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Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Written by T.I. Cruiser on March 29, 2012 · Leave a Comment

I mentioned that I was on the Caribbean Princess’s, March 11th sailing that ended up being altered (basically turned into a floating San Juan hotel) due to mechanical problems. This was not the first time I had a cruise altered but never anything this severe. In the past I have had ports shuffled, cancelled, modified and swapped; but never an entire cruise that just stopped. I’m a pretty easy going guy and love cruising, so as long as I am on a cruise ship, I’m happy. However, when faced with the prospects of having a cruise cut short two days into it, I must say I was nearing my boiling point; or I was until they announced the compensation. The ability to use the ship as a floating hotel actually ended up being a great experience, one that quite a few people decided to forego.

My question is why would anyone choose to disembark the ship?

When the situation was explained to us we were told we would be receiving a full refund, 25% credit towards a future cruise and the ability to use the ship (which would be docked in Old San Juan) as a hotel. Now obviously we could also disembark if we chose (anything short would be kidnapping), but would not be allowed to re-board once we did. MY thinking was I already planned on a vacation so I may as well have one. Even if it wasn’t the cruise I had planned, one has to figure that being on a cruise ship in the Caribbean is better than being at home; even if that ship is a stationary one.

Here I would have my room cleaned twice per day, I could eat as much as I wanted and have umbrella drinks delivered as I lounged by the pool. Life at home, while good, isn’t nearly as sweet. At home I have to pick up after myself, cook dinner every night and the phrase pipe dream doesn’t even begin to describe my prospects of having my girlfriend mix up and deliver an umbrella drink to me on the couch. In other words nothing short of a winning lottery ticket was getting me to leave the ship.

Plenty of People Chose to Exit

However, I did see a lot of people preparing to leave the ship to head back home. I think it was Wednesday sometime in the early afternoon that I saw multiple groups, totaling maybe 50 or so passengers doing the self-disembarkation thing. Let me also add that they did not look happy. I tried to figure out why they would leave the ship and came up with a couple of different hypothesis.

My Top Three Reasons Why Passengers Chose to Discontinue the Cruise

You might leave because you live in Puerto Rico – It’s possible some of the people who left were residents of Puerto Rico that left because, they were home. The problem is even if you live in Puerto Rico wouldn’t it be better to finish out the week on the cruise ship than to head back home. I live near Philadelphia and would never vacation here. I’ve seen all the historic landmarks many times so there would be no reason. However, if someone offered me a one week stay in a really nice hotel, with all meals included I would be happy to take them up on the offer. Most of the passengers I saw leaving didn’t look to be from Puerto Rico, (although you can’t judge a book by its cover); but even if they were from Puerto Rico I still don’t see why you would chose to discontinue the “cruise”.

You might leave if you wanted to save your vacation time – This actually fits my scenario but not my girlfriends. If I was so inclined I guess I could have rescheduled my flight home to make it back in time to save a couple of day’s vacation. The way time works at my job I could show up, declare my vacation over and recoup my vacation time. On the other hand, the way time works at my girlfriends job, once she leaves on vacation even if she shows up the very next day she loses that time (it has something to do with how weeks are assigned, and keeping people from hoarding weeks “just in case”). But, I can imagine some of the people leaving did want to save time, although that wouldn’t account for everyone I saw leaving.

You might leave if you were so pissed you just wanted off the ship – Judging from the attitude of some of the people I saw, this is the most likely scenario. Also, I would imagine if you were going home to save vacation time your demeanor would be more disappointed than absolutely “pissed off” like these people seemed. This leads me to they just wanted nothing else to do with the Caribbean Princess, a decision I would most certainly regret as soon as my head cleared. It truly baffles me that people who are probably at least relatively rational in their real lives would make a rash decision like that but from hot tub conversations I had through the remainder of the week even more would have left had they been able to get alternate flights. Although by the end of the week most of the people I talked to ended up being happy they stayed.

