I was sure there were loads of stories that could come close to hers, even surpass it.

My own contirbution comes from a similar topic here:

http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/ubb-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=005968

Although not experienced myself, the following highlights another "Tropical cruise" taken by friends which turned out quite differently!

Although i completely agree that cruiselines have absolutely no control over the weather and i accept that re-routing or cancelling ports from a cruise can be essential, I think it is more important how cruise lines deal with the change. There will always be oportunities to turn a negative situation into positive PR, they just need to work on it!

The following recount (from the topic linked above), shows how NOT to deal with a major itinerary change!

quote:

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Superstar Leo arrived in Brisbane following a 2 night trip from Sydney today to pick up passengers and commence a 7 night round trip visiting Cairns, Willis Island and the Whitsundays. Star Cruises however decided to cancel the cruise due to worsening cyclonic conditions in the area and instead have diverted Leo on a 7 night roundtrip cruise visiting Hobart Tasmania only!
My friend who had travelled from Sydney and was continuing on, returned to the ship at 2pm today after a shore excursion into Brisbane only to be handed a letter explaining their itinerary had been cancelled and that the ship was now going to Hobart only.

For those unaware, Cairns and the Whitsundays are in Tropical north Australia and this was a hot, tropical cruise, Hobart on the other hand is a Colonial city at Australias most southern point. These 2 itinerary's could not be at more extreme's in terms of types of holiday destinations!

The letter informed that the passengers had 2 options, stay on the ship and receive a $AU100 onboard credit PER CABIN (which in my friends case was 50 each) or dissembark the ship by 4pm (just 2 hours) and recieve a pro rater refund for the 7 nights, NOT the entire 9 night cruise from Sydney!

Now initially they decided to ignore the MAJOR itinerary change and simply stay to enjoy the ship for the rest of the cruise, however whilst in their cabin, the cabin steward came and replaced their incabin menu. After studying it they found the menu items had not changed but the prices had! They went up to a public bar to investigate other prices and low and behold ALL PRICES HAD GONE UP! Cocktails previously $6 were now $8 and beers previously $4 were $6.50. Reception informed them that the itinerary change had meant they couldnt apply duty free alcohol prices, however the origional itinerary to was only domestic? Ontop of these prices they were now required to apply the 10% GST which made the $6 cocktail $8.80! thats nearly a 50% increase in prices! Other services such as the health spa and chargable restaurants also went up!

So while they were giving a measly $100 per cabin with 1 hand they were taking back with the other through hugely inflated prices!

After feeling hugely ripped off and feeling Star Cruises was totally mishandling the entire process they decided to dismbark, which meant packing and being off the vessel in 45 minutes. They were to gather in the Garden Chinese restaurant where they were informed taxis would be pierside to take them into Brisbane however Star would not be covering ANY costs incurred by leaving the cruise, only the refund which would be processed by travel agents!

Now my friends had their Airfare back to Sydney booked for 7 days from now when the origional cruise was to return to Brisbane, however would have to either pay for accomodation for the week or cancel it and book a new flight! Further more the cruise terminal is 40 minutes from Brisbane city and is in an industrial area away from all services, infact 10 minutes by car to the nearest payphone!

(To get an understanding of the total isolation and lack of services at the Brisbane terminal read this warning issued by Star http://www.starcruises.com/Other/port-of-brisbane-letter.pdf )

So after being put ashore and promised taxis they found nothing! no taxis, no buses no nothing, and a long walk to the nearest sign of civilisation! A coach pulled up to drop off arriving passengers and after unloading the driver asked a group of passengers (including my friends) who had decided to leave why they were standing their with their luggage, after explaining he offered them a lift into town for $10 a head (off his own back not organised by Star), so luckily they were able to at least make it to the city where they had phones and were able to make arrangements, however the whole ordeal has turned their tropical holiday (much looked forward to) into hell!

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