The Cruise Ship and Cruise Line Discussion Thread!

[DoinItForTheFame]

^ Yeah, that's really weird. I have never experienced anything like that here in the states.

[ElvisLuv]

Carnival may be in for a bit of bad press coming up due to a business decision that I would say is bad in timing on their part.

[laqueefa]

Carnival may be in for a bit of bad press coming up due to a business decision that I would say is bad in timing on their part.

 

You mean, like:

 

Klassy! http://gizmo.do/lIHKPaO

Carnival Cruises to Pay $40 Million Fine for Secretly Dumping poo-poo Water Since 2005

[SharkTums]

This is a real weird question but...

 

Are cruise line websites as difficult everywhere else as they are here in Finland? It's all overly complicated and unclear, you have to dig deep to find the simplest answers and you can't reserve online pretty much unless you're a 4 person group of age 25+ adults, otherwise you have to reserve it through their phone-service???

 

The websites here aren't great, but certainly not as bad as what you're dealing with.

[ElvisLuv]

Carnival may be in for a bit of bad press coming up due to a business decision that I would say is bad in timing on their part.

 

You mean, like:

 

Klassy! http://gizmo.do/lIHKPaO

Carnival Cruises to Pay $40 Million Fine for Secretly Dumping poo-poo Water Since 2005

 

No, outsourcing IT jobs to India after the election we just had. Big Headlines on nationlist Breitbart site. Gets more hits than most any other news site

[michaellynn4]

Here's the information from a non S**tbart-related-s**tty-excuse-for-a-s**tty-news-site location.

 

Link.

 

Carnival Cruise Line Plan Threatens Miami Jobs

 

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – In a move that critics argue will ultimately result in scores of well-paying, white-collar jobs being shipped out of South Florida, Carnival Corporation is eliminating 200 positions from its IT Department, CBS4 News has learned.

 

Those employees are being offered new jobs, with only six months of guaranteed employment, with a French firm that boasts being a “global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing services.”

 

Emails and documents obtained by CBS4 News, including employment agreements the workers are being pressured to sign, detail how the employees during that six-month employment period will participate in what is described as “knowledge transfer activities.”

 

“Essentially, we were told we would be training our replacements in India how to do our jobs,” one of the employees told CBS4 News.

 

In a statement to CBS4 News, Carnival noted: “The company is transitioning its shore-side IT operations, maintenance and support in North America to an outside firm, Capgemini, to help the company keep pace with the evolving technology environment. All impacted individuals will become employees of Capgemini.”

 

The company denied the jobs were being outsourced.

 

The employees work for all of Carnival’s various cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise, Holland America and Princess Cruises; and are located across the country. Nevertheless, 140 of the 200 jobs being transferred by Carnival come from Miami.

 

Sara Blackwell, a labor attorney who is advising the Carnival employees, said Carnival’s actions were announced last week during a series of meetings with the workers.

 

“Capgemini stated to the fired Americans at a town hall meeting that Capgemini was outsourcing the work to India because that was the only way it could provide the IT services to Carnival at the rate paid to them by the company,” Blackwell said. “The Carnival executives dumped oil in the ocean with the Princess Cruise line and now they are throwing away American workers for foreign slave labor. The executives of Carnival should be ashamed and should have to face the families that they have destroyed merely days before Christmas.

 

Carnival denied the workers were being fired. Instead they were “transitioned” into the new company, Capgemini, said Roger Frizzell, a senior vice president and Chief Communications Officer for Carnival.

 

Frizzell stressed these moves were being done to improve performance and not to save money. Asked if the employees were being asked to train others how to do their jobs, Frizzell responded: “Not trained, but they will be involved in showcasing the processes related to the function in order for Capgemini to provide stronger and better service to Carnival Corporation and its brands.”

 

He also included this statement which was also provided to employees:

 

“Capgemini subject matter experts will be working closely with individuals to conduct operations assessments to understand how work is currently done and identify process improvements. Once knowledge transfer activities have been completed, Capgemini will look to implement new processes and procedures in order to increase standardization and efficiencies.”

 

Will those efficiencies result in Capgemini moving those IT jobs to lower wage workers in foreign countries? Frizzell responded, “No, I am not aware of any such plans.”

 

Officials for Capgemini, whose headquarters is in France and operates in 40 countries, did not respond to emails seeking their comment.

 

Blackwell said it is nonsense to think these workers aren’t losing their jobs.

 

“The workers are being fired. Period,” Blackwell told CBS4 News. “They are not permitted to work for Carnival anymore. Carnival contracted with Capgemini and the terminated employees have been told that they can temporarily work for Capgemini to assist in the company’s efforts to eliminate the jobs and send them overseas.”

