julig22

14 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

I wasn't aware this was a pattern with no bounds. I will have to look around on the boards here and see how frequent this type of thing is. I do see complaints from time to time about ports of call being changed, sometimes at the last minute (while the cruise is underway), but those can be due to a number of factors such as weather, war, unrest, disease, local ordinance, etc. 

One problem that NCL has is their choice to offer unique itineraries - which is one reason why I sail NCL. When it all works out, it's great but with unique and one-off cruises there are bound to be unforeseen problems, some evident early on, some at the last minute.

Maybe that is why other larger cruiselines don't offer those itineraries in the first place. If they continue to have issues requiring last-minute adjustments they might eventually just give up the idea of offering extraordinary journeys.

Could NCL be a little more transparent and forgiving - sure. Should they offer a refund - or even FCC - probably. Will I book more NCL extraordinary journeys knowing the itinerary often gets modified- probably. Still kicking myself for not booking NY to Greenland/Iceland this summer, thinking they wouldn't make ports as usual. They did.

3 hours ago, tony s said:

When they did nothing do what we did in a similar situation. As this group is getting the service we are not getting let them pay my DDC. The moment I said that the GM got involved and the group toned it down 

I wouldn't normally withhold my daily charges but I would totally agree with you that under those circumstances it's something I would consider. I'd actually put a note in the GM suggestion box (notes do get read, at least in my experience) and see if the issue gets addressed.

1 minute ago, luv2kroooz said:

No worries. I did not see you denounce it. Are you sure travel insurance would cover this? It isnt trip cancellation? It isnt trip interruption, either.

Insurance would be on a case-by-case basis, every policy is different. Cancel for any reason should work for anyone who has it and wants to cancel the cruise. I have an annual policy so no individual trip is actually insured but it also includes CFAR. 

As to the other possible expenses, it's a relatively specific situation that's probably not spelled out in a policy but always worth a conversation.

In the past NCL has always offered money toward flight cancellations (proof required) when there has been a change requiring people to change flights- maybe they will at least do that in this case?

4 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Agreed. Insurance isn't for things you know will happen (or are likely to), but exactly for those things you don't anticipate/don't want to happen. (Not agreeing with NCL's decision here, of course, just pointing out that unplanned changes to one's itinerary are a great reason to have trip insurance.)

Thank you. I should have put a disclaimer in my original post as simply mentioning the role of insurance in this instance seems to have taken a negative turn.

4 hours ago, luv2kroooz said:

Nice deflection....justifying bad behavior in the name of insurance....and very sad, I might add.

Where did I justify bad behavior?

Stating simple facts is not a deflection nor is it a justification.

Sorry I didn't include a disclaimer with my post.

5 hours ago, PATRLR said:

I assume insurance would pay for the lost/unuseable airfare, but I don't think insurance will cover a more expensive airfare to the new ports or more expensive hotels, etc.    And is it really right to make insurance pay for NCL's bad behavior?  As with anything that takes advantage of insurance, we all ultimately end up paying (and NCL skates away clean).

I don't recall saying that anything about this was right.

As to insurance, how is it different and/or right when insurance pays for expenses when you miss a connection due to delays/cancellations - something that is on the airlines. Whether or not insurance would pay for a more expensive ticket I don't know but, depending on your policy, they should reimburse you for non-refundable tickets you might have. In the overall scheme of things, nobody should have to have insurance to cover delays or changes made by airlines, cruiselines or anyone else in the travel industry. But that's the way it works.

But to my original point, IF your airfare is booked through NCL, then NCL does take care of the airfare. 

6 minutes ago, zqvol said:

The problem lies in adding the second guest. That messed up everything. 

Yup. Initially paying for a solo then adding a 2nd invariably means loss of paid for benefits for 1, since both passengers have to have the same packages. No doubt that things were paid for initially, guessing that the final statement wouldn't show them as paid when comparing line items- money was used toward the 2nd guest. But just my opinion.

Norwegian Cruise Line Changes Disembarkation Port Due to Operational Challenges (cruisehive.com)

Why insurance is always necessary. And believe it or not, something I always consider when deciding whether or not to use NCL airfare.

19 minutes ago, grouchomarx said:

I paid for 2 meal dining package, FAS+, spa pass, Vibe.  They refunded FAS+, not spa pass which I cancelled around 12:30pm embarkation day and not dining package which I never got to use. Vibe was refunded after I upgraded to a cabana.  I'm not even bothering to argue anymore about paying basic FAS grats twice(once in my original booking and again on board) as they have decided their logic is to claim it has something to do with the 2nd passenger fare.  Bizarre accounting is an understatement!!

Your confirmation should spell out all your payments and what you were charged for. It's not unheard of for NCL to cancel something you paid for and use those funds for something else. So since you had things on your original reservation that required both passengers to have, yours would have been cancelled and the money paid used to pay for adding the second passenger. So still fuzzy on whether or not you actually paid ahead for those meals and grats.

There are random reports of people getting banned from cruiselines after resorting to a credit card dispute. There are random reports of people winning with no consequences after resorting to a credit card dispute. So really no way to assess your risk.

I do know that when NCL messed up refunds during the Covid fiasco my PCC intervened and I eventually got my refund. Keep in mind that they have the most bizzare accounting system on this planet in my opinion so it takes a little bit of doing to keep track of what's been returned, what was owed, etc. 

Based on what you just posted, it sounds more like a non-meeting of the minds, not sure that a credit card dispute would end in your favor. NCL appears to believe you got what you paid for. From your previous posts, I'm still fuzzy on what you actually paid for - that people thought there was a possibility that payments for services you didn't receive had been applied to the cost of adding your 2nd person if I remember you other post.

18 minutes ago, ChicoCA said:

So if we wanted to have our friends join us for dinner and they didnt have FAS but wanted to order off the menu, your thinking says we would not be seated together?

 

I see this is going to be easier than I thought. I was just wondering what other people's experience has been. Thanks to everyone. 

Not at all what I said. They will scan the cards of everyone they are seating and ask how you will be paying. Waiter could look the other way or could charge your GF for a FAS meal.

2 minutes ago, ChicoCA said:

Ok, we wont tell them. 

 

Sounds like others have been able to. We just wont be overly obvious. 

You don't think they'll notice that there are 2 people at the table???

Whether or not it works will depend on the waiter at the time. And that is assuming they will seat both of you without scanning both cards.

41 minutes ago, nudecruzer said:

Does anyone know if there is an onboard sign up bonus for the NCL credit card? (rather than signing up online for a points bonus after $1000 spend).

I was on a Carnival cruise a couple of years ago and they had an onboard sign up deal that took $200 off your cruise statement at the end of the cruise if you signed up while on the cruise.

 

thanks 

Not that I've seen. When I signed up (many years ago) they did transfer all of my onboard spending to the NCL card so everything, including CruiseNext purchases, counted toward the $1k spend. And you can use your points to get a statement credit after you get home so would indirectly take the money off of your statement.

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Do issues exist? Sure. I just wish people would stick to actual examples that happened, rather than heresay.

And understand that if flights are delayed or canceled, that's on the airline, not NCL. If it happens early enough (72hrs before the first flight), you call NCL. After that, you deal with the airline.

Yes, I have had issues but not because NCL booked my flights. I've been delayed or canceled more than once (fortunately on my way home) and I DID call NCL and they DID offer to help if the airline couldn't/wouldn't. Offered to book me on the same flight the airline was offering - with 1 major difference. NCL can only get you a new ticket. The airline can give you meals, transportation & hotels. And don't fall for the airline's offer of a refund instead of a replacement ticket - you have a 50/50 chance that the refund will go back to NCL and of course your replacement ticket will cost way more than what you paid NCL.

And always have insurance regardless of how you book your flights.

3 minutes ago, Annies88 said:

Oh. Did that change since msc notes the quote I did?

