NCL ship departs without 50+ passengers transported by NCL bus

Nevertheless,this is completely unacceptable. I hope NCL gave them something substantial in return.

 

 

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From what I read on their roll call, some people have re-booked w/out penalty. Others were flying out today. Not sure I'd do that. Half the trip is gone already ... but I guess if you can't rebook, then you'd have no choice but to meet up with the ship. Sad situation regardless.

Stuff like this is why I start my vacation 1 day early. I am within a few miles of the port on embarkation day.

We live within 2 hours or so, of 3 different Florida ports, and we still stay in a hotel the night before. You just never know, unfortunately.

Not sure why you keep laughing. People purchased transportation through NCL - whether directly or indirectly. They missed the ship, and their cruise. I see nothing funny about it. It's sad, and someone laughing about it is just ... mean.

I'm laughing at the person who said this is "Completely Unacceptable" What is NCL suppose to do in the situation?

I am not laughing at the people who missed the cruise. Bad situation all around, but Completely Unacceptable? Give me a break. Nothing in life is guaranteed, I've missed 2 flights out of JFK because I was stuck in 3 hours of traffic. Crap happens and life goes on

Just a couple of years back we were on the Epic. We ended up waiting over 90 minutes while a very small group of people whose flights were delayed due to snow could get to the ship. So they must of changed their policy. If I remember correctly it was for 20-24 people. As soon as they boarded we were out of there and making time up that evening. Who knows maybe they were special VIPS.

Just because one time they did and one time they didn't doesn't mean they changed their policy. I would imagine there are many factors that make up the policy and are used to determine whether to wait or go and if they do wait, for how long, etc.

I don't understand why anyone would take a bus that would bring them that close to cut off anyway. If I was taking a bus, I'd want to arrive by 9 or 10 AM giving loads of time in case they're stuck.

We took the Academy / entertainment tours bus a couple of times and I think the scheduled drop off at the pier was 12:30 - 1:00.

We live 8 miles from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Normally a 15 minute drive.

With everything that's goes on in the city, it's never a normal day.

This week has had the UN General Assembly. The POTUS is here. Good luck with that. Protests galore.

P.S. Get to the Pier as soon as possible. 10:00 is a good time.

Happy Sailing!

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

FACT..... No matter with whom you book transport to the pier. ( Period.... )

NCL has zero responsibility( same for the other lines ) for staying one second past posted sail away. ( they will depart early if all aboard).

If they choose to wait ... HoooRa

If they sail on time ... HoooRa

If they choose to compensate the delayed in some way ... HoooRa

For all those that now have this information ... Plan accordingly ... ;)

Everything else ? Is on you ... Its that simple ..

Peace

I think its a common misconception that if you buy your transportation through the cruise line that they will wait for you. I don't believe any cruise line has that as their policy. Even if you pay them for the ground or air transportation they do not have to "hold the ship" for you. They might, and I suspect whether they do or not has more to do with what they are charged for taking a berth past their allotted times, tides and weather.

How long should they hold the ship? Me, I'm thinking until I get there, even if that's the next day. Everyone still has a place to sleep on board and plenty of food, so why not wait? It's really mean to go without me, as I was a helpless victim in this thing. I didn't do anything wrong but they are punishing me for traffic I couldn't control.

OK, so holding the ship overnight for one person is ridiculous, but how about holding the ship for four hours? Two? What if its going to cost your company thousands of dollars, much less than flying the folks to the first port would cost?

I'm skeptical that an excursion sold by the cruise line enjoys any greater guarantee that if it is late back they will hold the ship for you. They might do that in practice, but I'll bet the fine print says they are under no obligation to do so.

When we disembarked our CCL cruise in Baltimore we got stuck in traffic for about 4 hours in the metro NY area. Note to self- pay attention to when the Giants are playing and avoid the area like the plague if they are;).

 

I feel sorry for those left behind.

I'm driving to the Breakaway on Sunday the 18th of Jan. Going up the turnpike right by the Meadowlands, no need to worry, it's playoff time and neither the Giants or Jets will be playing.

I'm driving to the Breakaway on Sunday the 18th of Jan. Going up the turnpike right by the Meadowlands, no need to worry, it's playoff time and neither the Giants or Jets will be playing.

Ha! Good one ;)

We took the Academy / entertainment tours bus a couple of times and I think the scheduled drop off at the pier was 12:30 - 1:00.

For me, that's way too late for my comfort zone. Now on the way home I push my luck and book earlier flights and trains that I should, but I can't see myself ever taking that risk before the cruise. Too stressful.

i'm driving to the breakaway on sunday the 18th of jan. Going up the turnpike right by the meadowlands, no need to worry, it's playoff time and neither the giants or jets will be playing.

lol.

I'm driving to the Breakaway on Sunday the 18th of Jan. Going up the turnpike right by the Meadowlands, no need to worry, it's playoff time and neither the Giants or Jets will be playing.

