NCL Itinerary Changes After Final Payment *just the facts*

[Rob_H]

Ship: Sun

Sailing date: 19 Jan 2025

Destination: Australia and New Zealand

Itinerary Changes: Changed port times at most ports.  Some longer, some shorter.  

Reason Given: usual waffle 

NCL Notification: 109 days before cruise

Disposition: hard to believe the port changes were not planned before final payment, but they are minor.

 

[phquick84]

On 8/15/2024 at 4:12 PM, Seas2mountains said:

Ship: Joy

Sailing date: December 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025

Destination: 7-Day Mexican Riviera Round-Trip Los Angeles: Cabo & Puerto & Vallarta

Itinerary Changes: Dropped Ensenada - replaced with Sea Day. Port times in Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta extended.

Reason Given: optimal guest experience top-of-mind - What do they mean by "top-of-mind"? Is this a new cliché phrase they are adding to justify the late changes after they have hooked the customer?
NCL Notification: 137 days before cruise, 17 days before final payment 

Disposition: Considering canceling and reviewing other cruise options but prices have increased as this is a holiday sailing. We have Vibe booked on this sailing and we really wanted to go to Ensenada.  We wanted to do some Ensenada Winery tours and see the dancing horses. We will likely keep this booking but are disappointed and booking more future cruises with Celebrity.

Just got the same email from NCL for our March 16 2025 cruise on the Bliss

[Travelling2Some]

I seems rather obvious to me that this has become a "policy" and we can expect it to continue.  The serious itinerary changes are actually getting worse, not better.  NCL knows that at least part of their most loyal customer base has caught on and is aware that their antics are deliberate but they have no intention to reverse course.  Likely they feel they have hit on a winning strategy to save money since most passengers will remain in the dark.

 

Personally, I am fed up and have already booked two Alaska cruises with Princess.  We have been happy with Celebrity and Royal and are going to try MSC in the near future.  It is a shame because NCL was our favorite line for many years.  The only reason I am still posting on this board is that we have one more booked to use up some FCC. 

[KasperGutman]

Ship: Joy

Sailing date: 5 January 2025

Destination: LA to Miami through Panama Canal

Itinerary Changes: Three ports removed (Acapulco, Panama City!!, Cayman Islands), three replacements added (Mazatlan, Colon and Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica) plus a sea day

Reason Given: apparently, apparently in defiance of the laws of physics, the distances between ports magically changed after final payment date, and it was suddenly not environmentally friendly to sail to those ports

NCL Notification: 94 days before cruise

Disposition: The specific changes are a mix for me. I don't know much of anything about Mazatlan, but I wasn't risking getting off the boat in Acapulco, so the change can't be worse. The loss of Panama City and the canal tour really pisses me off though.

More generally, this kind of bait and switch tactic make me feel I can't trust Norwegian's published itineraries. I suspect this will be my last cruise with them (it is only my 4th, so I am sure that they won't notice I am gone)

 

Original Day Destination Arrive Depart   Sun LOS ANGELES, CA   4:00 pm   Mon AT SEA       Tue CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO 11:00 am 7:00 pm   Wed PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO 12:00 pm 9:00 pm   Thu AT SEA       Fri ACAPULCO, MEXICO 9:00 am 6:00 pm   Sat AT SEA       Sun PUERTO QUETZAL, GUATEMALA 7:00 am 5:00 pm   Mon AT SEA       Tue OVERNIGHT IN PANAMA CITY, PANAMA 6:00 pm     Wed PANAMA CITY, PANAMA   10:00 pm   Thu TRANSIT PANAMA CANAL, AT SEA 5:00 am     Fri CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA 10:00 am 6:00 pm   Sat AT SEA       Sun GEORGE TOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS 7:00 am 5:00 pm   Mon AT SEA       Tue MIAMI, FL 7:00 am

