djkolp

On 1/3/2023 at 10:25 AM, wolft927 said:

So I am currently booked in a forward facing Haven Suite for my December 2nd cruise. I noticed today that the Aft facing Suite is only about $800 more and would love the larger balcony as well as the 2nd 3/4 bathroom. Can anyone let me know what decks have the larger balconies? Also do any of the Aft facing Haven suites have any windows in the bathrooms. Thanks in advance

We just came off the Escape in December. We were in the Haven's 2 bedroom suite. Some details to keep in mind are that all of the Haven amenities are located at the front of the ship. The Haven Courtyard & Lounge, Sundeck, and the Haven restaurant. If you don't mind walking the entire length of the ship everyday, the aft Haven suite might be fine. The Haven restaurant is absolutely the best dining on the ship! Good luck.

On 12/22/2022 at 11:40 AM, ChiefMateJRK said:

Covid transmission is a very real possibility everywhere.

Of course it is, but the chances go up exponentially on a 5000 passenger ship. We were Covid free until we boarded a cruise ship. 

We just returned from a 12/10/2022 cruise on the Norwegian Escape. We had the two bedroom Haven Suite. As others have said, the quality of the food in Haven restaurant is unmatched by any other restaurant on the ship. It is absolutely the best. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is available in the Haven. The butler and the concierge are extremely helpful. We didn't request much from either, but they will get you on and off the ship ahead of the thousands of other passengers. We chose the Haven after having this trip cancelled for the past 2 years due to the pandemic. We felt we would come into limited contact with other passengers. That plan didn't go too well as my wife contracted Covid-19 on this trip anyway. No fault of Norwegian, as they were very proactive on getting passengers to wash their hands. Just be aware that Covid-19 transmission on a cruise ship continues to be a very real possibility.  

On 1/27/2021 at 11:10 AM, ScratchTheRat said:

Hey all 🙂

 

Booked my first ever NCL cruise (woohoo) and just wanted some clarification on a couple of things.

 

1. We are 3 adults in a cabin and got the free drinks package for guest 1&2. Does guest 3 HAVE to buy the package at full-price or can he go without and just buy drinks when he wants to?

2. Can I use my drinks package to get a drink and give it to guest 3?

3. Guest 1 & 2 have free speciality dining, can guest 3 come along and pay the normal cost?

4. Can we use the free drinks deal in the main dining room, all the bars etc, including specialty restaurants and Ice bar?

 

Thanks!

 

 

"Packages must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Packages may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable." 

On 1/31/2021 at 2:19 PM, CUontheC said:

We had a cruise for last May paid in full.  We book through the casino department.  So when this cruise was cancelled I already had had another cruise booked for January 2021.   I asked the casino rep to move my money to that cruise.  She said I can put you in the Haven spa suite.  My husband and I were thrilled.  And she gave me FCC because the prior cruise was cancelled.  So now the cruise in January was cancelled.  I called to rebook for January 2022.   Now I am told they cannot put me in the Haven unless I pay $2500 additional.   So instead they give me a club spa balcony.  And FCC that I can use for shore excursions.  My issue is since they gave me the Haven, they should rebook me in the Haven.  It is not my fault it got cancelled.  If they cannot do that then give me my original form of payment back.   Is there a way to get this?  It is way past the time to dispute it with my credit card.   I just don't think it is right for them to have my money and not provide me with the type of cruise I was given when I opted to rebook with them.  It reminds me of a bait and switch.   I would just like my money back.  Is there anyone who you know that has received their money back after they rebooked?  If so how did they do it?  I wonder if small claims court is an option?   And please do not write rude comments.  I am just here asking a question.   I loved traveling on NCL but for them to keep cancelling and keep my cash just does not seem right. 

I accepted an FCC for an April 2019 cruise that was cancelled. It was the only option at the time. Less than a week later NCL agreed to cash refunds. But because I had agreed to an FCC for the cancelled cruise it will remain an FCC for any future bookings. No cash refund. Any perks or onboard credit that I had are were not carried over to the new booking. The April 2020 cruise was also cancelled with the same conditions as the first. They offered a 30% discount on top of the 10% credit if I booked another cruise before February 11, 2021. I was able to book the exact same cruise and stateroom for a May/June 2022 cruise for about $500 more than the value of the FCC. 