As I've read this thread, I've been wondering about the Meadowlands activities on 1/18!!! We're also on the Breakaway (come join our Roll Call!) and were contemplating taking a bus. I think driving (even if the weather is bad) will be less stressful than worrying about the bus! We'll be on major roads most of the way (Rt 295 in south Jersey to the turnpike). Hopefully, the roads will be clear of ice/snow, construction should be over, and no local team (except the Eagles LOL) will be in any playoffs.

I am hoping there are some CCs who could provide more information about something I read on NCL's facebook page. It sounds like on September 21, 2014, an NCL provided bus transporting 50+ passengers from MA and CT to NYC to board the Breakaway got stuck in traffic and the ship left without them 90 minutes before they got there and the passengers got sent back to MA and CT. My facts may not be accurate since there wasn't too much info provided.

 

Although I've never taken bus transportation provided by a cruise line to board a sailing, I have in the past considered it. If I have all my facts right, it sounds like something I should never consider if it's NCL.

 

Anyone out there know what happened?

It almost happened to us several years ago in Los Angeles. I will clear a couple things up though: the bus is simply contracted and doesn't belong or have anything to do with NCL. What happened to us: the particular transit company over booked that day and one of their buses broke down. We were to be on the noon bus, ended up getting to the ship about 30 minutes before departure. Yes, we were very upset but not so much with NCL. There were several Princess passengers in the same situation. Princess also had used the transport company NCL used.

We have, on other occasions used NCL transportation. I have to admit, it has been a less than pleasant experience each time. Once in London it was so unorganized I thought we would end up in Ireland before we got to Dover or even to the actual bus. All ended well though, I will say.

In our case, every time it has simply been from the airport to the ship and not what apparently happened this time. I can't stress enough how important it is to arrive a day prior to the sailing if at all possible. We started doing this when we used fly on our daughters passes and could never be sure we would get a seat. After we stopped using the passes we still continued the practice. The only time we didn't was about 3 years ago, but that was because we spent a couple days with our daughter in Orlando area and only had to drive to Miami. Even then we left at 6am for our flight.

I think its a common misconception that if you buy your transportation through the cruise line that they will wait for you. I don't believe any cruise line has that as their policy. Even if you pay them for the ground or air transportation they do not have to "hold the ship" for you. They might, and I suspect whether they do or not has more to do with what they are charged for taking a berth past their allotted times, tides and weather.

 

How long should they hold the ship? Me, I'm thinking until I get there, even if that's the next day. Everyone still has a place to sleep on board and plenty of food, so why not wait? It's really mean to go without me, as I was a helpless victim in this thing. I didn't do anything wrong but they are punishing me for traffic I couldn't control.

 

OK, so holding the ship overnight for one person is ridiculous, but how about holding the ship for four hours? Two? What if its going to cost your company thousands of dollars, much less than flying the folks to the first port would cost?

 

I'm skeptical that an excursion sold by the cruise line enjoys any greater guarantee that if it is late back they will hold the ship for you. They might do that in practice, but I'll bet the fine print says they are under no obligation to do so.

You often see people here recommend NCL contracted tours and air transportation as a safeguard to being left behind. My feeling has always been that doing that can improve your chances, but there is still no guarantee.

I once looked through NCL's policies and could not find mention of this guarantee of not beng left behind. I called NCL and asked and was assured that the ship would wait. I asked that this person find where that guarantee was written and email me a copy or tell me where to find it and she promised me she would. I never heard from her again, likely because NCL is too smart to put something like that in writing.

I assume that NCL contracted tours/transportation know to contact the ship in the case of delays. Most of the time they are short ones, the ship knows your ETA, and they wait. I assume the ship knew the situation of the bus transportation as well. If the situation was "we have been delayed in traffic xx miles from the ship, but are now on our way and our ETA is xxxx", the ship would probably wait. If the situation was "we are at a dead standstill and have been for xx hours, and we have no idea when it will clear", then likely you will be left behind if the situation has not greatly improved shortly after departure time.

Only NCL knows all the factors they weigh when deciding whether or not to wait for a group or an individual. I think they do make every effort, but sometimes the factors are weighted in the favor of the other passengers and the Corporation rather than the few left behind. There are no guarantees.

I'm driving to the Breakaway on Sunday the 18th of Jan. Going up the turnpike right by the Meadowlands, no need to worry, it's playoff time and neither the Giants or Jets will be playing.

On the wild chance that either one makes the playoffs (stranger things have happened), they will be playing on the road for sure.

You often see people here recommend NCL contracted tours and air transportation as a safeguard to being left behind. My feeling has always been that doing that can improve your chances, but there is still no guarantee.

 

I once looked through NCL's policies and could not find mention of this guarantee of not beng left behind. I called NCL and asked and was assured that the ship would wait. I asked that this person find where that guarantee was written and email me a copy or tell me where to find it and she promised me she would. I never heard from her again, likely because NCL is too smart to put something like that in writing.

