Spirit Itinerary Change 4/19

[CastawayCruiser]

My biggest problem with the change is that we don't get back to NY until 10 am. This will be cutting it close to make my 1:05 pm flight which was booked on Air Miles (substantial fees to change if there is another flight available - maybe insurance will cover it!).

Also this is my first B2B cruise and both itineraries have changed. I was really looking forward to the overnight at GSC on the 6 day cruise. Oh well I will be on a 14 day cruise - can't complain too much!

[familyof4cruising]

What I do not understand is WHY is St. Thomas cancelled. There is a ferry from Tortola that goes to St Thomas, so if a ferry can go why can a big ship not go there? Eliminate Samana not St Thomas. Does NCL get something from keeping Samana?

Whats done is done, they are not going to change this itinerary. Ranting and complaining is not going to change their minds. NCL did what was BEST for them and not what was best for us. If we took a poll, I am sure 99% would say find a way to keep St. Thomas.

What people do not realize is that NCL did what they wanted , they waited until they were ready to annouce this, and never though about the us. I hope those 3 engines work to full power for the next 7 months, because then NCL will have a big problem!

[tcrny]

[quote name='zqvol']As a seasoned cruiser you should know that no port of call is guaranteed, and certainly time in port is not guaranteed. If you booked the cruise for the port time, by all means take advantage of the option to cancel. the people who got the OBC did not have that option. Asking for an OBC in this case is just not right.[/quote]

I respectfully disagree with your opinion that OBC "is just not right." I'd like to hear your reasoning for such an assertion. I also take issue with your apparent condescension in the first sentence. Of course I know that no port of call/time is guaranteed. Please, be respectful to my posts (and others perhaps?) as I will be to yours, otherwise bite your tongue. (note: this response was written not by TCRNY but by TCRNY's husband)

[tcrny]

I just spent 3/4 hours on the phone with a manager in Miami. She was very nice, very polite, and very apologetic for her organization's response/stance on the itinerary change. Regardless of their managers' wonderful customer relations skills, the NCL administration is firm on their take-it-or-leave-it stance. Absolutely no OBCs either. IMHO, NCL realizes there are few (actually zero) cruising options for this particular week out of NY and has adjusted accordingly. Not a good way to retain customers if I may say. So... we have a decision to make. Regardless that decision, we will be hard pressed to cruise NCL again in the future.

[bagelsnbrew]

There's a chance that we will still go on this cruise begrudgingly, if we weren't going with a group I would have already canceled. There's also a good chance we will cruise again in the future. I guarantee we will never consider a cruise on NCL again. I'm not pissed about the itinerary change, though I'm disappointed in the choice NCL made. I would have preferred dumping Samana which has a bad reputation and keeping St. Thomas. What I am pissed about is NCL waiting till after final payment to announce the change, although it's evident that they knew there would be a change long ago. Though we would be fully reimbursed for the cruise cost if we cancel, we'd still be out trip insurance costs. We are fortunate that we live in NY and wouldn't be out any travel or lodging like many have posted in this thread. This could have and should have been handled better and leaves me with a very low opinion of NCL.

[MrsLeo]

Well in light of recent events, those of you who choose not to cancel your cruise will have plenty of feedback to give the ship's officers that have the guts to show up for your official Cruise Critic Meet & Greet. It should be a lively discussion.

BTW if you haven't scheduled your official Cruise Critic Meet & Greet yet you may do so by emailing: [EMAIL="ShipCoordinatorSpirit@ncl.com"]ShipCoordinatorSpirit@ncl.com[/EMAIL]

They claim that if you don't offer them feedback, they cannot improve their service.

[familyof4cruising]

[quote name='MrsLeo']Well in light of recent events, those of you who choose not to cancel your cruise will have plenty of feedback to give the ship's officers that have the guts to show up for your official Cruise Critic Meet & Greet. It should be a lively discussion.