I'm not familiar with booking a cruise through a casino department, but you are now finding out that requesting a cash refund would have been the way to go. The casino department should have told you that your funds transfer would be an FCC, and that the rest of your issues are listed in the rarely read Terms & Conditions. Good luck though. 

5 minutes ago, tgloersen said:

That's why I took my full 100% refund right away.  FCC is useless, unless you can actually use it.

I jumped on NCL's first and only email offer at the time, an FCC, and then a week later they were offering full refunds. 

On 6/29/2020 at 7:09 AM, penlanspice said:

Anyone having the same problem.

We were on an original sailing in April which was cancelled and paid via a credit card, then we re-booked with the fcc and discount to a cruise in Sept on thejewel which has now been cancelled. Called ncl for a refund as we're not going to rebook due to the inflation of prices and they've told us we can only have it as cruise credit as that's what we paid with for this cruise! When we rebooked we were assured if this cruise was cancelled we'd get a cash refund we never would of booked otherwise.

Absolutely furious at this stage.

I just got off the phone with NCL and my situation is identical to what you posted. The email I received from NCL offered a 30% discount on top of the 10% if we booked another cruise by 2/11/2021. The problem is that even with the discount, booking the exact same cruise and stateroom would be $2000 higher than what we originally paid. I realize that the first rebooking was going to be a FCC, but I didn't think that the second cancellation would also be an FCC. Tough for everyone involved.

I just received this email from Norwegian regarding their new cancellation policies. It appears that if you choose to accept a Future Cruise Credit, you can cancel up to 48 hours for cruises in 2020, and 15 days for cruises in 2021. Of course you need to at least book something by August 31, 2020.

If you choose a cash refund, the normal 120 days out still applies.

July 29, 2020
Dear Valued Guests and Travel Partners,

Our Guests First philosophy puts you at the heart of every decision which is why during these extraordinary times
we are doing our part to provide you with peace of mind however and whenever we can

.
Today, I am proud to announce the extension of our Peace of Mind policy into 2021 and a new final payment
schedule for all 2020 voyages. Our hope is that these accommodations reassure and inspire you to transform your
destination daydreams into vacation reality.

Our new payment policy for all 2020 voyages postpones final payment until 60 days prior to your vacation start
date versus the standard payment policy for both new and existing reservations.

Booking with confidence is now more important than ever, so under our extended Peace of Mind policy, for any
existing or new reservations made by August 31, 2020:

· Guests are free to cancel anytime up to 48 hours in advance of vacation start date (For any voyage
embarking through December 31, 2020)

· Guests are free to cancel anytime up to 15 days in advance of vacation start date (For any voyage
embarking January 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021)

This policy applies to individual and group bookings.

When guests choose to cancel via our Peace of Mind policy, they will receive a full refund in the form of a future
cruise credit to be used for sailings that embark through December 31, 2022. If guests opt to cancel a future
reservation without taking advantage of our Peace of Mind policy, they must contact us via phone. Our standard
cancelation policies will apply in that instance. To review our Future Cruise Credit terms and conditions, please
visit https://www.ncl.com/cruise-faq.

We are optimistic about the future and look forward to welcoming you onboard again very soon . In fact, we recently
opened for sale a year’s worth of extraordinary itineraries featuring sailings to the over 300 incredible destinations
that our guests have come to love. Our team is standing by to assist with your future travel arrangements for these
sailings which are available through April 2023. It goes without saying that our very first priority is always your
health, safety, security and well-being so I encourage you to read all about the good work we are doing at
https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/book-with-confidence.

I hope you will join me very soon in exploring the world in the safety and comfort of an amazing Norwegian Cruise
Line ship with your friends and family.
Until then,
Harry Sommer
President & CEO
Norwegian Cruise

12 hours ago, seaman11 said:

Hmmm this casino has opened and bookings at 80 percent full.  

 

 

And those arguing earlier about masks  None required by customers only workers and dealers.  

