BCSmallTownGirl

ceildh1 - we ended up renting a car from Budget - they are a short taxi ride from the cruise terminal (and Budget takes that off of the rental cost). They didn't charge a drop off fee - so it worked out to be the cheapest option to Burbank - and since we were staying overnight, we had the car to drive around some too. I know that may not be for everyone, but worked great for us.

Very impressed with how Carnival has immediately offered help and compensation to effected passengers.

 

I was on the NCL Sun Panama Canal cruise from hell. Horrible they have only offered a cruise credit.

 

Read Carnival has offered flights home, 100% REFUND and 50% credit for future cruise. WOW! WTG!

Agreed! That's how a company should respond. Kudos to Carnival.

What gets me is the chemical exposure. Sure you could tell people to avoid areas under construction, but the chemical fumes, are harder to get away from. The question is, how many parts of the ship were being worked on? Just a few or most of the open areas? :confused:

The chemical exposure is a major concern, for sure.

But why should there be any major construction on a ship with paying passengers anyways? Minor maintenance and repairs, sure. But not full blown renovation/construction.

The areas being worked on were the 6th, 11th, and 12th decks - all the public outside areas in varying degrees throughout the cruise. The bar and restaurant on the 12th deck were closed for the duration.

1) The 100% future cruise credit you have been offered is it for the base cruise fare or cruise plus port, services fees?

It is the cruise fare only.

This is the entire text:

At Norwegian Cruise Line, the travel experience, safety and satisfaction of our guests is of the utmost importance to us. Recently Norwegian Sun underwent enhancements as part of our continuous efforts to ensure that every ship across the fleet delivers a consistently high-quality passenger experience.

While we do our utmost to minimize any impact to our guests when these enhancements are being implemented, we do recognize that during a recent sailing, we did not meet the expectations of our guests, nor our own standards,for which we truly apologize.

Norwegian Cruise Line is inviting the guests on the March 16th Norwegian Sunvoyage to cruise again and fully experience all that Norwegian has to offerwith a 100% future cruise credit of their cruise fare paid, which can beapplied towards another cruise of their choice from now through March 31, 2023.

We realize that this gesture cannot replace their recent experience but do hopeto have the opportunity to welcome them on board again soon.

2) Is the credit just for members of your group or can you transfer, trade sell to other people?

I imagine it is non-transferable etc., but it wasn't expressly mentioned in anything I have seen. Not sure if it is just for the individual, or can be used for people in your group or not. It is supposed to appear on our Latitudes ID number as listed on the reservation confirmation. Hopefully someone else will have a definitive answer.

The fine print on the first letter (the 25% one) indicted it had no cash value and could not go towards the gov't taxes and fees, airfare, insurance, hotel packages, or any add-ons. It is not combinable (is that even a word?) with cruise credits or fare reduction coupons.

3) Will you take another cruise on NCL ?

If they offer a refund along with the future credit, I might consider giving them another try at some point.

I would accept the 100% of the fare paid in a certificate for a future cruise. What I wouldn't ask for is my DSC and gratuities on the UBP to be refunded nor would I has for any other expenses.

 

Reason, I would have eaten on the cruise and had my cabin cleaned. I would have had drinks under the UBP. I would have gone to shows, etc., as bad as it was reported, people still enjoyed some of the cruise.

 

Sorry, but I have a question that I can't seem wrap my head around. I have read words describing the cruise as hazardous to one's health, cruise being criminal, lifeboats being unuseable and being held captive and am wondering if anyone left the ship or did everyone just stay on the ship. Maybe there weren't ports to get off and leave from, because I know darn well if I thought my health was in that much danger, I would have gotten off the ship and flew home.

Fair question.

Some may have thought it would get better - surely this couldn't last the whole cruise? There was no communication as to what areas were open or closed and when.

A lot of details came out later when information was shared - the full extent of the risks may not have been known.

For many, they would't even know this was an option.

We were in South and Central American, and Mexican ports. Many would not have known where to even begin.

No everyone has the resources readily available to just jump ship, get themselves to the airport, and fly home.