BTW if you haven't scheduled your official Cruise Critic Meet & Greet yet you may do so by emailing: [EMAIL="ShipCoordinatorSpirit@ncl.com"]ShipCoordinatorSpirit@ncl.com[/EMAIL]

They claim that if you don't offer them feedback, they cannot improve their service.[/quote]


Well I think this take it or leave thing is ridiculous! NCL knew this December and should have been respectful enough to tell us. They had no intentions of fixing the engine before drydock and they waited for us to pay final payment.

As far as giving feedback. I sent in a letter of my complaints about the Spirit on my first cruise. All valid points! and I had never complained prior to that sailing. It wasn't about food or presentation, it was about things that should have not happened , reburbishments badly needed, and features that were lacking.

This will be my last time on the Spirit. I have no choice, it is no vacation or the Spirit.

[muwarr90]

[quote name='BeckyThane']Can we take a poll?

How many of those currently booked on this itinerary would have absolutely NOT booked this itinerary if it had originally been advertised as San Juan-Tortola-Samana?

Just a simple question, so please put your flame-throwers away.[/quote]

To be honest, it wouldn't have changed my mind at all. We were just looking for a cruise to someplace new at about that time of year. San Juan fits the bill as well as St. Thomas for us. It's not the destination but the journey.

[Smellytoes]

I've been on the phone off and on all day with my TA. She agrees that NCL should at least allow me to cancel and rebook without paying the fuel surcharge. But as of right now NCL is not budging. TA has a call into a supervisor that she knows and will call me back tomorrow with my options. It's really too bad because this did not have to happen.:mad:

[aprilwaters]

I know this is awful for some of you and I am truly sorry, but at least there is no more speculation for you guys, we on the other hand, have not even been given the respect of being told that we were going to port into Roatan 2 hrs. late. You can tell by the shore excursions they are offering-as limited as they are, they all start at 3:15, that they don't plan on getting there at 1:00. we can't even plan excursions or the trip coming home, due to the fact that we don't even know what time we will get in.

[familyof4cruising]

[quote name='Smellytoes']I've been on the phone off and on all day with my TA. She agrees that NCL should at least allow me to cancel and rebook without paying the fuel surcharge. But as of right now NCL is not budging. TA has a call into a supervisor that she knows and will call me back tomorrow with my options. It's really too bad because this did not have to happen.:mad:[/quote]

You know what Joanne, I can not rant any more . I can say so much right now ( and nothing nice), but I am trying to control myself. I am all worked up and angry. I have been on the internet looking for something else for the past 24 hours.

I hate that I am not cancelling, because NCL did not respect us . There was no courtesy at all! For those that have been to the Caribbean, they can tell you that SJ does not compare to St Thomas and all the beautiful beaches they can offer.

[Smellytoes]

[quote name='familyof4cruising']You know what Joanne, I can not rant any more . I can say so much right now ( and nothing nice), but I am trying to control myself. I am all worked up and angry. I have been on the internet looking for something else for the past 24 hours.

I hate that I am not cancelling, because NCL did not respect us . There was no courtesy at all! For those that have been to the Caribbean, they can tell you that SJ does not compare to St Thomas and all the beautiful beaches they can offer.[/quote]

SJ at night would be pointless (and scary:eek: )

[Sea Hound]

[quote name='MrsLeo']Well in light of recent events, those of you who choose not to cancel your cruise will have plenty of feedback to give the ship's officers that have the guts to show up for your official Cruise Critic Meet & Greet. It should be a lively discussion.[/quote]

To those who choose to continue with your cruise travel plans:

I respectfully request that those of you who have your hackles raised now please lower them by the time we sail. Raising hell with the ship's crew and potentially ruining everyone else's vacation by crabbing the entire time is not something that will endear you to the other passengers.

I'm disappointed by the change, too, but I've been on many vacations where itineraries have had to change and I go with the flow. I want to enjoy the ship, the ports, the entertainment, the food, the casino, and my fellow passengers.

