1,400 cruise passengers stranded !!!
MrTractor
---------------------------------------------------
"Yes, I'd love a free cruise," she added. "In fact, it was so horrendous I
think I should get two!"
MrTractor
"steinbrenner" <steinb...@freedom.net> wrote in message
news:cG9uZGVydGU=.2b5c31e9a7cbd93ee0e0bab802ca1d0b@1039182558.cotse.net...
> Old news being reported in today's newspaper.
>
>
> December 05, 2002 20:02
>
> More than 1,400 Royal Caribbean cruise passengers were stranded on
> island
>
> By Ina Paiva Cordle
> MIAMI _ More than 1,400 passengers from Royal Caribbean's Majesty of
> the Seas were recently stranded overnight on a private island, as a day
> in the sun turned into a cold, windy night.
>
> The wind suddenly became so strong and the seas were so choppy that
> passengers could not be ferried back to the ship by tenders. Blankets
> and sweatshirts were sent in to ward against the chill, as people
> grabbed provisions and crowded into partial shelters with their chaise
> longues, passengers said.
>
> "Chaos reigned," said passenger Barbara Sussman, 61, of Hollywood,
> Fla. "This is not what I dreamt of as an ideal vacation."
>
> The incident comes in a year when cruise lines have had hundreds of
> passengers stricken with stomach viruses.
>
> But Royal Caribbean spokesman Michael Sheehan said it was the first
> time in the cruise line's 34-year history that passengers were forced
> to stay overnight on a private island. Because of the unexpected delay,
> the ship could not make a port call in Key West the next day. Royal
> Caribbean gave passengers a full refund and a certificate good for a
> free cruise.
>
> "Clearly this was not part of an organized cruise, but we were proud of
> the people and the staff for the way they handled it," said Royal
> Caribbean spokeswoman Lynn Martenstein.
>
> Sussman, friend Joyce Schweitzer and Schweitzer's twin sister and
> brother-in-law arrived on CocoCay at about 9 a.m. Nov. 13, for
> sunbathing and a barbecue lunch. They expected to return to the Majesty
> of the Seas by 3 p.m.
>
> But the cloudy skies soon turned to black, and Sussman's group spotted
> a funnel cloud in the distance. As it began to pour, people ran for
> cover. Still, they were not advised to leave the island, Sussman said.
>
> Unbeknownst to them, at noon the cruise line began forbidding
> passengers to go to CocoCay. As the winds picked up, the captain
> decided to start bringing back passengers from the island, Sheehan
> said.
>
> By the time Sussman and her group boarded a tender after 1 p.m., for
> the 1-{-mile journey to the mother ship, waves were cascading over the
> bow. No one was offered life vests.
>
> "The waves were like six feet high," said Schweitzer, 60, who recently
> had hip replacement surgery. "We thought it was the end."
>
> Her boat began unloading passengers from the top level onto the ship.
> But gusts were so strong that five men couldn't hold down the gangplank
> between the vessels, she said.
>
> Two tenders, with about 200 passengers in each, were forced to return
> to the island. Sussman, Schweitzer and the others _ including a woman
> whose family managed to board the ship _ waited in their boat at the
> dock for two hours to hear if the weather had cleared. Finally, they
> were told to stay on the island until conditions improved.
>
> Test tenders were sent out until 11 p.m., but conditions remained
> unsafe, Sheehan said.
>
> It was 6:30 a.m. the next day before the 1,422 passengers could begin
> leaving CocoCay _ more than 21 hours after they first arrived.
>
> Sue Richardson, hotel director for the Majesty of the Seas, said
> feedback from the majority of guests was positive.
>
> "I felt we were well taken care of," said Michelle Bailey, 34, Shelby,
> Ohio, who took the cruise with her youth pastor husband and 42 other
> members of a ministry group. "I, for one, had fun. How many times in
> your life do you get to be stranded on an island?"
