@@tazman572 man, story telling is all about the detail. Books wouldn't sell if they read like a corporate report. How uninteresting would it be to read an international intrigue novel if it was written in outline format. Story telling is an art. Story listening takes time that not everyone has available.
I honestly find him quite annoying and exaggerated....especially his body/facial gestures. I'm going to avoid watching his videos from now on when it comes up on my feed during searches for RC cruises
Hey Don, I agree with Pamela below. That was frustrating just listening to the account. WHEW!!! We were on the Crown Princess for a quick 5 day cruise. There was an small flu outbreak so the crew was doing an additional cleaning. We were STERNLY notified that NO BOARDINGS would be conducted before 3PM and to return at that time. We went to lunch and found a few things to do prior to 3 PM. When we returned about 15 minutes prior to 3 PM to queue up, we noticed that 3/4 of the ship had already loaded. There were literally no lines. We were somewhat annoyed that we had followed the rules while they had been loading the ship since 1230.
WOW! Incredible! Not only can we hear the frustration in your voice, but in spite of everything, you seem to have a LOT of patience in dealing with those in "authority" in giving you clear, understandable directions. 😊😊
Put your left foot on, put your left foot off! Turn right around and don't miss the bus! Do the cruise ship shuffle and enjoy your cruise with us!! Can't wait for more Don.
We always enjoy your travel reports Don and totally agree with all that you say. I must say that we have been in stitches of laughter with the above report of your trying to board the ship experience. The wheels of the bus are supposed to go round and round. Hehe. We too have had a number of such bus experiences. The confusion that surrounds buses especially at the cruise terminal. Do we get off here. No. Get back on the bus we are not yet at the correct cruise terminal. Supposedly finally at the correct terminal. Step off the bus to a sea of people everywhere and total confusion. Where to now? What about our luggage? Now for the cruise terminal chaos. That’s another story. The cruise ships can not operate anywhere without busses. I have sometimes looked down from our balcony to see the lines of busses waiting for passengers or arriving with passengers and am thankful that today we don’t have to go ashore and board more busses. 😂 Yes, I do realise at the end of the day we the passengers would be stuck without our busses. 😂
I can't imagine what this experience would have been like for a family with small children, for a family (or individual travelers) with physical disability, for a group trying to meet at the ship, or anyone else who isn't as forgiving as you. The cruise line OWES people money for the crap treatment they served up.
This is a great lesson to learn for newbies. I am a fairly new travel agent with an otherwise full-time job. With limited vacation time to take, I would have been totally pissed off had this been my experience! This certainly helps me to know what to expect. I will likely not try an inaugural cruise for a while. 🙂
Wow, just wow. I was getting was getting stressed out just listening to you. What a mess! I'm like you, I roll with the punches and find things to laugh about instead of getting angry, but that was just beyond ridiculous.
We recently sailed on Norwegian Getaway and while our experience was not as bad as yours, embarkation was a chaotic, disorganized and frustrating mess. Some cruise lines get it right (Royal Caribbean) and some don't. This too shall pass but it's so frustrating at the time and makes no sense why they can't get their stuff together when they do this twice a week, every week!
I have to say that a British cruise analyst advises against EVER booking a 'maiden' cruise on a brand new ship; precisely because this sort of thing happens. Your experience has just put us off cruising for good; although we may consider taking a Cunarder to New York, and fly back!
LOL... I thought you were going to say "They said you can't stay here, be back at five." You come back at five and they say "It's too late to board, the ship has sailed."
Remember that Cruise out of Charleston you talked about last month? That was us! 3.5 hours to get a parking spot. 1.5 hours just to be in line outside the terminal. 1.5 hours waiting in the terminal. Didn’t leave the port until 1AM. We understand that there was a medical issue on the cruise before us, but we didn’t get any kind of credit.. not even an apology. Paid for a 5 day cruise and didn’t get it. I thought for sure they would credit us something or give a discount on a future cruise.... or even a free drink. They also should’ve notified the local police to help with craziness of traffic.
I know what you mean in the British Army they where always in a rush to get us somewhere then we waited and waited and waited. It was a case of hurry up and wait
I cruised the 3 day inaugural on the Carnival Panorama to Baja, CA. Mexico Dec 11. It went quite well. They did the naming ceremony on Dec 10. and the cruise was great! Glad to have a Vista Class Ship here in CA. "Vantastic" vessel.
Mr. Don Sir was going to sleep came across your video watch it heard your story and than boom laugh so hard work my new born baby up now I really know am not getting no sleep now because of you thank you so much now I will be falling asleep in church the next day now when pastor ask if there any testimony I will say Mr. Don cruise story so when pastor say Amen I say princess cruise Amen 😴
Reminds me of the old joke about Eastern Air Lines slogan: "Fly with Eastern, we will make you feel like you never left the ground, because we always treat you like dirt!"
