Atgatsea

Special thanks to PhilBenz and JCopp for contacting the reporter!

7 hours ago, hamrag said:

 

Did you actually read the letter? Following extract is the reason it happened, nothing to do with you or 'everyone' standing up etc. 😉

Due to growing concerns regarding coronavirus in Asia, the ports we planned to visit in Vietnam are no longer open to accepting cruise ships. As omitting Vietnam would substantially change the planned itinerary with no viable replacement, we are forced to cancel the Norwegian Jade sailing

 

Did you read the article? 😉

1 hour ago, hamrag said:

 

Did you actually read the letter? Following extract is the reason it happened, nothing to do with you or 'everyone' standing up etc. 😉

Due to growing concerns regarding coronavirus in Asia, the ports we planned to visit in Vietnam are no longer open to accepting cruise ships. As omitting Vietnam would substantially change the planned itinerary with no viable replacement, we are forced to cancel the Norwegian Jade sailing

I did read it...with both eyes open.  I noticed how they cite the closure of Vietnam as a significant change.  That’s it?  Their statement says a lot but what it says much more in what is not said. Why would 1 change necessitate a cancellation?  Oh...that’s right...this was the second major change already.  The letter doesn’t mention having already altered the itinerary when changed the embarkation port from Hong Kong to Singapore.  The letter doesn’t mention the social media backlash they are receiving outside of Cruise Critic which includes numerous bad news stories.   It also doesn’t mention the current condition of the ship and people currently sailing on it or whether the ship will be able to sail on the 17th.  Did they say anything about why the ship was refused by Vietnam other than they are being unreasonable?  Blame others and divert.  They know their actions are being scrutinized by cruisers and media outlets and their lawyers are telling them to say as little as possible.  You trust their assessment of Vietnam being unreasonable?  Plus, the Jade has not come back to port yet and when it does, expect some not-so-glowing stories.  This letter is fluff and a weak attempt to control the narrative before the Jade docks, social media goes wild, and NCL is no longer able to control the narrative.  I saw a lot more going on than the four corners of the letter when I read it with both eyes open 😃, not just one. 😉

To the group - there are several other threads on Cruise Critic where cruisers are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences with NCL.  I have started posting and encourage others to do the same so that unsuspecting people know, at least, NCL’s nature and their priorities.

8 minutes ago, AIO Cruiser said:

I was booked to go on my first Norwegian cruise sailing out of Venus on the Dawn July 5th.  Reading how Norwegian has handled this crisis versus the other cruise lines I have cancelled my cruise.  I will go back to sailing on Royal Caribbean and Carnival like I always have.  I think people are crazy to not cancel a cruise with this company if you still have time to without penalty.

Bravo! 

I have cruised 7 times and found myself asking the same question.  For my eight cruise, my wife and I booked the Norwegian Jade on 2/17 for a cruise in Asia.  Thus far my NCL experience has been terrible.  Most other cruise operators canceled citing the risks to the health and safety of the passengers and crew.  Not NCL.  They insisted on sailing during the Coronavirus situation and told us we would lose our money if we chose not to sail.  They have been arrogant, unresponsive, and have lied about what is happening on the Jade now and on 2/17.  I would be remissed if I did not share my unpleasant NCL experiences with others.  If you do not want to take my word for it, here is an article about how NCL treats its guests.  https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/dads-fears-for-son-on-coronavirus-cruise-222070/

My number is NEVER!  Is anyone on this thread aware of the current situation on the Jade?
 

check it out for yourselves: https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/dads-fears-for-son-on-coronavirus-cruise-222070/

NCL has been lying, withholding, and bullying its customers in an attempt to profit during the Coronavirus crisis.  Check out some of the other threads on Cruise Critic about NCL and then ask yourselves whether this is a company you want to continue doing business with.  I was booked in the 2/17 sailing which was only canceled earlier this afternoon and I will never sail NCL after this ordeal.  I would be remissed if I did not warn my fellow cruisers about cold, heartless, greedy NCL.

2 hours ago, cybergremlin said:

I am happy NCL have finally cancelled the 17th cruise (albeit forced to) but why are they offering 25% FCC and 1 year to use it while the guests that have had the cruises on the spirit cancelled only offered 10% and 45 days to use it

My hope is they do right by everyone, including the people on the 2/6 and 2/17 sailings as well as take care of those impacted by the cancellations on the Spirit.

2 hours ago, Masekr11 said:

Please, but for the social media campaign and press attention people caused, NCL would’ve just created three extra days at sea and still forced this cruise. Exactly what they did for the 2/6 cruise. 

They would have kept Vietnam on the itinerary and then invoked the clause stating they have the right to cancel, alter, substitute any port for any reason (again) while on the cruise and then told us to it was someone else’s fault.

1 hour ago, Ongley said:

Does anyone know what happened to the other cost of the holiday for people that booked through tour operators, did they get a full refund of the total holiday? My parents are going on NJ with NCL on 27th Feb but they are staying in Singapore for a couple of days before and it's all booked with Planet Cruise/Iglu. Would they get the total cost of their holiday back if it's cancelled?

Getting information out of them is like pulling teeth.  If they give you a hard time, try talking to the reporter who contacted this thread.  Just because they caved on the 17th sailing doesn’t mean NCL won’t continue doing this to others.

1 minute ago, MazzyKn said:

What are they going to do with the ship for 10 days? Just let it sit in Singapore?

Maybe they will change the embarkation port, if so it will be a significant change and we can get a full refund.