Many just tried to make the best of it.

I am sure the reasons are as varied as people on the ship.

Near the end of the cruise, a crew member told us that he'd have gotten off the ship if he could have afforded to fly home. I felt for the crew as well.

100ish people showed up to the Captains Q&A where rude people would not let the captain speak. That's 4% of the people onboard.

The observation lounge accommodates 274... and it was very crowded with people standing shoulder to shoulder throughout the room. There was no announcement that there would be a meeting - just word of mouth, and there was still, by different estimates, 300-400 people in attendance.

The reason some yelled was to try to be heard - the captain had a microphone. He said he would answer questions. People yelled questions (true, it was not orderly, but unless someone took the lead and had people line up for questions, how else could it go?). The captain walked out. It was unfortunate that he, or someone at NCL, did not organize the Q&A so it could work.

I really hope that this never happens on another ship. If this is somewhat normal practice, it needs to change. This construction was fully under the control of NCL, not an accident or unforeseen incident.

Sadly, there are a whole lot of people that this 100% fare credit is a big fat 0%. They either can't afford to pay the thousands that the 'free cruise' will cost them, or have other reasons that they can't take another cruise. This was a once in a lifetime trip for many.

A refund is warranted. NCL did not give the cruise they advertised, and they put passenger health and safety at risk in a big way.

Perhaps then the credit offer will bring some customers back.

Most of us want to see change and hope that this doesn't happen to others on future cruises too.

Question -- the people who say "it was fine" - will they turn down the credit??

They'll have a lot less work to do in drydock, since NCL began these renovations during the Sun's previous cruise, putting the passengers at substantial risk on top of ruining what for many was a once-in-a-lifetime cruise.

And, will the work really be done? Or will the next cruise be impacted as well? Although I imagine to a much lesser extent given the poor publicity.

Thanks for posting this, on other posts, they made it seem like everything was closed for the entire cruise.

 

Hopefully, things will work out to your satisfaction.

I think they meant that 1/4 to 1/2 of the walking track was closed at all times. It was different sections as they worked their way around.

The bars and restaurants on deck 12 were closed the entire cruise.

Ship - Sun

Deck - 8

Stateroom # - 8278

Stateroom Category – Aft Balcony

Starboard or Port Side - Aft (Starboard of center)

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes and no. You can hear the shows in the theatre (loud bass and drums) and when they practice in the afternoon. One night, they were either practising or partying until the wee hours of the morning - I think someone must have complained because it didn't happen again. Also some engine noise - especially when entering or leaving port. No noise from the hallway.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - Yes, but we didn't have both rooms

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – Amazing rear view.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Felt larger because of the sloped side wall and sloped rail.

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - On a few days, yes.

Any specific problems with this cabin? -

Any other comments? -

Just curious, why is the media mostly Canadian for a US based cruise? I'm surprised the US media hasn't picked up on it yet.

While the cruise left via Miami, there were a lot of Canadians and other nationalities on board. Imagine travelling from Australia or Europe and experiencing this cruise :(

I expect the US media will start picking the story up at some point.

Just curious and totally late to this conversation, so it may have already been addressed...do they discount these fares heavily when they do a respositioning or enter dry dock "construction" zone cruise?

No discount here on this cruise - and no notice of anything before we boarded the ship.

NCL notified customers ahead of time right? Like the time I booked a hotel in Vegas and they told me the pool was closed?

A 25% discount on a future cruise would not be sufficient, in my opinion. Maybe a 25% refund, but no way would I book a future cruise with them. I just cruised carnival and will stick with them. I know they're low quality cruises, but they are fair and honest.

No, no advance notice at all. The first anyone knew of anything was when we got on the ship. We got a letter the first day, but many did not.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204418955751277&set=g.1896883853954883&type=1&theater&ifg=1

Looks like it was in dry dock 2016 (as BirdTravels says) The picture in the link above shows all the ship dates

If you are so observant maybe you noticed her asking plenty of questions before her trip. From what I could gather she is fairly new to cruising and was expecting an exciting, fun trip.

