Alaskawhovian

We are happy to see the 2 ports back, but I think people are giving Norwegian way too much credit.

Norwegian still shortened the cruise by two days, and they still eliminated two of four ports. It was still a voluntary, intentional decision on the part of the cruise line to do this.   This was not the result of something that was not their fault or could not be helped.  

It it was also their choice to notify people one week ahead of time, as well as on a holiday weekend- leaving 5 business days for cruisers to scramble around and modify plans, often to the tune of significant money.  Remember, the refunds are not immediate, so one must come up with the cash/credit up front, which many may not have.  

There seems to to be plenty of proof that NCL has known about the early dry dock for quite a while, yet chose not to notify people until 7 days before.   Perhaps this whole song and dance we are getting now was just a calculated decision by the cruise line.  Also, it is nonsense to suggest that anyone buying a cruise before or after dry dock is responsible for this.  We did not get some kind of discount rate on this cruise because of that, nor would the average cruiser be aware of the dry dock and what it could potentially mean.    Norwegian has an obligation to advertise the cruise accurately and notify cruisers of changes.  

Yes, they can change ports.  Yes, they can modify the cruise itinerary.    In this case, however, Norwegian chose to deceive its guests, play bait and switch with ports, give last minute notice of very significant changes, and to offer compensation that still does not cover expenses for many.  Don’t forget, people are also missing out on two days of meals and entertainment as well as flight changes and possible lodging.  As far as the current cruise credit, after refund of the cost of two days, there is only a small percentage that could be considered compensation.   The 25 percent on the next cruise is minor, given that many have stated that they are not cruising with Norwegian again.

We are happy to get the two ports swapped, but there are people who added stuff in the Azores and Portland that are now losing out.  They are simply switching ports, not giving anything back.

32 minutes ago, Anniebobby1018 said:

 

I am just at a loss they send me this email on Easter weekend.  I have my toddler coming with us on this trip. Now I must scramble around to rearrange train, plane and hotel accommodations. I am legit having an anxiety attack attempting to maneuver these changes. How can they do this on such short notice. 25% is not even close to how much this will cost me.There must be a class action suit we can all file against them. I called the customer service and she was like a robot no compassion to what this abrupt change will be causing my family. This is my first time cruising NCL and honestly has left me with such a distaste for them. I hope they do right by us and decide to give us back 50% and 250 per person board credit it's the least they can do.

We we are on the cruise with two kids as well.   One is six (daughter)  and one is three. (Son).  Both of them have Down Syndrome.   We were and are looking forward to the cruise, but the chaos and extra planning and money has made this especially difficult.    Maybe our kids can meet at the Splash Academy.  

It sounds like we have some trolls (or NCL staff) floating around in here.   I would love to turn the tables on them and see how well this would float if this was their vacation.  Insurance and whatever aside, it was a lousy thing for Norwegian to do- and implementation of the change was poorly done.  Half the cruisers were made aware of the situation by someone other than NCL, and many seem lost in terms of where to go from here.  With such a large change with no notice, people should have at least been given the option to cancel.

We are platinum plus with NCL,  and we are familiar with the dry docking thing, but I have never seen them pull a stunt like this one.  So, are people suggesting that booking a cruise before or after dry dock (scheduled dry dock not as a result of needed repair- that cannot be helped), it is acceptable and to be expected that NCL can and will lop days and nights off your cruise and eliminate half the ports with a week’s notice?  Seriously?  

Yes, you can buy insurance, yes, port changes happen, weather can happen, yes, there is a contract.  We have been through two hurricanes with NCL with changes in itinerary and a good variety of other unplanned stuff.  One time the kids program shut down for 12 days of our cruise.   Of course it was unpleasant, but we accepted it and moved on.  We in no way expected compensation.  This situation is not the same thing.  This was their voluntary decision, so now they can face the backlash.

To use something I have said to my adult sons many times- just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD.  Horrible business practice and customer service.  Whether or not we continue to sail with NCL depends on how they handle this.  Their actions suggest they don’t care what loyal cruisers think.   They will do what they CAN, not what they SHOULD.

Port changes are fine, cutting two days off the cruise with 7 days notice is not fine.   We also have been on cruises (over 10) to Europe and have been in multiple countries.  Although I appreciate the suggestions of what to do, I am aware of that.  It is not ignorance that is the issue.  I don’t need cruise contracts quoted at me or well meant ideas of what to do for 2 days.    I know all that, as I would imagine any seasoned cruiser would.  The issue at hand is that the cruise line has put many people in a fix financially and otherwise over something voluntary on the part of the cruise line for the cruise line’s convenience.   They have given 7 days notice.  I am perfectly fine with port changes- been there many times and have never complained.  Also weather disruptions, no complaints.  Even a military coup in Egypt.   No complaints.  This is completely different.   And it is something we are simply stuck with.   We can’t cancel the cruise at 7 days without losing everything, and the paltry 25 percent plus fraction of the air refunded does not even allow us to break even unless we decide to sleep on the floor in Gatwick for two nights with two little kids.   