Continue putting pressure on them.  They are still selling rooms!  Contact the reporter who reached out to us, tweet them, tell your friends about their unscrupulous behavior.  

5 minutes ago, Newleno said:

?? say what, ah the reason was because vietnam was not going to let them dock/tender

Ok Whatever.  

11 minutes ago, JCopp said:

Question! Do you even consider taking another cruise with them at 25% off!? Mine and my wife's initial response is No!

And let my hard-earned money go towards paying bonuses for Harry, Katty, et al?  NCL offers nothing that Royal, Carnival, etc. don’t offer, too.  I am with you: NCNCL (Never Cruise Norwegian Cruise Lies).

Thanks to everyone for standing up for their values and for what is right.  This never would have happened had we all not spoken up together but we forced them to acknowledge us and they blinked.  
 

Next time we book a cruise, let’s not forget how Norwegian Cruise Lies treated us throughout this ordeal and look at how other operators (Royal, Celebrity, etc.) treated their customers with respect.  I wish I could ask Harry whether it was really worth it.

3 minutes ago, JCopp said:

Continuing my relentless mission to tell everyone about Norwegian Cruise Lines! We have gained some great media attention. Since I know NCL monitors these post. Let me make it clear I wont stop until Norwegian does right by their customers. You can take my money. I will lose the battle but I wont lose the war. I hope your are prepared to fight. All I can loose is my small cruise fare. Your lose will the thousands of customers whos eyes are opened to how you do business. Fight on!

Tommy would be proud!  

FYI to all on the 2/27 - the fire sale has continued.  It is now down to $461 pp. Looks like they still intend to sail.

I wonder if the embarkation port change to Singapore plus no Vietnam is a “material” change?  Who wants to bet NCL tries to force Cambodia (which has no virus-related travel restrictions in place and is allowing anyone to dock there) as a substitute?

Norwegian Cruise Lies is abusing the terms and conditions of its contract.  The provisions allowing for itinerary changes are meant for situations such as political unrest and natural disasters - not for use to force a foolhardy sailing because a bunch or arrogant and greedy executives cannot admit they are wrong.  Notice how it is always someone else’s fault - the media is making a stir, Vietnam is being unreasonable, blah blah blah - which smacks of greed, immaturity, and narcissism.

I sent an email to NCL’s CEO Harry Sommer this morning.  Remarkably, he “responded” rather quickly at 4:52am with the email below.  Notice the hubris - the media is creating a stir, Vietnam is unreasonable...  This tells me the emperor definitely has no clothes!  See below:

Thank you for writing in.  Our concerns about the virus for the Spirit voyages revolve around consumer expectations about the virus and not the virus itself.  We recognize that the media has created quite a stir around this and the demand for travel to Asia was fallen as a result.   We believe we have taken great precautions for the upcoming Jade voyages and are avoiding all contact with areas where the virus in rampant - noting that Mainland China has reported around 99% of all reported worldwide case, a country we are avoiding on all of our ships.

We truly hope that you can join us.  If you would like a list of all processes we have in plan to ensure guest safety, Katty will be happy to provide.  Just let her know.

All the best,
Harry

My guess is no - and also, judging by their actions, the new CEO and executive team were put in place for one reason and it is not the health and safety of the crew and passengers.  Having been recently appointed, the new CEO will never admit to erring in judgment - especially this early in his reign - and will, instead, forge ahead as planned because any deviation will mean having to admit the emperor has no clothes.  I am doing my best to tell the CEO he has no clothes but NCL is well insulated.  But, I will not stop trying!

2 hours ago, blcruising said:

I found this on the roll calls. Here is your answer about the current cruise itinerary...

NCL says the port is being unreasonable?  They just got called out for a reckless decision and cannot accept they did something wrong.  No doubt Vietnam will be off the list for the 2/17 sailing because it will have some of the same crew.  They will be hearing from me again today with another demand for a refund due to a significantly altered (and diminished) itinerary.  NCL still sailing is madness!

Maybe NCL is playing chicken to get as many voluntary cancellations (forfeit refund/credit) so that they do not have to issue as many refunds should they cancel last minute.

The Singapore current Jade passengers will return to is much different (and dangerous) than the one they left from.

5 minutes ago, PhilBenz said:

The vast majority of so-called "travel insurance" policies do not cover the current COVID-19 pandemic. They cover you for things that happen to *you* prior to your trip (hospitalisation, etc) not "force majeur" situations.

 

Who in their right minds would travel to Singapore right now and embark on an NCL Jade petri dish while waiting to see if they come in contact with the coronavirus pandemic?

 

These posts slamming those who didn't "purchase appropriate insurance" are disingeuous and rude. But if that's how you roll, by all means, have a good laugh at the unwashed masses.

Well said - and how many of these insurance trolls have no skin in this game?   Are they posting nonsense just to illicit reactions?

27 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

Great...you've only been here a week and somehow you know the point of the forum? Sure. Cruise Critic set all of this up just so you can "get answers from NCL".

I do know the point of this forum and it is not to troll!  Diversion and digression are common debate tactics when you have no relevant support for your argument. Is that why you divert (insurance) and digress (norovirus) when neither are germane to this thread.  What is your point?  What are you trying to get across?  It sounds like you are someone with no skin in game who is arguing for the sake of arguing and, in doing so, are rubbing salt in our wounds.  I am sure your ego will force you have to have the last word...my only question will be whether that last word is “insurance” or “norovirus.”  Thanks