I was eating my lunch while watching this and congratulations... you made tacos come out my nose when you said “and guess what bus we went to... that’s right... the first one....!” LOL! 🤣😂
It actually makes sense...they probably had 2 buses going to the mall, and placed them on opposite ends of the dock so that nobody had to walk far. I betcha that 1st and closest bus to them was chock full of people, so THAT'S why they were told to go to the emptier bus on the other end. I would have followed that big group of people that got off that 2nd bus that he KNEW were eventually going to be on the ship...they probably got to wait in the terminal or around there and were the 1st on the ship when it was cleared by port authorities. If I'm lost, I always follow the other people...they usually treat them better than the lone stragglers.
8 people were killed recently by a vulcano outburst, on tour from a cruiseship. And here I'm listening attentively to a guy who had to entertain himself for a couple of hours and missed a bus. Go spend your dollars people! The cruise companies love you!
After all that I would have been VERY concerned about getting back from the mall! (or at least finding a back up plan if the bus got held up from leaving the mall because there weren't enough riders.)
Gerald I was thinking the same thing - if you’re having this much trouble getting me TO the mall, I’m a little concerned about your efficiency in picking me up FROM the mall!🤨
Thanks. I'll avoid that Cruise line in the future. If they think it's ok to treat the passengers for that cruise the way they did means it prob. Happens often and will happen again. Ty
My wife and daughter were on that sailing. You should have checked the itinerary as it wasn't scheduled to board until late afternoon and leave port until 9 pm.
Just got out of the Norwegian Epic today (out of San juan, PR). Embarcation day was horrible (last sunday), spent 4 hours out in the sun waiting in line to board, then 2 hours more inside the terminal.
We were also on that cruise on Dec 1 on the sky princess. I guess we were lucky because we got to the terminal about 1230pm parked in the garage, walked across the street and we went right into the terminal, checked in and got onboard around 130pm. We did know ahead of the late departure time. The missed port of call was not a big deal for us. Overall I must say we enjoyed the Sky princess and what she has to offer.
It’s true. We Princess cruisers are a forgiving lot. Lol. Never mind Don. It is frustrating when people are disorganised but, like you said, you just have to go with the flow. It would have been pretty tough for those people with mobility issues though.
What a drag. However, if I saw people get off the bus going to the same ship as me, I probably would have followed them. I would have been too nervous to venture too far away from the cruise port.
We got off the Emerald Princess transatlantic in November at Fort Lauderdale. It was the longest it has ever taken us to get off a ship. We did not get off the ship until 1100. Then there was a huge line in the terminal. There was still a very big line of crew members waiting to go through customs. I cannot imagine how late they actually started boarding, as we didn't get out of the terminal until after 1200.
I was on that inaugural cruise and all our pre-cruise documentation stated that boarding would not begin until 5:00 PM. Coincidentally we chanced it and got to the terminal at 12:30 and sat for 5 minutes and then boarded with the very first group.
Don: I was on the Sky transatlantic and the 3 day inaugural and my paperwork on the 3 day boldly stated not to arrive until 5pm with ship leaving at 9pm. As an In Transit we had to get off to go through customs at 11:30am then received an text that we could get back on at 2:30pm. Not sure how you missed that on your initial paperwork.
Did this happen yesterday on the 10th? We just got off Carnival Sunrise on Monday stayed overnight went to Sawgrass mall yesterday to kill time before our flight home to OHIO. I remember seeing a big white Bus in the lot when we exited target to walk around outside it was parked closer to an outdoor restaurant than to Target. That mall was so confusing we decided to walk outdoors instead lol. I can’t believe I could of met you darn well maybe another future cruise! Enjoy what time you have left thanks for sharing your experience.
Ugh! That sucks. That reminds me of when my family and I got to Cape Liberty, NJ, to board the Anthem of the Seas. When we arrived, we had to sit and wait because the Coast Guard decided to pull a surprise inspection. Obviously, there was no way to plan ahead for such a thing, but after a couple of hours they finally started the boarding process.
I always use one of the northern two entrances. I never use the main one that most cruisers use; arriving air passenger tour buses, etc. It can be a nightmare....almost always, especially on weekends.
Just got off of Sky for our first cruise, and it was AMAZING! Already put a deposit down for our next princess cruise. Sorry for the imbarkarion issue we had no problems went smoothly (embarked on Dec 7th)
I feel for the bus drivers and everyone else caught up in that confusion. Communication, communication, communication, people. Glad you were able to laugh about it.
Wow! What a headache. Glad you are so patient with these things. Makes for a more enjoyable experience in the face of things you have no control over. I would hate to be in that cabin you are in - loud, loud music! That would drive me crazy!
Having a similar problem with a Fred Olsen crusie on Balmoral. Only 2 nights from Southampton to Honfleur in France and back. Ship is in Hamburg having a refit but the cruise line has allocated as little time as possible for the refit so only a couple of days ago, were told that the ship would be arriving approx 10 hours later than normal. They are offering us nothing, not even the price of the drinks package for the 1st night or enough money to buy lunch myself, something I technically am already paying for. This wasn't a discounted crusie so charging me £150 night where we miss almost 25% of the cruise isn't on. Ship is due to sail 20th December and they originally told the port authorities that they will be arriving early morning so they are lied to them as well.
Sounds like a fun few hours. 😂😂😂 I was sitting here laughing through this because I would have been laughing it off also, except that I would have been angry to be lugging around my carry on. What a great 3 day cruise you had and rolling with the punches is the only thing to do. Good job, Don.
Communication problems🙄 I was on a cruise that ended in the city I live in, normally we have to fly back from another state, so was a first for us. We had plans to catch the train home, but that day of all days, they were doing maintenance at that station. So we had to take the bus. No warning prior to arriving that cash was required for the bus, or that the train wasn't running(which has a ticket machine on board that takes credit cards). The bus drivers weren't taking normal fares, they were only selling day trip cards, which cost more. Lesson learnt! Carry spare cash in case public transport wants to make more money on the day.
Me too....I would have just followed the group of people coming off the bus. THEY are all going on the ship, eventually, and maybe they were given more accurate information.
Normally Port Everglades is easy to get in and out of. We disembarked the Regal on Dec 1 and it was chaotic! LOL We went to a different terminal, because The Sky was in the Terminal that we usually return on (and that we had left from). I don't think I've ever seen so many people in the port area.
don, your right! No complaints as it’s the kind of people that cruise with princess, I do as well! Now, had this been a carnival cruise....that complaint line would stretch around the ship!!!
I am curious as to why the bus was going to Sawgrass Mills Mall when The Galleria Mall is much closer to the Everglades cruise port. I live in Fort Lauderdale and wouldn't have gotten on the bus. There are so many closer places such as restaurants, The Galleria Mall, or strip malls. I had a similar situation where we couldn't check in to the cruise port till about 1pm. I now make sure to call the morning I sail out to find out there are any delays. Calling the cruise line beforehand and not going on the bus would have safe you a lot of inconveniences.
It happens. We went on a cruise with a small cruise line, part of a travel group in the UK, they had just been taken over by Thomson. The ship arrived in Palma after crossing the Atlantic for the first cruise of the summer in Europe. It was an all UK passenger cruise and everyone flew in on Thomson airplanes. Now the UK is a relatively small island and it is only a 2-3 hour flight so most of them landed close together. Suddenly 1600+ people were sat on coaches outside the cruise terminal. These things happen but once on board we got on with it as cruisers do.
Holy wow.....Princess embarkations are usually as smooth as can be. I'm elite and sailed 4 times in the last 12 months; 3 times out of Ft Lauderdale. I am shocked at the chaos. Looking forward to your reviews of the Sky.
I just got back from a 14 day transatlantic cruise with NCL sailing from Barcelona to Miami and every shore excursion (4 total) that I booked was cancelled due to either not enough people signed up or the last one being weather related.. So I basically never left the ship till the last 2 days.. No complaints had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect.. You just expect things to happen and make the best of it..
Imagine if it was your first cruise ever? That would be so nerve racking! It was bad enough but I can only imagine people thinking they were dipping their toes into cruising deciding it was way too stressful to try again 😬 On another note, when stuff like this happens to me I just tell myself it will be funny later because all the best stories are full of stuff not going to plan lol
I'm just watching this video tonight and realized that my husband and I were on the same cruise and I agree with you it was unorganized but that's not what surprised me it was some of the ship's employees being rude to some of the passengers.
We were on the Oosterdam last year and there was a bomb scare- we couldn’t board- so they stuck us in an abandoned terminal for half the day. Eventually they offered the bus to the mall, but by the time they were ready to take us they started boarding. Very anticlimactic.
Huge mall is an understatement! The Sawgrass Mills Mall is the 11th largest mall in the US and the second largest in the state of Florida. I’m not sure of the length end to end, but it may be close to a mile. What a disorganized adventure. If it was a free trip I would be mildly aggravated, but you PAID for that. Terrible!
Don, that happened last week in Puerto Rico, the Norwegian Epic arrived from Barcelona. All sorts of issues happened traffic, sick people, a heart attack, that was terrible!! 😳 The Freedom of the Seas was next to it, so people arriving for both ships at the same time!!!
Hey look @ it this way! You got your exercise in for the day! Oh I probably would of been irritated too and just gone with the flow. Knowing that eventually you will be on a cruise ship helps. Thanks for sharing!!
That cruise was my second choice but my son ended up sending us on the Royal Princess for five days with a stopover in Cabo San Lucas. It went perfectly but now I’m learning I missed my chance to meet you in person! Sorry your experience wasn’t what you were expecting but glad you enjoyed yourselves anyway.
