Passengers on Norwegian Spirit is mad about itinerary changes

[shof515]

Passengers on the Norwegian Spirit is missing schedule port stops and is unable to dock at alternative ports due to weather. passengers is mad and wants a refund

 

https://cruiseradio.net/upset-cruise-ship-passengers-rally-for-refund/

[erdoran]

Not to seem unsympathetic because i know some folks have been planning their cruise for years and eagerly anticipating specific ports - but if the problem is weather-related, how is that NCL’s fault or responsibility?  It sucks, it’s unfair that the weather conditions are forcing the itinerary changes and missed ports, but what is the alternative?  Risking the safety of the ship and passengers?

[BirdTravels]

So, what is the alternative? Having the ship hit the breakwater in heavy, windy seas? Can you say Concordia? And anyone who managed to get off in a life boat in those conditions would suffer the same fate. The Captain and crew did exactly the right thing in keeping the passengers, all of whom enjoyed their beverage package too much, safe. 

Edited October 8, 2019 by BirdTravels

[ollienbertsmum]

I sympathise, I have missed ports - last year we missed Naples because of storms.  We chose to sail in the autumn.   

 

Perhaps the mistake is not making it clear enough to passengers that if you sail in the autumn you might get stormy weather.  The small print needs to be bigger.  I am sure that this captain is dying a little every time he has to change the schedule - so passengers protesting with words like "shame on you" is ridiculous.  It would make more sense to put up posters saying "weather gods, shame on you".

Edited October 8, 2019 by ollienbertsmum

[casofilia]

Missing ports is common and you have to "roll with it" especially if you cruise in the season when bad weather can be expected.  NCL will accept responsibility when it is their fault but they don't control the weather.

"S... happens" but the way to react is calmly and civilly not taking a "mob mentality" view.

[david_sobe]

Its incredible the amount of passengers who blame cruise lines for weather related incidents. In fact, its probably one of the top reasons for a "terrible" cruise.  Just read the review sections.  On Bliss Alaskan cruises " The ship was horrible because we could not use the top deck because it was too cold to go outside"  Even when the ship does port and tender, if people get stuck in the rain, its the cruise line's fault.  Just read how miserable people are because they had to wait in the cold rain because in their opinion the tender boats were not big enough and fault the cruise line for them getting cold and wet.  If you don't want to get stuck in the rain by chance then don't get off the ship.  If the captain thinks its unsafe to go to a port, what can you really do?   If something happened, all those people complaining would be still complaining how their life was put at risk.  Then there are the hurricane fiascos.  Cruise lines get blamed for sailing rough seas and blamed if ports get cancelled.  And yes even when a port is closed and the captain must dock at another port, people still blame the captain and cruise line.  I always laugh at the "we were not informed properly and wanted more information."   PORT IS CLOSED.  SAILING TO ANOTHER PORT.  What more information do you need? Sadly people expect to be comforted and want someone to hold their hand because a first world problem happened with them skipping a port.  Even worse, they had to wait in a line to board a ship during embarkation because of a customs fiasco and NO ONE offered them food.  Can you believe it.  They had to go ONE full hour without eating something.  The travesty and the horror.  Why do people always expect "snacks" and water because there is a wait in line?
Seriously, most people should stick to land vacations.

Edited October 8, 2019 by david_sobe

[esm54687]

Oh damn....... FDR at it again to charge passengers and not deliver the published itinerary.   This man is truly a wizard to control the weather and other cruise lines' vessels to help with his diabolical plans. 

[Tapi]

Frustrating? Yes. Reason for a riot? No.

 

[david_sobe]

Oh, btw...the most important fact of the article is the last line.  NCL is offering a 25% discount on a future cruise.  Now that was wonderful to take a full cruise but missing most/all ports and getting such a big discount on a future cruise.  Sign me up.  I may be in the minority but unless its Alaska to get out with nature, I am not that into tourist trap mass migration tourist stops.  

[DirtyDawg]

57 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

Oh, btw...the most important fact of the article is the last line.  NCL is offering a 25% discount on a future cruise.  Now that was wonderful to take a full cruise but missing most/all ports and getting such a big discount on a future cruise.  Sign me up.  I may be in the minority but unless its Alaska to get out with nature, I am not that into tourist trap mass migration tourist stops.  

