Coops2222 Posted July 23 Author #26 Share Posted July 23 Thank you for your input however I disagree with you. The internal photos of the cabin I picked, whilst on the phone with the T A and whilst looking at a deck plan, showed a perspex balcony. I didn't even know what an enclosed balcony was until it showed up on the invoice. I have never had to look at external photos of a ship to determine if the balcony was 'normal' as I said, I have never heard of a hull balcony before. I still think the T A should have highlighted this to me before I booked and paid for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mom says Posted July 23 #27 Share Posted July 23 Agree with BirdTravels. You specifically selected a PrivaSea cabin. It is designated as such on the deck plans. And you apparently didn't see, or ignored the disclaimer on the cabin description pages that "Stateroom images, square footage, and configurations are representative only. Actual accommodations may vary." You told the TA to book this cabin. He is not a mind reader and had no way of knowing that you hadn't bothered to read the symbols on the deck plans or find out what a PrivaSea cabin was. You are looking for someone to blame, but in this case you need a mirror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 23 Author #28 Share Posted July 23 It wasn't that I couldn't be bothered or that I chose to ignore anything. I hadn't even heard of the term Privasea so wouldnt have seen that on the deck plan. I learnt about it on this forum this evening. Also didn't know that the square symbol means enclosed balcony until this forum this evening but then Im not a cruise specialist travel agent. I can now see this is ignorance on my part. I have learnt a lot this evening so at least it won't happen again. Thankyou for your comments. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare carohs Posted July 23 #29 Share Posted July 23 I disagree this is all OPs fault. How many times have I read on cruisecritic someone complain about their booking only to be advised over and over they should have used a TA. While I'm slightly OCD about knowing things like why one cabin is $20 more expensive than another (or whatever the price difference may be), it's not unreasonable for someone to rely on the expertise of a TA in guiding toward cabin selection. The thing is, life lesson to be learned, even field experts are human too and can lack knowledge or make mistakes. I heart cruisecritic for this, since a discussion like this allows for dissemination of information about things one may not have known to ask about. 2 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted July 23 #30 Share Posted July 23 56 minutes ago, Coops2222 said: Thank you for your input however I disagree with you. The internal photos of the cabin I picked, whilst on the phone with the T A and whilst looking at a deck plan, showed a perspex balcony. I didn't even know what an enclosed balcony was until it showed up on the invoice. I have never had to look at external photos of a ship to determine if the balcony was 'normal' as I said, I have never heard of a hull balcony before. I still think the T A should have highlighted this to me before I booked and paid for it. You seem to have booked a solo balcony. Unfortunately there aren’t many of those and they are in less than desirable locations. I would be more concerned with noise from the Garden Cafe than with the balcony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsnotjustme Posted July 24 #31 Share Posted July 24 (edited) First, I am sorry you did not get what you were expecting. Second, always look at the deck plan to see your cabin location, including what is above, below, and beside it. And read the keys to see just what those symbols mean. I will admit I searched the term PrivaSea on NCL.com and it came back with nothing. But a Google search on PrivaSea NCL comes up with loads of results including videos, photos, and CC threads which clearly show what a PrivaSea balcony is. I have had one, and it was fine. From the Epic Deck Plan: Edited July 24 by itsnotjustme typo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 24 Author #32 Share Posted July 24 Thank you so much for that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panhandle Couple Posted July 24 #33 Share Posted July 24 4 hours ago, Coops2222 said: I have very recently booked a balcony cabin on NCL Epic. I booked this through a very well-known travel agent who specialises in cruises. I paid up front for this balcony cabin and even viewed the photographs to see that it had a perspex screen which looked out to the ocean. I received an invoice and it said 'please be advised this is an enclosed balcony' Had I known that I would never have booked that cabin. The TA is not admitting responsibility for the cruise specialist having not informed me it was enclosed. They have taken so long to come back to me that all the balcony cabins(proper) have now sold out. I had to look