The only people gambling in this video are the dealers. Only wearing simple cloth masks? My mask protects you, your mask protects me. Will open casinos become the new meat packing facilities? 

5 hours ago, vpearlkc said:

I don't think these stats are accurate and we will have no way of knowing for sure until universal testing is in place so we have some idea of how many have been infected. I know of at least one person who got sick with a lot of the symptoms, didn't seek treatment because it didn't seem so bad or get tested and recovered. It is said that 80% of the infected show very mild or no symptoms so don't get tested. Just some thoughts.

The mortality rates and more are tracked by John Hopkins University Medical Center. The figures shown are only as accurate as the data that is provided. I have heard claims of under reporting and over reporting. With testing occurring in only a small percentage of the U.S. population, the values given will certainly change as more testing becomes available. If ever. COVID-19 does appear to affect people differently, but with 74,000+ deaths in the U.S. so far, it is quite deadly. And these deaths occurred with a nationwide stay at home orders in effect. It is definitely not just the “flu.”
 

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

19 hours ago, Corliss said:

 

 

"We have developed reasonably good treatments for covid and fatality rates are now about .66 percent."

 

 

This is the harsh reality of life during and after Covid-19. The cruise ships had become the poster child for this pandemic. I don't believe that enough people will return to the cruise lines in numbers large enough to keep them in business. Airlines are facing this same reality. I have already written off my Norwegian credit for 2021. 

35 minutes ago, poohdreaming said:

 

I know you mentioned that you chosen for the FCCs, but could you then fill out the form to get for refunds since you regretted it?

Well, the supply and demand will change. Cruise prices would be shown as higher right now, but once cruises start back up, these prices can change.

 

It is wise to get a refund back as FCCs is use it or lose it and for some cruisers - they would not be able to use the whole value of FCCs amount.

 

I had initially believed that I could get the full refund, but I've since learned that once I accepted the FCC, I could no longer request the cash refund option. The option to cancel was valid up to 48 hours before a booked cruise was scheduled to sail. I was so happy to be getting a future credit, as we were not planning on sailing anyway, that I jumped on the offer. I just wanted to pass along my experience to those folks that were on the fence about which offer to take.  

I agree that the value of the FCC will leave you digging in your wallet for thousands of extra dollars to cover the same cabin. If the cruise lines, which a majority are registered in foreign countries, are given any emergency funds from the U.S. they need to offer a cash refund to those that were affected by any cancellations. FCC be damned.  

All of Norwegian Cruise ships are registered in the Bahamas, with the exception of the Pride of America. This allows them them to bypass U.S. labor laws and taxes. 

38 minutes ago, kimkencruzers said:

I'm sorry if this has already been answered. 

 

We are a family of four in one cabin with 20 and 22 year old kids on a canceled cruise in May. All four of us got separate FCC emails.

 

If I want a refund, do I need to fill out four separate forms even though it says: "Suspended Sailings – Refund Request This form can only be used if you are requesting a refund for all individuals on a reservation. Partial refunds are not allowed."?

 

And if I wanted to re-book with the 25% plus 20% deal can I combine all of them for just my husband and I or do I have to get refunds for the kids? (They will be going back to school and I have no idea of their future availability).

 

Thanks

I would call Norwegian customer service regarding your question about refunds. I chose to take the future cruise credit for my April 19, 2020 11 day cruise and I"m now regretting it. The original notification regarding cancelled cruises only applied to cruises booked up to April 11. I jumped on the credit offer only to find incredibly inflated prices for cruises in all of 2021. My cancelled cruise sails just once in December 2021, and is almost twice what I paid for the same ship and cabin selection. I paid $6,438 for 2 guests in an aft penthouse suite on the Pearl. That same cabin for 2 guests now lists for $16,838 which they then mark down to $9,430. 

I realize it's a very difficult time for Norwegian Cruise Lines, but if I were you I would take the full cash refund. The future cruise credit, along with the reduced cruise selections, will leave you very disappointed.