Revised Day Destination Arrive Depart   Sun LOS ANGELES, CA   4:00 pm   Mon AT SEA       Tue CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO 11:00 am 7:00 pm   Wed MAZATLAN, MEXICO 8:00 am 6:00 pm   Thu PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO 8:00 am 8:00 pm   Fri AT SEA       Sat AT SEA       Sun PUERTO QUETZAL, GUATEMALA 7:00 am 6:00 pm   Mon AT SEA       Tue PUERTO CALDERA (PUNTARENAS), COSTA RICA 7:00 am 6:00 pm   Wed AT SEA       Thu TRANSIT PANAMA CANAL, AT SEA       Fri COLON, PANAMA 7:00 am 5:30 pm   Sat CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA 11:00 am 7:00 pm   Sun AT SEA       Mon AT SEA       Tue MIAMI, FL 7:00 am

Edited Thursday at 11:20 PM by KasperGutman

[3dogmom]

Received the email today....🙄

 

We recognize the importance that destinations play in our guests' vacation decision-making process and assure you that these modifications were made with an optimal guest experience top-of-mind. As such, while we will no longer visit Key West, Florida, we are pleased to share that we have extended our visit to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

 

 

So they think extending a visit to their private island by 2 1/2 hours is compensation for removing Key West? That's great. 

[jennjess]

Original Day Destination Arrive Depart   Fri LISBON, PORTUGAL   9:00 pm   Sat AT SEA       Sun FUNCHAL, PORTUGAL 7:00 am 4:00 pm   Mon SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, SPAIN 8:00 am 11:59 pm   Tue LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN 7:00 am 11:00 pm   Wed PUERTO DEL ROSARIO, SPAIN 8:00 am 8:00 pm   Thu ARRECIFE, SPAIN 7:00 am 6:00 pm   Fri AGADIR, MOROCCO 7:00 am 5:00 pm   Sat CASABLANCA, MOROCCO 9:00 am 7:00 pm   Sun MALAGA (GRANADA), SPAIN 10:00 am 8:00 pm   Mon GIBRALTAR, UNITED KINGDOM 7:00 am 10:00 pm   Tue CADIZ (SEVILLE), SPAIN 7:00 am 4:00 pm   Wed PORTIMAO, PORTUGAL 7:00 am 7:00 pm   Thu LISBON, PORTUGAL 7:00 am	Revised Day Destination Arrive Depart   Fri LISBON, PORTUGAL   9:00 pm   Sat AT SEA       Sun FUNCHAL, PORTUGAL 7:00 am 4:00 pm   Mon SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, SPAIN 9:00 am 11:59 pm   Tue LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN 7:00 am 11:00 pm   Wed PUERTO DEL ROSARIO, SPAIN 8:00 am 4:00 pm   Thu AGADIR, MOROCCO 8:00 am 5:00 pm   Fri CASABLANCA, MOROCCO 10:00 am 8:00 pm   Sat TANGIER, MOROCCO 8:00 am 7:00 pm   Sun CADIZ (SEVILLE), SPAIN 8:00 am 10:00 am   Mon GIBRALTAR, UNITED KINGDOM 7:00 am 7:00 pm   Tue MALAGA (GRANADA), SPAIN 6:00 am 11:59 pm   Wed AT SEA       Thu LISBON, PORTUGAL 7:00 am
Lots of changes on this one.  2 ports dropped, one added, some switched days and an extra sea day. $100 compensation per cabin offered and 10% off a future cruise, which may not be used as other companies are more appealing right now.

[luv2kroooz]

14 hours ago, 3dogmom said:

We recognize the importance that destinations play in our guests' vacation decision-making process..

...better said...we won't be surprised when many vote with their wallets and make an intentional decision to sail other cruise lines. I guess it is already happening....the 15% discount coupons are reportedly showing up in past guests accounts.

[Tudlum]

I received my email last night for my cruise in December on Getaway. Removed Costa Maya and UGH... added another sea day back to back. Of course,  will make the best of it and go with the flow, but love getting off at the ports and do excursions.

[John Heslin]

Cruise to Nowhere-

OK made final payment for Jan 2025 cruise to Key West Florida. But guess what NCL cancelled the stop so we go nowhere. It’s a 4 day deal with key west as the only stop. The didn’t substitute anything so it’s just an expensive boat ride. Sure I can cancel but they want $600. For fun I checked their site and the key west trip is still up. Always liked NCL but now I think I’m done with them.

