Nieuw Amsterdam cruise listed as “Unavailable” on HAL website

[Brucefan]

Hoping that someone will calm my nerves.

 

In a Neptune Suite on the NA leaving Ft. Lauderdale on March 12.  I have read that there have been some issues with the azipod(????).

 

When I search this cruise on HAL website, it is not even listed anymore!!!  Does this mean it is sold out?  Please tell me yes.

 

My travelling companion and I tried to sail a similar cruise on this exact week last year with disastrous results.  This is a make up cruise and we have been looking forward to it for a year.

 

thoughts?

[kovocruiser]

Hi Brucefan,

just found this article and I think we are ok. The issue was impacted the most recent voyage on February 12, we are on March 12 sailing. See below link. Hope to see you on board. 😊😊👍👌

 

https://www.cruisehive.com/propulsion-issues-force-port-change-for-holland-america-ship/94082

[Haljo1935]

Just got off Nieuw Amsterdam 3 days ago and, yes, there was an issue. 

[Florida_gal_50]

It shows like that sometimes when they are trying to figure out guarantees and how much room they still have.  I’m sure you’ll be fine.

[Nickelpenny]

1 hour ago, Brucefan said:

Hoping that someone will calm my nerves.

 

In a Neptune Suite on the NA leaving Ft. Lauderdale on March 12.  I have read that there have been some issues with the azipod(????).

 

When I search this cruise on HAL website, it is not even listed anymore!!!  Does this mean it is sold out?  Please tell me yes.

 

My travelling companion and I tried to sail a similar cruise on this exact week last year with disastrous results.  This is a make up cruise and we have been looking forward to it for a year.

 

thoughts?

It is shown as sold out right now.

[DaveOKC]

The NA has been doing alot of charters recently.

 

[cheech3295]

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

The NA has been doing alot of charters recently.

 

So they may have cancelled a regularly scheduled cruise and switched to a charter? I don't think so.

[cheech3295]

14 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Just got off Nieuw Amsterdam 3 days ago and, yes, there was an issue. 

How much impact was there? We are scheduled for Mar 12 departure.

[Sea42]

33 minutes ago, cheech3295 said:

So they may have cancelled a regularly scheduled cruise and switched to a charter? I don't think so.

It does happen but not with just a weeks notice.

[Haljo1935]

While on the NA (just returned less than a week ago) we were told by several crew that after us, they were doing 3 weeks of charters then resume regular itineraries. The first charter was already showing on the Navigator app when we disembarked.

As for the azipod issue - it causes the ship to travel at slower speeds so we had some port changes. Supposed to be getting fixed without impact to future itineraries (unless further unknown repairs requured).

[Mrs Soap]

Apologies for my ignorance but what does it mean when they swap to a charter?

[CruiserBruce]

46 minutes ago, Mrs Soap said:

Apologies for my ignorance but what does it mean when they swap to a charter?

A charter is when a company rents the ship for a special purpose cruise. This usually takes place many months or, more commonly,  over a year in advance. This is a highly profitable for the cruise line. It doesn't happen a couple weeks or a month in advance.

 

What is happening in this case is probably a mechanical problem with the ship, which has been reported here.

[Mrs Soap]

thankyou for your response!

hopefully the mechanical issue is all  sorted out  for our cruise end of april!

[m32446]

I'm actually on the charter the week before you depart, and can confirm we've had no communications about any changes so you're very likely safe.