cruiser2015

But it IS mandatory, right? If so, 20% is a nice gratuity - if the staff gets it. And if they are not in that pool of funds, I sure hope that they do. Which implies that the FAS charged (and listed separately on your account) should be handled likewise. So, they would really have to blow my mind to get past the 20% level. Not impossible; but difficult.

For what it's worth, again, this did not appear to be a reminder a couple of days in advance. Rather, a mass notification to ALL affected future cruises.

Well, where are we? Oh, yeah, CC If you can afford a cruise vacation, you can afford a passport. Th rest you mention are not relevant, because this a a site for travelers.

Is it possible for this to have worse? Possibly. I believe that the issuance of this letter, timing wise, is purely coincidental. Many cruisers received this today, as per posts. And mine is not until January. It looks like you easily could have found out while checking in at the pier. Holy crap!

I just copied in that letter - but it did not post. Trying again now: Zip again ???

That's my #2 this week. 😧

That's a definite...maybe. Even if the OP checked in ASAP - 21 days out - with the passport processing backlog it's questionable whether it could be obtained, even with an expedite. And if the check-in was closer to the cruise date it would be impossible. The real problem started farther back in the process an, as I previously posted, whether a new rule caused this obstacle or the passenger simply not having fully understood the requirements.

Well, blow me down! I knew I had seen this somewhere. But, upon a thorough reading and re-reading of the doc requirements on the NCL web page, the 6 month clause applies to non-US citizens. There is no mention of it for US citizens - just says a valid passport is required.

Once upon a time, when you ate in a specialty restaurant, it was indicated that tipping was optional. So the theory would be that the staff was part of the pool; but you may wish to tip extra (which I sometimes did - a modest additional, not full sized tip). Those days are apparently gone. With FAS, NCL adds 20% of some value to cover the gratuities on specialty meals. So, how do they handle the walk-in, pay in full customers? Is 20% automatically added or not?

I think that the 6 months is mandated for all travel requiring a passport.

I got that. Seems like another NCL foul up. But that doesn't help your situation. They would refuse boarding when you are asked to present your docs at the pier. It seems you're in a really bad situation here. If you can find fault with NCL somewhere along the way (I don't think the bad check in is enough as it's too recent), maybe you have some recourse towards a FCC as opposed to a forfeiture.

This seems to be an awful situation for you. But I am confused about the circumstances. I received the same message by email today. I have a sailing in January, booked this past July and knew that a passport was required all along. Also note that the NCL letter says that it's a "reminder" of the requirement. As I recall, nowhere during the booking process do they verify that you possess any particular type of ID, but should be mentioning it. I assume that your itinerary includes one or more foreign ports between NY and Miami. I also have no idea about a policy change (involving two US ports). If it was just from NY to Miami, I can't imagine why there is a need for a passport. But with foreign ports in between, at least that would make sense. The mystery deepens with your check in. If it was required to have a passport, why did it allow you to check in using a birth certificate? In summary, was there a policy change, if so when. Were any notices sent out. Is this an NCL policy (seems unlikely to me) or a Federal policy? Knowing the timeline of each event: requirements at time of original booking; policies and/or their changes & dates; notices thereof; will reveal what options you may have for recourse. I am assuming, of course, that you do not have a passport.

Totally correct.

My apologies - there is an error on my part. The 4 months only applies from date of purchase. So, you are open to book anything anytime within the original 3 year window.

And if that status is not there, call NCL (toss up on PCC or customer service) and tell them that you registered through id.me, got a confirmation, so "what's the problem"? Press for an answer and worst case scenario you register again. It's certainly worth the 10%. Also note that upon completing the id.me process, it's supposed to bounce you back to NCL's web site showing there an acknowledgment of your new military status.

Perhaps. I was just defending their right to their feelings. What, you weren't mocking how they reacted?

Call your TA and confirm which it is.

Not funny. Being made fun of. That's what I took your comments as. And just as I indicated, the OP's story was not one in the worst possible event category. Just read about PurpleKa's experience, if you haven't already. You're welcome to your opinion. And you may love the feel of a ship being tossed about (I'll just say, up tp a point), but other folks are not you.

Nope. It needs to be applied to a cruise 120 days or more out when you apply it to a reservation. So, you can use it for a sailing any time from 4 months after purchase up until 2 years and 8 months from date of purchase (you must sail within the 3 years from date of purchase window).

Sounds like a job for the cookie police. 😠

Funny thing - I had thought that the extra 5 days for the dinner res opening was only for full suite cabins. So, I waited until the 120 day mark. In booking three nights, I think there was one that I did a few minutes later. The other two I got exactly what I wanted. Now I know better for the next time.

Not so much to defend NCL's practices, but try this analogy. You just bought a new car. Paid $40,000. The next week, there's a sale; or a shift in the market place. The price goes down $2000. Think the dealer of manufacturer is going to give you a partial refund? Not. But, oyu still have a right to be pissed about how things went down - not so much at the company.

The one about the spilled water is cute. The rest, not so funny when people are shaken up by an uncomfortable experience. Sure, there are many more scary events that have happened. But this seems like it was a bit more than a little bit of rocking the boat.

I agree.

Well, I liked your post. I like the taste of some sweet lobster now and then, But anyone who would use that as a major criteria for choosing a cruise is likely to sell themselves short. There are a lot more key issues upon wish to judge the product; overall food quality and variety, ship's facilities and features, entertainment and, of course, specific itinerary are all more important than one plate. And let's be fair - NCL is a middle market product and priced accordingly.