Comments on: Would You Mutiny?

By: Jennifer Hendrix

Jennifer Hendrix — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:43:56 +0000

I took my young daughters on a cruise to cozumel via carnival ecstasy on 9-11. I was somewhat concerned about the weather. However, after many,many calls to carnival they assured me everything would be alright. I alerted carnival several times that my young daughter is insulin dependent diabetic. I was assured again that the captain insisted the ship would be sailing and that I would loose our cruise and 100% of our money if we did not board the ship. I honestly trusted carnival to put our health and safety before money. We were counting units of insulin and running out while carnival tried to find some place to dump us. New Orleans,La. was the dumping spot of choice for carnival.The fact that our car was now under 7 ft. of salt water in Galveston required us to rent a car in New Orleans. I was stuck with many added expenses such as shuttling fees,car rental fees,gas expenses to drive from New Orleans, La. to Dallas, Tx. All the while with a daughter needing insulin badly. I have contacted carnival on several occassions since we have returned home. Their standard answers have been ” You will receive no compensation”. The fact that carnival is blatently lying about giving refunds before the ship sailed drives me to insanity. I would have taken that option in a heart beat. The FACT is that we were told that we would not receive a refund or a voucher. Carnival needs to step up and admit they made a horrible mistake. It was the most terrifing experience I have ever had. Carnival put my daughter’s life in a life and death situation and I have yet to hear anything close to an apololgy. As a matter of fact it has been the exact oposite. Shame on them. Having said that, I will say that the staff (excluding the captain and up ) were very attentive and all around great people. They had extremely angry passengers and went out of their way to minimize the anxiety.

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:16:46 +0000

Most cruisers, like you, do understand why safety is of critical importance. Holland America is a classy cruise line in refunding your port charges.

By: Nigel Appleby

Nigel Appleby — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:50:53 +0000

Some years ago on a Holland America ship we had to miss Key West due to weather. We were refunded our port taxes and tour charges. We were quite happy to miss on the principal that if the Captain had tried to dock and “bent” the ship we would have missed the rest of the cruise not just one port call.
The weather can change the best laid plans we just have to adapt.

By: Suzannah V

Suzannah V — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:50:06 +0000

I dont like sea days much,and look for port intensive however my safety and the safety of my loved ones is most important and if we need to detour or cancel a port then so be it.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:47:16 +0000

Bad weather is something that cannot be controlled and is unfortunate, but problems with the ship, mechanical or otherwise, I think is the responsibilty of the cruise line to provide compensation.

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:48:38 +0000

I agree Bruce. I was on the old HAL Westerdam in the Caribbean for a week with very bad weather. In the fall, of course. Nobody complained on that ship that we couldn’t dock or anchor. 65′ Waves!!! I’ve been in 35 feet and actually enjoyed it, although most people were quite ill. NCL Dawn seems to have many mishaps!

By: smokinbruce

smokinbruce — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:38:58 +0000

No It is a cruise the water can get choppy. we were on a cruise NCL Dawn from NY to Crib for 11 days it got bad 65′ waves we were unable to get innto phily port it was worst so the ship went slower we were due in St Thomas at 7:00 Am got there at 2:00pm a tad bit late but we were safe. Yes smooth as glass is nice but to be safe to see a port some other time would be my choice.

By: smokinbruce

smokinbruce — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:36:20 +0000

No It is a cruise the water can get choppy. we were on a cruisenc Dawn from NY to Crib for 11 days it got bad 65′ waves we were unable to get innto phily port it was worst so the ship went slower we were due in St Thomas at 7:00 Am got there at 2:00pm a tad bit late but we were safe. Yes smooth as glass is nice but to be safe to see a port some other time would be my choice.

By: Harry Martin

Harry Martin — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:16:32 +0000

My only experience was the exact opposite of missed ports. We were heading back after 3 days in Acapulco, Manzanillo and Zihuatenejo, and Art commented, “I wish we could stop in Cabo.” Then, right on cue, the captain announced the ship was stopping in Cabo to let off a sick passenger. They moved the sick guy off, and in the meantime, we enjoyed a pretty view of Los Arcos from our balcony. Then we were back at sea again. … I’m with you — love those sea days. I was in heaven on the 4 days over to Hawaii and the 4 days back.

By: Anne Campbell

Anne Campbell — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:28:08 +0000

Personally I’d rather have no ports of call and bad weather doesn’t bother me. The Captain avoids ports in bad weather because it would place passengers in jeopardy.