Now, I am sure there are tons of other reasons people had for choosing to prematurely end their cruise and make travel arrangements home at their own expense. What do you think? What would it have taken for you to have ended your cruise on the Caribbean Princess?

Monday Mailbag: April 11, 2011 Edition

Written by T.I. Cruiser on April 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment

This edition of the Monday Mailbag touches on three questions sent in by readers. The first has to deal with cold weather on a Mediterranean cruise. The second, dealing packing for a Caribbean cruise that sails out of New York in the dead of winter. The third question is in regards to Royal Caribbean’s policy on bringing non-alcoholic beverages on board their ships. Hopefully this will help some of you who have had or may have the same questions as these.

I was looking to book a cruise to the Mediterranean but want to avoid any possible cold weather. Which months are the winter months in the Mediterranean or is there a specific Mediterranean cruise itinerary I should choose if I was looking to book a fall Mediterranean cruise?

First let me say that in most places where Mediterranean cruises travel it never gets truly cold. The Mediterranean cruise season is typically from April through October although some cruise lines do sail year round. During that time period temperatures are very comfortable and no where near cold. While it can get down to the 50′s in northern areas like Istanbul, this is still a far cry from what most of us would call “cold”.

Personally I feel when you are choosing a specific Mediterranean cruise itinerary, you shouldn’t let the weather dictate which Mediterranean cruise itinerary you decided to book. If there are particular ports you want to see let that decide which Mediterranean cruise itinerary you select. Different regions have different feels and its probably not something you will get to do every year so don’t settle. You never know when you will get another chance.

I have never been on a cold weather cruise but this winter we are booked on a New York cruise on the Caribbean Princess heading down to the Caribbean. How should I pack for the trip?

Well, sailing out of New York in the winter time can be tricky. I’m assuming it will take you about 2 days until you hit your first port of call, meaning the ship will be cold for at least the first day sailing and the last day coming back.

My guess would be you will be dressed in winter wear when you board the ship, which is good. The outerwear you have will come in handy on the first and last days if you want to spend any time out on the Lido Deck. The second day will probably be more touch and go since you will be much further south. At that point in time it doesn’t matter that you started out on a New York cruise since it will be tracking more like any other Caribbean cruise by then. And of course on the way back home the day you would be worried about would be the last day at sea.

My advice would be to bring a couple of layers that you can pack on and shed off as temperature dictates. However, I wouldn’t go overboard (no pun intended) on the amount of cold weather cruise gear you bring as most of your time will be spent in temperatures 60 degrees and above. Personally the only modifications I would make to my normal packing list would be maybe a fleece pullover, sweatshirt, pair of gloves and a pair of jeans.

We are taking a family cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship in late June. It will be myself, my husband and our 3 kids in two cabins. I didn’t want to buy the soda card for all of our children and was hoping we could bring our own on board the ship. I know some cruise lines allow you to bring a certain amount of non-alcoholic beverages on board is Royal Caribbean one of them?

First of all congratulations on your family cruise. Cruising is definitely one of the best ways to build those memories that will last long after everyone is grown and gone their separate ways. I wish my family was able to take those types of vacations when I was younger. Now… on to your question.

While I do know what you mean with some cruise lines allowing you to bring on board a case of pop (I refuse to say soda), to the best of my knowledge Royal Caribbean is not one of those cruise lines. Here is the policy straight from the horses mouth:

Royal Caribbean Policy regarding bringing beverages on board

Onboard Policies

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Q:
Can I bring liquor or non-alcoholic beverages (from home or from a port) on board?

A:
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.

Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them.

Please Note: All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.

So unfortunately the children will either have to make due with the free beverages Royal Caribbean provides on board their ship or you will have to fork out the 4 dollars per day (per child) the fountain drink package will cost. Its not the ideal situation but there is no reason to allow something like this to tarnish a perfectly good family getaway. I’m sure the kids will be able to survive for a week on water, iced tea and lemonade; especially since unlimited ice cream makes for a great distraction.

