug
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BSeabob
Guest
Great story...
Even better advice...
Best of luck in january o5..
Even better advice...
Best of luck in january o5..
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roxiemarie
Guest
This is a made for tv movie. It should be on lifetime.
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MoJo2Rusty
Guest
If I didn't know better I'd have to say this is a Chevy Chase Vacation Movie for sure!
I'll be going on my 2nd Carnival cruise in Dec. and even after reading this, I'm as excited about it as I was in 2002 when I went on my first one.
Hope your next one is much better!
I'll be going on my 2nd Carnival cruise in Dec. and even after reading this, I'm as excited about it as I was in 2002 when I went on my first one.
Hope your next one is much better!
J
JoCruzr
Guest
So glad you made it back - what a story! Took my 1st cruise last yr & was told I would only need bc & photo ID, but a friend who goes to the islands frequently (by plane) recommended getting a passport, said it just made things quicker & easier, so I did & boy am I glad! This yr hubby & I are going together in May & he just got his passport. I'm so happy you're all OK, but what a harrowing experience. Welcome back & may your next cruise be the fun you expect it to be! Smooth sailing! Joanne
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jms5353
Guest
Great story! So sorry it happend to you guys! I comend all of you for the patience you had! I have to say I felt like I was reading a book. It just goes to show you how little responsibilty these cruise lines have. And this doesnt even go for the cruise lines. Airlines, travel package companies, and hotels many times erase themselves of all responsibilty. I have been a Travel Agent for 6 years now and you dont know how many times I see people get "screwed" by these companies. Whether it be a cruise line, airline whatever!
Corporate America at its best!
Corporate America at its best!
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masq
Guest
Hello all!!
=sailor
Just wanted to let everyone know that 6 of the survivor 9 will be cruising again together in January 2005!!
We finally settled on a TA to handle our group.
We picked the January 1 sailing of the Triumph so we could spend New Year's Eve in Miami to PARTY!
arty
If anyone would like to join us on our next adventure,=sinking =rofl feel free to contact me and I can put you in touch with our TA.
Happy cruising!!
Post Edited (04-07-04 00:30)
=sailor
Just wanted to let everyone know that 6 of the survivor 9 will be cruising again together in January 2005!!
We finally settled on a TA to handle our group.
We picked the January 1 sailing of the Triumph so we could spend New Year's Eve in Miami to PARTY!
artyIf anyone would like to join us on our next adventure,=sinking =rofl feel free to contact me and I can put you in touch with our TA.
Happy cruising!!
Post Edited (04-07-04 00:30)
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27shelley
Guest
Wow this was more interesting to read than any suspense/mystery book I've come across! I was on the edge of my seat wondering if the group would ever get to the ship or not -- whew!!! Glad things ended up working out, at least no one was hurt or jailed, and you kept your sanity!!
-Shelley
-Shelley
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masq
Guest
Wow Shelly,
You must have been looking way back to find this story. :-D
Have a great first cruise in April. You'll love it!!
You must have been looking way back to find this story. :-D
Have a great first cruise in April. You'll love it!!
C
coffeecups
Guest
Something like this is always good to be posted again and later-again. Although my wife and I will not fly to cruise and will probably always stick with the conquest -only 8 miles away, your story is an eye opener and the advice suggestions are truly enough to make the seasoned cruiser think of getting insurance and a passport.
Yes too, your story should be either a movie on Lifetime or a Chevy Chase movie.
Lastly, I think that even though I still go with carnival, the public should be made more aware about companies like carnival and NORTHWEST IN MEMPHIS. (especially northwest). Just think if customers get treated this bad, how do they treat their employees?
coffeecups
Yes too, your story should be either a movie on Lifetime or a Chevy Chase movie.
Lastly, I think that even though I still go with carnival, the public should be made more aware about companies like carnival and NORTHWEST IN MEMPHIS. (especially northwest). Just think if customers get treated this bad, how do they treat their employees?
coffeecups
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Cajun Traveler
Guest
The cruise lines tell you up front that they sail at specific times and they do. You'll get left if not on time. So they basically never had a chance.
Secondly airlines generally will help you get there and reimburse you somehow unless the delay or cancellation is due to weather. Then they try to help with alternatives. But you're on your own. (I will admit that I've had problems in Memphis with Northwest also, an airport I avoid like the plague along with Newark, they're the nastiest airline personnel ever and the airport is nasty.)
If you live far away from your cruise and are flying to the departure port, if you don't leave at least a day ahead like she said you're tempting fate.
Having a passport, well that's just too easy to get way ahead of time.
Finally, and I know this may not be popular, but when you're going out of the country at a moments notice like they did, you'd better know what the rules are in the country you're going to. I travel all over and it's a must to know what I'm facing in a foreign country. It's served me well.
They would probably have been better off to just cancel and go home and live to have a great cruise another day. But I know that would have been a disapointing choice.
Secondly airlines generally will help you get there and reimburse you somehow unless the delay or cancellation is due to weather. Then they try to help with alternatives. But you're on your own. (I will admit that I've had problems in Memphis with Northwest also, an airport I avoid like the plague along with Newark, they're the nastiest airline personnel ever and the airport is nasty.)
If you live far away from your cruise and are flying to the departure port, if you don't leave at least a day ahead like she said you're tempting fate.
Having a passport, well that's just too easy to get way ahead of time.
Finally, and I know this may not be popular, but when you're going out of the country at a moments notice like they did, you'd better know what the rules are in the country you're going to. I travel all over and it's a must to know what I'm facing in a foreign country. It's served me well.