 

I assume that NCL contracted tours/transportation know to contact the ship in the case of delays. Most of the time they are short ones, the ship knows your ETA, and they wait. I assume the ship knew the situation of the bus transportation as well. If the situation was "we have been delayed in traffic xx miles from the ship, but are now on our way and our ETA is xxxx", the ship would probably wait. If the situation was "we are at a dead standstill and have been for xx hours, and we have no idea when it will clear", then likely you will be left behind if the situation has not greatly improved shortly after departure time.

 

Only NCL knows all the factors they weigh when deciding whether or not to wait for a group or an individual. I think they do make every effort, but sometimes the factors are weighted in the favor of the other passengers and the Corporation rather than the few left behind. There are no guarantees.

Thank you and to the others who have explained how it works.

Just a couple of years back we were on the Epic. We ended up waiting over 90 minutes while a very small group of people whose flights were delayed due to snow could get to the ship. So they must of changed their policy. If I remember correctly it was for 20-24 people. As soon as they boarded we were out of there and making time up that evening. Who knows maybe they were special VIPS.

re: change of policy. Bad assumption.

There are many factors that go into the decision to wait or go.

# of people

dockside staffing and ability to delay getting untied

tugboat availability

pilot available, work schedule

High or low tide

River traffic

Port Authority

Clearing the bridge

Weather in port or at sea

Sailing time

Other unknown issues onboard such as awaiting a critical part or crew member, or injured passenger that MIGHT need to leave before departure

Rest assured there is no simple answer to change the schedule.

Not sure why you keep laughing. People purchased transportation through NCL - whether directly or indirectly. They missed the ship, and their cruise. I see nothing funny about it. It's sad, and someone laughing about it is just ... mean.

Yes it is sad. No doubt about it.

But, I like the other poster (I am guessing) was laughing at the "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE" comment.

Of course it is not okay. But TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE? Really? Stuff happens. And for people that do not understand that life has ups and downs and often NOBODY IS REALLY TO BLAME just don't get life. I am not speaking directly to you, but to people that just spend too much of their life blaming somebody for stuff that just happens. Too bad. Life is great.

Yes it is sad. No doubt about it.

 

But, I like the other poster (I am guessing) was laughing at the "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE" comment.

 

Of course it is not okay. But TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE? Really? Stuff happens. And for people that do not understand that life has ups and downs and often NOBODY IS REALLY TO BLAME just don't get life. I am not speaking directly to you, but to people that just spend too much of their life blaming somebody for stuff that just happens. Too bad. Life is great.

What Gary said

Yes it is sad. No doubt about it.

 

But, I like the other poster (I am guessing) was laughing at the "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE" comment.

 

Of course it is not okay. But TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE? Really? Stuff happens. And for people that do not understand that life has ups and downs and often NOBODY IS REALLY TO BLAME just don't get life. I am not speaking directly to you, but to people that just spend too much of their life blaming somebody for stuff that just happens. Too bad. Life is great.

Thank you.... yes that was I was laughing at the TU comment, not the passengers who missed the ship.

And if you think missing the ship is bad.......We knew of a family who rented a home on the Outer Banks a few weeks back for a week. They made the 8 hour drive and arrived OK. Got the keys to the house and went in, spent about 15 minutes looking around their rental. They are now in the front of the house (beach side) truck parked in back near house. What they don't know is their truck is now on fire, within a minute it spreads to the house. Within 5 minutes the truck and house are fully engulfed. They had been there for such a short time all their clothes and other things were in the truck. Now thats a bad day, they were not injured.

A side thought here.

What if the ship did wait until evening before they departed?

I could hear the TOTALLY UNACCEPTBLE comments flying >>>

We saved up for years to sail past the Statue of Liberty in the daytime, we missed it.

We had plans for our family to gather for the sailaway. But not it is dark outside.

We made dinner reservations with plans to sail under the bridge just before dinner, now it is gone.

The damn casino open way too late for us.

This, that, the other - all in vain. NCL promised that we would sail down the river at 4pm. They lied. Dirty rotten scamsters.

There ya go, Garycarla, making sense again:)

Wow, just reading this thread. I was disembarking that day from the Breakaway and was trying to figure out what happened. I took a private bus company, and there was a traffic jam and several police cars near the pier. Really odd on a Sunday. We were delayed about a half hour. One of the other passengers thought it was terrorist threat. I hope everything was okay.

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Thank you.... yes that was I was laughing at the TU comment, not the passengers who missed the ship.

 

And if you think missing the ship is bad.......We knew of a family who rented a home on the Outer Banks a few weeks back for a week. They made the 8 hour drive and arrived OK. Got the keys to the house and went in, spent about 15 minutes looking around their rental. They are now in the front of the house (beach side) truck parked in back near house. What they don't know is their truck is now on fire, within a minute it spreads to the house. Within 5 minutes the truck and house are fully engulfed. They had been there for such a short time all their clothes and other things were in the truck. Now thats a bad day, they were not injured.

Cheese and Crackers THAT is a really bad day ..:eek: