Norwegian Unresponsive to the Coronavirus in Asia

[mugtech]

5 minutes ago, Atgatsea said:

Actions speak louder than words and NCL’s silence is deafening.  Yes, they have a solid contract with lots of clauses and contingencies all designed to protect them In keeping our money.  But so do Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity yet they, along with major hotels, casinos, airlines, etc., have all taken a proactive approach to protect their customers, employees, and non-customers living in the hot zones.  There is no doubt they will all take a major hit to their bottom line but they should be insured against events like this, as I would imagine NCL is similarly insured.  Placing blame on customers and pointing to travel insurance is avoiding their responsibility to do what is right.  There is no excuse for NCL’s silence and lack of action other than naked greed and their actions, or rather lack of actions, is speaking to me loudly and it is saying the health and safety of its guests and employees is not NCL’s first priority and, as a result, my actions will be to sail with one of these others companies (Royal, Celebrity, Carnival) whose actions are more compelling.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[luv2kroooz]

1 hour ago, Atgatsea said:

Actions speak louder than words and NCL’s silence is deafening.  Yes, they have a solid contract with lots of clauses and contingencies all designed to protect them In keeping our money.  But so do Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity yet they, along with major hotels, casinos, airlines, etc., have all taken a proactive approach to protect their customers, employees, and non-customers living in the hot zones.  There is no doubt they will all take a major hit to their bottom line but they should be insured against events like this, as I would imagine NCL is similarly insured.  Placing blame on customers and pointing to travel insurance is avoiding their responsibility to do what is right.  There is no excuse for NCL’s silence and lack of action other than naked greed and their actions, or rather lack of actions, is speaking to me loudly and it is saying the health and safety of its guests and employees is not NCL’s first priority and, as a result, my actions will be to sail with one of these others companies (Royal, Celebrity, Carnival) whose actions are more compelling.

Well said. You'll be in the minority here, but don't let that stop you from talking about how you feel! Nothing wrong with calling NCL out for what this is....careless and reckless behavior in an effort to protect the bottom line. There is no other plausible explanation for their behavior when compared to that of their competitors, and I'm talking cruiselines, airlines, and hotels. Safe travels and well being to anyone traveling to or through or around Southeast Asia.

[heidikay]

Watch the news.  It would be certainly irresponsible to take passengers to Hong Kong right now.  Their medical workers are on strike!  What if someone has a heart attack, appendicitis, broken ankle?    Coronavirus is the least of your concerns.  It is putting everyone in danger to travel there. 

[smplybcause]

53 minutes ago, heidikay said:

Watch the news.  It would be certainly irresponsible to take passengers to Hong Kong right now.  Their medical workers are on strike!  What if someone has a heart attack, appendicitis, broken ankle?    Coronavirus is the least of your concerns.  It is putting everyone in danger to travel there. 

 

Were you similarly calling last year for NCL to not go to Ireland, France, or Holland when their healthcare workers were striking?

[NLH Arizona]

3 hours ago, Atgatsea said:

Actions speak louder than words and NCL’s silence is deafening.  Yes, they have a solid contract with lots of clauses and contingencies all designed to protect them In keeping our money.  But so do Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity yet they, along with major hotels, casinos, airlines, etc., have all taken a proactive approach to protect their customers, employees, and non-customers living in the hot zones.  There is no doubt they will all take a major hit to their bottom line but they should be insured against events like this, as I would imagine NCL is similarly insured.  Placing blame on customers and pointing to travel insurance is avoiding their responsibility to do what is right.  There is no excuse for NCL’s silence and lack of action other than naked greed and their actions, or rather lack of actions, is speaking to me loudly and it is saying the health and safety of its guests and employees is not NCL’s first priority and, as a result, my actions will be to sail with one of these others companies (Royal, Celebrity, Carnival) whose actions are more compelling.