>
> By evening, the ship had sent more than 70 additional crew members and
> a medical staff of a doctor and two nurses in small motorboats to set
> up a makeshift infirmary. Royal Caribbean said it provided 2,000
> blankets and 2,000 sweatshirts to the stranded passengers, though
> Schweitzer said many blankets were not distributed until 2 a.m. Dinner
> was hot dogs and potato chips left over from lunch.
>
> "That was our cruise dinner in the dining room," Schweitzer quipped.
>
> The wind howled. The chaise longues were hard and it was difficult to
> sleep _ Schweitzer said she only got about an hour or two of rest.
>
> Most passengers were in wet bathing suits with little shelter from the
> cold. A few women brought their chairs into the bathroom for cover.
> Others huddled inside thatch-roofed huts. Some people had more than one
> blanket but refused to share, Sussman said.
>
> "I was freezing," she said. And if you walked away, she said, someone
> would take your blanket.
>
> After the passengers returned to the ship, they received a letter of
> apology and explanation from Royal Caribbean International President
> Jack Williams.
>
> The weather forecast for CocoCay was for temperatures in the low 80s,
> with 15-knot winds, reducing as the day went on, he said. Sea
> conditions were forecast to be calm.
>
> Yet by early afternoon, the winds had unexpectedly increased to 30
> knots, creating rough seas.
>
> "The combination of high winds and high seas made it unsafe to use our
> tenders to return guests on CocoCay to the ship," Williams wrote.
>
> But Sussman and Schweitzer said they are angry that Royal Caribbean
> provided little communication during the ordeal. They said the cruise
> line should have better monitored the weather, and should have
> evacuated CocoCay before the winds and seas grew so rough.
>
> Sussman said she still has nightmares about it.
>
> "It was a horrendous experience," she said.
>
> ___
>
> (c) 2002, The Miami Herald.
>
> Visit The Miami Herald Web edition on the World Wide Web at
> http://www.herald.com/
>
>
Danni
complaint she had while aboard?
Peter
the vast majority of those who sail, is not as potentially safe an
experience as the cruise lines and advertising portrays.
The same dangers that we are exposed to at home (illness, accidents,
weather, fire, personnel incompetence, panic, even terrorism ) are
magnified in the cruise environment where, because of the absence of
immediate external help and the unforgiving nature of the seas, the
penalties can be much more severe.
And it isn't even a matter of blaming someone when things go really
wrong.
All ships have a lifeboat drill within the first few hours of sailing.
The weather is beautiful. The water is calm. The sun is shining. The
indoor lights are bright. The crew is responsive and helpful.
Passengers are happy and cheerful and milling around waiting for the
drill to end. .
But if something goes wrong, it will be 1:30 in the morning. Passengers
will be awaked from the deepest part of their sleep by loud bells and
strobe lights. There may be the smell of smoke. The water-tight doors
will be slowly closing. The boat may be rolling in heavy seas. It will
be pitch black, windy and raining outside. The cabin and hallway
emergency lights may be the only ones available.
Passengers have to find and don their warm clothes and life vest, work
their way up crowded stairs perhaps several decks to their lifeboat
station where, lacking any information, they wait because, unlike home,
there are no exits to the street. They may discover that passengers,
crew and staff members and officers do not really share a common
language. Eventually, perhaps hours later, they will be evacuated or
allowed to return to their cabins.
Would the possibility of this or a similar scenario stop me from
cruising? Absolutely not. Do I acknowledge that it or something
equally dangerous can happen? Absolutely.
Just my opinion.
Peter
Bob K
bobk
"Peter" <pete...@nyc.rr.com.spam (hold the .spam)> wrote in message
news:NF5I9.227119$Up6.40...@twister.nyc.rr.com...
Dick Goldhaber
Half of the fun of cruising is the unexpected. Yes, the fire drill is a
pain in the a$$, and nobody really takes it seriously. And depending on the
ship and the passengers, everyone could be blotto drunk when the Titanic
hits the iceberg one more once.
