So yes, spring break. After the polar vortexular winter, I don’t need to tell you how much we were looking forward to this Western Caribbean cruise sailing out of Houston.
The flight was smooth and on-time. For us at least. Not so much for our bags. There are few things worse than that sinking feeling at the luggage carousel when you realize your bags aren’t going to appear. After some chasing, we were told by American Airlines they were on the next flight, arriving in one hour. Caveman in his infinite wisdom, chose not to wait and we headed to our hotel almost an hour away (closer to the pier).
After a chaotic dinner, still no bags. More chasing. This time we were assured by AA our bags would be delivered to our hotel within the hour. Then within four hours. Night came, we slept. In our clothes. I was confident the bags would be at the front desk first thing in the morning. I was wrong. Panic set in. Due to board the ship in mere hours, we headed to the mall and threw together a brief cruise wardrobe (read one outfit) and essentials, thanks to the magic of travelers’ insurance, were covered.
Shortly after we returned to our hotel, our long lost bags arrived, only 18 hours late. After a big sigh of relief, we high-tailed it to the pier where we boarded the Caribbean Princess, laughing at how worried we were about our luggage. Turns out the luggage was the least of our worries.
During our muster drill, we learned about a collision between an oil tanker and barge in the channel, resulting in an oil spill. The channel was closed. But for how long? Hours? Days? Weeks? We waited. Life onboard the ship went on as usual.
You may wonder how I managed to run 27 miles on spring break. With fuel like this, how could I not?
We ate and swam and partied. Except we were sitting in port. The Captain was wonderful about communicating often. He had the most alluring Italian accent, I swear he could’ve said we were taking on water on the starboard side and I’d have nodded my approval, mesmerized. Saturday turned into Sunday, still nothing. We considered disembarking and going to San Antonio or South Padre Island but truth be told, the weather was cool and rainy.
So we waited. Monday we planned to go visit the Space Center but then there was a chance the channel would open so disembarkation was not recommended. Monday passed. Still nothing. Sigh. As time passed, our chances of being able to make a port, any port faded.
Tuesday, I noticed smoke curling up from the smokestack. Sure enough, mid-day the Captain announced the channel had opened and we’d sail asap for Cozumel. Never have I seen so many people so happy to go to one port (there were 3 on our itinerary).
So, after sitting in port for 3 days, we spent one day sailing for Cozumel, one day in Cozumel and one day sailing back.
Don’t cry for me, Argentina, it was still a wonderful trip. Princess treated us like royalty. The circumstances were completely out of their control, yet they graciously refunded the cost of the entire cruise and gave us a discount on a future one. For the record, American Airlines coughed up compensation for the lost bags, so in the end solid customer service all around.
It was a good learning experience for the kids. Things don’t always go as planned but it’s up to us how we react and it is up to us to make the best of a less than ideal situation. I like to travel with the kids rather than buy them loads of toys because the memories are more lasting than things. We will have some interesting memories from this trip!
Have you ever had a trip not go as planned? Are you good at turning lemons to lemonade?
Wow, I’m really impressed that both of those companies gave you compensation! I’m so jaded from companies (airlines mostly) not giving 2 cents about losing your bags (like the Turtle’s, still MIA after 4 yrs). I’m glad you were still able to have a fantastic trip, and now, soon another one!
Tink, I totally agree. We never expected this to be handled so well. Maybe the Turtle’s luggage is in that place (Atlanta? Florida?) where lost luggage goes?? So crazy it’s been gone so long. Maybe stolen?
It sounds like you made the best of it 🙂
I was all ready to cry for you until you wrote that Princess refunded you – wow! That’s great customer service. I’m glad you were able to have a relaxing vacation anyway!
Ugh – the lost luggage would have sent me over the edge. The sitting in port – I guess on a cruise ship there are enough activities that you can still have fun?! Glad that they comped all y’all though – now you can sign up for another one!!!
So you got new clothes for free and a discounted cruise in the future. If you take it make sure that the Italian captain’s at the helm again.
I love this post!!! you make the captain sound fab! I like how you did make the best of it. AN that is what makes a great vacay!
I have never had anything like this happen. Never had a bag go missing.. the worst EVER was having to overnight in Vancouver on the way home from Toronto on a business trip due to weather. But it was still a work day the next day and I just arrived several hours late. Ho hum. Your attitude toward your adventure is great and I am so happy you had a good time AND got well-compensated for it too.
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!! Well, the pics are beautiful!!! 🙂 I don’t do cruises but if I ever do, insurance! 😉
WOW!! Not what I was expecting on your vacation-but glad it seemed to workout and the customer service seems stellar. I’ve definitely had my fair share of travel issues-but nothing like that that I can think of.
My most recent half marathon trip!
So you had a good time. You get to go on another trip. You got money back. Lots of good things.
Oh man! Thank God they communicated so well about it, though! I have only been on one Princess cruise but it was AWESOME! :)-Ashley
Glad to know that the things went better. I had in Edinburgh the experience to spend one whole day without my clothes for lost baggages. Waiting for you here for the next cruise trip. As former member of the Coast Guard (20 years in the Corp) I’d have many things to say about the muster drill on a cruise ship….
Wow–really impressed with the way both Princess and AA handled it (especially AA because, well, it’s an airline). Glad you made the most of it. I love Cozumel…went there with my family when I was a kid when it was an unknown island.
GREAT JOB MAMA in raising those resilient kids!!!!!
such an awesome lifeskill too.
xo
That seriously stinks, but it really sounds like you guys managed to make the best of it!
oh man, glad you got refunded. and glad you are looking on the bright side. SAFETY first, yes?
Sounds like it was a win for you!
Did you run on the ship?
Oh no! Sounds like you made the best of it and that you got great customer service as well! Hope your next cruise is even better!
OMG. I just put 2 + 2 together on this one!! So great to hear that you got a refund AND most importantly had fun. Good lesson for sure and learned in a nice situation all things considered! The husband and I roll w/things on vacay. What else can you do?!?!
wowzers what a weekend!!! I can’t imagine if you’d had to get on the ship sans any luggage,that would have been way rougher!! glad you still had some fun family time
Oh wow. Talk about not going as planned. My sister seems to be plagued by the lost luggage devils. That’s really wonderful that the cruise line refunded the money.
Yikes- that’s crazy! We heard the oil spills in our news. And the lost baggage happened to me once- it’s the worst! Glad you were able to make the best of it.
Cruise lines seem to be really good when it comes to taking care of their guests! Happy to hear you had a great time nonetheless and that you made the most of your time away 🙂
You have a very positive attitude, it must have been frustrating, but sounds like you made the most it and had a good time despite the circumstances. So glad to hear that both airline and cruise offered good customer service.
So glad to hear that it was a good trip and good service, even when certain things were beyond everyone’s control!
I’m pretty amazed and impressed by the level of customer service! Sounds like you made the most of the trip!
I’m so glad that they gave you money back and a discount for a future cruise! I loved our one cruise and would love to go on another. I’m glad you still made the best of it!
Yes and yes 🙂
I’m glad it was still fun despite the universe’s attempts to thwart your vacation.
that is AWESOME that they comp’d the cruise. Totally out of their hands, but excellent customer service nonetheless. They’d definitely get my business if I went on a cruise!
Glad you still had fun, but if I ever go on a cruise, I’m not bringing my best clothes, just in case!