up what an enclosed balcony is on a ship and it is a 'window' in a metal box. Not what I expected or paid for. Do I have a case for serious complaint and if so who do I write to as the TA is saying I chose a balcony cabin and that is what I have. Quite frankly I'm disgusted with their attitude towards my complaint and need some advice please 🙏 thanks for your time in advance. I'm guessing your "very well know TA who specializes in cruises" is not a direct hire from NCL but works for a 2nd party company. If that is so, then NCL has nothing to do with your case. The TA contacted NCL and NCL designated sold to you that cabin at their request. Any complaints would have to go thru that 2nd party company. Not knowing the company, you could get some extra cruise comps (OBC) for this cruise, maybe some for a future cruise or nothing. If nothing, then taking your future business elsewhere would be advisable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mking8288 Posted July 24 #34 Share Posted July 24 4 hours ago, Coops2222 said: I have very recently booked a balcony cabin on NCL Epic ... I received an invoice and it said 'please be advised this is an enclosed balcony' Had I known that I would never have booked that cabin ... They have taken so long to come back to me that all the balcony cabins(proper) have now sold out ... Could you kindly tell us when you booked this balcony cabin ... in question, since you mentioned you "recently booked" this ?? You stated that you are sailing on the Epic shortly ... correct. And, that by the time (when ?? as in number of hours and/or days, approximately) you discovered, realized and otherwise learned that it is now what you had in mind) that ALL the balcony cabins were sold out ?? When you were initially looking at balcony cabins, were other cabins available and offered ?? at different prices and decks, etc. ?? Typically, full & final payment are 120 days from sailing or embarkation date ... and if you "recently booked" - were you aware of the cancellation & payment deadlines/penalty to cancel or change ? Assuming that you booked this thru a TA based in the USA, you can cancel within 24 hours of payment, if I am not mistaken - regardless. Trying to see if we can sort out the timeline ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 24 Author #35 Share Posted July 24 Booked it 9 July with T A over the phone and she offered me cabins at front of ship saying they were balcony. Because sailing is 7 August she asked for full payment up front. I'm aware the issue I have is with T A and not NCL as they put the package together with me..inc flights and transfers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 24 Author #36 Share Posted July 24 TA is in UK and covers other cruise lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 24 Author #37 Share Posted July 24 Since I called them about this enclosed balcony.. it took so long for them to respond all balcony cabins have sold out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julig22 Posted July 24 #38 Share Posted July 24 3 hours ago, Coops2222 said: I shall try to look at glass half full...paid a lot of money for this cabin as solo traveller so that's why it's disappointing 😞 hopefully woll be too busy on excursions to bother about it ! Did you pay for double occupancy or for a solo balcony. Seems like many of the solo balconies (which are cheaper than paying dbl) are PrivaSea. I actually prefer them, although most of the ones I've had did have a glass railing. But then I often sail to cold locations (Alaska, Norway, Antarctica...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 24 Author #39 Share Posted July 24 Paid for solo occupancy which is way more which is why I'm disappointed I wasn't guided by the T A about this when we were looking at deck plans etc and booking it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julig22 Posted July 24 #40 Share Posted July 24 1 minute ago, Coops2222 said: Paid for solo occupancy which is way more which is why I'm disappointed I wasn't guided by the T A about this when we were looking at deck plans etc and booking it Solo cabins are basically "reclassified" cabins, ones that NCL thinks aren't in quite as nice locations, and the #s are limited. So while the solo balconies are sold out, have you checked to see if any double-occupancy cabins are available? You'd probably have to pay more (not always LOL). But there is a difference between a solo balcony and booking a balcony as a solo, paying double. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 24 Author #41 Share Posted July 24 They said no balcony cabins available at all. Ship fully sold out on balcony cabins even as sole occ in double cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Travelicious Posted July 24 #42 Share Posted July 24 I actually enjoyed the hull balcony the one time I had one, and would be happy to sail in another. I think you'll be fine with a good attitude. Look at the bright side: at least it is not your honeymoon. Several years ago, a young bride was so disappointed with her hull balcony that it completely ruined her honeymoon, and she did nothing but cry the entire 7 days. 