Is it legal? - NCL changes to port departure times

[jmele999]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine.

 

What do you think?

[1025cruise]

The contract also states that they can change the ports at any time.

[Ilovesailing]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine. Suggest you send an email to NCL.

 

What do you think?

 

 

Your contract clearly states they the cruise line can do what they want

Same with cancelling a cruise which has been happened a couple times of late, as well as arrival time change in port by 2 hours later shortening the time in port.

Edited July 19, 2015 by Ilovesailing

[Turtles06]

Is it legal? Read the cruise contract. They don't have to take you to a port at all.

 

Is it a good business practice? That's a very different question, and certainly depends on the reason for the changes.

[ColinIllinois]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine.

 

What do you think?

 

 

 

I think you should read the contract and be more informed about the travel you are paying for.

 

(Not meant to sound snarky).

[jmele999]

Your contract clearly states they the cruise line can do what they want

Same with cancelling a cruise which has been happened a couple times of late, as well as arrival time change in port by 2 hours later shortening the time in port.

 

I can understand a delay due to weather or ship problems. However, why are these changes happening? It appears to be almost fleet-wide.

[JVilleGal]

I think this is called "ship happens" :)

[hansolosmom]

Is it legal? Read the cruise contract. They don't have to take you to a port at all.

 

Is it a good business practice? That's a very different question, and certainly depends on the reason for the changes.

 

Totally agree, it's perfectly legal, but is it good from a customer standpoint is another question.

[Sauer-kraut]

I can understand a delay due to weather or ship problems. However, why are these changes happening? It appears to be almost fleet-wide.

 

The slower the ship moves the less oil/gas she burns, resulting in saved $$$ for the cruise line. Why has Cunard stopped doing a 5-day Atlantic crossing making it to 8 days now? All to save fuel, when the Queen Mary 2 was built to do fast crossing. Such a shame!!

 

So in order to move slower you have to depart a port earlier.

Edited July 19, 2015 by Sauer-kraut

[Cauzneffct]

The only thing NCL "has" to provide per the contract is room and board. They could, legally, pull out of port, sail a few miles and then spend the requisite number of days doing donuts in the ocean while not having or charging for entertainment and not having or charging for any food besides the buffet. But that would be crazy, and NCL isn't there. Yet.

[hypercafe]

Yes it is legal however NCL might of figured they could save some money on fuel. After all FDR is all about saving money no matter how it effects the passengers.

[rvsullivan]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine.

 

What do you think?

 

I think you're wrong! If NCL couldn't do it they wouldn't. No company is going to open themselves to a lawsuit if they can avoid it.

Now, show me the across the board change by all ships on all cruises by several hours. I saw one post about a two hour change for one port, what else? As others have said, your contract clearly states they can change any port/sailing/departure/arrival time they want. You get the cruise and food you paid for. Of course, this is true for every cruise line.

[maywell]

Like others are saying - Read the cruise contract carefully, it even states they can change itineraries completely if they wanted to. So even though you paid for a Caribbean trip to St Thomas / Barbados / St. Lucia, they can change it to Canadian trip to Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island for whatever reason and people don't have much recourse in the matter....

[jmele999]

I think you're wrong! If NCL couldn't do it they wouldn't. No company is going to open themselves to a lawsuit if they can avoid it.

Now, show me the across the board change by all ships on all cruises by several hours. I saw one post about a two hour change for one port, what else? As others have said, your contract clearly states they can change any port/sailing/departure/arrival time they want. You get the cruise and food you paid for. Of course, this is true for every cruise line.

 

There are changes to POA, Dawn, Breakaway, Escape. There is more than one. While it may be legal according to the contract, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[rvsullivan]

There are changes to POA, Dawn, Breakaway, Escape. There is more than one. While it may be legal according to the contract, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

I've got two booked on Dawn and neither changed. If you're saying that Bermuda and Hawaii are changing, I'll agree with that. Far from across the board cutbacks, wouldn't you say?

[NMLady]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine.

 

What do you think?

 

You need to read your cruise contract. The cruise line can do whatever they want or need to do regarding ports. You agree to that when you book a cruise.

[jmele999]

I've got two booked on Dawn and neither changed. If you're saying that Bermuda and Hawaii are changing, I'll agree with that. Far from across the board cutbacks, wouldn't you say?

