Royal Caribbean passengers beware: vehicles being damaged permanently at Port Liberty Cruise Terminal
November 15, 2009 by NJ News
Filed under Latest Headlines
Bayonne, NJ – Travellers leaving for sunny Caribbean vacations are returning home to find their cars have been permanently damaged. The culprit seems to be paint being used by the nearby drydock to repair a U.S. Navy ship being restored. Both Royal Caribbean and the owners of the parking garage have known about the problem for several months and failed to warn customers of the dangers posed to their vehicles.
Royal Caribbean International customer service representatives have been aware of the problem but do not warn would be cruisers of the risks posed to their vehicles while parked in the terminal parking lot which is owned and operated by Central Parking System.
Users on the popular Cruise Critic website have been complaining of the issue for many months and as of today, neither the cruise line, the terminal nor Central Parking System are warning customers about the potential dangers. Members are exchanging horror stories in the Cruise Critic message boards.
Bayonne Drydock and Repair Corporation located adjacent to the cruise ship terminal and parking lot is the company responsible for the over spray of paints and chemicals contaminating nearby waterways and damaging vehicles entering the port.
One user on Cruise Critic said his 2007 GMC Yukon XL sustained so much damage from the over spray that his vehicle eventually needed to be repainted and the entire exterior molding replaced as a result of damages sustained at the terminal. Vigorous detailing and cleaning failed to remove the substance and when a clay bar is used on the vehicle, a common practice in the industry, automobile finish remains pitted and damaged, requiring replacement.
Calls left to the Bayonne Drydock and Repair Corporation have not been returned. Please check back for more information on this problem. Words of wisdom from fellow travellers, if you’re going on a cruise, avoid parking at Port Liberty in Bayonne because the headache you will return home to will immediately wipe away the good memories of your vacation.
Calls to Royal Caribbean were deferred to the Bayonne Drydock Corporation at 201-823-9295/9296 and to ask for Kevin Sullivan. Calls to Central Parking were also not returned.
Can you help me find some of the people affected in the story about the damaged cars at the Bayonne cruise ship terminal?
On returning from our New England cruise, I noticed my car was covered with what appeared to be paint overspray. Before leaving the parking lot I called Bayonne Dry Dock. Their representative Kevin Sullivan came on scene without delay. He asked, that I fax him an estimate to restore my paint. Within three days of sending him the estimates, he had arrange and paid the local body shop in my area to restore my paint. I feel Bayonne deserves credit for their fast and efficient handling of my claim.
Bruce
contact me 732-346-3270