On the EPIC now and can't get into Tangier...What a disappointment!

[trinitytrees]

Cancellations of ports happens, we cruised once in August in England. A wind got up and we failed to dock in Folye sailed onto Lisbon only to have that cancelled due to Fog, in August! disappointing yes,necessary to cancel for safety reasons absolute yes.

 

On our last cruise we were heading for Istanbul, a port I have Never done, only to have the ship diverted to rescue refugees who were stranded in a yacht,meant to hold 25 there were 121people on board, we missed Istanbul but saved lives potentially.

 

I was ashamed to here the complaints of some passengers, yes be disappointed, we were too. but I hadn't expected the lack of understanding of saving those lives especially the small children.

[DMH15]

Cancellations of ports happens, we cruised once in August in England. A wind got up and we failed to dock in Folye sailed onto Lisbon only to have that cancelled due to Fog, in August! disappointing yes,necessary to cancel for safety reasons absolute yes.

 

 

 

On our last cruise we were heading for Istanbul, a port I have Never done, only to have the ship diverted to rescue refugees who were stranded in a yacht,meant to hold 25 there were 121people on board, we missed Istanbul but saved lives potentially.

 

 

 

I was ashamed to here the complaints of some passengers, yes be disappointed, we were too. but I hadn't expected the lack of understanding of saving those lives especially the small children.

 

 

Wow. That is an amazing story. Thankful I live in a free country. Cannot imagine having to flee in scary and unsafe conditions.

[Shawnino]

Cancellations of ports happens, we cruised once in August in England. A wind got up and we failed to dock in Folye sailed onto Lisbon only to have that cancelled due to Fog, in August! disappointing yes,necessary to cancel for safety reasons absolute yes.

 

On our last cruise we were heading for Istanbul, a port I have Never done, only to have the ship diverted to rescue refugees who were stranded in a yacht,meant to hold 25 there were 121people on board, we missed Istanbul but saved lives potentially.

 

I was ashamed to here the complaints of some passengers, yes be disappointed, we were too. but I hadn't expected the lack of understanding of saving those lives especially the small children.

 

The ship surely should not have been diverted.

The yacht could have dropped the refugees/ISIS-members in Greece or Turkey or wherever.

Not like they were sitting on an oil drum in the middle of the Pacific?

Surprised NCL would put pax at risk by letting who-knows-who aboard.

[papcx]

 

Surprised NCL would put pax at risk by letting who-knows-who aboard.

 

 

I somehow doubt they were let among the passengers. No chance of rubbing shoulders at the buffet or in the theatre.

[Shawnino]

I somehow doubt they were let among the passengers. No chance of rubbing shoulders at the buffet or in the theatre.

 

Even though you are likely right, the trip before we sailed the Jade last February there was a foiled passport-swap operation in Istanbul for half a dozen "refugees".

 

NCL needs to err completely on the side of protecting pax.

[hawkeyetlse]

The ship surely should not have been diverted.

The yacht could have dropped the refugees/ISIS-members in Greece or Turkey or wherever.

Not like they were sitting on an oil drum in the middle of the Pacific?

Surprised NCL would put pax at risk by letting who-knows-who aboard.

I don't think trinitytrees was talking about an NCL cruise. I'm guessing they were on the Island Princess last July. The details of this rescue can be found by searching CC and the rest of the internet, you can probably find an account that spins the story in a way that satisfies you.

[CruisinMaterial]

Hi.

What was the weather like when u visited Tangier on this cruise? I'm trying to plan what to pack so great to hear of someone that has done same itinerary not so long ago.

 

It was cooler than I thought it would be for the continent of Africa. I was wearing jeans, t-shirt and light jacket the whole trip. The medina in Teteouan is in the shade always so it was cooler. Cap Spartel was freezing with just the light jacket. Bring layers and peel as you go along. Hope that helps! :)

[trinitytrees]

I don't think trinitytrees was talking about an NCL cruise. I'm guessing they were on the Island Princess last July. The details of this rescue can be found by searching CC and the rest of the internet, you can probably find an account that spins the story in a way that satisfies you.

 

Yes you are right it was Island princess. Maritime law dictates that ships have to go to aid of others in distress. Our ship was nearest vessel, I watched the boat being rescued in the middle of night. The refugees were taken to deck 8 at front of ship were given food medical attention, the ship had to divert to mainland Greece it took most of next day for Greek authorities to process refugees with Red Cross In assistance. More can be found in press release etc. Seeing children, pregnant ladies, families being escorted off the cruise ships reminded me how LUCKY I was, not to see Istanbul was a consequence of that rescue, I would have not wanted it any other way.

[sjbdtz]

I don't think trinitytrees was talking about an NCL cruise. I'm guessing they were on the Island Princess last July. The details of this rescue can be found by searching CC and the rest of the internet, you can probably find an account that spins the story in a way that satisfies you.

 

 

I like you.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

.

[Pe&mma]

We are on the EPIC at the moment and couldn't get into Tangier this morning. Us and the ship is beyond devastated. Tugs couldn't get us to the dock. Being replaced with a sea day. Don't know why we couldn't just hang out here to see if they could get it done OR do a tender! We booked this cruise for this stop specifically and really don't feel enough was done to make something happen.

 

I so agree with your feelings. Had to get my passport sent by courier to get visa, private tour and all for nothing. I think captain could have explained better and replace with some activities that were intellectual like travel talks.A request for waiving or reduction in say bowling cost was met with a response from client services mgr of 'these things happen, too bad, no exceptions and make the best of what you're given 'attitude. I think our ship size was a factor in why there was no alternative port.....All down to someone could have explained.