Please don't take away someone else's enjoyment because you're unhappy about a few changes. If you choose to continue with the cruise, please do so with a smile on your face - I know I'll have one!

Sea Hound:D

[MrsLeo]

Sorry SeaHound, I am sure by the time everyone who is sailing does sail, things will have calmed down. At the time I posted this, I had this vision in my head of the poor soul from NCL who would get "sacrificed" and thrown to the mob of angry passengers. I think that if I was that angry and could nopt go and still have a good time, I would cancel. However, I don't even know if they will let me cancel at all since they still haven't announced any changes for our cruise. As far as we know we're still arriving in Roatan at 1:00 and staying in Samana until 5:00 and arriving in NYC at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning and we made final payment weeks ago.

[heatherandfred]

Smellytoes and Familyof4cruising,

Hey guys, maybe it will be okay. Trust me since I started this thread about the change, I've been fuming. I screamed at poor BF last night..LOL..I've calmed down some.

I know that I will not be able to stand being on the ship for 2 1/2 days, it would probably kill me, since I am not a fan of sea days. I agree PR is unsafe at night. Everytime I've gone there, it's been cloudy and rainy and some of it looks foreboding. I think if we book ship excursions for the evening, hopefully they'll have the Kayak Bioluminisce tour it'll be okay.

Honestly, this is probably gonna be the last time I sail on an old ship, I mean it's only 10 years old and I think that it's ridiculous to have this many problems. I've seen older ships that have not had this problem and cause this much aggravation. I too, have looked at various cruises, as I posted in our roll call, but the price is quite prohibitive. It seems that they are not giving OBC or any type of compensation. It sucks, but I don't want to miss this vacation, since it'll be BF's first cruise. I hope you guys will still go.

[Sea Hound]

[quote name='MrsLeo']Sorry SeaHound, I am sure by the time everyone who is sailing does sail, things will have calmed down. At the time I posted this, I had this vision in my head of the poor soul from NCL who would get "sacrificed" and thrown to the mob of angry passengers. I think that if I was that angry and could nopt go and still have a good time, I would cancel. However, I don't even know if they will let me cancel at all since they still haven't announced any changes for our cruise. As far as we know we're still arriving in Roatan at 1:00 and staying in Samana until 5:00 and arriving in NYC at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning and we made final payment weeks ago.[/quote]

MrsLeo - no problem -- I understand your position.

My vision was of a bunch of crabby people on my cruise that would interrupt my good time.:D

I hope things work out for you on your cruise and you have a WONDERFUL time!

Let's all join hands and sing Kumbiya!:p

Sea Hound:D

[familyof4cruising]

[quote name='heatherandfred']Smellytoes and Familyof4cruising,

Hey guys, maybe it will be okay. Trust me since I started this thread about the change, I've been fuming. I screamed at poor BF last night..LOL..I've calmed down some.

I know that I will not be able to stand being on the ship for 2 1/2 days, it would probably kill me, since I am not a fan of sea days. I agree PR is unsafe at night. Everytime I've gone there, it's been cloudy and rainy and some of it looks foreboding. I think if we book ship excursions for the evening, hopefully they'll have the Kayak Bioluminisce tour it'll be okay.

Honestly, this is probably gonna be the last time I sail on an old ship, I mean it's only 10 years old and I think that it's ridiculous to have this many problems. I've seen older ships that have not had this problem and cause this much aggravation. I too, have looked at various cruises, as I posted in our roll call, but the price is quite prohibitive. It seems that they are not giving OBC or any type of compensation. It sucks, but I don't want to miss this vacation, since it'll be BF's first cruise. I hope you guys will still go.[/quote]

I hope your BF doesn't get turned off to cruising- this being his first cruise. This is a bad choice for a first cruise. Well we like you do not have any other choices unless we dish out $1000 more.

