firstimerhaven

We recently learned that our FCC could be converted to a monetary refund.   We applied and got an email saying that upon preliminary review, we qualify for the monetary refund but it needs to go through another round of review.  But now its 3 days from our FCC expiring.  Do you think they just sent this letter to get us to not use the FCC and then after 1/31 they will say "sorry, you don't qualify" and at that point we will have lost our FCC?

The exact language in the letter is "we are pleased to inform you that your reservation xxxxxxxxx preliminarily meet the refund criteria and have been submitted for further review as all refund requests are subject to additional review prior to approval."

We have a FCC from a March 2020 cruise that got cancelled.  Because we cancelled prior to NCL cancelling, we were only offered a FCC, not a refund, so we took that, but our FCC expires this year and we still don't feel comfortable going, especially with all the recent cancellations.  We recently found out that NCL has a new policy that may allow us to convert the FCC to a cash refund so we filled out the form.  Today I got an email saying that the request is "preliminarily approved" but still needs to go through one more layer of approvals.  So my question is, has anyone done this and not gotten the final approval?  If the final approval doesn't come in the next 10 days, I will need to book a new cruise for 2022 or lose the FCC. 

6 minutes ago, JandC_Cruising said:

Yes!  I did this morning over coffee and was just about to report.😉

The vacancies went up to 314 cabins this morning:

Havens - 14

Concierge - 16

Mini-Suites - 47

Balconies - 129

Oceanview -  38

Inside - 68

That's another 100 cancellations since late yesterday and over 200 since Monday.

Can you check for Escape leaving on Saturday?  NCL web site says Haven and Suites are sold out.  I find that very, very hard to believe but I don't know how else to check

We cancelled our March 14 sailing on the Escape yesterday.  Two rooms in the Haven.  When I look on the NCL website, it says Haven is sold out as are the Spa rooms.  So either people were booking yesterday, or it takes time for the inventory to update on the NCL website

1 hour ago, mjcatlvr said:

Sailing this Saturday 03/14 out of Miami on the Escape unless something CRAZY happens between now and then. Extra cleaning supplies packed and I think were all set. Both of us also will pack a few extra things in case of a quarantine and our laptops for entertainment.

This is the trip we just cancelled.  I hope you will post updates from the ship.  I am so curious to know how full or empty it will be, the general mood on the ship etc.  We are rebooking for December.  The kids (teenagers) are soooo upset that we aren't going on Saturday.  Their school actually closed because of a suspected case.  We will go away, but driving distance.  Just couldn't risk getting suck on a ship and missing so much work.

5 hours ago, ampc007 said:

where are you seeing that Escape will be in dry dock in December? we sail her during thanksgiving week. My understanding the dry dock will be october? 

You are correct.  My mistake.  It would cost us $1500 more right now for similar rooms.  Hoping to keep it to the price we currently have.  Of course, no idea what will happen to prices when we actually rebook. 

Looks like Escape, Joy, Epic and Getaway would all have similar activities and similar Haven accommodations and all have Caribbean cruises over Christmas week. 

5 minutes ago, iamaqt2 said:

It should show you the 5 day and 7 day options. At bottom of the 7 day option should be a link that says see dates and pricing I believe.

Now I see it!  It's about $1200 more than our current cruise and the other two I'm looking at.  But maybe prices will come down when everyone starts cancelling on Tuesday?

2 minutes ago, iamaqt2 said:

I sure hope it is, I'm booked on it! 😉😉

When I go to the NCL website and click on Joy and then click the View Cruises button, it shows the Joy in the Western Caribbean in December but when I click on View Dates and Prices it only shows the first 2 weeks of December.  What am I doing wrong?

16 minutes ago, www3traveler said:

I am sailing on The Bliss out of Los Angeles 7 day Mexican Riviera over Christmas.  Christmas on a Norwegian cruise ship is a wonderful experience.  This will be my 3rd and I can not wait.

 

Sounds great, but coming from NY, I don't want to add a cross country flight to the trip.  That adds about $2,000 plus 2 days to the vacation for us. Have fun!

23 minutes ago, iamaqt2 said:

Have you looked at the Joy?  So much to keep 2 boys busy with.

Unless I am missing something (which is very possible) the Joy doesn't look like it is sailing the last 2 weeks of December.  BTW, its a boy and a girl FWIW

First time cruisers here.  We have two teenagers who are currently 14 and 18.  They were super excited for the Escape.  We had cabins in the Haven which I was super excited about! We were all excited about the Western Caribbean ports.  Looking for a cruise for Winter break to replace this one.  Escape will be in dry dock.  We want a boat that is similar.  Getaway has a cruise from NY to Florida and Bahamas.  Epic has one from San Juan to Southern Caribbean.  The Getaway has more at sea days.  Not actually sure if that is good or bad.  Seems like there is so much to do on the ships!  Trying to keep costs similar to the FCC we will have and the Western Caribbean cruises in December right now are about 25% more than what we paid but the other two are similar to what we paid.  My other question is, will the prices go down or up?  I'm afraid that so much is already booked for December and on Tuesday, when everyone who doesn't want to go now gets their credit, will everyone be rebooking right away or waiting?  That will affect pricing.  Any help would be appreciated.

It's the cruises leaving after March 12th, after the new cancellation policy goes into affect, that will have the smaller numbers.  We are cancelling Escape leaving on 3/14, but if it were not for the new policy, we may well have gone rather than lose all that money

The kids don't want to cancel, so there is still a possibility, but my husband is set against going.  Sounds like you are still going?  I am thinking I will see if I can get someone on the phone in a few days at  NCL to tell me how many people are still going.  If a lot of people cancel, maybe a less crowed boat will convince him to go?  Of course, at a certain point, if too many people cancel, won't NCL just cancel the whole thing?

