Why Have NCL Cancel Bonaire as a Port Visit?

[Seas2mountains]

On 8/27/2024 at 1:42 PM, The Traveling Man said:

See post #7 by @CILCIANRQTS.  Bonaire has restricted the number of ships docking there.

They have restricted the number of large ships to one but NCL Viva was the ONLY ship scheduled on December 19th. Now, there is no ship scheduled in port in Bonaire on Dec. 19th. 
 

Edited August 29 by Seas2mountains

[kitkat343]

2 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

They have restricted the number of large ships to one but NCL Viva was the ONLY ship scheduled on December 19th. Now, there is no ship scheduled in port in Bonaire on Dec. 19th. 
 

I actually completely support the way the government of Bonaire handled this - they stated that in the future they were allowing only one large ship per day (a second ship with fewer than 700 people is also allowed to dock.). They also stated that they would honor all previously agreed upon contracts for more than one ship to dock in the same day, but they will refuse to grant permission for multiple large ships to dock in Bonaire on the same day in the future.  Given the mess that exists in Santorini, it's a good idea for the government to limit the number of cruise ship passengers allowed at one time, so everyone can enjoy this beautiful calm island.  It's also good for the island to grandfather in the old contracts so tourists won't be disappointed if they chose a cruise to see Bonaire.

 

https://infobonaire.com/bonaires-one-cruise-ship-policy/    

Edited August 29 by kitkat343

[Seas2mountains]

6 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

I actually completely support the way the government of Bonaire handled this - they stated that in the future they were allowing only one large ship per day (a second ship with fewer than 700 people is also allowed to dock.). They also stated that they would honor all previously agreed upon contracts for more than one ship to dock in the same day, but they will refuse to grant permission for multiple large ships to dock in Bonaire on the same day in the future.  Given the mess that exists in Santorini, it's a good idea for the government to limit the number of cruise ship passengers allowed at one time, so everyone can enjoy this beautiful calm island.  It's also good for the island to grandfather in the old contracts so tourists won't be disappointed if they chose a cruise to see Bonaire.

 

https://infobonaire.com/bonaires-one-cruise-ship-policy/    

Yes, I’m glad this will help Bonaire.  It’s not the reason why NCL canceled this port for Viva on multiple sailings and for Gem on Dec. 20th. 

[Seas2mountains]

On 8/27/2024 at 1:38 PM, sailingships said:

NCL cancelled our Bonaire stop for the Gem Christmas cruise, Dec 20. We have a day at sea instead. We are still going to Aruba as yet.

The Gem would have been the only large ship in port on that day. Sad that NCL saved a bunch of the large ship restricted slots only to cancel with short notice. 

[ontheweb]

9 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

I actually completely support the way the government of Bonaire handled this - they stated that in the future they were allowing only one large ship per day (a second ship with fewer than 700 people is also allowed to dock.). They also stated that they would honor all previously agreed upon contracts for more than one ship to dock in the same day, but they will refuse to grant permission for multiple large ships to dock in Bonaire on the same day in the future.  Given the mess that exists in Santorini, it's a good idea for the government to limit the number of cruise ship passengers allowed at one time, so everyone can enjoy this beautiful calm island.  It's also good for the island to grandfather in the old contracts so tourists won't be disappointed if they chose a cruise to see Bonaire.

 

https://infobonaire.com/bonaires-one-cruise-ship-policy/    

Wouldn't if be nice if Santorini's officials learned from this example.

[The Traveling Man]

13 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

They have restricted the number of large ships to one but NCL Viva was the ONLY ship scheduled on December 19th. Now, there is no ship scheduled in port in Bonaire on Dec. 19th. 
 

In that case, my best supposition would be that NCL will be replacing the stop in Bonaire with a day at sea.  That would allow them to travel at a reduced speed to the following port of call.  Traveling at a slower speed, although for a greater number of hours, would likely produce a significant savings in the expenditure of fuel.  Regardless of any smoke and mirrors which NCL may cite as their reason for skipping Bonaire, the bottom line is most likely just that, THE BOTTOM LINE of their financial statements.

[CruiseMH]

On 8/27/2024 at 9:42 PM, The Traveling Man said:

See post #7 by @CILCIANRQTS.  Bonaire has restricted the number of ships docking there.

thats exactly what i wanted to say. 😉

The cruise ship restriction is the reason and not the fuel saving.

[The Traveling Man]

1 minute ago, CruiseMH said:

thats exactly what i wanted to say. 😉

The cruise ship restriction is the reason and not the fuel saving.

According to research done by @Seas2mountains shown in post #26, though, the NCL Viva was the ONLY ship scheduled on December 19th.  The restrictions enacted by Bonaire to allow only one ship per day would not have forced the V!va to skip the port.  A reasonable assumption, therefore, would be that NCL is doing this to save fuel costs.

[MILLERVILE]

We are scheduled to go to Bonaire on 1/27/2025 how do I see if our ship was canceled? The Emerald princess

[CILCIANRQTS]

56 minutes ago, MILLERVILE said:

We are scheduled to go to Bonaire on 1/27/2025 how do I see if our ship was canceled? The Emerald princess

Still scheduled. 👍

 

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/kralendijk-bonaire-cruise-ship-schedule-2025.html

[shof515]

2 hours ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

Still scheduled. 👍

 

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/kralendijk-bonaire-cruise-ship-schedule-2025.html

do keep in mind that is a third party site that is can be inaccurate. it is always better to try to find the official port website

[Panhandle Couple]

On 8/28/2024 at 4:14 AM, luv2kroooz said:

You are right, but the point is ... Advertise the itinerary you expect to operate. Plan out the fuel costs before you advertise it. Take guest feedback into consideration before crafting the itineraries. Those who like the advertised itinerary and want an extra sea day can book it. Those that don't like it and want two half-day port visits, can pass. 

For the Jewel repositioning (Tampa to Boston) in March 2025, they have done this.  Changed the web site the day after e-mails went out. 3 months before final payment OBTW.

 

[luv2kroooz]

22 minutes ago, Panhandle Couple said:

For the Jewel repositioning (Tampa to Boston) in March 2025, they have done this.  Changed the web site the day after e-mails went out. 3 months before final payment OBTW.

 

Good to know. Maybe there is hope.

[Panhandle Couple]

On 8/29/2024 at 6:50 AM, Seas2mountains said:

Yes, I’m glad this will help Bonaire.  It’s not the reason why NCL canceled this port for Viva on multiple sailings and for Gem on Dec. 20th. 

You know when the NCL contract for the Bonaire port expires?

Seems like maybe it wasn't under a long contract, or the current contract was reaching it's end point, hence all the changes to 2024 sailings.  NCL has to market cruises 2 years in advance, even if they don't have a port contract in place.  

In this case, it appears the port did not want to update the contract, or there were stipulations that NCL wanted, and the port didn't, or vice versa.

In any case, looks like it will be a few years until NCL and Bonaire can agree of terms.