Help...on the phone with NCL now

[flowerchild]

QUOTE=Wendolyn;10094746] I agree with the OP that the least NCL could have done was notified persons booked with Alaskan itineraries of the additional charges. It is obvious why they don't- people might just decide against the cruise, go with less expensive cabins or even curtail their excursions to accommodate the added costs. It could be that they don't want to expend the manpower and money to notify people, or that they simply don't care. It's bad business, at any rate.

 

I'm sure this is not just an NCL problem. Does anybody know how the other cruiselines handled the Alaska Tax issue?

[flowerchild]

QUOTE=Wendolyn;10094746] I agree with the OP that the least NCL could have done was notified persons booked with Alaskan itineraries of the additional charges. It is obvious why they don't- people might just decide against the cruise, go with less expensive cabins or even curtail their excursions to accommodate the added costs. It could be that they don't want to expend the manpower and money to notify people, or that they simply don't care. It's bad business, at any rate.

 

I'm sure this is not just an NCL problem. Does anybody know how the other cruiselines handled the Alaska Tax issue?

[hayesktrm]

I would like to also know how other cruiselines handled this. Maybe I'll go over to the RCL site and ask them.

 

I ended up writing a letter to customer relations and enclosing our invoice. I am sure they won't even respond (although I asked them to), but it made me feel better just writing it.

 

It is interesting that some people had it added to theirs or that there was verbage talking about the upcoming increase and others had nothing.

[shoreguy]

I would like to also know how other cruiselines handled this. Maybe I'll go over to the RCL site and ask them.

 

I ended up writing a letter to customer relations and enclosing our invoice. I am sure they won't even respond (although I asked them to), but it made me feel better just writing it.

 

It is interesting that some people had it added to theirs or that there was verbage talking about the upcoming increase and others had nothing.

 

Good idea - you may want to check out the Alaska board. What it does say on your invoce and every other one is this.

 

Important Information: Please refer to NCL's "Destination Brochure" for information on documentation requirements for embarkation and re-entry into the US, service charges, and for all other terms and conditions.

[OceanDreaming2]

WallyGater posted this in our rollcall yesterday:

 

 

5-10-07: Injunction Halts Alaska Cruise Ship Initiative

A group of Southeast Alaska tour operators has gone to court over the state's cruise ship initiative passed last year which adds a $50 headtax to every visitor arriving by cruise ship to Alaska, and puts state officials on ships to monitor their revenue from shore tours and casinos while they are in the state. The initiative has been hotly contested ever since it was passed months ago.

 

The businesses claim the initiative violates their rights. It requires that cruise ship companies disclose commission received, or the percentage of the total sale, when a cruise line promotes a tour. A superior court judge Saturday granted a temporary restraining order halting the law. The businesses filing the lawsuit say they hope the ruling will provide the chance for a legislative solution.

[hayesktrm]

Well I had to call today to make my payment because I was so mad yesterday I didn't do it. I decided to talk to a supervisor again to tell her my frustrations with NCL now that I was a little more composed. Big mistake. I should have just let it go. I explained it all and basically they take no responsiblity for not contacting their customers. They said they notified all their TA's and then she says that they also contacted their customers. I told her I NEVER received anything and neither did my parents who are going on the same cruise. However, as soon as I got off the phone yesterday I had an email from them with the new invoice...so they had my email address! Also, the 2 ladies yesterday said nothing about contacting their customers. Sounds like they made up that little lie after the fact! I'm sure she hears complaints all day and it isn't fun, but when a company doesn't take responsibility for their mistakes, it makes me so angry. We have never sailed on NCL...I'm just hoping this is a fabulous cruise so I forget all about this.

 

Ok...take a deep breath and start planning those excursions :) . Thanks for listening to me rant and rave!

[ADPeterson]

I booked direct with NCL in May of 2006 for my cruise this month. In early December I got an email with an attached PDF with the adjusted Alaska Tax. I do not think they tried to hide this until the last minute, but they just had issues how this was communicated to some.

 

We did have some on the roll call that didn't get this memo until final payment.

[flowerchild]

Put the customer service issue behind you, forget about the inevitable tax...you are going to have a wonderful time on your cruise and that stuff will be the last on you rmind.

 

But PLEASE go into the cruise with a open, positive attitude...the fun and satisfaction you have on your cruise is in diret proportion to your attitude. A bad one will ruin a vacation...

[Droopy_Sails]

Put the customer service issue behind you, forget about the inevitable tax...you are going to have a wonderful time on your cruise and that stuff will be the last on you rmind.

 

But PLEASE go into the cruise with a open, positive attitude...the fun and satisfaction you have on your cruise is in diret proportion to your attitude. A bad one will ruin a vacation...

 

Absolutely. You've done what you can do, you've expressed your opinion to NCL...now move on and get ready to love your vacation.

[hayesktrm]

Thanks all! Feeling much better now. I'm ready to have a wonderful time on the Pearl. I have heard such good things about that ship that I can't wait. Can't wait to hear back from the May 13th cruisers to see how it all went.

[shoreguy]

Thanks all! Feeling much better now. I'm ready to have a wonderful time on the Pearl. I have heard such good things about that ship that I can't wait. Can't wait to hear back from the May 13th cruisers to see how it all went.

 

Excellent go and enjoy - just don't read the thread about potential Azipod problems on the Pearl now. You head will explode. :eek: :eek: :rolleyes: