We heard this was the first time this had ever happened.
that's funny
Been a while since we did a DCL but way back when we did we had about a 50% success rate at getting into CC.
Being a fellow uniformed ship driver the Master not only invited me to the bridge for a CC departure but sat with DW and I in a lounge one evening for well over an hour after a missed CC day and we swapped ship driving stories . . .
I mentioned I was impressed how long he'd tried to get into CC - I'd heard the engines maneuvering and went on deck to watch and he tried WAY longer than I would. HOURS!!
(for the technical part: the channel into the pier is not long but VERY narrow. If the ship is made to crab sideways due to winds or current there is LITTLE extra room.
A ship will crab a little going forward but A LOT when backing. For this reason a ship that pulls in head first CAN get stuck at CC because it can not safely BACK out. This happened at least once in the early days and while it SOUND cool, the folks stuck on CC who missed flights home were NOT amused. So normally, and ESPECIALLY if there is ANY question about the weather the ship BACKS IN TO the pier. If they safely back in there is a HIGH probability they can power out.)
I discussed with the Master the impact of this decision and it was obvious 2 me it was NOT taken lightly. He KNEW that overall 'satisfaction' feedback on the cruise would go down as much as 50% and DCL takes those numbers SERIOUSLY . . . not to mention the one on one grief he'd hear from pass' as he walked about the ship . . .
It happens much more often in the winter . . . but trust me, they make EVERY reasonable effort to get in.
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Why don't they have tugs to help?
a) no other business for the tugs
b) little room for a tug to operate
Why not expand the channel?
) how much more are YOU willing to pay for your cruise?
Why not tender?
a) not set up for it
b) offshore water not favorable for anchoring at CC
c) DCL was the first to offer 'walk ashore' private island (now copied by many) ... don't think they want to give that up even if they are no longer exclusive . .
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dd sounds the Whistle on MAGIC leaving CC