My 10 day Jade cruise is cancelled

[CruisingNole]

Might want to switch to another cruise line. While these things can happen on any cruise line, the recent frequency, short notice and minimal compensation is a joke. Don't give your money to these shysters.

[newmexicoNita]

OP, we all sympathize with you and know how hard it is, especially considering it was the cruise you so much wanted, but as a retired TA and several years in the hospitality business I know this happens often, regardless of the line. Anyone who refers to not being given enough notice isn't looking at how far our you have booked. In the industry any cancellation 6 months or more out is considered perfectly acceptable.. My only concern is the lousy $25 OBC. OBC really do not cost the cruise line much money, so why not offer something that means something to the passenger.

 

Do let me add and this isn't not making excuses for any line, but cancellations happen more than many realize. I have to say, we have been lucky, never had a change or cancellation, but we do not book that far our as a rule. I did have it happen to customers more than once and not only on NCL. I do hope you can work something out.

[newmexicoNita]

Might want to switch to another cruise line. While these things can happen on any cruise line, the recent frequency, short notice and minimal compensation is a joke. Don't give your money to these shysters.

would you care to share with us what NCL cruse was cancelled giving only a short notice? for someone who has only cruised NCL once you seem to be an expert. What some do not realize, with the the computer at our figure tips and social media many of us are seeing and hearing about situations we were not even aware of 25 years ago. No, NCL doesn't cancel anymore often then other lines. Stuff does happen. Is it right? In most cases no, but that is life.

[ljrfrm]

OP, we all sympathize with you and know how hard it is, especially considering it was the cruise you so much wanted, but as a retired TA and several years in the hospitality business I know this happens often, regardless of the line. Anyone who refers to not being given enough notice isn't looking at how far our you have booked. In the industry any cancellation 6 months or more out is considered perfectly acceptable.. My only concern is the lousy $25 OBC. OBC really do not cost the cruise line much money, so why not offer something that means something to the passenger.

 

Do let me add and this isn't not making excuses for any line, but cancellations happen more than many realize. I have to say, we have been lucky, never had a change or cancellation, but we do not book that far our as a rule. I did have it happen to customers more than once and not only on NCL. I do hope you can work something out.

 

Thanks! We've known multiple people this has happened to - with other lines as well. We've also had a previous cruise cancelled as well (on the Escape), but as that one was so far out and it was a repeat cruise so not sold on the itinerary, it really wasn't a big deal. We weren't offered anything and I didn't expect anything at that time.

 

I wish I could just move to another 10-day on a different week but am bound by that week. I just wish there was another 10/11 day available then. Beginning next year, my youngest will be off at college and we'll be free to travel any week - for now, we'll figure something out. I am lucky to have a problem like this -there are many people who could never be in my shoes and I realize that. We will find something and all will be good. I just had a very bad day yesterday and it was sad to come home to this news.

[david_sobe]

$25 OBC is pretty lousy. But if my cruise was cancelled it would not be OBC to make me stick and book another cruise with NCL. I think NCL could do better than 10% discount on rebooking. That tiny discount probably would not make me eager to book another cruise with NCL right away.

[peteukmcr]

I beg to differ with the nonsense you just posted and that I highlighted in red.

I started cruising in 1971......in my 47 years of cruising, I have NOT experienced ONE SINGLE cancellation.

Please do not try to give this any kind of positive spin, there is NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING positive about this cancellation to the people it affects!

I agree with your comment about there being nothing positive about a cancellation.

 

However, you have been very lucky IMHO as we have been sailing for 14 years and out of 28 sailings we have had 2 cancelled. 1 by Celebrity and 1 by NCL (on the Jade coincidentally).

 

I have to say the compensation and alternatives offered by NCL were far inferior to those offered by Celebrity, in that NCL did not offer any comparable sailing, did not offer price protection (no discount) and the OBC was pitiful. Whereas Celebrity offered comparable sailings, price protected for the same grade of cabin and provided $150 OBC.

 

Needless to say the service offered by NCL (took 3 months to get our deposit back as we cancelled) left a slight bitter taste and did put us off ever booking with them again, but we have relented and are trying them again later this year.

[Alegeeter]

Also, the 10% discount seems pretty lousy and a ploy for NCL to make themselves look like they're offering the passenger something. They only give you 60 days to reschedule so you're pretty much bound to the current pricing. What do you bet after those 60 days the listed prices drop by 10%. No one is getting 10% off, you're just getting the market rate 2 months earlier than others.

[logan25]

What I think is pretty lousy is no replacement sailing is price protected. Would 10% discount equate to such? Would not make that assumption without actual numbers.

 

Having said that, NCL gets to do any ole thing they want. That's a fact. Chips fall and customers choose to roll with the punches or not.

[davesgirl51]

I sure am not singing NCL's praises! I was the poster who posted re: the cancellation of the 10 da Sun cruise that was to have been Nov 2018. At least you got the news way ahead of time and not just a few months before.

 

It has been a real pain to send in all the info re: the airline tickets in the hopes of getting a $ 300.00 pp reimbursement. As it is we paid $ 845.00 for 2 tickets so we will still be out money. I sure hope they won't say they would pay up to $ 300.00 per person if we just rescheduled the plane ticket as I did cancel them.

 

We have been on close to 20 cruises with NCL and are Platinum Plus. This whole thing has soured me on NCL. I always book through Casinos at Sea and one of the reps told me NCL would not reimburse anything for plane tickets since we didn't book the plane tickets through NCL. WHAT?? I called the regular NCL number and an agent told me where to access the forms etc. Grr. We are 78 and 88 yrs old and don't need this stress for sure.

 

I understand completely. Something happens after 65 and this kind of stuff is very difficult to deal with. And the more that technology “improves” the more we are forced to try and understand. :(

[newmexicoNita]

Also, the 10% discount seems pretty lousy and a ploy for NCL to make themselves look like they're offering the passenger something. They only give you 60 days to reschedule so you're pretty much bound to the current pricing. What do you bet after those 60 days the listed prices drop by 10%. No one is getting 10% off, you're just getting the market rate 2 months earlier than others.

the 10% isn't all that unusual. There have been times, when this far out nothing is offered. It used to be no money applied to changing airlines for instance. The cruise lines view was: we didn't book you air or hotel and we didn't ask you to book 9 months out or whatever. I am not saying they actually said it but that was the implication.

[njkate]

the 10% isn't all that unusual. There have been times, when this far out nothing is offered. It used to be no money applied to changing airlines for instance. The cruise lines view was: we didn't book you air or hotel and we didn't ask you to book 9 months out or whatever. I am not saying they actually said it but that was the implication.

Well IMO that is NOT very customer friendly at all

[reaton]

OP, we all sympathize with you and know how hard it is, especially considering it was the cruise you so much wanted, but as a retired TA and several years in the hospitality business I know this happens often, regardless of the line. Anyone who refers to not being given enough notice isn't looking at how far our you have booked. In the industry any cancellation 6 months or more out is considered perfectly acceptable.. My only concern is the lousy $25 OBC. OBC really do not cost the cruise line much money, so why not offer something that means something to the passenger.

 

 

 

Do let me add and this isn't not making excuses for any line, but cancellations happen more than many realize. I have to say, we have been lucky, never had a change or cancellation, but we do not book that far our as a rule. I did have it happen to customers more than once and not only on NCL. I do hope you can work something out.

 

 

 

What always confuses me about these threads is WHY is it considered perfectly acceptable?!?

 

 

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[littlelulu01]

What always confuses me about these threads is WHY is it considered perfectly acceptable?!?

 

 

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It’s not, however for some reason a few posters do consistently chime in whenever a cruise is canceled in an attempt to make it sound like the canceled passengers should be grateful no matter what a company does. It is quite enlightening to read these same posters responses on the recent Ncl Sun construction cruise. Most of us are simply trying to plan fun vacations and offer suggestions when something goes wrong.

[njkate]

It’s not, however for some reason a few posters do consistently chime in whenever a cruise is canceled in an attempt to make it sound like the canceled passengers should be grateful no matter what a company does. It is quite enlightening to read these same posters responses on the recent Ncl Sun construction cruise. Most of us are simply trying to plan fun vacations and offer suggestions when something goes wrong.

Agree!! people work hard to save and plan a vacation, when the cruise line cancels and then offers paltry compensation it is not customer friendly, hate those posts by a few that have the tone oh well, grrrrrr

[njkate]

What always confuses me about these threads is WHY is it considered perfectly acceptable?!?

 

 

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I scratch my head as well, it's one thing to cancel or alter because a major hurricane is brewing but to cancel for a charter that is lousy imo, then paltry compensation lousy again

[NLH Arizona]

What always confuses me about these threads is WHY is it considered perfectly acceptable?!?

 

 

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I don't think anyone has said that it is perfectly acceptable, because it is not. What they are saying is that most mass market lines cancel cruises, I've had it happen on Celebrity and someone else said HAL does it, Princess does it, as does Royal Caribbean. Cancelled cruises are a lot like termites here in Arizona, it is not if you will get them, it is when, so if one cruises a lot they will probably have one or more cruises cancelled. I'm over 50 cruises and have only had one Celebrity cruise cancelled, which I figure is very, very lucky.

[newmexicoNita]

I am not sure anyone has ever said it is ok this is done. I think what some are saying is: for those with experience, either in the industry or experienced cruisers simply are saying, this isn't new in the industry and normally see it when the sailing is 6 months or so out. No one likes it when this happens of course, especially when the sailing is one you have looked forward to for a long time. I know how the industry works and I would still be very disappointed if my Feb cruise was cancelled or the itinerary was changed too much. No, I really don't care about one or two ports but to have it totally altered would be a disappointment. :*

[Captain-John]

I don't think anyone has said that it is perfectly acceptable, because it is not. What they are saying is that most mass market lines cancel cruises, I've had it happen on Celebrity and someone else said HAL does it, Princess does it, as does Royal Caribbean. Cancelled cruises are a lot like termites here in Arizona, it is not if you will get them, it is when, so if one cruises a lot they will probably have one or more cruises cancelled. I'm over 50 cruises and have only had one Celebrity cruise cancelled, which I figure is very, very lucky.

 

I think the point is, that no matter how 'inevitable' a cancelled cruise is, it's still extremely disruptive and creates huge disappointment and loss of expectation - which should be reasonable compensated - and the compensation offered here isn't adequate.

 

Not arguing with you at all, so please don't misunderstand me - it's just the people who shrug off a cancellation like it should be no big deal and that it's 'in the terms and conditions' and the cruise line can do what it wants because it says it can in the ticket contract are very irritating.

[peteukmcr]

What always confuses me about these threads is WHY is it considered perfectly acceptable?!?

 

 

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It's not, but there are many who will call you a liar, pillory you, and downright be rude should you say anything against their favourite line. Not just on NCL boards, but on every cruise line board.

 

You should have read the thread I was involved in regarding the cancellation of our Jade 2016 sailing back in 2015. Despite providing evidence, I was told by so called cheerleaders that I could not have booked flights for the cancelled cruise, that 'there's more to this story' than I was reporting, and that I was basically lying.

 

All I was doing was trying to get NCL to pay up. At first NCL said they would pay for our cancelled flights (luckily less than $300 pp) but then they rescinded the offer, despite 2 NCL employees having previously confirmed in writing that they would pay.

 

In short the cheerleaders on this board were extremely rude and it put us of NCL for 3 years!

 

So it's not surprising some are not sympathetic to those who have been affected. I am, because we've been there, and my recommendation would be, don't give up, keep all correspondence and take a note of every persons name you speak to on the telephone. That's how we got NCL to pay up, even then as I mentioned it took 3 months for the deposit to be refunded!

 

Don't take no for an answer.

[NLH Arizona]

I think the point is, that no matter how 'inevitable' a cancelled cruise is, it's still extremely disruptive and creates huge disappointment and loss of expectation - which should be reasonable compensated - and the compensation offered here isn't adequate.

 

Not arguing with you at all, so please don't misunderstand me - it's just the people who shrug off a cancellation like it should be no big deal and that it's 'in the terms and conditions' and the cruise line can do what it wants because it says it can in the ticket contract are very irritating.

Of course it is disappointing, I was disappointed when my cruise was cancelled and had to take time to find an alternative cruise that would fit into my scedule and my TA had to fight with Celebrity to get me at least what I had (perks, etc.). FWIW, unfortunately the cruise lines can do what they want, because of the cruise ticket contract and there is not a lot we can do about it, other than not cruise. Do I think NCL is being super cheap with the $25/$50, yes, but unfortunately they have done it before and people have rebooked and taken it, so unless people make a stand and don't rebook or fight really hard to get something more, they will continue to offer the least amount they can. BTW, Celebrity offered $100 for a Concierge Class cabin, as compensation when my cruise was cancelled. Edited July 11, 2018 by NLH Arizona

[newmexicoNita]

Well IMO that is NOT very customer friendly at all

and I doubt anyone would argue with that, but the facts are still the facts. The cruise lines are still going out pretty full so don't think for any of them to change their policies much.

[littlelulu01]

It's not, but there are many who will call you a liar, pillory you, and downright be rude should you say anything against their favourite line. Not just on NCL boards, but on every cruise line board.

 

You should have read the thread I was involved in regarding the cancellation of our Jade 2016 sailing back in 2015. Despite providing evidence, I was told by so called cheerleaders that I could not have booked flights for the cancelled cruise, that 'there's more to this story' than I was reporting, and that I was basically lying.

 

All I was doing was trying to get NCL to pay up. At first NCL said they would pay for our cancelled flights (luckily less than $300 pp) but then they rescinded the offer, despite 2 NCL employees having previously confirmed in writing that they would pay.

 

In short the cheerleaders on this board were extremely rude and it put us of NCL for 3 years!

 

So it's not surprising some are not sympathetic to those who have been affected. I am, because we've been there, and my recommendation would be, don't give up, keep all correspondence and take a note of every persons name you speak to on the telephone. That's how we got NCL to pay up, even then as I mentioned it took 3 months for the deposit to be refunded!

 

Don't take no for an answer.

 

Welcome back Pete. I hope you enjoy your future sailing with Ncl. I remember how poorly you were treated during that massive cancelation.

 

I believe all those threads have mysteriously disappeared.

 

Folks wonder how often or what the odds are something can happen like this with their vacation. For 2016 I’d guess it was about a 40% chance if you booked an Ncl cruise it would be canceled. Some passengers were adequately taken care of and some not.

 

Out of curiosity I did a quick check for canceled cruises this year. I am not counting anything canceled due to a dry dock, mechanical issues, port change, or weather related. Those types of things happen and that’s what cruise insurance is for.

 

A quick search, likely not complete, revealed by only looking at actual cruises that were canceled because Ncl either chartered the ship or changed itinerary/didn’t honor new price:

 

On 1/9/18 the 10/1/18 Pearl pacific coast canceled for a charter. Passengers initially promised a replacement cruise that didn’t materialize. Zero price protection to switch to Bliss pacific coast. (The charter had been announced in October of 2017 but it took Ncl till January to cancel passengers)

 

On 1/8/18- the 9/18/18 New York eastern Canada canceled. Price protection offered for a couple alternative sailings and $25 obc to rebook.

 

On 4/4/18 the 3/13/19 and 7/17/19 pearl sailings canceled. Price protection for 2 alternative dates and $25 obc offers.

 

On 7/10/18 the 4/12/1910 night Jade so Caribbean canceled. No price protection. 10% off and $25 obc to rebook alternative sailing.

 

The Recent sun canceled sailing was less than 6 month prior and $100 obc plus 10% if you want the new itinerary same dates. No price protection.That thread still active.

 

On all the canceled cruises noted above Ncl also offered up to $300 airfare change fees if you rebooked with them.

 

Would be interesting to see what the odds are on other lines and what they offer when they do the same.

 

Ncl has a successful music charter division, sixthman. You can sometimes advert headaches by checking Ncl sixthman site prior to purchasing your cruise. For example- Sixthman is currently selling a music charter on the Jade for 2019 Mediterranean season that clearly conflicts with their cruises for sale on the regular Ncl site. Not that a customer should have to do this but if it can potentially save even a few folks a headache then it’s better than nothing.

Edited July 11, 2018 by littlelulu01

[Oceansaway17]

After reading all the comments I too get annoyed with those preachy folks who say read the terms and conditions. Enough with the snarky comments. Most folks know about terms. What they don't like is the game playing that cruise lines do more and more these days.

 

So let me say if a cruise line says it has scheduling issues, that sounds like Bull to me. Berths are negotiated over a year in advance or longer. If they don't offer a replacement ship, then who gets that berth at any of those ports. One would think they would hold onto a berth.

 

To me the cruise lines need to just be honest and say "WE ARE CHANGING TO A CHARTER and we are sorry".

I also feel like and I have said this a lot, All charters should be booked by large groups 18 months in advance and before new schedules are published. Either that or offer only partial charters and let the public have the rest of the cabins

 

I went on a Bus tour out west and it was with a well known company - high end company "G". Half of the group was a partial charter and since they had some cancels, it was opened up to the public for the remainder. I did find the trip a bit awkward as that group had extra things planned that the rest of us could not join. But I still enjoyed most of the trip

 

It is time that cruise lines NOT charter the whole ship but rather a percentage.

I am glad to hear that Princess announced for 2020 Olympics that one of their ships is being chartered. Enough time in advance which is what they all should do.

[casofilia]

To me the cruise lines need to just be honest and say "WE ARE CHANGING TO A CHARTER and we are sorry".

AND then make a REAL ex-gracia payment whose cruises/holiday have been seriously affected. We have 6 B2B cruises in the Caribbean area, the flight cost from New Zealand mean it is a once off deal for us

Can you imagine our annoyance IF we had a cruise in the middle cancelled and all they offered was what they are offering now? I can't.

[DMH15]

I know you are disappointed. I was bumped TWICE from the Jade the same week. A twist of fate rebooked us on The Epic.

 

Since there were no 3-pax suites to replace our earlier booking we ponied up extra for the DOS.

 

I would have never booked Epic outright so I ended up having an unexpected incredible cruise!

 

Just move on to Plan B and don't look back! Hope it works out for you like it did for me!!!

 

 

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