 

What they apparently got was not that. There are several bidding posts that pop up yet we have a 199 page thread that covers that. Do you reply to those one off posters asking about bidding the same question about going to the 199 page thread?

Thanks -- yes, it was our first cruise - a once in a lifetime "bucket list" trip. Planned it for over a year and we were very excited.

Oh well, me posting my personal experience has given them something to complain about ;)

It's one of those "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand".

The fact that it was ever accomplished is right up there with going to the moon with '60s rocket and computer technology. Both accomplishments by man probably right up there at the top of the greatest achievement lists.

The canal is very impressive! Considering when it was built, and how it was built makes it even more so.

My husband always wanted to see it - his grandfather worked on it - so we figured how better to see it than to be on a ship going through it!

The FUMES were OUTSIDE as well as inside. No "getting away" from it anywhere on the ship.

This is true. I would have loved to be able to spend more time outside! It was hard to escape it all on deck as it was the open decks that were being resurfaced etc.... and, it was inside too - windows, doors, HVAC system?

Will be on her end of May, hope The Place (or whatever i't called) is in place... if not I will still go eat there with the limited "bar" food.

I do hope all the work is finished and you have a most enjoyable cruise.

and I believe she knows this, seeing I was just on that thread and noticed she has been responding on the topic quite a bit before she started this post: very interesting to say the least.:confused::confused:

Am I doing something wrong in posting my experience? I thought that was one of the things this forum was for?

Sorry to read you know what it is like to be teargassed.

That was quite innocent actually - I was in a town where some decided breaking windows, looting, and such were a good idea :rolleyes: - the police were trying to disperse them and one of the tools was tear gas -- there were a whole lot of people (myself included) just trying to get the heck out of there, but the gas is potent and travels on the breeze.

The Panama Canal Cruise on the Norwegian Sun March 16 - 31 was our first cruise. We booked a year in advance and planned and researched -- we were quite excited for this once in a lifetime trip! New Latitudes members :D

At the beginning of the cruise, we found out there would be some work being done on the ship. Oh well. There was still much to enjoy! :)

A couple days in, we were looking at the #CruiseNext program, and excitedly thinking of future cruises with thoughts of travelling with family as a large group. What fun we could have!

It soon became apparent that it was not just a small amount of work, but projects that meant some venues were closed for the entire cruise. A disappointment as we had been looking forward to all the ship had to offer. :/

A few days in, the "beautification" became very problematic, with health issues occurring as a result of fumes/chemicals/particulate - something on the ship!

I never dreamed I would spend over half the cruise with varying degrees of symptoms including sore, itchy, red, puffy, and runny eyes as well as a runny nose as a result of their ongoing renovations. :(

Being on shore offered some relief! But then symptoms soon returned after we were back on the ship.

Many times I found myself running back to the cabin to lay down with a cold cloth over my eyes. Have you ever been near tear gas? That's what it felt like at times - the same symptoms and severity for me.

It is shameful that the company felt it was ok to do this work with passengers and staff on board.

What will #NCL do to try to compensates passengers? I know so many had issues on this cruise! It was totally unacceptable.

#CruiseNorwegian #NCLSun

After looking at these pictures I say people are right to be upset, I would be. That is Not the vacation they signed up for.

Precisely.

In addition, I experienced burning, itchy, red and runny eyes, as well as a runny nose - got relief on port, only to have symptoms return when back on the ship. We tried to avoid areas where we thought we might run into the fumes/chemicals/particulate, but it would show up in unexpected places due to whatever way the breezes were blowing, what may have gotten into the ventilation systems etc. We also didn't know from day to day what area of the ship would be the worst. Not fun to have to run back to the cabin to put cold washcloths over my eyes to feel some relief.

Some of us can't book at other times... but apparently if you book a longer cruise, you won't have as many 'spring breakers' since they book the shorter cruises. Hope that's the case ;)

YEAH! LOL :'):D

Thanks - the deck plan I was looking at earlier didn't have it on it.

Shuffleboard seems to be a stereotypical cruise activity -- that I am actually looking forward to! LOL! Is there shuffleboard on the Sun?