I just sent this story to Fox News tip line.   I mentioned this feed, if they do decide to follow it.  Maybe as an example of corporate greed in the cruise industry and lack of concern for loyal customers.

The late notice is completely unprofessional and shows they planned this.  Now, we have zero time to plan and will pay top dollar, uncompensated by Norwegian, to make hotel reservations and other things.  Plus with our two little ones with Down Syndrome, it will be a huge challenge to change up the trip at this point- including dragging our stuff someplace else to 

try to salvage the rest of the trip. And the holiday weekend plus the no notice.  Just, WOW.  Showing their true colors, I guess.

3 minutes ago, shof515 said:

 

it could of been worse. Norwegian modified the Encore transatlantic crossing and it is now a 9 day cruise with no port stops

That is terrible.   Wow.  Disgusting and inconsiderate of their supposedly valued customers.

4 minutes ago, Rileyz said:

Platinum plus here and this makes me never want to book an overseas cruise with NCL.  I also plan on getting insurance that covers all of this for future cruises.  So sorry for everyone, this is being handled horribly by NCL IMO.  Minimum 50% off fare and 2 nights hotel would be a start.

I agree.  We are platinum plus, and we often purchase multiple cabins.  Clearly, they don’t value our business.   Also, please, everyone, go to FB and other social media and report this.   There is a lot out there already. The 

I think they absolutely knew about it.  They just know people wouldn’t book a cruise with the two ports and 10 days.   Plus the last minute notification is terrible.

We also spoke with the cruise consultant on the phone, and she was very rude and said the exact same thing.   Must be the party line they have told staff to use.  

We are (were) huge NCL fans- we have been on at least 20 cruises with them, through hurricanes that tore the ship up, the military coup in Egypt that shut a bunch of ports, and various other things.  We excused it because we enjoyed the cruises despite this.  However, like you said, 12 is 12, not 10.  I am curious what would happen if I pretended to book this cruise and if they would own up to the change.

I truly feel betrayed in this instance because I bet they knew about this possibly from the beginning, but who wants to go on a 10 day transatlantic with only two very minor ports?   They waited until the ship is basically booked one week ahead, and they aren’t even offering to  refund the $$ if people wanted.   Given the option, we would have absolutely chosen a different cruise.  It seems completely shady to me.

It really makes you take a look at how little they truly value their customers.   It is totally disrespectful the way they did this, and their cutsie patronizing email, if anything, made me more upset.   I am not sure, but I doubt their cruise insurance would cover this, being that the cruise is still happening.   I doubt they cover modifications, even if they involve shortening the cruise.

We are also on this cruise.  Three cabins.  Platinum Plus latitudes members, but if they don’t make this right, we are done with them.  I have a 3 year old and 6 year old with Down Syndrome, and it required a huge amount of planning and money to make this work.   I don’t believe for a minute that they weren’t aware of this until 7 days before, that’s crap.   I have no idea why they are able to do this for non emergencies.  I totally get when it is weather related or something out of their control, but this clearly isn’t.   They just wanted to book the ship, and they knew no one would book it the way it is now.  Also, is it an accident that this gets announced late Friday on a holiday weekend?  

They are are giving you nothing.   Getting tips and shore excursions back is only refunding what you are not getting.  The air won’t cover all or most of people’s cost to fly.   The 25 percent is essentially the time they are taking away.   We are out expensive train tickets to Gatwick, Brussels, and Paris for 6 people, not to mention the inconvenience of dragging two special needs kiddos all over the place with luggage to salvage our trip.   We are going to try to figure out a way to do something else, on our dime of course.  I am furious.   

We we are seasoned cruisers, and have had everything from hurricanes (big ones) to rough seas and a military coup (Egypt) that have modified cruise itineraries- but we have never had a cruise line just yank two days off a cruise for a non emergency like that, and the 7 days notice is a crappy thing to do.  They are not even offering the option of cancelling and getting our money back.

Norwegian clearly has no respect for their cruisers.   They should be ashamed for offering such a lousy solution- let alone pulling it in the first place.   Is there a way to create a site to protest this and the fact that their reparations are completely unacceptable?  Or to go to the media?