They would probably have been better off to just cancel and go home and live to have a great cruise another day. But I know that would have been a disapointing choice.
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Belizemama
Guest
I know of at least one instance where a cruise ship DID wait on passengers.
It was our 1st cruise. We were on NCL's Starward out of San Juan. We were supposed to depart at 10:00 p.m. but they waited for a family flying in from CA.
They didn't even tell us why we weren't sailing on time until about an hour after the departure time. We finally departed at 1:00 a.m.
So I know that at least once they did wait.
It was our 1st cruise. We were on NCL's Starward out of San Juan. We were supposed to depart at 10:00 p.m. but they waited for a family flying in from CA.
They didn't even tell us why we weren't sailing on time until about an hour after the departure time. We finally departed at 1:00 a.m.
So I know that at least once they did wait.
C
Cajun Traveler
Guest
That's one!
Have you ever seen someone running to catch the ship as it's leaving the dock. We have several times and they had to get a launch to bring them to the ship because the ship did not go back but did wait out aways for them to catch up. This was Carnival.
Don't think it's wise to push it that close.
Have you ever seen someone running to catch the ship as it's leaving the dock. We have several times and they had to get a launch to bring them to the ship because the ship did not go back but did wait out aways for them to catch up. This was Carnival.
Don't think it's wise to push it that close.
S
serene56
Guest
WOW. I can relate. as that too happened to me on our first cruise. We were supposed to fly airtran but airtran cancled our flight without nitoce. I found a very helpful lady at the USAir desk and found that since it was the airlines fault they need to find us a flight on ANY airlines and pay the difference.
You mean to tell me that there were no flights heading out to Miami that can put you on you ship in time for sailing at all that morning??
Now before I fly anywhere I take with me a list of all outgoing flights so I know where to head.
What was up with those people that only took photo id's. Didnt they read the documents that stated you need birth certificates also?? what a waste.
You mean to tell me that there were no flights heading out to Miami that can put you on you ship in time for sailing at all that morning??
Now before I fly anywhere I take with me a list of all outgoing flights so I know where to head.
What was up with those people that only took photo id's. Didnt they read the documents that stated you need birth certificates also?? what a waste.
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masq
Guest
Cajun traveler....believe me, we will also be avoiding Memphis like the plague from now on. Northwest too. I would pay extra to fly someone else instead of flying with Northwest again.
As some others have mentioned too, the cruise ships will wait for some passengers within reason and depending on the itinerary. The CD told us when we talked to him that Miami to Belize City was a very long trip and that they didn't have time to wait for anyone. Also, it would have been about 5 hours later for all of us to get there. The ship was already late to Belize City due to having to drop off the passenger in Cozumel. According to other passengers, they didn't really stop. They slowed way down and the boat picking the man and his family up just came up along side and they did the transfer. This still made them a couple of hours late to Belize City. They could not have waited 5 hours for all of us to make it.
As far as other flights out of Memphis to Miami, yes there were several, but now we had to be stand by passengers because most of them were full already.
The couple that only brought their photo id.... I don't know what they were thinking either as this was not their first cruise. The guy even said..'the passports were sitting right there... I should have grabbed them' Like
... if you have a passport and are traveling outside the country even on a cruise ship...you should take the passport.
As some others have mentioned too, the cruise ships will wait for some passengers within reason and depending on the itinerary. The CD told us when we talked to him that Miami to Belize City was a very long trip and that they didn't have time to wait for anyone. Also, it would have been about 5 hours later for all of us to get there. The ship was already late to Belize City due to having to drop off the passenger in Cozumel. According to other passengers, they didn't really stop. They slowed way down and the boat picking the man and his family up just came up along side and they did the transfer. This still made them a couple of hours late to Belize City. They could not have waited 5 hours for all of us to make it.
As far as other flights out of Memphis to Miami, yes there were several, but now we had to be stand by passengers because most of them were full already.
The couple that only brought their photo id.... I don't know what they were thinking either as this was not their first cruise. The guy even said..'the passports were sitting right there... I should have grabbed them' Like
... if you have a passport and are traveling outside the country even on a cruise ship...you should take the passport.
M
MrsPete
Guest
Wow! What a story! I agree completely with the lessons you stated upfront, and I'll add one more:
If possible, DRIVE TO THE PORT! You'll have more control over your travel situation. We live 6 hours from the Florida border, so Port Canaveral is do-able for us. Miami would be too far for us to drive in one day, so we only considered cruises leaving from Port Canaveral. Still, we ALWAYS spend the night before in a cheap-o hotel; it's worth the peace of mind. We have never personally encountered major delays, but you never know!
If possible, DRIVE TO THE PORT! You'll have more control over your travel situation. We live 6 hours from the Florida border, so Port Canaveral is do-able for us. Miami would be too far for us to drive in one day, so we only considered cruises leaving from Port Canaveral. Still, we ALWAYS spend the night before in a cheap-o hotel; it's worth the peace of mind. We have never personally encountered major delays, but you never know!
C
Cajun Traveler
Guest
masq
Your experience should be a lesson for every traveler. After reading your experiences I had to pour myself another drink. Congratulations on your attitude and hope this is the worst you'll ever encounter. Don't think I could have handled it with the same class.
Your experience should be a lesson for every traveler. After reading your experiences I had to pour myself another drink. Congratulations on your attitude and hope this is the worst you'll ever encounter. Don't think I could have handled it with the same class.