I agree, NCL needs to put out more information, like Celebrity.  Here is some of what Celebrity sent to their passengers:

 

After further consultation with public health authorities and medical experts, we have decided that any guest, or crewmember, who has traveled to, from, or through China or Hong Kong within 15 days of departure will be unable to board our ships – this includes guests who had connecting flights in China or Hong Kong.

 

As a result, it is imperative that you check your air travel itinerary closely to ensure you do not transit through any gateway in China or Hong Kong. Guests who have air travel booked through Flights by Celebrity will be re-accommodated on alternate routes and receive new flight information automatically. Guests with independent air travel arrangements need to contact their air carriers directly to make all required adjustments and changes to their air travel.

 

We have also increased secondary health screening requirements. The following guests will need to undergo extra screenings at the cruise terminal:

• Guests or crewmembers who have been in contact with individuals who have traveled to, from, or through mainland China or Hong Kong in the last 15 days.
• Anyone that holds a Chinese or Hong Kong passport – regardless of when they were there last.
• Anyone that feels unwell or demonstrates flu-like symptoms.

 

 

[mjkacmom]

It appears there are folks not to happy with Celebrity over this, after flying in and denied boarding, and only getting refunded the cost of the cruise.

[ziggyuk]

1 hour ago, heidikay said:

Watch the news.  It would be certainly irresponsible to take passengers to Hong Kong right now.  Their medical workers are on strike!  What if someone has a heart attack, appendicitis, broken ankle?    Coronavirus is the least of your concerns.  It is putting everyone in danger to travel there. 

 

With 8000 hospital workers on strike in Seattle I guess it would be equally irresponsible to take passengers to Seattle right now?

[mking8288]

If the airline cancel the flight home, then - what options are being offered by (which ??) airline involved - refund/cancel or re-routing ??   Perhaps, the airline can route the connections/gateway via other hubs in the region, i.e. thru Europe to the US ... yes, it is "longer" route to fly & maybe not 2 stops, but 3 stops with "miserable" layover.  Other possible gateway cities in Asia, including South Korea, Japan, Singpapore are just as risky should public health officials in those countries decided to tighten their borders to minimize the apparent virus from spreading.   Not an easy task for anyone to come up with flight arrangements from the Americas, except for us ... being armchair commanders in our remote, comfort zone. 

 

However, events can change and move very quickly with more "bad" news coming out, involving another cruise ship that docked/ported or visited Hong Kong's port recently - Carnival Corp's Diamond Princess, that its ex-passengers that're onboard, tested positive for the coronavirus.  News link - https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Diamond-Princess-quarantined-in-Japan

 

For passengers on the Feb. 6th or 17th Jade sailing ... heading to Singapore (B2B onward to UAE ??) perhaps - just, maybe, see if NCL will change its posture, as a goodwill, not because they need to - rather they can and should, as a good corporate citizen.  With the virus outbreak news changing by the hour, it is possible for NCL to amend its "response" plan. 

 

At this moment, Hong Kong's international airport and the Kai Tak criuse port remains open, but almost all cross-border control points with China are now closed until further notice as of 4 Feb, 2020 at midnight, local time.  A side trip to visit Macau is largely not an option for now, with the high speed ferry services shutting down.  What a mega mess for everyone. 

[SeaShark]

People keep beating the drum on this, but the only solution that is fair to all sides would be for the cruise line, airline, hotel, etc to REQUIRE the guest to purchase a 100% comprehensive insurance policy to mitigate any potential loss. That would certainly cover any event for all parties involved.

 

 

I know it sounds absurd, but no more than a few years back when these boards were full of post bemoaning the cost of drinks and saying "I wish they would just raise the price of the cruise and include the drinks...it would be sooooooo much better".

 

And look what we have today . . . 

[tumblew467]

 

This cruise ship is QT in Japan now.

 

https://www.fox13news.com/news/report-japan-quarantines-cruise-ship-after-previous-passenger-tests-positive-for-coronavirus

 

 

[mking8288]

14 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

With 8000 hospital workers on strike in Seattle I guess it would be equally irresponsible to take passengers to Seattle right now?