This was such a great share. You are so patient. Rolling with it, is such a great attitude to have. I hope you get a chance to visit the sawgrass mall 😂
I hate the Sawgrass Mall. It is the longest walk from one end to the other. When I used to go I would get a map of where the stores I wanted to visit and would park near that entrance. I mostly went to Brandsmart.
Holy cow. That's horrible, I hope they get that straightened out. We had the opposite experience boarding the NCL Getaway in Copenhagen. We showed up about an hour before our board time, but we walked straight up to the counter and checked in. I expected to have to wait at that point but no, we walked straight on board. It was fantastic.
That island where Don could not get off the ship because of rough weather is a proprietary island of the Carnival cooperation. I have been there when it was very rough and the second time we went we couldn’t get off the ship at all!! I have a suspicion that “resort” was built in the wrong area and that many cruise ships are not able to disembark their passengers for a day at Princess Cay!
I love your attitude of "What the heck, I'm not screaming OUCH OUCH!! so it's all a part of the adventure " . I chuckled thru the whole thing . Happy sailing !!!! And thanks for being you , I'm sure a lot of us care for you .
Wow what a cluster! This is not the first ship they have rolled out. You would think they would have it together by now. After all this is what they do, cruising and all the pre and post protocol.
I love embarkation day, once I get on the ship I half to take some phone calls for business, then I eat and I usually get at the port when it opens at 12PM.
I wonder what was going on, not normal for Princess. Last two times I went with them we were on board within 20 minutes. Never ever go on an inaugural cruise.
My last Princess cruise, a 2 week Baltic cruise, Princess lost my luggage somewhere between Heathrow Terminal 3 and the Southampton Cruise Terminal 2 hours later. They took no ownership in losing my luggage, they instead were quick to blame "contract" baggage handlers. So I'm not surprised at all by their lack of taking responsibility for their unprofessional organization or customer service. Personally, I think that Celebrity's entertainment and food is a cut above lackluster Princess.
![[ ออกกอง ] วัยหนุ่ม 2544 โลกหลังลูกกรง..ทัวร์กองถ่ายหนังใน "คุกของจริง" | JUSTดูIT.](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vB--aOkZCpw/mqdefault.jpg)
Don , you are a born storyteller, I love listening to you !
His "stories" could be one quarter the time if he didn't say every little detail that happened instead of just sticking to the main points.
@@tazman572 man, story telling is all about the detail. Books wouldn't sell if they read like a corporate report. How uninteresting would it be to read an international intrigue novel if it was written in outline format. Story telling is an art. Story listening takes time that not everyone has available.
I honestly find him quite annoying and exaggerated....especially his body/facial gestures.
I'm going to avoid watching his videos from now on when it comes up on my feed during searches for RC cruises
I love his laugh/giggle.
Ursula Eissner same!!!
Hey Don, I agree with Pamela below. That was frustrating just listening to the account. WHEW!!!
We were on the Crown Princess for a quick 5 day cruise. There was an small flu outbreak so the crew was doing an additional cleaning. We were STERNLY notified that NO BOARDINGS would be conducted before 3PM and to return at that time. We went to lunch and found a few things to do prior to 3 PM. When we returned about 15 minutes prior to 3 PM to queue up, we noticed that 3/4 of the ship had already loaded. There were literally no lines. We were somewhat annoyed that we had followed the rules while they had been loading the ship since 1230.
Don’t you just love it when the people in charge have no idea what their doing! 😝😝😝
That’s wy
That’s why we go rccl
Either that or they're afraid of losing money.
@@margaretharty1175 Cruise lines have nothing to do with this situation. Gee Wizz get a life. Don have 102 cruise under his belt. Do you !
Been on RCL 3 time and they are not perfect either. ;) Never did Princess although we want to eventually.
WOW! Incredible! Not only can we hear the frustration in your voice, but in spite of everything, you seem to have a LOT of patience in dealing with those in "authority" in giving you clear, understandable directions. 😊😊
Put your left foot on, put your left foot off! Turn right around and don't miss the bus! Do the cruise ship shuffle and enjoy your cruise with us!! Can't wait for more Don.
Thank you! This was brilliant! I know, I'm 3 years later to this video, but I enjoyed your comment the most.
Don I was getting mad for you😠. That is crazy, but I hope you enjoyed the cruise anyways
SO, basically this was a cruise to nowhere!
No, you got to go on buses.
Movie idea: Cruising at the Sawgrass Mall
"Disorganized" sounds like an understatement! LOL I'm glad you're able to keep your sense of humor.
I got frustrated just listening to your account of what happened.
I was feeling the same way you took the words straight out of my mouth especially with the buses. 😂
Werd!
Once he was sent back to the first bus I started screaming, then he got the text message at Sawgrass Mall and I started to cry a little.