 

The workers have been given until December 19 to sign their new employment agreements with Capgemini. If they refuse, Frizzell said, the workers can “apply for other jobs within Carnival or leave the company.”

 

Blackwell said Carnival’s moves are part of an ongoing trend across the country that has seen American jobs being lost overseas. She said in the last two years she has dealt with at least 30 companies who have done the exact same thing.

 

Blackwell said if Carnival wants to make things right, there are certain things they can do immediately.

 

“Please guarantee the public that the job duties of the 200 terminated Americans will be done by Americans in America,” she said. “The public would be grateful for such a concession.”

[SharkTums]

Here's the information from a non S**tbart-related-s**tty-excuse-for-a-s**tty-news-site location.

 

[laqueefa]

Carnival may be in for a bit of bad press coming up due to a business decision that I would say is bad in timing on their part.

 

You mean, like:

 

Klassy! http://gizmo.do/lIHKPaO

Carnival Cruises to Pay $40 Million Fine for Secretly Dumping poo-poo Water Since 2005

 

No, outsourcing IT jobs to India after the election we just had. Big Headlines on nationalist Breitbart site. Gets more hits than most any other news site

 

Edited December 19, 2016 by laqueefa

[Rill'o'beily]

Another odd question

 

Does anybody know if there are any cruiseships with a fastfood chain sailing on it like mcdonalds or burger king or kfc or whatever?

Because I haven't heard of any besides one and I thought if there's a reason it's not that common?

[DirkFunk]

Another odd question

 

Does anybody know if there are any cruiseships with a fastfood chain sailing on it like mcdonalds or burger king or kfc or whatever?

Because I haven't heard of any besides one and I thought if there's a reason it's not that common?

 

Nobody associates fast food chains with quality or luxury, so why pay money to include them? At least with Johnny Rockets on the RCCL ships you're talking about a full service experience and what used to be better quality burgers (don't know how good they are still).

[Ape]

For those who have been on a Royal Caribbean ship recently, how was the WiFi service? We leave Sunday on Oasis of the Seas.

[SharkTums]

^On the Oasis and Quantum class ships it's AWESOME!!!!

 

Slowly improving on the other class ships as well.

 

Make sure to get the unlimited surf and stream package.

[Ape]

oo good, I was worried it would suck. I don't need to be able to do a whole lot but there are a couple of things I will need to take care of while we are at sea. Thank you.

 

This is our first cruise so all of this is new to me.

[bert425]

In just 12 days, we head out on RCCL's "Liberty of the Seas" with a group of 300 bears, bear family, and bear lovers.

 

oh, and ~2900 other passengers who aren't part of our group. -- they aren't gonna know what hit em

 

 

It's an interesting time for a cruise, as I am in mourning, but one of the very last things Mom told us, is that she was "sorry for screwing up our trip", and that we should go anyways. . . so been burying myself in trip planning (and work, and food, and exercise. . basically anything to take my mind off the grief).

 

Gonna try my best to have a good time, regardless of circumstances.

 

Have our outfits laid out for what we already KNOW is planned specifically for the group on this Ship:

 

White Party (with live entertainment from Ultra Nate)

Red Hat Pool Deck Party

5th Element Disco themed party - followed by late-night disco takeover (RCCL knows we're coming when our "private" disco shuts down).

"all the Singlet Ladies" midnight private pool party.

 

and that's not even mentioning the Excursions. . and the sight of big ol bears on the Flowrider. . . .

 

I'm determined to have fun, and will post trip report when we're back if folks are curious.

[SharkTums]

^Would love to see a TR from your fun cruise!

[deguy123]

In just 12 days, we head out on RCCL's "Liberty of the Seas" with a group of 300 bears, bear family, and bear lovers.

 

oh, and ~2900 other passengers who aren't part of our group. -- they aren't gonna know what hit em

 

 

It's an interesting time for a cruise, as I am in mourning, but one of the very last things Mom told us, is that she was "sorry for screwing up our trip", and that we should go anyways. . . so been burying myself in trip planning (and work, and food, and exercise. . basically anything to take my mind off the grief).

 

Gonna try my best to have a good time, regardless of circumstances.

 

Have our outfits laid out for what we already KNOW is planned specifically for the group on this Ship:

 

White Party (with live entertainment from Ultra Nate)

Red Hat Pool Deck Party

5th Element Disco themed party - followed by late-night disco takeover (RCCL knows we're coming when our "private" disco shuts down).

"all the Singlet Ladies" midnight private pool party.

