Ever MISSED the boat?

[jgalecpa]

On March 13, 1993 we sailed RCCL Sovereign of the Seas from Miami (without the kids!).

I remember the day because it was the day of the so-called "Storm of the Century".

Snow fell from Atlanta to Maine.

A blizzard.

In March.

Our tickets were to leave Baltimore Sat AM to fly to Miami, via Charlotte.

When the storm looked like a monster, on Friday, I paid for one-way/Same day flight to charlotte, which looked west of the storm.

$$$.

BUT, it paid off since fully 1/3 of the ship missed the sailing.

Many who made it did not have luggage, including a couple at our table who arrived with just the clothes they were wearing. Within minutes of meeting them, we were all one big family, sharing clothes, toiletries, etc.

RCCL was great and gave them all $200 shipboard allowance for supplies, clothes, etc.

The line up to board at our first port was huge.

As to the cost of the flight, I got it nearly all back since USAIR cancelled my sat am flight due to the storm.

Jim

PS Our DD's were watched by my great in-laws. 5 years later when DW and I planned yet another "second honeymoon" to Barbados, DD predicted another blizzard.

Guess What?

36" of snow fell while we were away!

 

[nezy]

On March 13, 1993 we sailed RCCL Sovereign of the Seas from Miami (without the kids!).

I remember the day because it was the day of the so-called "Storm of the Century".

Snow fell from Atlanta to Maine.

A blizzard.

In March.

Our tickets were to leave Baltimore Sat AM to fly to Miami, via Charlotte.

When the storm looked like a monster, on Friday, I paid for one-way/Same day flight to charlotte, which looked west of the storm.

$$$.

BUT, it paid off since fully 1/3 of the ship missed the sailing.

Many who made it did not have luggage, including a couple at our table who arrived with just the clothes they were wearing. Within minutes of meeting them, we were all one big family, sharing clothes, toiletries, etc.

RCCL was great and gave them all $200 shipboard allowance for supplies, clothes, etc.

The line up to board at our first port was huge.

As to the cost of the flight, I got it nearly all back since USAIR cancelled my sat am flight due to the storm.

Jim

PS Our DD's were watched by my great in-laws. 5 years later when DW and I planned yet another "second honeymoon" to Barbados, DD predicted another blizzard.

Guess What?

36" of snow fell while we were away!

Can you please inform us when you will be taking your 3rd Honeyman, so I can get out the snowblower?!!

 

[outahere]

Can you please inform us when you will be taking your 3rd Honeyman, so I can get out the snowblower?!!

Forget the snowblower......... I'd rather know so I can get out of town before the storm hits!!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

On March 13, 1993 we sailed RCCL Sovereign of the Seas from Miami (without the kids!).

I remember the day because it was the day of the so-called "Storm of the Century".

Snow fell from Atlanta to Maine.

A blizzard.

In March.

On March 13, 1993 we sailed on the Celebrity Zenith from Fort Lauderdale (without the kids!).

I also remember the day. Yes, it was called the "Storm of the Century."

Snow fell from Atlanta to Maine. And Chicago. And throughout much of the eastern third of the United States. Airports closed. There were massive flight cancellations, and no alternatives.

The captain delayed the departure until 9:00 p.m., but the ship left without 1/3 of the passengers.

We had flown in three days earlier. I'd like to claim that this was due to brilliant planning, but it was just beacuse we were spending a few days with my wife's parents, with whom we then left our young children during the cruise.

Since then, we've made it a rule always to fly the day before the cruise. It doesn't take a "Storm of the Century" to cancel or delay a flight. And the captain of the ship usually doesn't delay the departure of the cruise.

The added benefit of flying in the day before is that the sailing day is so much more relaxing. No 4:00 a.m. alarm clock. No 5:00 a.m. trip to the airport. No worries about whether the 7:30 a.m. flight will really depart as scheduled. No arriving at the ship exhausted.

 

[TheWog]

thewog...thanks for the name. I couldn't remember the name of the act and didn't want to misquote.

you're welcome.