We always enjoy your travel reports Don and totally agree with all that you say.
I must say that we have been in stitches of laughter with the above report of your trying to board the ship experience.
The wheels of the bus are supposed to go round and round. Hehe. We too have had a number of such bus experiences. The confusion that surrounds buses especially at the cruise terminal. Do we get off here. No. Get back on the bus we are not yet at the correct cruise terminal. Supposedly finally at the correct terminal. Step off the bus to a sea of people everywhere and total confusion. Where to now? What about our luggage?
Now for the cruise terminal chaos. That’s another story.
The cruise ships can not operate anywhere without busses.
I have sometimes looked down from our balcony to see the lines of busses waiting for passengers or arriving with passengers and am thankful that today we don’t have to go ashore and board more busses. 😂 Yes, I do realise at the end of the day we the passengers would be stuck without our busses. 😂
I can't imagine what this experience would have been like for a family with small children, for a family (or individual travelers) with physical disability, for a group trying to meet at the ship, or anyone else who isn't as forgiving as you. The cruise line OWES people money for the crap treatment they served up.
This is a great lesson to learn for newbies. I am a fairly new travel agent with an otherwise full-time job. With limited vacation time to take, I would have been totally pissed off had this been my experience! This certainly helps me to know what to expect. I will likely not try an inaugural cruise for a while. 🙂
Wow, just wow. I was getting was getting stressed out just listening to you. What a mess! I'm like you, I roll with the punches and find things to laugh about instead of getting angry, but that was just beyond ridiculous.
We recently sailed on Norwegian Getaway and while our experience was not as bad as yours, embarkation was a chaotic, disorganized and frustrating mess. Some cruise lines get it right (Royal Caribbean) and some don't. This too shall pass but it's so frustrating at the time and makes no sense why they can't get their stuff together when they do this twice a week, every week!
I have to say that a British cruise analyst advises against EVER booking a 'maiden' cruise on a brand new ship; precisely because this sort of thing happens. Your experience has just put us off cruising for good; although we may consider taking a Cunarder to New York, and fly back!
LOL... I thought you were going to say "They said you can't stay here, be back at five."
You come back at five and they say "It's too late to board, the ship has sailed."
Me too!!
Lol !
You have such a wonderful disposition! I would've been level 10 the whole time!
Lol!! A cruise embarkation “Daymare”!
You were a good sport, Don to take it in stride and not let it ruin your experience. Great post!!
sounds like a fun adventure to me.
You had me laughing really good. And I will remember this: DON'T EVER GO ON AN INAUGURAL CRUISE.
Remember that Cruise out of Charleston you talked about last month? That was us! 3.5 hours to get a parking spot. 1.5 hours just to be in line outside the terminal. 1.5 hours waiting in the terminal. Didn’t leave the port until 1AM. We understand that there was a medical issue on the cruise before us, but we didn’t get any kind of credit.. not even an apology. Paid for a 5 day cruise and didn’t get it. I thought for sure they would credit us something or give a discount on a future cruise.... or even a free drink. They also should’ve notified the local police to help with craziness of traffic.
God bless you, you have the patience of a saint.
I would have just taxied to a local restaurant and bar.
This is a wonderful story. It reminds me of my time in the army.
I know what you mean in the British Army they where always in a rush to get us somewhere then we waited and waited and waited. It was a case of hurry up and wait
@@davidthefirst6195 on the bus off the bus 😂 I've also been on that bus
I cruised the 3 day inaugural on the Carnival Panorama to Baja, CA. Mexico Dec 11. It went quite well. They did the naming ceremony on Dec 10. and the cruise was great! Glad to have a Vista Class Ship here in CA. "Vantastic" vessel.
What a mess. Glad you got it done and over
What a fiasco! Yikes! All for only less than 72 hours. 😞 Can’t wait for the review. 😃
You’re such a trooper. 👍🏼😜
Paula Johnson a man after my own heart!! 🤣
Mr. Don Sir was going to sleep came across your video watch it heard your story and than boom laugh so hard work my new born baby up now I really know am not getting no sleep now because of you thank you so much now I will be falling asleep in church the next day now when pastor ask if there any testimony I will say Mr. Don cruise story so when pastor say Amen I say princess cruise Amen 😴
Reminds me of the old joke about Eastern Air Lines slogan: "Fly with Eastern, we will make you feel like you never left the ground, because we always treat you like dirt!"
I was eating my lunch while watching this and congratulations... you made tacos come out my nose when you said “and guess what bus we went to... that’s right... the first one....!” LOL! 🤣😂
It does not take much to make some people laugh.
