NJ Sues RCI

Dan · June 16, 2006

A credit to buy warmer clothes? In July? It's darn near above freezing in Canada in July LOL.

Joanandjoe · June 16, 2006

Dan, we know that most of Canada is not the frozen North in summer. However, it's seldom warm in the Maritimes. In TO. or Montreal, or on the plains, it's often rostingly hot in July; but in Halifax, the average July high is 74 F., low is 55. Saint John is even cooler: average high 71, average low 52. With a large low in the Atlantic, it would have been cooler than normal. Yes, most people would have needed warm clothing.

We'll reiterate our position, which we discussed over breakfast this morning: what RCI did was stupid from a public relations point of view, but not illegal. Joan and Joe

Dan · June 16, 2006

I've never gone to Halifax, which I do every second year or so, and had it be colder than here in Ontario in the middle of summer. Spring starts earlier here and fall later, but July is typically as hot and muggy as here, especially in the cities where the cruise pax would be. Historical average temps don't really say as much as, say a 10 year trend due to global warming.

Out of curiosity, how much hotter is Bermuda in summertime?

As to the topic at hand, I do agree RCI should have either offered more than a token compensation or allowed people to re-book without penalty, but I'm not really sure what else is expected. Had they sailed to Bermuda and got tossed around in the remnants of a storm they would have been given as big a black eye as this. They have to operate from a safety first perspective, but they also have to realize that many people book a cruise for the itinerary. Canada cruises are nice, having done one myself, but if I boarded the ship expecting Bermuda, I'd be disappointed too. No real difference than booking a 14 day cruise to the Caribbean and they turn around and do a round trip Atlantic crossing instead.

Joanandjoe · June 16, 2006

Bermuda's quite a bit hotter in July - average high 85, average low 77. Of course, if the PAX had been aware of what was going on, they should have realized there was a chance that they wouldn't be able to go to Bermuda.

We've been in Halifax twice, in May, 2003 and last September, 2005. The weather was fine in September. In May, we nearly froze our butts off: high arounf 50 (10 C.), but with a wind that made it feel much colder. I (Joe) like cool weather, but along the harbor it was cold, not cool. I found it bracing, but it was blue nose weather for Joan. There's a reason why Nova Scotians are sometimes called blue noses, and it isn't because they're aristocrats!

We were in St. John once, in July, 2002, and the weather was quite warm and pleasant; but the residents said we were having a heat wave. Joe

DaCruzNut · June 16, 2006

I'm not a big fan of Royal Caribbean. My first RCCL cruise was one of my favorites, many years ago, but two following it were among the most unpleasent I've been on. That being said, they have every right to change the itinerary, even for no reason; the passenger contract says so, and it's l;egally enforcible, even in New Jersey. With all the problems that state has with its government, you'd think they'd find better ways a spending their time. And, it's not to smart for a state that's looking to build a cruise industry out of Newark, and environs, to piss off the cruise lines...

But, then again, \ New Jersey politicians ain't known for their smarts.....

Joanandjoe · June 16, 2006

Good point, Jeff. I guess my fair state doesn't think RCI will move from Bayonne. Of course, you're from NY, where the AG and possible next governor, Elliott Spitzer, would never dream<] of bringing a frivolous lawsuit that looks good to the public. Yeah, right!

I don't know of any state that doesn't have it share of showboating, dumb, (or both) politicians of both major parties, and occasionally minor parties too!

rogue · June 16, 2006

I thinnk you're right. This really does appear to be showboating (no pun intended). I was listening to one of the New York radio stations this morning, and this was their second top story of the morning, which really amazed me. Kicking the cruise lines has really become a media sport these days. I'm sure that the rest of the travel and hospitality industry enjoys getting the media off their back for a while.

Lisa63 · June 17, 2006

Goodness, they make it sound like the original itinerary was a lengthy stay in warm and sunny Bermuda. It was a 5-night itinerary, with just a day and a half or so in the remote King's Wharf area. Most of the time would have been spent at sea.

And the part about the price difference -- not necessarily so. We've done both itineraries several times during the summer months (the diverted cruise occured in July) -- and there is minimal price difference on this particular itinerary. I've got the statements to prove it. :smiley:

And passengers missed out on amenities? I suppose then that the line closed the dining rooms, buffets, show lounges, casinos, etc.

I understand the disappointment of a diversion, as it has happened to us a few times, but we made the most of it and made wonderful memories. But for the state