Cruise Talk: Ship Breakdowns

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Author

Topic: Ship Breakdowns

JDCasey
First Class Passenger
Member # 1065

posted 02-23-2000 10:04 AM

I am from the Northeast part of the country. We, at most, will hear a 30 second news article on major problems of this ship or that. Last night's news, on a consumer segment, told of two Carnival ships that recently broke down at sea. In both cases the itineraries were scrapped and little or no compensation was offered. How common is this?

Posts: 48 | From: New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 02-23-2000 12:17 PM

The news media love to tune in to these problems that the cruise ships are having. Although it sounds like a common problem, it doesn't happen too often. When you consider the huge number of cruise ships out there, there are bound to be problems once in a while. I think we're hearing more about them now because there are so many more ships out there than even several years ago. On the flip side, however, I think the cruise lines need to take note of these continuing problems, and start to create preventative measures. As these cruise lines start to expand with more and more ships I worry that the expansion will create problems of consistency - because the cruise lines are spreading themselves too thin.

I am still convinced that these problems are far and few between and that the chances the cruise I go on next will have these problems is pretty slim. I wouldn't worry about cruising because of a couple of glitches here and there.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

JDCasey
First Class Passenger
Member # 1065

posted 02-23-2000 01:19 PM

Granted, the News Media does have a predisposition to 'Go for the Jugular', but the news clip last night did not mention a ship's name or line. It was obvious that both ship's shown, along with the dockside passengers, were Carnival. This on top of the fires over the past year start one to wondering.

[This message has been edited by JDCasey (edited 02-23-2000).]

Posts: 48 | From: New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

cruiseman
First Class Passenger
Member # 885

posted 02-23-2000 03:56 PM

I wouldn't hestitate going on Carnival. The latest ship in reference was the Destiny on its way to San Juan. Granted they never made it and ended up turning around to come back to Miami, Carnival DID compensate with a FULL refund to include air and 50% off toward a future cruise. In my book one couldn't ask for much more. Afterall they did get to cruise for nearly a week, they were fed and all shipboard activities continued.

Again, I would have to question the shipyard building these vessels vs cruiseline maintenance. The cruiselines invest TOO much to not be taking care of them. Older ships I could understand but the recent problems have been with the newer ships. The Paradise was only a year old when she encountered her problems over the New Years cruise. IF People would READ the brochure it states that the cruise line can change the itinerary for ANY reason, therefore Carnival did what it needed to do on the Paradise. I would have been more upset had I not gotten to go at all! Maybe a first time cruiser would be more upset than a seasoned traveler. Most islands are so similar you couldn't tell the difference...in the Caribbean anyway.

Seems the media is targeted to Carnival which isn't really fair. Let's bring into perspective NCL last year with the Dream and the Sky's accident within a few months of each other. Or how about RCL running the Monarch I believe aground after hitting the sandbar? Carnival is just the most popular and unforturnately has had a bout of bad luck lately, but I truly believe their ships are maintained...at $400M plus they'd be foolish not to!

Posts: 59 | From: Leavenworth, KS, USA | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-24-2000 11:12 AM

Hi JDCasey, Northeast of which country? ;-)

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

JDCasey
First Class Passenger
Member # 1065

posted 02-24-2000 11:44 AM

My apologies, it is rather self centered of me to assume everyone at this site is from the USA. I am from New Jersey.
The Cruise industry is BIG news in Florida because of the immediate effects on local economies. Here, we only become aware of it when it becomes a national or international news item.
A related problem for this region that may effect people's vacation in the near future,
US Air is set to close down operations if the cabin attendants go on strike. US Air is a major player for air transportation for both Carnival and RCI from Northeast and Midwest.

Posts: 48 | From: New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

gizmo
First Class Passenger
Member # 972

posted 02-25-2000 01:23 PM

JDCASEY,

What part of Jersey? I am originally from Philly.

Posts: 686 | From: Kennesaw Ga. (origianlly from Philly) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

WJCdiver
First Class Passenger
Member # 946

posted 02-25-2000 09:30 PM

I agree that the problem probably lies with the shipyard. Not really surprising. There are really only 4 shipyards building cruise ships - Masa Yard in Finland, Fincanteri in Italy, Chantiers d'Atlantique in France, and (I forget the name) in Germany. They are all going full out building huge fleets of new ships to new designs with new technology.

Posts: 159 | From: New York, NY | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Eric Cruises
First Class Passenger
Member # 957

posted 02-26-2000 12:55 AM

WJCdiver, I think you said is MEYER WERFT which in Germany...
I think cruise company should stop any break down in their fleet....it may damage their company banner and make passengers angry...!!

Posts: 301 | From: Hong Kong, China | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

mrblanche
First Class Passenger
Member # 714

posted 02-27-2000 09:41 PM

I think you'll find the passengers actually came out pretty well with the Destiny problem. The ship always had full power to the cabins, just a propulsion problem. They made it back to Miami, and offered a full refund to all passengers, plus a 50% discount on another cruise. In addition to that, Carnival let the passengers stay aboard for the remainder of the week, if they wanted to, and use the cruise ship as a hotel. All the meals were served, etc. All the entertainment went on. That would be an odd feeling, but hey, it's better than being at work!

Posts: 308 | From: Cedar Hill, TX | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 02-27-2000 09:58 PM

Maybe Airtours with their Carousel problem could take a leaf out of their owners book and treat their passengers as well....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

JDCasey
First Class Passenger
Member # 1065

posted 02-28-2000 01:23 PM

Gizmo, How do you survive without a decent cheesesteak hoagie? I live in Maple Shade.

Posts: 48 | From: New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

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