 

and that's not even mentioning the Excursions. . and the sight of big ol bears on the Flowrider. . . .

 

I'm determined to have fun, and will post trip report when we're back if folks are curious.

 

I'm one of the other 2900 passengers LOL! Less then two weeks to go!

 

Ultra Nate??? I love her, she will be on the ship the entire time??

 

I just found out a friend on facebook will also be going on this cruise, he is going with your group!

[laqueefa]

In just 12 days, we head out on RCCL's "Liberty of the Seas" with a group of 300 bears, bear family, and bear lovers.

 

oh, and ~2900 other passengers who aren't part of our group. -- they aren't gonna know what hit em

 

 

It's an interesting time for a cruise, as I am in mourning, but one of the very last things Mom told us, is that she was "sorry for screwing up our trip", and that we should go anyways. . . so been burying myself in trip planning (and work, and food, and exercise. . basically anything to take my mind off the grief).

 

Gonna try my best to have a good time, regardless of circumstances.

 

Have our outfits laid out for what we already KNOW is planned specifically for the group on this Ship:

 

White Party (with live entertainment from Ultra Nate)

Red Hat Pool Deck Party

5th Element Disco themed party - followed by late-night disco takeover (RCCL knows we're coming when our "private" disco shuts down).

"all the Singlet Ladies" midnight private pool party.

 

and that's not even mentioning the Excursions. . and the sight of big ol bears on the Flowrider. . . .

 

I'm determined to have fun, and will post trip report when we're back if folks are curious.

 

I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is going to be an unforgettable trip. I hope you find the healing and distraction you need. I too would like to see a TR of your cruise. Make sure you get plenty of reaction photos!

[bert425]

In just 12 days, we head out on RCCL's "Liberty of the Seas" with a group of 300 bears, bear family, and bear lovers.

 

oh, and ~2900 other passengers who aren't part of our group. -- they aren't gonna know what hit em

 

 

I'm one of the other 2900 passengers LOL! Less then two weeks to go!

 

Ultra Nate??? I love her, she will be on the ship the entire time??

 

I just found out a friend on facebook will also be going on this cruise, he is going with your group!

 

I believe She IS!

 

tho her performance (and the meet and greet cocktail party with her the next day are supposedly "Private" for our group.. but if you know someone in the group. . . .. just sayin. . . LOL (never hurts to ask)

 

[Philrad71]

Have a great time, Bert...you know that your mother would want this for you.

 

And yes, we definitely want to see a trip report! Michael's friend belongs to one of the bear groups around Boston and we have heard that they do a lot of fun trips and events together.

[Nrthwnd]

^^ We've yet to do any cruise (an Alaska one seems obvious, but still...), so it's lovely to know

you've got one to show to all of us, Bert! But don't let it take up too much..."cruise time"....hmmm?

 

And this'll be good practice for The Future Non-Road Trip (sort of) coming your way ...... soon?

 

[bert425]

^^ We've yet to do any cruise (an Alaska one seems obvious, but still...), so it's lovely to know

you've got one to show to all of us, Bert! But don't let it take up too much..."cruise time"....hmmm?

 

And this'll be good practice for The Future Non-Road Trip (sort of) coming your way ...... soon?

 

 

you live in Vancouver and haven't done an Alaska cruise yet?

 

Bill!

 

(I'd recommend Celebrity for the Alaska cruises, we had a wonderful time, and the food was amazing)

 

and note, I'll do a Trip report, but it won't be live, so won't interrupt any of my cruise time

 

Not paying for any internet or phone service while on this trip.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Noted! Have a great time!

 

EDIT: And just because I live in Vancouver doesn't mean I

haven't done an Alaskan Cruiser.

 

[99er]

I second Celebrity for an Alaskan cruise. And if you can do it, go on their land cruise that follows the sea cruise. Two weeks in Alaska is just heaven.

[Lloyd555]

Any new photos of RCCL's 4th Oasis-class ship - unofficialy Symphony of the Seas?

Also, we've seen the name on an aft block of the build, but not the bow section.

 

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[Lloyd555]

Thanks Lloyd,

 

Are you the same Lloyd who ave open a board about Harmony of the Seas on Pinterest ? I follow this board all the time

 

 

Sorry about this LATE answer, but yes, that is me.

 

Of course now I have the Oasis 4 / Code B34 / Unofficial name Symphony of the Seas Pinterest board.

 

Best photo so far is the aft block with the ship's name on it. People are still wondering if it is official(!!!). So I am waiting to see a photo of the bow section with the same name to 'confirm ' it.

 

 

 

Harmony of the Seas' bow section with name...