I was on the Enchantment in October and the Majesty of the Seas for Thanksgiving, and although both are older ships, they still blow the Spirit away. I loved both those cruises! This will be my last trip on the Spirit. I was going to give it the benefit of the doubt again in April and now this. 2 1/2 days at sea until we see land and the land we see isn't even tempting enough to want to get off.

[electricron]

[quote name='Smellytoes']Insurance (which I would have gotten back if NCL had told us before final) My compass reward points (if we cancel) and we WILL get wacked with the fuel surcharge if we change. This is money we wouldn't have lost if only we had been told a little sooner.[/QUOTE]

Assuming NCL announced this itinerary change earlier in December or January, you still would have faced a fuel surcharge to rebook another cruise, as it went into effect in early December.

For passengers booking later cruises than yours this summer, final payment hasn't arrived. Yours is just the first of more than 20 Spirit cruises sailing from New York this summer.

NCL has no control over which insurance you bought. Why should they be responsible for that? That should be between you and your insurance company.

NCL also has no control over which credit card you use, again that's between you and your credit card company.

Instead of getting angry just at NCL, maybe you should get mad at your credit card and insurance companies too.

[heatherandfred]

[quote name='familyof4cruising']I hope your BF doesn't get turned off to cruising- this being his first cruise. This is a bad choice for a first cruise. Well we like you do not have any other choices unless we dish out $1000 more.

I was on the Enchantment in October and the Majesty of the Seas for Thanksgiving, and although both are older ships, they still blow the Spirit away. I loved both those cruises! This will be my last trip on the Spirit. I was going to give it the benefit of the doubt again in April and now this. 2 1/2 days at sea until we see land and the land we see isn't even tempting enough to want to get off.[/quote]

He doesn't seem to mind, since I'm dealing with everything, the bookings/excursions. He doesn't know what to expect, so he really can't relate to this like I can. I hope he has a good time, knowing him he will.

Honestly, if they knew about the problems the engine was causing, we should have been notified sooner so any of us could make alternate arrangements. I was looking at other lines, but I hate having the stress of trying to fly the day before the cruise, book a hotel and all the foolishness associated with it. It is what it is, I'm looking forward to a relaxing time, sleep, peace and whatever else I can find. Maybe a few spa treatments to soothe my wounded soul..LOL :p

[familyof4cruising]

3 weeks ago there were ONLY Balconies left lets see what pops everyday:


[U][COLOR=#810081]8-Day Eastern Caribbean Round-trip New York[/COLOR][/U]
[URL="http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/booking/cruisedetails.html?packageId=1253631"][COLOR=#810081]Details and Availability[/COLOR][/URL] Ship: Norwegian Spirit
Embarkation Port: New York City
Ports of call: New York City; San Juan; Tortola; Samana
2008: [URL="http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/booking/cruisedetails.html?packageId=1253631"][COLOR=#810081]Apr 19[/COLOR][/URL]
Cruise Fares From *:
Inside - $1,409 Oceanview - $1,709 Balcony - $1,959 Suite - $2,999

[theshireshihtzu]

[quote name='Sea Hound']To those who choose to continue with your cruise travel plans:

I respectfully request that those of you who have your hackles raised now please lower them by the time we sail. Raising hell with the ship's crew and potentially ruining everyone else's vacation by crabbing the entire time is not something that will endear you to the other passengers.

I'm disappointed by the change, too, but I've been on many vacations where itineraries have had to change and I go with the flow. I want to enjoy the ship, the ports, the entertainment, the food, the casino, and my fellow passengers.

Please don't take away someone else's enjoyment because you're unhappy about a few changes. If you choose to continue with the cruise, please do so with a smile on your face - I know I'll have one!