 

Summary of article for those who don't want to waste time;

 

Bad weather.

Ports missed.

People pissed.

People got 25% credit on future cruise.

 

Sign me up, Scotty!

 

BTW, if they miss a port for any reason on my next NCL cruise - I'm going to the Atrium!!!😁

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by DirtyDawg

[newmexicoNita]

33 minutes ago, DirtyDawg said:

 

Summary of article for those who don't want to waste time;

 

Bad weather.

Ports missed.

People pissed.

People got 25% credit on future cruise.

 

Sign me up, Scotty!

 

BTW, if they miss a port for any reason on my next NCL cruise - I'm going to the Atrium!!!😁

 

 

 

good post: I will never understand people. Weather related problems have nothing to do with the cruise line and just to think NCL is offering a 25% discount on a future cruise is going above and beyond. All we have ever gotten when missing a port is free drinks for an hour (olden days) and port fees returned. This has happened to us about 3 or 4 times. One time on another line, The drink offer on that ship was only at the casino bar, not the other bars throughout the ship. They did show a really good movie that afternoon in show room. 

[Peachypooh]

I don't know about anyone else but it would freak me out to no end to know there is a mob like

this in the atrium acting this way. THAT would spoil my cruise not the Captain acting in a responsible

manner to avoid problems by adjusting the itinerary.

[casofilia]

All it needs is ONE idiot with a big mouth and an attitude!!!!  Then people will follow like sheep.   Human nature of the worst kind.  Someone wants to be a "mini-dictator" to emulate the "maxi-dictators".

 

Remember "smooth words are better than a big stick".

[esm54687]

12 minutes ago, casofilia said:

All it needs is ONE idiot with a big mouth and an attitude!!!!  Then people will follow like sheep.   Human nature of the worst kind.  Someone wants to be a "mini-dictator" to emulate the "maxi-dictators".

 

Remember "smooth words are better than a big stick".

👏. 100% spot on 

[luv2kroooz]

Sucks for the passengers onboard, but safety first. Sounds like they're getting 25% plus port charge refunds. I could understand being disappointed, but not angry.

[Georgia_Peaches]

4 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Even worse, they had to wait in a line to board a ship during embarkation because of a customs fiasco and NO ONE offered them food. 

Went on our first ever NCL cruise on Epic several years ago.  It was the first Caribbean sailing after returning from the Med.  We did wait in a very long customs line (outside in the blazing sun) for several hours (no exaggeration).  At the time Port Canaveral did not have awnings on their sidewalks...so no shade.  It was a complete and total Charlie Foxtrot.  Angry people everywhere.  As it was our first experience with NCL, my inclination was to blame them for poor procedures.  But then something happened that made me book my second, my third, my fifth cruise with them...

1. they brought out cases of water and offered them to all the awaiting passengers in the hot sun
2. a white uniform came out with a bullhorn and informed the passengers about the hold up (ship inspection took extra long due to a shortage of inspection personnel)
3. once the ship was cleared, several overflow lines were opened to expedite the boarding process

While nobody liked what was happening (NCL included), I think they did the best they could in a bad set of circumstances.  

[MJSailors]

   Two words

Entitlement attitudes.

Things happen. It is a vacation, go with the flow.

I hope some of these passengers never face a terminal illness, loss of job, house fire etc,etc,etc.

[DirtyDawg]

2 hours ago, casofilia said:

All it needs is ONE idiot with a big mouth and an attitude!!!!  Then people will follow like sheep.   Human nature of the worst kind.  Someone wants to be a "mini-dictator" to emulate the "maxi-dictators".

 

Remember "smooth words are better than a big stick".

 

I love your sentiment but apparently on NCL that BIG STICK  is key  to get you 25% off your next cruise. 

🔨🗝️💲😁

 

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by DirtyDawg

[smplybcause]

4 hours ago, david_sobe said:

Oh, btw...the most important fact of the article is the last line.  NCL is offering a 25% discount on a future cruise.  Now that was wonderful to take a full cruise but missing most/all ports and getting such a big discount on a future cruise.  Sign me up.  I may be in the minority but unless its Alaska to get out with nature, I am not that into tourist trap mass migration tourist stops.  

 

I'm always a little disappointed when I cruise during hurricane season and everything goes to plan. I have one more this year just before it officially ends! 

[GA Dave]

The $1.39 cheeseburger I bought for lunch three days ago gave me a tummy ache today.  I DEMAND A FULL REFUND ON ALL MY EXPENSES SINCE THEN!!!

 

 

🤣

[derek005]

I just read the article and some of these people are idiots for leaving signs and getting in the face of a ship officer and acting like a mob. Mother Nature is unpredictable sometimes. NCL is ensuring that you are safe vice taking a chance on your life. Shame on you folks that acted like children.

Edited October 8, 2019 by derek005

[ollienbertsmum]

I almost feel sorry for those who feel aggrieved.  They set off on their cruise assuming that each port was guaranteed.  They thought that the money they paid guaranteed that.  They forgot that actually all they were guaranteed were a safe journey, a comfortable cabin, food and drink, entertainment and a lovely crew.  The ports are a bonus.  

[lanceholt]

25% off next cruise when not one of these missed ports was the fault of the cruise line?  Gimme a break.  We love cruising and if/when a port is missed we roll with the punches and are happy we are on vacation aboard a ship.  First world problems, and these passengers are acting like spoiled children.  Can't wait till the lawsuit threats start up.

[pc_load_letter]

I am happy that I am in agreement with everyone here.

 

The wife and I returned last week from the NCL Gen which was sailing from Boston to Quebec. We hit Bar Harbor,  Halifax and Sydney but missed the last two ports. I can't even remember the names but one is where Anna Green Gables is located\inspired?

 

Never the less, the wind was 30+ mph and with the last two ports tender ports, the captain said it was too dangerous and skipped them.

 

Well, you would have thought we hit an iceberg. I have never seen so many pissed off people in my life. My wife was cracking me up because she outright told some complaining lady to stuff it when when were waiting in line for dinner. My wife said, you know, I am not doing laundry, I am not cleaning the house, I am not working. Sure, we missed a couple ports but we having a good time with family and we're just going to enjoy our drink package.

 

I almost lost it when I was coming out of the fitness area and a bunch of old ladies were complaining that the ship should offer more classes when at sea and they were mad they couldn't get any classes. Eye roll please.

 

The ship did offer plenty of additional activities and while had this been a summer time cruise with no rain, I get how people felt cramped in the interior. But put on a jacket, get a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the view. The temps on the back of the ship were not that bad and there was plenty of seating.

 

The wife and I had a great time and NCL was great. Food was excellent. Shows were great. Ship looked great. I could have really done without the people.

[kiwi57]

I was on that cruise. While we were in Flåm I decided to cut my losses and find a plane out of Alesund (two stops later) and get a flight to London. Glad I did. That sailing was doomed from the beginning. As soon as we got on it was one cancellation after another. I have sailed over 30 times and have never encountered weather like that. We did not find out about the hurricane situation until a day or so in, and it is the first time in recorded history a hurricane has moved as far east and north as Lorenzo did, so not something people generally think about with a fjords/Iceland cruise. The night before Iceland was cancelled, we had sustained 50-60 apparent knot winds across the bow all night long. Four bars took heavy damage; two in the casino, one in the Galaxy, and the Blue Lagoon bar, with glasses, booze bottles, and anything else not nailed down hitting the floor during and extreme swaying side to side at one point. All the bottles and toiletries in my room and bathroom were on the floor or in the sink when I returned. No one could walk straight, people were sick, and this went on for four nights in a row. Even though they added two extra fjords ports, each night they had to go back out into the North Sea and circle aimlessly for hours while dumping waste and putting us through the storm winds for hours and hours. Not to say the fjords weren’t beautiful. They were amazing and we had incredible weather while inside the fjords.  I absolutely would not have been comfortable having that ship try to undertake the ports on the itinerary that we missed. Anyone who gets on a ship knows that they are at the mercy of the elements. Seeing that they missed the added port, Glasgow, does not not surprise me. They were handing out forms to file complaints with NCL after night three.