😆 Gotta love CC drama! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakman58 Posted July 24 #43 Share Posted July 24 It sounds like your TA really dropped the ball, and you're stuck with the enclosed balcony. Sorry you had this experience, so you'll probably have to chalk it up to a lesson learned. The Epic enclosed balconies are the worst in the fleet, and you're right, it's like having a window. When you sit in the balcony chair you can't even see the ocean. NCL should put bar stools on the balcony so you could sit by the railing and watch the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ziggyuk Posted July 24 #44 Share Posted July 24 5 hours ago, Coops2222 said: TA is in UK and covers other cruise lines. I'm UK too, raise a complaint, don't expect too much, maybe $100-$200 OBC to temper the disappointment. You have ABTA to mention and fall back on. Get the resolution, then put it behind you and enjoy the cruise, as a solo on a full ship, you would have had one of those cabins anyway, make the most of it and have a great time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asawi Posted July 24 #45 Share Posted July 24 I am sorry thi happened to you. I think the travel agent should have warned you about this. And I wouldn't use that travel agent again. But you DID choose the cabin. It IS marked as enclosed/Privasea on the deck plan and the pictures on NCL web site are just samples. They sure could be more clear about that. And the description of the solo balconys is kind of misleading not mentioning Privasea at all. Hindsight is 20/20 and of course you should have contacted them ASAP when you saw the invoice. And not wait for them get came back to you. Just keep trying to get hold of them. But, as I said, that's that glorious 20/20 hindsight talking! The same one that said "it's marked as Privasea on the deck plan". Legally I doubt there is anything for you to do. I do however think it would be reasonable for the travel agent to give you some sort of goodwill gesture. Personally I would love a Privasea balcony, but I do understand that you're disappointed. But try to put it behind you and have a wonderful cruise in the shade on your balcony! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted July 24 #46 Share Posted July 24 12 hours ago, Coops2222 said: I shall try to look at glass half full...paid a lot of money for this cabin as solo traveller so that's why it's disappointing 😞 hopefully woll be too busy on excursions to bother about it ! Thanks for letting us know. I was going to ask if a honeymoon trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coops2222 Posted July 24 Author #47 Share Posted July 24 Thanks Asawi. I received the invoice on Monday and called TA immediately. Spent most of the afternoon on hold waiting to speak to somebody only to have the call keep dropping out. At one point I was on hold to speak to Customer Service for over an hour and then they kept going off and leaving me on hold for a further hour only to tell me that they would call me back when they had listened to the phone call. I had to chase them again on Tuesday, again another huge wait, to be told they had listened to the phone call and at no time had the TA told me it was a hull cabin balcony. As you say, live and learn, I certainly will not be using them again. I did, however, learn such a lot from this forum last night so many thanks to everybody who commented. Onward and upward 😉 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexddd Posted July 24 #48 Share Posted July 24 8 hours ago, Travelicious said: I actually enjoyed the hull balcony the one time I had one, and would be happy to sail in another. I think you'll be fine with a good attitude. Look at the bright side: at least it is not your honeymoon. Several years ago, a young bride was so disappointed with her hull balcony that it completely ruined her honeymoon, and she did nothing but cry the entire 7 days. 😆 Gotta love CC drama! You beat me to it. Was on Dawn. She cried on bed the whole time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted July 24 #49 Share Posted July 24 1 hour ago, dexddd said: You beat me to it. Was on Dawn. She cried on bed the whole time. Her husband must be SO happy to be married to a woman so fragile that one hiccup can cause her to isolate and cry for a week... 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVACruiser43 Posted July 24 #50 Share Posted July 24 I have had those private balconies and don't mind them at all. I am more concerned with seeing many posts about toilets not working or overflowing and no hot water. I am starting to worry about this ship. I have a Nov and March 31 2025 booking. The TA is last cruise before drydock. It could be a disaster. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now