Sea Hound:D[/quote]


I could not agree with you more Sea Hound! Either go with the intent to have the time of your life, or cancel.
Last thing I want on my vacation is a bunch of bitchy complaining negitive people. Not to be mean, but you have the option to cancel.....DO IT if your so unhappy!:D

[familyof4cruising]

[quote name='theshireshihtzu']I could not agree with you more Sea Hound! Either go with the intent to have the time of your life, or cancel.
Last thing I want on my vacation is a bunch of bitchy complaining negitive people. Not to be mean, but you have the option to cancel.....DO IT if your so unhappy!:D[/quote]


We are all going with the intent to have a good time-but we have every right to sit on these boards and express our unhappiness. Two hours at a port is not what was taken from us. I hope NCL made the right decision and is confident that the Spirit can sail for the next 7-8 months on 3 engines.

Cancelling is not an option when it is either stay home and disappoint your family or go ( because you have no other options- without shelling out more money). We will make the best of it, but this is the best forum to express disappointment.

[familyof4cruising]

Both families I was traveling with are cancelling. I am the only left. This vacation was their only trip for the year, so they can spend the extra money. I am sad they are cancelling , BUT happy that NCL is losing customers. It was very disrespectful what they did.

[Sea Hound]

[quote name='familyof4cruising']I hate that I am not cancelling, because NCL did not respect us. There was no courtesy at all! [/quote]

[quote name='familyof4cruising'] . . . BUT happy that NCL is losing customers. It was very disrespectful what they did.[/quote]

familyof4cruising - you keep mentioning that NCL disrespected you. Do you mean they disrespected you by tearing up their engine? Surely you can't mean that they disrespected you by offering you an option to cancel your reservation with a full refund and no cancellation fees? Or did they disrespect you by giving you a generous window of time to make other arrangements if your cruise plans didn't work out? I call that courtesy.

IMHO, NCL made a sound business decision to alter a few itineraries and keep cruising. They could've easily taken the ship out of the water and cancelled a month or more of cruises completely. At least we're still getting to go on a cruise! Is it disappointing to not get everything you originally planned? Yes, it is. But I don't think it is disrespectful of NCL to do what they have to do to keep the ships sailing. Things happen.

I think of this scenario: I get to the airport to catch my plane to NYC for my cruise and the flight is cancelled due to engine problems and I can't get to the ship in time to board. Now THAT would be bad! I wouldn't think the airline was disrespecting me -- I would just be glad I had trip insurance!

I [U][I]sincerely[/I][/U] regret that the itinerary change is not to your liking and that your friends have cancelled and you can't. That's a bad deal but I hope you do still go on your cruise and have a good time. Think of the millions of people who are not fortunate enough to do what we enjoy doing.

Happy sailing!

Sea Hound:D

[familyof4cruising]

[quote name='Sea Hound']familyof4cruising - you keep mentioning that NCL disrespected you. Do you mean they disrespected you by tearing up their engine? Surely you can't mean that they disrespected you by offering you an option to cancel your reservation with a full refund and no cancellation fees? Or did they disrespect you by giving you a generous window of time to make other arrangements if your cruise plans didn't work out? I call that courtesy.

IMHO, NCL made a sound business decision to alter a few itineraries and keep cruising. They could've easily taken the ship out of the water and cancelled a month or more of cruises completely. At least we're still getting to go on a cruise! Is it disappointing to not get everything you originally planned? Yes, it is. But I don't think it is disrespectful of NCL to do what they have to do to keep the ships sailing. Things happen.

I think of this scenario: I get to the airport to catch my plane to NYC for my cruise and the flight is cancelled due to engine problems and I can't get to the ship in time to board. Now THAT would be bad! I wouldn't think the airline was disrespecting me -- I would just be glad I had trip insurance!

I [U][I]sincerely[/I][/U] regret that the itinerary change is not to your liking and that your friends have cancelled and you can't. That's a bad deal but I hope you do still go on your cruise and have a good time. Think of the millions of people who are not fortunate enough to do what we enjoy doing.

Happy sailing!

Sea Hound:D[/quote]

All my comments are from being angry.

I am done! Not worth it anymore. I can not be bothered.