 

LOL, is that an "actual" figures, fact-checked.  Because, the claims from HK's media sources that 7,000 health care workers went on strike to force the local government to shut down its border entirely is, somewhat, distorted.  HK's Hospital Authority said as of hours ago, 4,400 workers did not report for duties - including 360 doctors and 2,500 in nursing and the rest from other units/departments/support & admin positions.  It is still significant with their 70,000 workforce total, I suppose.  

 

Whatever happened to the doctor's oath and professional ethics, to care for the sick and the disadvantage ... instead, their prejudice shown, IMHO.  The classic NIMB syndrome, go built and setup the temporary quarantine housing elsewhere but not here - some of their "own" kind, Hongkongers are still trapped & stranded in mainland China, unable to travel. 

 

Of course, shutting HK's border against China and the rest of the world, is a good solution to this NCL problem as the Jade will be turned away, unable to dock.  

[ziggyuk]

13 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

LOL, is that an "actual" figures, fact-checked.  Because, the claims from HK's media sources that 7,000 health care workers went on strike to force the local government to shut down its border entirely is, somewhat, distorted.  HK's Hospital Authority said as of hours ago, 4,400 workers did not report for duties - including 360 doctors and 2,500 in nursing and the rest from other units/departments/support & admin positions.  It is still significant with their 70,000 workforce total, I suppose.  

 

Whatever happened to the doctor's oath and professional ethics, to care for the sick and the disadvantage ... instead, their prejudice shown, IMHO.  The classic NIMB syndrome, go built and setup the temporary quarantine housing elsewhere but not here - some of their "own" kind, Hongkongers are still trapped & stranded in mainland China, unable to travel. 

 

Of course, shutting HK's border against China and the rest of the world, is a good solution to this NCL problem as the Jade will be turned away, unable to dock.  

 

LOL, in fairness they are back at work now, it was a 3 day strike from 28th January.

https://truthout.org/articles/nearly-eight-thousand-hospital-workers-strike-in-seattle/

https://nypost.com/2020/01/29/seattle-emergency-rooms-close-as-nurses-staff-go-on-strike/

Edited February 4, 2020 by ziggyuk

[Sam Ting]

What about peeps that had a one night stand with someone who just got back from vacationing in China?  Can they board or will they be restricted just as someone who happened to travel through an airport with no contact for a few hours?

[EDLOS]

Seeing as the Jade is coming from Asia to Dubai, I was going to book the 22 day March 18th cruise from there thru the Suez Canal to Civitaveccia. and am now holding off and am probably not the only one that will monitor the Jade for the next few weeks.

[Trimone]

24 minutes ago, Sam Ting said:

What about peeps that had a one night stand with someone who just got back from vacationing in China?  Can they board or will they be restricted just as someone who happened to travel through an airport with no contact for a few hours?

I know it’s China New Years but wouldn’t the mask put you off!!!🤧

[GA Dave]

2 hours ago, Trimone said:

I know it’s China New Years but wouldn’t the mask put you off!!!🤧

Nah, we're good.

 

Edited February 4, 2020 by GA Dave

[IrieBajan54]

Kudos to the management at Royal Caribbean for making passengers well being priority one by cancelling cruises through March 4 as a start.

 

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/royal-caribbean-cancels-8-cruises-out-of-china-through-march-4

[Bevi65]

2 minutes ago, IrieBajan54 said:

Kudos to the management at Royal Caribbean for making passengers well being priority one by cancelling cruises through March 4 as a start.

 

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/royal-caribbean-cancels-8-cruises-out-of-china-through-march-4

Well done to them, that's taking charge.  Have just read American Airlines cancelling Hong Kong flights.

[IrieBajan54]

5 minutes ago, Bevi65 said:

Well done to them, that's taking charge.  Have just read American Airlines cancelling Hong Kong flights.

.