It actually makes sense...they probably had 2 buses going to the mall, and placed them on opposite ends of the dock so that nobody had to walk far. I betcha that 1st and closest bus to them was chock full of people, so THAT'S why they were told to go to the emptier bus on the other end. I would have followed that big group of people that got off that 2nd bus that he KNEW were eventually going to be on the ship...they probably got to wait in the terminal or around there and were the 1st on the ship when it was cleared by port authorities. If I'm lost, I always follow the other people...they usually treat them better than the lone stragglers.
8 people were killed recently by a vulcano outburst, on tour from a cruiseship. And here I'm listening attentively to a guy who had to entertain himself for a couple of hours and missed a bus. Go spend your dollars people! The cruise companies love you!
After all that I would have been VERY concerned about getting back from the mall! (or at least finding a back up plan if the bus got held up from leaving the mall because there weren't enough riders.)
Uber
Yup me too!!
Gerald I was thinking the same thing - if you’re having this much trouble getting me TO the mall, I’m a little concerned about your efficiency in picking me up FROM the mall!🤨
I would of stayed in the bus to get me back and I'd wait those hours near the fence, I wouldn't risk it.. prefer to be on the safe side :)
Thanks. I'll avoid that Cruise line in the future. If they think it's ok to treat the passengers for that cruise the way they did means it prob. Happens often and will happen again. Ty
Weren’t you even a little curious about the busload of people who evidently didn’t have to leave the terminal?
I’m afraid I would have just merged into the unloading bus group and have tried to flow in with them.
I was thinking that, too!
...they may have been platinum level or something...
My wife and daughter were on that sailing. You should have checked the itinerary as it wasn't scheduled to board until late afternoon and leave port until 9 pm.
Just got out of the Norwegian Epic today (out of San juan, PR). Embarcation day was horrible (last sunday), spent 4 hours out in the sun waiting in line to board, then 2 hours more inside the terminal.
We were also on that cruise on Dec 1 on the sky princess. I guess we were lucky because we got to the terminal about 1230pm parked in the garage, walked across the street and we went right into the terminal, checked in and got onboard around 130pm. We did know ahead of the late departure time. The missed port of call was not a big deal for us. Overall I must say we enjoyed the Sky princess and what she has to offer.
I'm glad to hear that you were able to laugh it off, because I was laughing as you told the story.
It’s true. We Princess cruisers are a forgiving lot. Lol. Never mind Don. It is frustrating when people are disorganised but, like you said, you just have to go with the flow. It would have been pretty tough for those people with mobility issues though.
You guys got setup!!! You could have went to the Galleria Mall which is 10-15 minutes from the Port.
Thank you for the heads up about the delay when a ship repositions to a new country. We love Princess sea days more than port days.
Sounds like you could’ve just sat on the bus until boarding time. 😂😂
_Don Versus the Volcano._ Sounds like a Hollywood movie remake that we might like to see.
What a drag. However, if I saw people get off the bus going to the same ship as me, I probably would have followed them. I would have been too nervous to venture too far away from the cruise port.
All the paperwork said boarding time was 5 pm with a departure time of 10. It never said noon.
We got off the Emerald Princess transatlantic in November at Fort Lauderdale. It was the longest it has ever taken us to get off a ship. We did not get off the ship until 1100. Then there was a huge line in the terminal. There was still a very big line of crew members waiting to go through customs. I cannot imagine how late they actually started boarding, as we didn't get out of the terminal until after 1200.
I was on that inaugural cruise and all our pre-cruise documentation stated that boarding would not begin until 5:00 PM. Coincidentally we chanced it and got to the terminal at 12:30 and sat for 5 minutes and then boarded with the very first group.
Don: I was on the Sky transatlantic and the 3 day inaugural and my paperwork on the 3 day boldly stated not to arrive until 5pm with ship leaving at 9pm. As an In Transit we had to get off to go through customs at 11:30am then received an text that we could get back on at 2:30pm. Not sure how you missed that on your initial paperwork.
Did this happen yesterday on the 10th? We just got off Carnival Sunrise on Monday stayed overnight went to Sawgrass mall yesterday to kill time before our flight home to OHIO. I remember seeing a big white Bus in the lot when we exited target to walk around outside it was parked closer to an outdoor restaurant than to Target. That mall was so confusing we decided to walk outdoors instead lol. I can’t believe I could of met you darn well maybe another future cruise! Enjoy what time you have left thanks for sharing your experience.
Ugh! That sucks. That reminds me of when my family and I got to Cape Liberty, NJ, to board the Anthem of the Seas. When we arrived, we had to sit and wait because the Coast Guard decided to pull a surprise inspection. Obviously, there was no way to plan ahead for such a thing, but after a couple of hours they finally started the boarding process.
I’m glad you’re ok with it. I would have dealt with it a bit differently.
Wow Don..what a way to start your cruise!
I always use one of the northern two entrances. I never use the main one that most cruisers use; arriving air passenger tour buses, etc. It can be a nightmare....almost always, especially on weekends.
