The Travel LAD
230-4664 Lougheed Hwy v5c 5t5 Burnaby, BC, Canada

Wow. That is a long haul! Could you handle it?

Good morning everyone and here I am back at home after a brilliant 8 days on the Carnival Vista. I am fully jet lagged and so will spend a day not answering que...stions but instead looking after Mum and resting my tired flaccid body. But, because of the first weather retaliated changes of this storm season that we have had to put in place for the Carnival Valor I feel it is my duty to write to you this morning Yep, once again it is time to talk about the weather and in particular of course hurricane season. It’s hard to think about hurricane season when you are sitting in your underpants writing from the UK where hurricanes are as rare as finding an Apple store in an Amish community. But at this time of year, it is on our minds and I hope this season will be as quiet as a Benedictine monk on a vow of silence who has laryngitis. I thought, for the sake of new readers to my Facebook page and for any blue card first time cruisers, it would be a good idea to explain what happens during hurricane season. These days, Carnival has all the tools needed to see where a tropical storm is developing, where it is going and what the projected track is likely to be. Advice is taken from government agencies such as the National Hurricane Center, United States Coast Guard and the Church of Scientology. OK, maybe we don’t ask Tom Cruise and his mates where Hurricane Henry is heading but we do take advice from very serious people. That advice is then digested by the our multi million dollar state of the aft Fleet Operations Center at the mother ship who look at the projected track of the hurricane, confer with the ship’s captain and then decide what needs to be done. Although itinerary modifications happen from time to time, any decision to change an itinerary is always done with the interest of guest and crew safety. Hurricanes are as reliable as a blind yak and can suddenly change their tracks and so we wait, gather advice and see what we need to do, often within a day or so notice. Above all, we want to deliver the itinerary the guest booked which is why we want to wait and see what happens with the storm before officially announcing any changes. Once a decision has been made to adjust the itinerary, the next step is to see where the ship can go. Let’s say that Hurricane Henry is heading through the eastern Caribbean and the scheduled calls are in St. Thomas, San Juan and St. Maarten, so we look to the western Caribbean for an alternative itinerary. That is when the beards call the port authorities in Cozumel, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and other ports to ask for a berth on a specific day. Once a new plan is in place, then the following also happens: The shore excursions team has to call the tour operators in the new ports of call to book as many spaces on the excursions as possible. Crew members who may have been joining the ship in the original port of call have to be advised and rescheduled if necessary. Ticketing for joining crew and entertainers flights need to be changed. The ship’s managers have to organise new schedules for all the departments. The entertainment directors have to design a new Fun Times . And, finally, a letter has to be prepared for guests to let them know what is going to happen and why. We also email or text guests and travel agents and post the new itinerary on our social media channels. And when that new itinerary is given to guests, 99 percent will accept the decision they may be disappointed but they understand. But I also have to say that, on every ship that is affected by Mother Nature, there are people who do not and will not understand that the cruise lines make these changes for their own safety. To the few who are angry and not understanding, I ask that you please don’t take your frustration out on a 20-year-old guest services associate, an entertainment staff member or anyone in a uniform as they have absolutely nothing to do with this decision. I was in this position many, many times during my time as a cruise director and there has been the odd occasion when I have been screamed at and prodded and poked. I was able to take that, obviously, and the experience sometimes (not always) enabled me to turn that situation around. Let’s hope it’s a very quiet hurricane season this year but, if we should be forced to change ports of call, then, please, don’t shout and swear at a staff member who, only 10 minutes before, was hosting a game of Bean Bag Toss. Whatever happens this season there are two things I want to promise and to assure you of. 1. From the Fleet Operations Center to the Captain we will always, always, keep you safe 2. Even when there are changes to cruise itineraries the crew will always, always provide you with brilliant service and a massive dollop of Carnival style fun. PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH SOMEONE WHO CRUISES WITH US - I REALLY WOULD LIKE AS MANY TO SEE THIS AS POSSIBLE PLEASE Cheers, have a brilliant day and I will be back answering questions again on Friday.

Excitement for Mardi Gras just keeps building! Here's a sneak peak at the brand new stateroom designs your clients will be able to enjoy in 2020. I can't wait! #ChooseFun #TravelAgentsRock

First Look: Tillberg has designed the world's largest luxury suite for a luxury cruise ship: http://bit.ly/2SLQDrc