[yakcruiser]

11 minutes ago, John Heslin said:

Cruise to Nowhere-

OK made final payment for Jan 2025 cruise to Key West Florida. But guess what NCL cancelled the stop so we go nowhere. It’s a 4 day deal with key west as the only stop. The didn’t substitute anything so it’s just an expensive boat ride. Sure I can cancel but they want $600. For fun I checked their site and the key west trip is still up. Always liked NCL but now I think I’m done with them.

You sure you're not stopping in the Bahamas? The ship needs to stop in a foreign port to be legal under the PVSA.

[shof515]

11 minutes ago, John Heslin said:

Cruise to Nowhere-

OK made final payment for Jan 2025 cruise to Key West Florida. But guess what NCL cancelled the stop so we go nowhere. It’s a 4 day deal with key west as the only stop. The didn’t substitute anything so it’s just an expensive boat ride. Sure I can cancel but they want $600. For fun I checked their site and the key west trip is still up. Always liked NCL but now I think I’m done with them.

are you sure key west was the one and only stop stop? from what i see, it was 2 port stop itinerary: key west and great stirrup cay. now it is only just 1 port being great stirrup cay

[John Heslin]

Yes it includes great stirrup cay but no Bahamas. Is that sand bar considered a port?

[bluesea777]

40 minutes ago, John Heslin said:

Yes it includes great stirrup cay but no Bahamas. Is that sand bar considered a port?

 

GSC is in the Bahamas.

 

 

[Rob_H]

Ship: Sky

Sailing date: 16 Nov 2024

Destination: Africa

Itinerary Changes: Dropped all Morocco ports, and Gambia

Reason Given: "optimal guest experience top-of-mind", as usual

NCL Notification: 43 days before cruise

Disposition: As expected, Morocco and Gambia dropped, although the similar itinerary on the Dawn 11 days earlier managed to get a subsitute Morocco port.  Unusually, some non-refundable OBC and a 10%-off fcc offered.

 

 

 

We had this one booked (with b2b), but cancelled a while back (scheduling conflict).  With this consistent pattern of behavior, and the new Less at Sea rates, I'm actively looking at other lines now, after nearly 50 cruises on NCL. 

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 08:03 PM by Rob_H

[Rob_H]

6 hours ago, jennjess said:

Original Day Destination Arrive Depart   Fri LISBON, PORTUGAL   9:00 pm   Sat AT SEA       Sun FUNCHAL, PORTUGAL 7:00 am 4:00 pm   Mon SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, SPAIN 8:00 am 11:59 pm   Tue LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN 7:00 am 11:00 pm   Wed PUERTO DEL ROSARIO, SPAIN 8:00 am 8:00 pm   Thu ARRECIFE, SPAIN 7:00 am 6:00 pm   Fri AGADIR, MOROCCO 7:00 am 5:00 pm   Sat CASABLANCA, MOROCCO 9:00 am 7:00 pm   Sun MALAGA (GRANADA), SPAIN 10:00 am 8:00 pm   Mon GIBRALTAR, UNITED KINGDOM 7:00 am 10:00 pm   Tue CADIZ (SEVILLE), SPAIN 7:00 am 4:00 pm   Wed PORTIMAO, PORTUGAL 7:00 am 7:00 pm   Thu LISBON, PORTUGAL 7:00 am	Revised Day Destination Arrive Depart   Fri LISBON, PORTUGAL   9:00 pm   Sat AT SEA       Sun FUNCHAL, PORTUGAL 7:00 am 4:00 pm   Mon SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, SPAIN 9:00 am 11:59 pm   Tue LAS PALMAS, GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN 7:00 am 11:00 pm   Wed PUERTO DEL ROSARIO, SPAIN 8:00 am 4:00 pm   Thu AGADIR, MOROCCO 8:00 am 5:00 pm   Fri CASABLANCA, MOROCCO 10:00 am 8:00 pm   Sat TANGIER, MOROCCO 8:00 am 7:00 pm   Sun CADIZ (SEVILLE), SPAIN 8:00 am 10:00 am   Mon GIBRALTAR, UNITED KINGDOM 7:00 am 7:00 pm   Tue MALAGA (GRANADA), SPAIN 6:00 am 11:59 pm   Wed AT SEA       Thu LISBON, PORTUGAL 7:00 am
Lots of changes on this one.  2 ports dropped, one added, some switched days and an extra sea day. $100 compensation per cabin offered and 10% off a future cruise, which may not be used as other companies are more appealing right now.