Just got off of Sky for our first cruise, and it was AMAZING! Already put a deposit down for our next princess cruise. Sorry for the imbarkarion issue we had no problems went smoothly (embarked on Dec 7th)
I feel for the bus drivers and everyone else caught up in that confusion. Communication, communication, communication, people. Glad you were able to laugh about it.
Wow! What a headache. Glad you are so patient with these things. Makes for a more enjoyable experience in the face of things you have no control over.
I would hate to be in that cabin you are in - loud, loud music! That would drive me crazy!
Having a similar problem with a Fred Olsen crusie on Balmoral. Only 2 nights from Southampton to Honfleur in France and back. Ship is in Hamburg having a refit but the cruise line has allocated as little time as possible for the refit so only a couple of days ago, were told that the ship would be arriving approx 10 hours later than normal. They are offering us nothing, not even the price of the drinks package for the 1st night or enough money to buy lunch myself, something I technically am already paying for. This wasn't a discounted crusie so charging me £150 night where we miss almost 25% of the cruise isn't on. Ship is due to sail 20th December and they originally told the port authorities that they will be arriving early morning so they are lied to them as well.
Sounds like a fun few hours. 😂😂😂 I was sitting here laughing through this because I would have been laughing it off also, except that I would have been angry to be lugging around my carry on. What a great 3 day cruise you had and rolling with the punches is the only thing to do. Good job, Don.
Communication problems🙄
I was on a cruise that ended in the city I live in, normally we have to fly back from another state, so was a first for us. We had plans to catch the train home, but that day of all days, they were doing maintenance at that station. So we had to take the bus. No warning prior to arriving that cash was required for the bus, or that the train wasn't running(which has a ticket machine on board that takes credit cards). The bus drivers weren't taking normal fares, they were only selling day trip cards, which cost more.
Lesson learnt! Carry spare cash in case public transport wants to make more money on the day.
Glad you were able to laugh it off‼️‼️ I would have been off the Richter scale with anger. You are a better person than I ‼️😂🤣😂🤣😂
I wouldn't have gotten on the bus if all the other people went inside.
Same here!
Agreed
Me too....I would have just followed the group of people coming off the bus. THEY are all going on the ship, eventually, and maybe they were given more accurate information.
Normally Port Everglades is easy to get in and out of. We disembarked the Regal on Dec 1 and it was chaotic! LOL We went to a different terminal, because The Sky was in the Terminal that we usually return on (and that we had left from). I don't think I've ever seen so many people in the port area.
don, your right! No complaints as it’s the kind of people that cruise with princess, I do as well! Now, had this been a carnival cruise....that complaint line would stretch around the ship!!!
I am curious as to why the bus was going to Sawgrass Mills Mall when The Galleria Mall is much closer to the Everglades cruise port. I live in Fort Lauderdale and wouldn't have gotten on the bus. There are so many closer places such as restaurants, The Galleria Mall, or strip malls. I had a similar situation where we couldn't check in to the cruise port till about 1pm. I now make sure to call the morning I sail out to find out there are any delays. Calling the cruise line beforehand and not going on the bus would have safe you a lot of inconveniences.
It happens. We went on a cruise with a small cruise line, part of a travel group in the UK, they had just been taken over by Thomson. The ship arrived in Palma after crossing the Atlantic for the first cruise of the summer in Europe. It was an all UK passenger cruise and everyone flew in on Thomson airplanes. Now the UK is a relatively small island and it is only a 2-3 hour flight so most of them landed close together. Suddenly 1600+ people were sat on coaches outside the cruise terminal. These things happen but once on board we got on with it as cruisers do.
Holy cow, Sawgrass Mall is a Factory Outlet out in Fort Lauderdale FL, I guess if you are at the Everglades cruise terminal it is not bad.
Port Everglades is Ft.Lauderdale...
Glad you are so awesome telling your story without blame love you saying roll with the punches you simply have to attitude is everything
Not encouraging. Some cruise line are inconsiderate of the customers.
This was the most funniest ever. You had me in giggles. I love listening to your postings.
Holy wow.....Princess embarkations are usually as smooth as can be. I'm elite and sailed 4 times in the last 12 months; 3 times out of Ft Lauderdale. I am shocked at the chaos. Looking forward to your reviews of the Sky.
I just got back from a 14 day transatlantic cruise with NCL sailing from Barcelona to Miami and every shore excursion (4 total) that I booked was cancelled due to either not enough people signed up or the last one being weather related..
So I basically never left the ship till the last 2 days..
No complaints had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect..
You just expect things to happen and make the best of it..
I was on that cruise. The fine print said DO NOT SHOW UP earlier than 6pm. Did a resort day came back and boarded easy.