That's right. Demand is low so planes are going out almost empty. I wonder how NCL expects passengers to get to the port of departure when the airlines have now abandoned the routes? NCL is going to be sailing almost ghost ships.

 

https://www.wfaa.com/article/travel/american-airlines-suspends-flights-to-hong-kong-due-to-demand-spokesperson-say/287-ee27c292-29a7-4e10-9fe0-a6888e24e761

Edited February 4, 2020 by IrieBajan54
correction

[Pauser]

9 hours ago, mugtech said:

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

So this is their first post. So what? They have as much right to an opinion as anyone.

Edited February 4, 2020 by Pauser

[Lou33]

 

The title of this thread is very accurate.  NCL is being very unresponsive.   My TA and I were just on a call with NCL for an hour regarding our Jade Feb 17 cruise, and we got nowhere.  The agents would only repeat the same canned response:  "there are currently no itinerary changes, and your safety is our highest priority".  No response to questions like:

 

Why is NCL the only cruise line that has not pulled out of Hong Kong?

 

When will you post updates?

 

What will happen if our flights to/from Hong Kong are canceled?

 

What will happen if we depart from Hong Kong, and Singapore refuses to accept passengers who have visited Hong Kong?

 

Why won't you connect us to a person who has more information regarding the status of our cruise?

 

My TA says that unfortunately, this is typical when dealing with NCL. Princess has a link to the most current information regarding how coronavirus affects their cruises.  If NCL would follow, that would at least be a start in the right direction:

 

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/

Edited February 4, 2020 by Lou33

[luv2kroooz]

2 hours ago, IrieBajan54 said:

.

That's right. Demand is low so planes are going out almost empty. I wonder how NCL expects passengers to get to the port of departure when the airlines have now abandoned the routes? NCL is going to be sailing almost ghost ships.

 

NCL couldn't care less about their passengers. They say they do, but their actions speak louder.

 

Hong Kong has now been added to the no board list for RCL entities.

 

The current MO of the entire travel industry is let's be super cautious about this. Airlines, cruiselines, hotels.

 

And then you have NCL where, not only can you board their ships if you have been in Hong Kong, you can even embark and debark from Hong Kong. You can also sail on their ships if you passed through a mainland Chinese airport, too.

With NCL, the MO seems to be get as much money as you can from as many people as you can.

 

And also....it's one thing to be haphazard with your passengers, but to be careless with your own employees and crew by sending them to this area is foolish. The crew of RCL, MSC, and Celebrity are safely enjoying free internet and parties while NCL puts their crew in the eye of the storm as they are probably working around the clock with bottles of bleach while serving guests in the buffet, hoping and praying they don't get infected. The crew have families, too.

[luv2kroooz]

1 hour ago, Lou33 said:

 

The title of this thread is very accurate.  NCL is being very unresponsive.   My TA and I were just on a call with NCL for an hour regarding our Jade Feb 17 cruise, and we got nowhere.  The agents would only repeat the same canned response:  "there are currently no itinerary changes, and your safety is our highest priority". 

 

Interesting, Royal Caribbean says the same thing about guest safety.

The difference is RCL wisely backs up their words with actions. NCL foolishly gives it lip service.

And that's a big, big difference.

[ziggyuk]

36 minutes ago, blcruising said:

And then you have NCL where, not only can you board their ships if you have been in Hong Kong, you can even embark and debark from Hong Kong.

 

 

And yet other lines won't let you board if you have been to Hong Kong but are happy to let you board in Singapore which has a lot more recorded cases than Hong Kong.

Frankly they are all doing their own things and little of it makes sense.

 

As of now:

Singapore 24 cases

Hong Kong 17 cases

USA 11 Cases.

[Lou33]

That's true.  But there are additional factors with cruises to/from Hong Kong:  The close proximity to mainland China.  The fact that Hong Kong has not completely closed the border with China.  Many airlines are canceling flights to/from Hong Kong.  Some countries like Philippines will not let you enter if you have recently been to Hong Kong.