MP
United States of America#2Consumer Comment
Wed, June 22, 2011
Although you don't mention where you sailed from, I find it unusual that any route to/from the Caribbean would have seas violent enough to knock you out of bed at all, let alone for several nights. Sometimes when sailing from New York there are mildly rough seas, but only the first night or so, and they wouldn't physically eject you from your bed - I find this to be an exaggeration. Still, although many people (myself included) enjoy the gentle rocking when falling asleep, if you do not, then pick up some Scopolamine patches from your doctor before sailing again. Ships move, it's the nature of the beast, and to be expected. As for being too tired to attend workshops or excursions, the same happens often to those who party at the late night bars. HAL isn't expected to reimburse them, as they made that choice. They are also not obliged to reimburse you - as long as the stabilizers were functioning, HAL did nothing wrong, and there is no reason to reimburse you. (They would have announced if the stabilizers were broken.)
You are also upset that you couldn't participate in the on-deck BBQ. As an optional activity, it is not required that they accommodate you here. Vegan food is available elsewhere on the ship. As a vegetarian myself, I have never expected to find vegetarian options at a limited-service event like to shipboard BBQ. My spouse gets whatever she wants from the BBQ, I get my food at the Lido, and we meet up. Telling them you are vegan would not have induced them to put vegan options at the BBQ.
Similarly, regard the private island, my own experience with such venues tells me that you should have looked harder, because I have never lacked food on the private island. And if I did, I'd catch the next tender back to the boat, eat, then come back to the beach. As a vegetarian, I have made a lifestyle choice that isn't the norm, and I don't expect them to cater to my every whim. Going back to the ship isn't hard.
As for waiting to board, you got there at the start of the time. You should have expected to wait, or arrived later. They have to clean the ship from the guests who disembarked an hour before you arrived. Waiting in line is standard if you're there early. Next time, show up later!
Karl
Clovis,#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 10, 2011
Let's see. The major complaint was that the sea was rough so that you couldn't sleep and that you couldn't change staterooms. Since you chose to go on a ship rather than attend a seminar at a hotel it might be anticipated that the seas might be rough.
Another stateroom way down in the bowels of the ship might have alleviated the problem but those staterooms are the cheapest and smallest so that would generate another complaint. Even so during rough seas the ship rolls with the seas despite stabilizers.
Regardless of what you are told you must inform the line if you require special food.
Shore excursions are a total overpriced rip off regardless of who runs them. Buy a travel guide and get a cab.
Another complaint - the lack of gourmet food at the island. This is essentailly a "picnic" environment, If you travel to a nearby park and see what people are eating you will find that the main course is hotdogs and hamburgers. You could have stayed aboard ship and eaten so the complaint doesn't have much validity.
Next time stay ashore at a hotel. More choice of food, better beds, bigger rooms, easier check in, lack of crowds and drunks, no constant "announcements" unless the hotel is on fire, and the hotel doesn't roll. I don't "cruise" for those reasons.