Thanksgiving is nearly upon us. The run up to this Thanksgiving has been tougher than most because of the impact of Hurricane Sandy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by the wide ranging effects of the storm. This storm was freakish in its scope. While it was over the water it affected the itineraries of 8 of our 22 ships and then it affected about a quarter of the U.S. once it went over land. It hasn’t been easy for anyone and many have been challenged significantly more than our operation. Having said that, I am very appreciative of the extraordinary effort by our people and our suppliers that enabled us to complete a turnaround of Brilliance of the Seas at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ on the Friday just after the storm passed through. That was a remarkable performance by Juan Trescastro, Anthony Caputo and the Guest Port Services team.
As we strive to deliver memorable and enjoyable vacations to over three million customers per year, every year is full of unexpected twists and turns. 2012 has been no exception. Equally, there is always much to be thankful for as each year unfolds. As we approach the holiday season, I am personally grateful among other things that:
- the men and women of Royal Caribbean International continue to deliver the Wow to our guests day in and day out onboard our 22 ships
- the travel agency community around the world really supported the cruise industry throughout a difficult year, delivering the message over and over about the cruise industry’s safety record and unparalleled value
- I have other things going on in my life besides watching the Eagles try to play football
- we have the resources to create new ships like Project Sunshine (stay tuned) and to revitalize the ships we already have
- we have guests who feel so strongly about Royal Caribbean that they write and email me to let me know personally that they are about to enjoy their next cruise with us
- my wonderful wife who has shared the Royal Caribbean experience with me since 1989 gets to enjoy a notable birthday (without being specific) over this Thanksgiving holiday
I would like to mention something. This coming December I am booked for the Dec.13th sailing of the Explorer of the Seas. I live in Staten Island and was severely affected by Hurricane Sandy as it destroyed a large portion of my household and completely took away my own bedroom. I have been working for the Guest Services team in all 3 ports in NYC and have been cruising since 1994. This next sailing on the Explorer would have been my families 10th cruise together and our second time on the Explorer but things have been put to a halt. Unfortunately we have never purchased travel insurance and of course never expected this to happen. I see it to be a bit unfair and heartless for Royal Caribbean to not help us in anyway to give us some type of credit or any assistance as right now our choices are to leave what’s left of our home or lose the money from our tickets.
I love following you on facebook! However, when you post questions, please eventually post the answers!! I am going on my honeymoon in July of 2013 and it is on the Serenade of the Seas, which is one of the boats that people thought may have been the one being revamped. Is this true? Fill me in!!
Thanks!
Hilary
Hi Hilary, we apologize for the confusion. Sometimes our answers get lost in the thread of comments, but you are correct, the ship that was sent to dry dock on Sunday was in fact Serenade of the Seas. Thank you for keeping us on our toes.
Thank you Adam for all you do to keep RCL so attractive to all your past and future guests. Hopefully we will bump into you on a future cruise. May God bless you, your family and all the RCL crews this Thanksgiving!
Thank you so much for your warm message, Ian.
I am thankful for my wonderful husband who takes me on a couple of cruises a year. I am also thankful for all of the people that work for Royal Caribbean, in all aspects, for their kindness, friendliness, hard work and devotion to make each of our cruises not only memorable, but for making it feel like we are all one big family. We love you all!
We appreciate your message, Susan. Thank you.
How will the new Sunshine class ships be different than the Allure/Oasis class and the Freedom/Liberty class?
Hello Richard, please keep an eye on our page for further updates on Project Sunshine. Thank you.
I returned yesterday from a 5 night family cruise that my husband and I decided to treat the kids and grandkids to. There were 22 of us. We sailed onJewel of the seas, leaving on November 19th. We gave the cruise to them about a year ago so everyone could save the vacation time and the kids would be out of school. So with 12 grandkids waiting a year – everyone was very excited.
The first night after dinner and thru the night our one granddaughter became seasick and had diarrhea a couple times during the night. She said to her mother the next morning that she would love a gatorade. We searched the ship for one and it was not tone found. I suggested that we go to the doctor and perhaps he had some salt tablets. So the nightmare begins. The nurse came and we filled out the report. ONce you say you have had a movement more than the magic number of 3 – you are now sent to your room – confined for 24 hours. One day of a 5 day trip. There was nothing we could do.
But they do not clean your room, provide new towels to you, they bag your dishes in plastic bags in the hallway labeled “bio hazard” . They make you feel like they are coming in “hazmat suits” next. YOu are treated horribly.
The next day the family had snorkeling booked – and of course the girl was not allowed off the ship. Yes – we missed it and when we tried to rebook – we could not because the ship had to leave just 3 hours after her confinement ended. So there goes $300.00 for that. I spoke to several people to see if they would help us get another excursion the next day and “they are not allowed to do that” it has to be done from the office on shore. Exactly what good does that do when you are on board. So yes – we booked 6 more tickets for the next day.
The cruise director – completed ignored any comments I made and never passed my complaint to the Guest services manager. Eventually I spoke to the Guest services officer Kevin and then to the Guest Services MAnager Mpho. No one would consider doing anything to help our family.
It is very upsetting to spend fr 22 people – all of what we all spent while on the ship and then for a lossy $300.00 excursion – “there is nothing we can do”.
Well This is the seventh cruise my husband and I have been on, most on Holland America and I must say that we have never been treated so unprofessionally and with such lack of concern.
To make things even worse – the next day our granddaughter called for room service and she was told “is this the confinement room again”. Apparently the Doctor – Alexander Popoy was not concerned enough with someone else’s vacation to care to send the release.
I have never had to pay for beach towels – are there that many people who steal old ratty faded blue towels that you have to charge for them? Oh you should have seen the look on one dads face at breakfast when his daughter told him there was a charge for $100.00 for towels that had been returned.
So it is no concern of Royal Caribbean’s how the customers are treated – just if they spend the money. I will tell you – all 22 of us were together for a couple days prior to departure, one of the other kids and the mother of the quarantined girl were together all night in the room – if that girl had anything to pass on to any one else – all 22 would have been infected. But you did not bother with anyone else. She had no headache, no fever, no signs of any other illness.
Thanks for ruining our family cruise, our family thanksgiving, and putting a huge damper on what should have been a wonderful experience, Shame on you all.
Susan Barry
Oh yeah – I bet this one does not end up on your comments page.