November 10, 2007
Spirit of Nantucket Comments
We have been moved by the support and generosity of those involved with our Spirit of Nantucket incident this week. The comments below, from one of our Quyana Members, really sums up the week for us. We are so proud of our crew on the Spirit of Nantucket and want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to continue to care for our guests on this voyage. We also want to thank all of our guests who were onboard and who have been so positive and enthusiastic about their experience. The Spirit of Nantucket will be just fine and as soon as repairs are complete, she'll begin her positioning voyage south from Norfolk, through the Panama Canal and around to Seattle, where she'll be prepped for her new 2008 Alaska route: Glacier Bay Highlights.
We are happy 2-time veterans of your cruises (Alaska
Wilderness Waterways in 2005 and BC last month) and hope to cruise with
you again soon. We live in Virginia on a Chesapeake Bay Creek when we
aren't living aboard our boat. For the 2 few days, the local news
coverage of the Spirit of Nantucket has been huge.
First, our commiserations. We hope that the damage
isn't so bad that you cannot take her to Seattle soon, as we heard was
planned. Over the many years that we have travelled the ICW on our 5'
draft ketch when it was too bad to venture outside, we have had our
many encounters with snags and shoals despite constant watch keeping.
One hit resulted in no steering, a tow and haul out (guess that sounds
familiar to you!). In the section of your hit we have been scared
various times by depth finder blips. Thus, we are obviously in awe
that helmsmen could take boats of your size and draft through such
shoal and snag ridden channels. We are sorry that it was your company
that hit something bad. It was inevitable that someone would. We are
sure that your crew did nothing wrong!
Next, our congratulations. Unlike us, when you have
trouble the whole world knows it! When we first heard the news, we
worried that the media would find some way to tar your company. Yes, it
has been a feeding frenzy for the Norfolk press, but we have the
impression that Cruise West is coming though as a wonderful company
that deserves peoples' business. The coverage has been long and
tedious, but laced with many, many positive comments from your
passengers and even the Coast Guard about how your crew handled the
passenger evacuation. Today we watched reporters standing outside the
Hilton showing pictures of the hotel and bus with repeated comments of
how luxurious the accommodations are and how contented your passengers
are. One station even showed the "luxurious" inside of the bus!
We are proud of you, Cruise West! Hope that the good
press continues and that you get her off soon with minimal damage and
cost!
Marjorie and Bill Goettle
Posted by Leigh on November 10, 2007 1:00 AM
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» As a Hampton Roads resident, I can assure you that the company is coming out fine. In fact, many people I know had no idea that there were cruise lines that went up and down the Intercoastal Waterway! I would love to know more about your East Coast cruises, but can't find anything on your Web site.
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» As Agent of the Year for Cruise West you can imagine how I adore the product they offer.
I had clients on the Spirt of Nantucket. They had their cell phone so they called me. They labeled it an "unfortunate incident", were totally comfortable and happy with the alternative plans made by Cruise West. They raved about the hotel and bus they were on.
I myself, on my very first CW sailing 10 years ago, showed up for my Alaska trip only to be told there was a small problem and a delay in getting on the ship. We were put up at a lovely Hyatt Hotel, given, maps, shopping certificates, bottle of water and off we went to explore Seattle.
We were treated to an exceptional buffet dinner with entertainment, and late that evening we were on the ship and sailed out.
I truly believe the quality of a company can be measured in how they handle unforseen circumstances. Cruise West rates an A+ in my book.
Linda Androlia
Agent of the Year - Cruise West
Posted by: Linda Androlia - URL
» Living on the east coast, I have been following the Spirit of Nantucket misfortune near Virginia Beach for several days. From all the reports, Cruise West did all the right things to put safety first, and to take care of their guests on board. We have taken six trips with Cruise West, and all were exceptional quality, with many fond memories. Our last trip was on the Spirit of Nantucket in the Caribbean, and like all our holidays with Cruise West, an outstanding cruise. We will miss the Spirit of Nantucket in the Caribbean, but maybe in the future you will be back. Thanks for all the great adventure cruises.
Bob and Ann Toth
Athens, Georgia
Posted by: Bob Ttoh - URL
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