 

Dawn and breakaway to Bermuda has been changed. POA and Escape have also been chanced. Are you on Western Caribbean Cruises on the Dawn? Please note that NCL has not changed their search engine so if you look NCL.com, the times are the same.

[DavyJoneses]

The contract also states that they can change the ports at any time.

 

Exactly.

[vince_g]

Changes in in arrival or departure times may NOT have NOTHING to do with Norwegian but with the local port officials. They are the ones who determines who docks, in what order and the arrival and departure time.

 

Thank you for this... I agree. My hunch is that this is something NCL had to do.

[SuiteCruiser]

Thank you for this... I agree. My hunch is that this is something NCL had to do.

 

Same issues at different ports? Not likely. More likely going easier on the engines and burning less fuel.

[jmele999]

Same issues at different ports? Not likely. More likely going easier on the engines and burning less fuel.

 

This is the same thing that I am thinking regarding the fuel. It is interesting that they have not made a formal announcement regarding all the changes. Is NCL trying to see what the reaction is going to be about this?

[mking8288]

There are changes to POA, Dawn, Breakaway, Escape. There is more than one. While it may be legal according to the contract, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

+1 We are with you on this ... Mahalo, we've done the POA, and there are no ships competing with them for the port (most of them, AFAIK) for "efficiency" purposes to move back the arrival time by 2 hours. For the runs coming back from Bermuda, there is already an "extra" day in the schedule - and, the Dawn typically do no faster than 17 to 20 knots, if not slower, to arrive back in Boston early ... unless there is a medical emergency or other delays en reroute or Azipod issues, etc.

 

Keep in mind that fuel prices have been lowered & staying low by most forecast analysts - other lines are already realizing savings in the revenue or bottomline in profits for the last quarter. Sure, the pom poms will waive the contract & don't we know it too, it's a business & they can pretty much do whatever they wan ... all legal - but, very poor in taste & bad faith in the "trust" worthy scoring category, for us.

 

These trends are very consistent, make no mistakes about it, of a long lines of changes for the past 5 months under new executive management - that's the bigger picture. Some of us read it, see it & recognized the subtle writtings in the virtual wall's blackboard in colorless ink - others obviously will continue to cheer & waive the banners, to each their own - agree to disagree here, differences in opinion are why we have the forum to discuss & debate.

 

Granted we might not be sailing NCL in a while with these trends - we will make our "calls" before final payment & penalty deadlines - it's not going to "bother" us :D: - good luck to those booked with great deals for 2016 and even 2017, just don't look for any grandfathered provisions - IMO.

 

Many staying on the ships for these milky runs away & don't even set foot on the piers, so it's not a big deal to them. Yeah ... :eek: - now, those flying into ports on the same day and/or flying home on the day of disembarkation ... better re-check your options about those flight times, it's all "Kosher" as they say in Brooklyn, USA.

Edited July 19, 2015 by mking8288

[HarpHarp]

Same issues at different ports? Not likely. More likely going easier on the engines and burning less fuel.

 

For some of the changes maybe, but the Escape??? The ship would have been sitting at the dock for 3 hours & still would have been sailing in circles for 11 hours, no difference in the speed since Tortola is a 30-40 minute boat ride away.:confused:

[LrgPizza]

For some of the changes maybe, but the Escape??? The ship would have been sitting at the dock for 3 hours & still would have been sailing in circles for 11 hours, no difference in the speed since Tortola is a 30-40 minute boat ride away.:confused:

The port itself likely initiated this change and not NCL.

[Travelling2Some]

Wow, I'm starting to wonder if ol' FDR (Franklin Delano or whatever his name is these days) has set himself a goal to see if he can annoy ALL of the passengers! I was fine with all the other little changes but if NCL (or any of the lines) start cutting into port times that would matter to me. We cruise for the ports and I always look carefully at the time in port on the various lines and itineraries before picking one. Feeling "rushed" is THE main downside to cruising for me so if port times shrink I'll likely choose more and more land vacations over cruises.

 

I can see where the cruise line stands to profit in several ways by cutting shore time. They save on fuel by slowing the ship (and might even brag about it saying they're "going green" lol) and they would have to pay the port authorities less to dock I would think (?). And it's a no brainer that passengers who are ON the ship spend more money on the ship than passengers who are OFF the ship. A few extra drinks, a spa treatment, a couple of extra hours in the casino, etc.