18 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

100% agree that this is unprecedented and I have accepted things as they have rolled out for me.  I just won't ever be convinced NCL will backtrack on the FCC for Peace of Mind cancellations.  They are not alone in this as Celebrity and RCL are not back dating the ability to change to cash refund for those that canceled themselves and I know this is being practiced as I know others who were to sail in Celebrity April and they got credit when the self cancelled and that is stuck now even with the cruise since cancelled.  It seems only Princess is back dating their policy. 

 

Is what it is and really my true thoughts are with all those that may not even survive this and to the families that have or may have to grieve a loss from afar.  Very very sad and terrifying.

I agree. Thinking about a cruise refund is the least of my worries. The world will truly change after this pandemic subsides. I hope. Still, I have enjoyed every one of my Norwegian cruises, and hope that they can weather this storm. I was happy when they offered the FCC, and maybe I'll reconsider a 2022 cruise. Maybe.

21 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

I can guarantee you are stuck with FCC much like those of us (me) that cancelled just before the first suspended dates starting March 14th. I literally cancelled mine March 12th for March 15th sailing as I had no choice with the limited time.  There was no back dating then to allow cash refund and you can be certain that will not change for the extended suspended dates.

 

I have already resoved not sail in the very near future and NCL is on the bottom of the pile for me going forward. I expect my FCC will end up useless as I will not put out a bunch more $$$ with the mindset of not losing what I've really already lost (if that makes sense.)

These are unprecedented times, so we will just have to wait and see if Norwegian will adjust their FCC/CASH policy for customers that already went the credit route. I do know that you are required to book a future cruise within 1 year of accepting the FCC. I looked at booking an exact cruise and stateroom as my April 19th trip. It was a Fall of 2021 cruise that was twice as much as the one I paid for. 11 day Panama Canal cruise for 2 with an aft Penthouse balcony room 10166. It listed at almost $14,000 for 2 guests. I don't blame Norwegian Cruise Lines for their response to this pandemic. This is going to be a rough ride for them and everyone else in the cruise industry. 

11 minutes ago, Budget Queen said:

You have already accepted the terms of your cancellation   A future cruise credit.    It is a done deal. 

 

  So you do not have any reservation, to cancel under any other future terms.   You will NOT be able to now go back and change the terms.       

If your reply to my post is correct, and that remains to be seen, then I guess I have no choice but to accept whatever terms will apply. Though I can't help but think that you found some loathsome pleasure replying to my post. It was quick, and with "NOT" noticeably capitalized.  

1 hour ago, Budget Queen said:

A far bigger issue,   is how long can cruise companies hang on with NO revenue???    I'd speculate,  some bankruptcy companies    

If the cruise lines accept any bailout cash from the U.S. I would hope that a bankruptcy filing would be off limits. But, if they do file for bankruptcy, it would relieve them of any obligations, monetary or otherwise to their customers. My April 19 cruise was cancelled for a future credit. I hope Norwegian will now offer a full cash refund for this cruise, as we are no longer interested in cruising ever again.

We were on the same Feb 16 cruise and found our experience a bit different. I booked dining and shore excursions 2 months in advance, so we never experienced any issues. The 12 pm embarkation time is pretty standard on NCL. This time is even stated in your cruise documents. Turning a 2200 passenger ship in a matter of hours is quite an undertaking. We showed up at 1:30 pm and after 15 minutes in the VIP lounge we were allowed to board. We never saw any "Hobbits, Haven N***s, or Ninja retards," just professional, but exhausted crew members doing their jobs. Many who sign on to 8 month contracts that require them to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week. We also had no problems communicating with any of the staff throughout the ship. 40% of the staff on the Star are Filipino, and speak fluent English.

I will agree that the weak point on the Star was the buffet in the Garden Cafe. Variety was missing for most of the 14 days. Not bad, just not very exciting. The food and service anywhere else on the Star was very good. Cagney's being the hands down winner.

I'm sure you just wanted to make your review a bit more colorful, if not entertaining, but we did not experience any of the issues that you stated your post. I was told that 60% of the passengers on this cruise were Canadian. Every Canadian that we spoke with were incredibly nice folks. You, Umpy10, might have even been one of them. Cheers!