Wow how scary that must have been!! I feel bad for those whose cruises are being cancelled - but it sure sounds like RSSC is on top of it and doing everything they can to compensate those passengers. Sorry too, Ngaire, that you had such a bad day - I think though that like Kathy said, not getting the Grandchildren would be worse - maybe you can keep them anyway and the parents could just go somewhere for a few days to still get away and enjoy each other's company sans little ones.
Your client certainly put things in perspective though, and it is good to remember that and remember that there are many worse things that could have happened.