CocoCay is a sandbar which Royal Caribbean uses as a cash cow. If you have
ever been ashore there there is no reason to ever go back. If you have
never been ashore there you have not missed anything.
I give RCCL high marks for trying to make the best of a bad situation but
you are not going to please everyone all of the time.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ
video...@comcast.net
"Bob K" <haf...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:aOidnV8FI_S...@comcast.com...
Dennis P. Harris
i think that if she was spending a considerable amount of money
for a "tropical vacation" and she ended spending a cold, wet
night on an island instead, she have EVERY right to complain.
RC should have started evacuating as soon as clouds appeared on
the horizon. with modern satellite receivers, they have no
excuse for not knowing what the weather was doing.
case closed
Ray Goldenberg
(Dennis P. Harris) wrote:
>RC should have started evacuating as soon as clouds appeared on
>the horizon.
Hi Dennis,
If the cruise lines evacuated every time clouds appear as you suggest,
they would never be able to use any of the private Caribbean islands.
Maybe this would work on the cruise private islands in Alaska where
you live. Oh that's right, there are no cruise islands in Alaska.
<;+)
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Go Fig
Ray Goldenberg <r...@lighthousetravel.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 07 Dec 2002 03:56:52 -0900, NO_SPAM_T...@gci.net
> (Dennis P. Harris) wrote:
>
> >RC should have started evacuating as soon as clouds appeared on
> >the horizon.
>
> Hi Dennis,
>
> If the cruise lines evacuated every time clouds appear as you suggest,
To be fair though, it is more than just clouds: a funnel cloud was
reportedly spotted. Even my Suunto watch, with barometer, would be
freaking out with audible alarms.
These islands have always been problematic for the same reason in this
instance: high waves. They were ill prepared to deal with this known
situation, as another suggested, the land side should have been
pre-stocked with vital equipment.
jay
Sat, Dec 7, 2002
mailto:go...@mac.com
> they would never be able to use any of the private Caribbean islands.
> Maybe this would work on the cruise private islands in Alaska where
> you live. Oh that's right, there are no cruise islands in Alaska.
> <;+)
>
> Best regards,
> Ray
> LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
> 800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
> http://www.lighthousetravel.com
--
Legend insists that as he finished his abject...
Galileo muttered under his breath: "Nevertheless, it does move."
Da Parrot-chick
island?
I'd rather be stranded in Juneau. At least they got good beer and plenty
salmon. Plus, it would have that added benefit of annoying Dennis.
"Ray Goldenberg" <r...@lighthousetravel.com> wrote in message
news:7n74vu0b3qvok7q78...@4ax.com...
Paul
"Ray Goldenberg" <r...@lighthousetravel.com> wrote in message
news:7n74vu0b3qvok7q78...@4ax.com...
Peter
never been ashore there you have not missed anything.<
Perhaps you miss the point.
I haven't been to CocoCay but I've been to other cruise "private" islands.
They all have the advantage of offering a beach experience and permanent
bar-b-q setup without the benefit of venders, local harassment, hawkers and
possible thieves wandering among the passengers and their belongings.
They are not meant to be major port or shopping stops.
pete
Da Parrot-chick
him or harming you? You know what they say about flinging mud.
"Paul" <slin...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:astbt1$md6$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...
Ray Goldenberg
wrote:
>I'd rather be stranded in Juneau. At least they got good beer and plenty
>salmon. Plus, it would have that added benefit of annoying Dennis.
Hi,
We could be sure and take several helicopter tours. <vbg>
Dick Goldhaber
CocoCay, and the "private islands" like it which make up a port of call on a
lot of cruises, are owned by the cruise line. The merchandise that is sold
there is either owned by the cruise line, or they are paid rent by the
concessionaire and/or a percentage of sales. The booze that is served is
owned by the cruise line as are the beach chairs and anything else that has
a $ attached to it.