Imagine if it was your first cruise ever? That would be so nerve racking! It was bad enough but I can only imagine people thinking they were dipping their toes into cruising deciding it was way too stressful to try again 😬
On another note, when stuff like this happens to me I just tell myself it will be funny later because all the best stories are full of stuff not going to plan lol
I'm just watching this video tonight and realized that my husband and I were on the same cruise and I agree with you it was unorganized but that's not what surprised me it was some of the ship's employees being rude to some of the passengers.
We were on the Oosterdam last year and there was a bomb scare- we couldn’t board- so they stuck us in an abandoned terminal for half the day. Eventually they offered the bus to the mall, but by the time they were ready to take us they started boarding. Very anticlimactic.
Huge mall is an understatement! The Sawgrass Mills Mall is the 11th largest mall in the US and the second largest in the state of Florida. I’m not sure of the length end to end, but it may be close to a mile. What a disorganized adventure. If it was a free trip I would be mildly aggravated, but you PAID for that. Terrible!
Glad you stayed on the ship and had more fun on your travels..
Wasn't there anything in walking distance. In San Diego the cruise ship terminal is a 10 minute walk from all kinds of things.
So they INSISTED that you leave the area and RECOMMEND this mall.
VERY INTERESTING!!!
I wonder who was greasing their palms!
You sure in a good mood for all that going bad you are a good person Don
Don, that happened last week in Puerto Rico, the Norwegian Epic arrived from Barcelona. All sorts of issues happened traffic, sick people, a heart attack, that was terrible!! 😳 The Freedom of the Seas was next to it, so people arriving for both ships at the same time!!!
Hey look @ it this way! You got your exercise in for the day! Oh I probably would of been irritated too and just gone with the flow. Knowing that eventually you will be on a cruise ship helps. Thanks for sharing!!
That cruise was my second choice but my son ended up sending us on the Royal Princess for five days with a stopover in Cabo San Lucas. It went perfectly but now I’m learning I missed my chance to meet you in person! Sorry your experience wasn’t what you were expecting but glad you enjoyed yourselves anyway.
This was such a great share. You are so patient. Rolling with it, is such a great attitude to have. I hope you get a chance to visit the sawgrass mall 😂
I hate the Sawgrass Mall. It is the longest walk from one end to the other. When I used to go I would get a map of where the stores I wanted to visit and would park near that entrance. I mostly went to Brandsmart.
Holy cow. That's horrible, I hope they get that straightened out.
We had the opposite experience boarding the NCL Getaway in Copenhagen. We showed up about an hour before our board time, but we walked straight up to the counter and checked in. I expected to have to wait at that point but no, we walked straight on board. It was fantastic.
What a mess but attitude is everything and I’m glad you still had a good time!
Holy cow 🐮 It looks like u stayed much more calm that I would have!
Unbelievable! You're so lucky to have an easy-going manner! I don't think my nerves would have coped with that kind of day!!!
Wow! When did you finally board and did they take you from the mall to the ship? Your experience sounds more like a shake-down cruise.
That island where Don could not get off the ship because of rough weather is a proprietary island of the Carnival cooperation. I have been there when it was very rough and the second time we went we couldn’t get off the ship at all!! I have a suspicion that “resort” was built in the wrong area and that many cruise ships are not able to disembark their passengers for a day at Princess Cay!
Don, I had 6 weeks notice of the 5pm embarc. Not a ship to ship xfer though!!! Nice meeting you on board!
Would love for you to do some luxury cruises (e.g. Oceania, Radisson Seven Seas etc.) 😊
I love your attitude of "What the heck, I'm not screaming OUCH OUCH!! so it's all a part of the adventure " . I chuckled thru the whole thing . Happy sailing !!!! And thanks for being you , I'm sure a lot of us care for you .
Wow what a cluster! This is not the first ship they have rolled out. You would think they would have it together by now. After all this is what they do, cruising and all the pre and post protocol.
The worst cruise day is better than the best work day. 😁
I love embarkation day, once I get on the ship I half to take some phone calls for business, then I eat and I usually get at the port when it opens at 12PM.
Just love your attitude Don, too bad more people couldn’t follow your example. Thumbs up all the way. 👍😊
Some port's are sooooo pretty to sail out of at night, Venice is so pretty (although won't be sailing into there much longer)... 😁
I wonder what was going on, not normal for Princess. Last two times I went with them we were on board within 20 minutes. Never ever go on an inaugural cruise.
My last Princess cruise, a 2 week Baltic cruise, Princess lost my luggage somewhere between Heathrow Terminal 3 and the Southampton Cruise Terminal 2 hours later. They took no ownership in losing my luggage, they instead were quick to blame "contract" baggage handlers. So I'm not surprised at all by their lack of taking responsibility for their unprofessional organization or customer service. Personally, I think that Celebrity's entertainment and food is a cut above lackluster Princess.
Oh My Lawd Don!!! If only Everyone had your attitude cruising could be sooooo much more pleasant!!! Glad it all finally worked out!