Copied from a cruisecritic post -
I was one of the stranded passengers on the island
We survived Coco Cay and have the pictures to prove it!!
Hubby and I were on the first tender out to Coco Cay and thought the sea was a bit choppy then, but really did not feel concerned. It was a bit cloudy and VERY windy, but we made the most of it. We snorkeled and cruised the island a bit. Around 1pm, we decided that it was time to go. The wind was getting pretty strong and it started to rain a little. While we were walking to the tender, we saw a water spout in the sky and people started to freak out hoping it would not touch down. At that point, I had enough. We got on a tender and headed out to the ship. We got about 100 yards from the ship and the tender turned around and went back to Coco Cay. We had no explanation of what was going on.
Once we got back to Coco Cay, we remained on the tender for about an hour (they weren't letting people off). Then, they announced that we were to get off and enjoy the lunch that was provided. So, we did.
At this point, it was about 3:30 or so and we headed back to the tender. We boarded and stayed on the tender for another hour and a half. Our tender backed out of the dock to allow another one to anchor. So, we could not get off to potty or anything. After an hour on this thing, people started jumping off of it onto the tender next to us to get off. There was absolutely no order. Although, I think that considering the cirmcumstances the staff did what was necessary. However, I think that they really should have explained a little better what was happening. Hubby and I are not "in your face" type of people and have been through a lot worse. So, we were calm. There were some people that were yelling and screaming at the staff.
Sorry, this is so long, but it was quite an experience.
Finally, we got off the tender and walked around the island and met up with a couple from Indiana. Earl and Diane were the nicest and funniest couple. If it were not for them, we would have lost it. We met them at one of the bars on the island. People had set up camp at this bar and started raiding the alcohol and using the blenders on their own. There was hardly any alcohol to be had, but these people did not care. We had music jamming and people dancing on top of the bar. I took so many pictures. It was really funny.
Once the party wore down (around 1am), it got cold and even more windy. We could see our ship going around in circles. RCCL used a smaller speed boat to get blankets, pillows, jackets, etc. They just about emptied the gift shop on the ship. I was freezing because we still could not get anything. Some people had 2 or 3 blankets and sweatshirts and would not give any up. It made me so angry to see young children and some elderly freezing while other younger people slept with warm blankets.
We ended up taking the beach chairs and beach mats to make some beds for us in the storage room of the bar. We shared this space with Earl and Diane. None of us slept because it was freezing!!
We walked around early in the morning and it looked like a refugee camp. People had made forts out of beach chairs. It was quite a sight. I have never seen anything like it.
We finally got on the 2nd tender off of the island. They had us floating out in the ocean on this thing for almost an hour waiting for the ship to come to us. We were rocking pretty hard. Some people got sea sick. Once we got up to the plank to walk off the ship, the plank was so unsteady that it started flipping up in the air. That was scary.
Anyway, we got back on the ship and took a well needed nap. We did partake in the free alcohol.
We hung out at the schooner bar most of the night and met some fun people that shared our experience.
I really do not have many complaints. RCCL did take care of us by refunding our money and giving us another cruise. I think the staff was unbelievable considering the working conditions and the mood of the passengers.
This was not the best cruise ever because it did not just end with our experience on Coco Cay.
We had signed up for a tour of Miami yesterday morning and the tour left without us. We had to wait for our luggage and it was the some of the last luggage coming off the ship. I guess the tour guide thought we were taking too long. We are getting refunded for that as well.
We had a flight out of Miami at 7:25pm and ended up changing it with no extra charge to a 1:15pm. Thank goodness! I just wanted to be home.
So, there you have it. Sorry this was so long, but there is plenty to say. We are going to have t-shirts made up that say "We survived Coco Cay." Ha Ha!!
Thanks for reading this and hope to hear from more survivors!!!
Take care,
Annabell
11/11/02 Majesty of the Seas