[cjcruises]

I so agree with your feelings. Had to get my passport sent by courier to get visa, private tour and all for nothing. I think captain could have explained better and replace with some activities that were intellectual like travel talks.A request for waiving or reduction in say bowling cost was met with a response from client services mgr of 'these things happen, too bad, no exceptions and make the best of what you're given 'attitude. I think our ship size was a factor in why there was no alternative port.....All down to someone could have explained.

 

You needed a visa? No trolling here, just curious. We are headed to Tangier in a coulee of weeks on Epic and I haven't seen anything about needing any documentation other than our passports. Do I need to be getting visas for the family if we are going on a private excursion?

[Pe&mma]

You needed a visa? No trolling here, just curious. We are headed to Tangier in a coulee of weeks on Epic and I haven't seen anything about needing any documentation other than our passports. Do I need to be getting visas for the family if we are going on a private excursion?

check on internet ie Moroccan website on whether you need one....US, British Australian citizens do not.

[jacobzara]

You were lucky we were on the Feb 14th canaries sailing and stopped in tangiers and quite frankly it was the most awful place I have ever been to we got off had a look around were hassled constantly so turned back and got back on the ship (as were many other people).

A few days later a guy told me about an American lady who had suffered physical abuse in a market that led to her suffering a very bad panic attack that on return to the ship was (wrongly ) diagnosed as a heart attack and the lady was removed from the ship left alone in Morroco.

With no money and could only get back on the ship in the canaries with the help of her daughters wiring her money to get a flight and a email from her doctors stating she didn't suffer from heart problems...

On a brighter note the rest of the cruise was fantastic...

[old nutter]

The ship surely should not have been diverted.

The yacht could have dropped the refugees/ISIS-members in Greece or Turkey or wherever.

Not like they were sitting on an oil drum in the middle of the Pacific?

Surprised NCL would put pax at risk by letting who-knows-who aboard.

 

You probably think that the Med is easy because it is a lot smaller than the big oceans. It can be a very nasty bit of sea. I have seen at least one ship that was thrown clear out of the water once onto rocks on the Cyprus coast years back - took more than two years to take it to bits using gas torches! And if you haven't seen what is happening round there on the news, over 500 people have already been drowned this year crossing to try to get to Greece!

[MrMike45]

Have been lucky enough to never miss a port due to weather (totally jinxing myself for future cruises I'm sure), but have an odd question.

 

When booking the cruise you pay for port fees & taxes. If a port is aborted...do you get a refund?

[Windsailer]

You were lucky we were on the Feb 14th canaries sailing and stopped in tangiers and quite frankly it was the most awful place I have ever been to we got off had a look around were hassled constantly so turned back and got back on the ship (as were many other people).

.

 

I'm sorry you had that experience. I was on the same cruise, and having done considerable research in advance, decided Tangiers was one place we would do a ship's tour. The tour was fine, a few glitches, but saw many interesting places. But after going through the Medina I was glad I was not wandering on my own. I'd like to go back - and arrange a private guide next time - so we could avoid the carpet shop stop and the argan oil stop.

[papcx]

When booking the cruise you pay for port fees & taxes. If a port is aborted...do you get a refund?

 

 

Yes, you should do!

 

The Epic missed Civitchevvechia (sp) at the beginning of Feb. No automatic refund on board and some of us are having issues getting a refund from head office now we're home.

 

Very poor customer service so far.

[bellevuemountain]

Yes, you should do!

 

The Epic missed Civitchevvechia (sp) at the beginning of Feb. No automatic refund on board and some of us are having issues getting a refund from head office now we're home.

 

Very poor customer service so far.

 

Hi! Not wanting to be a troll... But a quick question since the opportunity arose! I was on the same cruise as you and am facing same issue. I was also told no refund for Civitavecchia, please take up issue with Headquarters upon disembarkation...

 

How did you proceed? I understand that we missed the port but do not understand the principle of not having the port charges automatically reimbursed.

 

Thanks for any info!

[papcx]

Hi! Not wanting to be a troll... But a quick question since the opportunity arose! I was on the same cruise as you and am facing same issue. I was also told no refund for Civitavecchia, please take up issue with Headquarters upon disembarkation...

 

 

 

How did you proceed? I understand that we missed the port but do not understand the principle of not having the port charges automatically reimbursed.

 

 

 

Thanks for any info!

 

 

I used the web site to contact customer services through the "contact us" link. I should add I am in the UK.

 

The next day I got a reply asking how I wanted my refund, cheque or bank transfer. I'm still waiting for the cheque.

[GUEST080219]

I used the web site to contact customer services through the "contact us" link. I should add I am in the UK.

 

The next day I got a reply asking how I wanted my refund, cheque or bank transfer. I'm still waiting for the cheque.

 

Have they mentioned how much the port fees are?

I did not bother so far because I expected it to be less than 10€

[IsanTom]

Enjoy your cruise! This is your holiday, if you miss a port or two, enjoy yourself on the ship. Of course, much easier if you have the drink package! Bon Voyage!

[papcx]

Have they mentioned how much the port fees are?

 

I did not bother so far because I expected it to be less than 10€

 

 

Hi there.

 

€12, but it's not about the value, it's the customer service element. It would appear head office have made the decision to not auto-refund, probably in the hope people don't ask. American passengers are been told no refund, because there wasn't any port chargers for Chivitchevecia (sp) on "this cruise" not sure what that's about.

 

4,100 passengers is just short of €50,000. Is that enough money to frustrate that number of passengers?

 

Last year on the Jade we missed Katakolon and the port fees were refunded automatically.

Edited February 27, 2016 by papcx