Please e-mail via this web site.

Thank you!!!!

Pat

Can you tell us what happened?

Maybe someone can spread more light on this as I don't really understand the rationale for doing so - I believe it had to do w/ the huge delays at YVR and the fact that it would be cheaper for the cruise line to use their ship as an hotel for disembarking passengers on both Mercury and Infinity than to pay for accommodation in YVR (not to mention easier to find the space as many hotels are sold out as a result of the whole situation.

HAL announced its arrangements for Westerdam pax, both incoming and outgoing, ahead of the arrival date - appeared they had everything well in hand for the comfort and convenience of all concerned - WHAT HAPPENED?

I know nothing of Celebrity plans - from what you say they were disorganized.

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Any passengers and travel agents who checked with Celebrity Cruise Lines to confirm the Infinity was sailing were told YES.

As most people were from out of town and travel into Vancouver was extremely difficult, most passengers checked first. Everyone I talked to was told YES by Celebrity that the Infinity was sailing as scheduled.

We were told this up to 3:30 pm Friday. Most people were waiting since noon.

We overheard the Celebrity rep at 3:45 say she knew very early Friday morning the Infinity was NOT sailing Friday. I found out later, my father had also heard on the local news at noon Friday that the Infinity was NOT sailing.

There were 3100 people involved (Mercury, Infinity and some Westerdam people). We were kept at the Western Bayshore (room held 1800) people were sitting on stairs, the floor etc. etc.

At 4:00 pm were were told that only the Mercury was sailing (smaller ship and no balconies). Picture 3100 people told only 1870 are sailing! IT WAS UGLY!!!

The Celebrity rep said she could not give us anything in writing re: vouchers etc. She repeated 10 times "YOU WILL NOT GET A REFUND". She would not give her name, but did give us a 1-800 number, then said don't phone it for 24 hrs because it is not set up yet.

I like most other people contacted Celebrity many times between Tues and Friday morning I also tried to advise them of the situation in Vancouver and the fact the Holland America cancelled their trip to Alaska on the 13th I also checked their web site. There was nothing was on their web site - not even a message of condolence. I even phoned them at 6:00 am Friday morning before leaving to go to Vancouver. And was told the Infinity was sailing.

I found out from my travel agent today that the Mercury left at midnight. The Infinity is still in dock in Vancouver with some passengers who could not find accomodation and ALSO it was supposedly open to the PUBLIC for accomodations last night.I found my conversations on the p hone with the Celebrity people very rude. At one point I tired to explain the situation at the Port of Vancouver. I even suggested that they consider cancelling the cruise due to the crisis and that Holland American had already cancelled the Setp 13th cruise to Alaska. They were not interested in hearing this.

It turns out that both Infinity and Vision of the Seas are being used as hotel ships.

The scene at the airport appears incredible - domestic flights seem to be leaving but the flights to the US are a mess.

While I don't agree w/ the method that has been reported passengers are being told theship is not sailing - I agree that at this point anything can happen - and no passengers should be surprised - there is just too much happening right now.

Apperently the security is so strict right now, NCL has rented one of the hotel ballrooms downtown to house passengers until they are able to board.