30 years ago a young assistant purser on the Leonardo DaVinci hit on my wife
when I left her alone for a moment after dinner. Embarrassed when I
returned, we became friends and he told us how things worked. The purser
owned all of the liquor on the ship, so every drink put money in his pocket.
He owned all of the deck chairs, so when you paid for a reserved chair, and
we all did, you paid him. He owned Bingo, and we learned that you never
play "Jackpot Bingo" until the last night because the percentages favor the
fact that you cannot win given the number of numbers called until the last
night.
The only time I was ever on CocoCay was in 1993. We went ashore after lunch
and after the morning rush to get ashore, which rivaled the rush to start
Christmas shopping at 5AM on Black Friday at KB Toys in the mall. What we
found were a bunch of "shops" selling cheap t-shirts, the same as we found
in every stop along the way, a bar where we had a tall, cool, alcoholic
drink, and little else.
By the time we spent an hour there my companion, who wore shorts, had
suffered severe sunburn to her legs from the reflection of the sun on the
white sand.
She returned there in 1997 without me and said that while there were more
crafts than in '93, and the beach chairs were free, still everything that
had a $ attached enriched the coffers of Royal Caribbean.
I rest my case. I tried to find that Carnival has a "rest stop" as well but
my search of their website and cruises did not turn up what I thought I
would find. I'll bet that they do.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ
video...@comcast.net
"Peter" <pete...@nyc.rr.com.spam (hold the .spam)> wrote in message
news:HorI9.220893$gB.41...@twister.nyc.rr.com...
Dick Goldhaber
Chocoholics survive.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ
video...@comcast.net
"Ray Goldenberg" <r...@lighthousetravel.com> wrote in message
news:g4o4vuojs8sahport...@4ax.com...
Dick Goldhaber
Can we annoy you at slin...@erols.com
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ
video...@comcast.net
"Paul" <slin...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:astbt1$md6$1...@bob.news.rcn.net...
Peter
And you are correct, I did miss your point. As I said, I have never been on
Coco Cay. I pictured it as some sort of pristine area with swimming
facilities, bar-b-Q and beach chairs.
I didn't realize that it was just another revenue producer for the ship
line.
peter
Gordon
There were plenty of beach chairs and hammocks to use. The island is very
clean. There are jet skis and other things to rent and places to buy
t-shirts but this is no different than going to a beach on one of the other
islands such as St. Thomas or St Maarten. I would go back there again in a
heartbeat.
--
Gordon
Join us on Arline's MGC-2003
http://www.mgc2003.com
"Peter" <pete...@nyc.rr.com.spam (hold the .spam)> wrote in message
news:geNI9.225082$gB.42...@twister.nyc.rr.com...
Thumper
<galred6...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>In my opinion, Coco Cay is very nice. I was there just a few months ago.
>There were plenty of beach chairs and hammocks to use. The island is very
>clean. There are jet skis and other things to rent and places to buy
>t-shirts but this is no different than going to a beach on one of the other
>islands such as St. Thomas or St Maarten. I would go back there again in a
>heartbeat.
Of course it's different. The places you mention are not owned by the
cruise lines and there is much to do beside spend money on jet skis
and souvenirs.
Thumper
Gordon
fact I did not spend one penny on the island and stayed entertained the
entire day. Again I see no difference. To each their own.
--
Gordon
Join us on Arline's MGC-2003
http://www.mgc2003.com
"Thumper" <jayl...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:lcf7vuci9occiekjh...@4ax.com...
Lunyma
But, Gordon... Paul will tell you that cruiseline revenue enhancement is a
way....
Oh nevermind... he thinks Carnival is the only line that sells you things you
don't need...
Pam <------- never bought more that a few coco locos on Coco Cay <G>
Len C.
free cruise"
Very Fair IMO! Shit happens...too bad we don't live in a perfect world
eh? Yet no matter how well you compensate some people they will never be
satisfied!