 

Which ship and sail date is this?

 

[jennjess]

50 minutes ago, Rob_H said:

 

Which ship and sail date is this?

 

NCL Star

November 22nd 2024

[3dogmom]

9 hours ago, luv2kroooz said:

...better said...we won't be surprised when many vote with their wallets and make an intentional decision to sail other cruise lines. I guess it is already happening....the 15% discount coupons are reportedly showing up in past guests accounts.

I received a coupon today for 10% off the Bliss which I have no plan or interest to sail on next year! Applicable Sailing: Norwegian Bliss, November 9, 2025

No Idea why they would give me this random coupon.🤔

[itsnotjustme]

And another one.  The Spirit in Apr 2025.  We lose one port altogether, substitute another.  Why?  Clearly not elevating the guest experience.  I do at least believe them on fuel efficiency, but for cost savings, not the environment.

 

Yet no refund of any type to guests.  Not even an FCC on this one.

 

Edited Friday at 11:54 PM by itsnotjustme
Correction.

[KasperGutman]

23 minutes ago, 3dogmom said:

I received a coupon today for 10% off the Bliss which I have no plan or interest to sail on next year! Applicable Sailing: Norwegian Bliss, November 9, 2025

No Idea why they would give me this random coupon.🤔

That is a very specific coupon to get. Weird.

[kjquilts]

30 minutes ago, 3dogmom said:

I received a coupon today for 10% off the Bliss which I have no plan or interest to sail on next year! Applicable Sailing: Norwegian Bliss, November 9, 2025

No Idea why they would give me this random coupon.🤔

 

This coupon showed up in my account today too.  We do enjoy the Bliss.

[itsnotjustme]

NCL chat could not answer what happens to the port fees for the dropped port.  The final word was:

 

"If you would like to speak to a supervisor you can call our Cruise Specialist Department at 1-866-234-7350 and ask to speak to one. Their hours are Monday - Friday 8 am to Midnight EST and Weekends 9 am-9 pm EST."

 

 

[Rob_H]

1 hour ago, 3dogmom said:

I received a coupon today for 10% off the Bliss which I have no plan or interest to sail on next year! Applicable Sailing: Norwegian Bliss, November 9, 2025

No Idea why they would give me this random coupon.🤔

 

It's for the third annual Latitudes cruise.  On that cruise, they have some giveways and events for the top Latitudes members (especially those that have a high social media profile, it's a marketing cruise). 

 

The 2024 Latitudes cruise just finished.

 

The coupon is sent to most members Gold and above.

 

Edited yesterday at 12:28 AM by Rob_H

[cruiseny4life]

5 minutes ago, Rob_H said:

 

It's for the third annual Latitudes cruise.  On that cruise, they have some giveways and events for the top Latitudes members (especially those that have a high social media profile, it's a marketing cruise). 

 

The 2024 Latitudes cruise just finished.

 

The coupon is sent to most members Gold and above.

 

You forgot to mention how stupidly overpriced the cruise is. Even with the discount, it is more than the exact itinerary week before/after. At least the Alaska cruise was. I haven't looked at this year's to see.

[Rob_H]

7 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

You forgot to mention how stupidly overpriced the cruise is. Even with the discount, it is more than the exact itinerary week before/after. At least the Alaska cruise was. I haven't looked at this year's to see.

 

Yep, same this time.  Create demand for a ho-hum cruise, put the price up.  Not by much yet, as the coupons were just released, but it'll rise.

 

Edited yesterday at 12:42 AM by Rob_H

[Rob_H]

To get back to the topic, the Sky 14 May 2025 (Africa) today had the Banjul, Gambia port removed, like the sailings on the Sky and Dawn next month. 

 

Maybe somebody is finally realising if a port is not going to happen, tell us sooner rather than later.  We could be annoyed, sure, but leaving it until after final payment makes us much more annoyed!

 

Edited yesterday at 12:49 AM by Rob_H