Now that we will be cancelling our upcoming trip on the Escape, I am looking to see what we might want to go on in December.  Unfortunately after this month, we can't do a March trip because our children will no longer have the same spring break.  So I'm looking to see which trips might work for December, which, unfortunately is way more expensive than March!  But I digress -- we want to still be in the Haven and we want a ship with a separate Haven restaurant.  What are our options? Which ships have the best Haven set up?

8 minutes ago, hamrag said:

It's interesting that those who have spent today pummelling NCL for 'doing nothing' have now turned silent.....despite the fact that NCL's policy extends a further year to end 2022. A huge well done to NCL for truly stepping up!

I am THRILLED.  We are booked on the Escape on 3/14.  Mostly likely going to take advantage of this offer.  I think NCL really stepped up and did the right thing.

Looks like NCL is now the ONLY major cruise line that isn't allowing customers to re-book March cruises.  The WH is apparently considering a tax bail out for the industry.  I hope that limit tax relief to cruise lines that implement temporary liberal rebooking policies.  

I called NCL, the cruise agent I booked with.  I hope everyone on here does the same.  Call.  Email.  Let NCL know we expect them to match RC

Currently booked on a NCL cruise in the haven.  Planning to cancel and sail when all this virus stuff dies down.  If NCL doesn't match the wonderful policy RC just put into place, I won't rebook with NCL.  But really the idea of the Haven.  Does RC have something similar?

3 hours ago, MrMike45 said:

You can't compare what a private company (Viking) 1/10th the size and a publicly traded company (NCL) do.  Now if Carnival or Royal offered the same deal as Viking, and NCL did not...different story.  But to my knowledge, none of them are offering this type of cancel/rebook possibility currently

both carnival and royal just did.  

We get it. Whether you’re already booked on a cruise, or are thinking about it, we want you to Cruise with Confidence. That’s why Royal Caribbean will let you cancel any cruise that sets sail from now through July 31, 2020. Whether it’s a booking you already have or one you make right now, you’re covered. As long as you cancel at least 48 hours before you set sail, you’ll receive a Future Cruise Credit. The credit can be used toward any cruise that sets sail through December 31, 2021.

Carnival is letting passengers with cruises booked soon cancel up to 72 before sailing.  RC is doing the same for all cruises, and up to 48 before sailing.  You don't get a refund but you get a credit that you have a year to use.  This seems very fair to me.  How can NCL not do the same?  If they don't, especially with RC, which is the most similar to NCL, won't NCL lose so much future business?  We are supposed to sail on the 14th and we are leaning toward cancelling.  If NCL doesn't step up, we will go with RC next time.

5 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

I'm sure they are getting many, many cancellations.   How many is anyone's guess.  Having said that it has to be quite a quandary for NCL  trying to balance business obligations with the needs and wants of their customers.

Carnival just announced that they will let anyone sailing through, I believe, May 31 reschedule with no penalty.  That is exactly what NCL should do.  I would happily reschedule for December.  If they don't, when other cruise lines are letting their customers do this, they will lose a huge share of the market.  Initially it was just Viking letting people reschedule without penalty.  People could say "well, Viking is a very specific market" but now you have Carnival, the exact opposite end of the market, doing something similar.  It does have more restrictions than Carnival, but still.  

2 hours ago, littlelulu01 said:

 I’m in 100% penalty on my Mexican Rivera sailing later this month.  We are not going to be on the ship.  Also not canceling because no benefit. The ships can’t afford to sail empty.  They make $ from booked passengers.  If over half the paid passengers are a no show it’s not good for ncl.  

Actually, what you say in your post is exactly why  you SHOULD tell NCL that you are cancelling -- if they suddenly get thousands of cancellations for March trips, maybe they will finally realize that it doesn't make sense for them to sail and then will cancel sailings and refund money

8 minutes ago, oteixeira said:

Until there is a case right by your house.  

 

I probably should have said in my original question, I live in Westchester where there is now a big cluster.  I work in Manhattan.  My kids go to school walking distance from one of the schools that was closed because of this cluster.  I take the subway every day.  But I am still torn about going because of the risk of quarantine.  

5 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We are at the tail end of our cruise to the Caribbean. Stopped on Cozumel today. All seems quite normal, except for the fact that our ship isn’t full. 

I brought my laptop and I pick up an orange when I leave the thermal suite. If we get stuck on Saturday, at least we will have some fruit. 

 

We are in the Haven as well. Certainly don’t want to be stuck but the accommodations aren’t half bad 😉. 

 

I wouldnt cancel but it’s a little easier to say now that we are almost home. 

which boat are you on?  BTW, NCL claims our boat is almost full but I don't believe it.  Or maybe it looks full to NCL because when people decide to go but can't get a refund they just don't tell NCL?

7 minutes ago, mjcatlvr said:

Enjoy your cruise but just be a little more careful. We just booked a cruise departing 03/14 to the Caribbean and can't wait to go. We also will be in The Haven and feel like we will have less exposure "up front". Less crowded. I wouldn't eat at the Buffett for sure though. We are preparing in case there is any delay in returning with 3 weeks of meds, both of us are taking our laptops and I have already packed a big container of Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer. Fingers crossed for no problems but if we do catch Covid-19, we should be OK as we aren't too old or in fragile health.        Bon Voyage! 😁

Maybe we are on the same boat -- Escape?