Mailbag Monday: April 4, 2011

Written by T.I. Cruiser on April 4, 2011 · Leave a Comment

I figured today I would answer a couple of questions that I received in the mail in the past week or so. Today I will be talking about luxury cruises, cruising to Antarctica and passport requirements for Alaskan cruises. Sometimes I think its cool to make posts like these because it creates an archive of answers to questions that others can refer to over time.

I have been on a couple of cruises with my extended family. My experience has been mostly limited to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. This time I want to take a cruise with just myself and my wife. I’m looking for something a little more upscale and luxurious than what the mainstream cruise lines offer. Which cruise lines are the most luxurious?

Truthfully this question is out of my sphere of expertise. While I have done tons of research on the top end cruise lines I have never experienced them myself; currently they are out of my budget. While I can’t get specific and offer you firsthand knowledge, I can still answer your question.

When looking for luxury Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seaborne and Silver Sea would probably be considered the most luxurious cruise lines. My investigations show that these offer a cruise experience completely different than what you would ever encounter on a mainstream cruise line. The ships are smaller, have a much higher crew to passenger ratio and have mostly suites

Oceania Marinas Owners Suite 300x218 Mailbag Monday: April 4, 2011

My staterooms on Royal Caribbean don't look like this.

These ships travel on itineraries that last anywhere from 7 days to several months. They typically travel more exotic itineraries than what most of us are used to, as well as service that most of us have only dreamed about. Of course you will also pay a price that is anywhere from three to ten times more than what you will on a mainstream cruise. However, I will say those people that I know who have taken these cruises say the experience is definitely worth the price of admission.

Personally I think it makes perfect sense to do a luxury cruise the way you are planning to do it. Use the lower cost mainstream cruises for family vacations but splurge for the luxury lines when you and the Mrs., want to spoil yourself with some alone time.

I have always been interested in taking a cruise to Antarctica. Recently I read that they are eliminating cruise ships from sailing in that area, is there any way to still take a cruise to Antarctica?

I too would love to be able to take a cruise to Antarctica someday and know exactly what you are talking about. Due to its unique environment that particular region of the world is an extremely dangerous area to cruise. Icebergs, rough waters and unpredictable weather conditions have led to all sorts of accidents over the years. Oftentimes these accidents result in fuel leakage which has a severe ecological impact.

In order to protect not only passengers but also the ecological balance of Antarctica and the surrounding regions the International Maritime Organization has banned the use of heavy fuel oil ships down there. What this means is starting August 1, 2011 most large ships will no longer be allowed to sail Antarctica. However, cruise activity will not be completely stopped. Small ships from specialty providers will still sail to Antarctica so even though capacity will be cut by about 60% the option to cruise to Antarctica will still exist.

My sister and I want to do an Alaskan cruise but she doesn’t have a passport. I was trying to find out if she even needs one since we will be leaving from and returning to Seattle. We found a great deal on a cruise in May and don’t think she can get one in time. Doe she actually need a passport to take an Alaska Cruise?

The “newish” passport requirement for U.S. citizens as established by the Department of Homeland Security outlines the passport requirements as follows:

U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same port in the U.S.) will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government issued picture ID, denoting photo, name and date of birth. A U.S. citizen under the age of 16 will be able to present either an original, notarized or certified copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad issues by DOS, or Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

What this means in regard to your personal situation is, since you are traveling a cruise both departing and returning to Seattle your sister will not need a passport (provided she is a United States citizen). She can get by with just a birth certificate and a valid government issued photo I.D. such as a driver’s license.

However, there is one potential monkey wrench that could be thrown into your works. There may be some excursions that take place in both the United States and Canada. Since at least a portion of the excursion will take place in a foreign country, you may need to have a passport to book those. One of the more popular excursions, Skagway’s, Whitepass Rail is one such excursion. While I am not positive that you would need a passport to partake in these types of excursions it is something you will want to look into.