Len... :-)
Thumper
<galred6...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>I don't remember anyone on Coco Cay making me spend money. As a matter of
>fact I did not spend one penny on the island and stayed entertained the
>entire day. Again I see no difference. To each their own.
Who said anyone was "making" you spend money?
Thumper
Juliana L Holm
> CocoCay is a sandbar which Royal Caribbean uses as a cash cow. If you have
> ever been ashore there there is no reason to ever go back. If you have
> never been ashore there you have not missed anything.
I have to disagree with you here.
My husband and I totally enjoyed our day on Cococay on our cruise in 2000, and
we are looking forward to our visit to nearby Great Stirrup Cay on our upcoming
Norwegian Dawn cruise (33 days and counting). The private island days are
great fun, very relaxing. Walking along the beach to find a quiet place with
few people was great fun! We're not terribly big beach people, but we did
enjoy this day, and it was fun when we came back and watched the games that
they put together.
How often has this kind of thing happened? Among the thousand of private
island visits that the cruiselines make, this is the first time I have ever
heard of this kind of thing. I think they generally do a good job of handling
weather and such, and balancing passenger safety against passenger desire to
get to the port.
Just MHO
Julie
--
Julie
**********
Check out my Traval Pages (non-commercial) at
http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm
Juliana L Holm
> I rest my case. I tried to find that Carnival has a "rest stop" as well but
> my search of their website and cruises did not turn up what I thought I
> would find. I'll bet that they do.
Not directly. Some Carnival ships use Half Stirrup Cay, which is HAL's
island. Of course Carnival owns HAL. . . .
Juliana L Holm
> I don't remember anyone on Coco Cay making me spend money. As a matter of
> fact I did not spend one penny on the island and stayed entertained the
> entire day. Again I see no difference. To each their own.
Cococay is nothing more or less than a ship day on a little island rather
than at sea. There is no more or less "revenue enhancemen" on the island
than on the ship.
Charles
<jh...@osf1.gmu.edu> wrote:
> My husband and I totally enjoyed our day on Cococay on our cruise in
> 2000, and we are looking forward to our visit to nearby Great Stirrup
> Cay on our upcoming Norwegian Dawn cruise (33 days and counting).
> The private island days are great fun, very relaxing. Walking along
> the beach to find a quiet place with few people was great fun!
I also have enjoyed the private islands at Princess Cays and Labadee.
They were relaxing and fun. Always looked forward to them. I was very
disapointed twice when private island stops, once Coco Cays and the
other time Princess Cays have had to be cancelled do to rough seas.
Two hours to the Summit!!!
--
Charles
Robert Browne
enjoyable beach day, and no one makes you buy anything. We usually buy a
"Coco Loco" or two, other than that we don't spend any money. If we were on
the ship we would spend about the same amount on a drink or two, so it works
out the same.
Bob
"Juliana L Holm" <jh...@osf1.gmu.edu> wrote in message
news:at2ale$t...@portal.gmu.edu...
Albert Nurick
> MIAMI _ More than 1,400 passengers from Royal Caribbean's Majesty of
> the Seas were recently stranded overnight on a private island, as a
> day in the sun turned into a cold, windy night.
Argh! That sucks. Beyond their control, but it still ruined the
vacation for lots of folks.
> Royal Caribbean gave passengers a full refund and a certificate good
> for a free cruise.
Bravo. That's how a cruise line that cares about its passengers
deals with this sort of situation.
This is a perfect example of why I'll choose Royal Caribbean over
Brand C.
--
Albert Nurick
alb...@nurick.com
www.nurick.com
Albert Nurick
Agreed. A classy way to handle a bad situation.
Jim
Re: 1,400 cruise passengers stranded !!!
Group: rec.travel.cruises Date: Sat, Dec 7, 2002, 12:41pm From:
slin...@erols.com (Paul)
Paul? There you go , worrying about Ray working on Saturday AGAIN. Seems
like YOU are the one wth nothing to do.
DAMN, GET A LIFE.