Don't know what you are trying to say but WP upgrades have never included Haven as far as I know.

21 minutes ago, CHK said:

So sorry that I posted this on a food allergy thread--all I searched for was "allergies" since I doubted anyone would be posting about contact allergies. We are already booked and past final payment. But sailing out of Tampa (Uber from home about 40 miles away) and I will probably bring at least a flat sheet and pillow cases--just in case. At least we're not flying for this cruise.

But thank you both for your replies.

I bring my own pillow cases on every cruise - not because of allergies, I just want to guarantee it's soft. Just make sure they aren't white so there is no doubt that they are yours. Always have to make sure I don't leave them behind on the last day.

I don't think the basic wording has changed. Each Platinum guest in entitled to 2 meals, doesn't matter what guest # they happen be. But the coupons are issued by cabin, so because of the way they handle the coupons, Guest #1 could take some random guest to 2 meals and leave Guest #2 with nothing LOL. But yes, you can take your Aunt to 2 meals as a guest, using the 2 vouchers and your FAS meals.

10 minutes ago, mamacol said:

Can I add a certificate on my upcoming cruise after final payment? My PCC is being slow to respond and I would like to take advantage of this double-up if possible. Thanks!

According to the terms, no. CruiseNext certificates are considered deposits so can be used as a deposit prior to making your final payment. Once you are past your final payment due date, you're paid. But people have said they were able to get them applied after their final due date - I can't vouch for that. So you can always ask, just manage your expectations.

15 minutes ago, carohs said:

For someone who lives near a smaller airport and is almost always routed through a major hub anyway, whether booking on their own or through NCL, chances are they would end up on the same flight either way. The savings then is more likely to be "worth it."

That would be me.

7 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

We still haven’t received a consistent answer to whether EACH of us can get a bag (Platinum). As usual, it’s confusing.

Laundry benefit is, always has been, 1 bag per person, regardless of how often it repeats/cruise.

NCL posts excursions when they become available - could be 2 years in advance, 2 months, anything in-between. If you are on an "extraordinary journey" you may be going to places that just aren't overly equipped for having cruise ships visit - and therefore limited on excursion availability. First clue would be to go to a site like Viator and see what they offer. One of the cons of booking a unique itinerary.

Had the same issue on a recent cruise to Norway/Iceland. I found lots of suggestions on the roll-call for my particular cruise and was able to book some private excursions due to the information found there. Fortunately we had long port times so no worries about missing the ship. NCL eventually posted some of the same excursions (limited capacity) but at a considerably higher price.

I've booked excursions on NCL more than a year in advance - easy to do for repeat itineraries like Alaska. Much harder for a new itinerary.

NCL allows you to customize your air if you use their Premium Air department. But you don't get a discounted rate. The $250 surcharge still gives you a discount but more options. Or you can go with BOGO and you get what you get. So no, not the same as Princess.

You will find a lot of things are different with NCL, some you might like, some maybe not so much. Try to heed the advice of @Ken the cruiser and enjoy your cruise.

5 minutes ago, Panhandle Couple said:

If it is any consolation, this summer on the Escape, the bag seemed to be about 30% larger than previous bags.  Maybe just on Escape, who knows?

 

For longer cruises, there seems to be a discount around day 3 or 4, you can use that, then the freebie later.

 

From the free behind the scenes, daily laundry loading is bedding, towels, crew uniforms, then customer items. Early in the cruise customer items are easier to handle than later in the cruise. 

Yes, they went back to the larger bags, probably at the same time they upped the price to $34.

I asked the CN manager on a 12-day cruise what the policy was. They said 1 bag/full week. Meaning 2 bags for 14 days or more. Past CN folks have basically said that it's up to each CN manager to determine which is why the answers probably vary.

I guess worst case would be if you sent in a 2nd bag with your latitudes # on it they would either charge you nothing or give it to you for half-price (another latitudes benefit).

13 hours ago, complawyer said:

we're on the prima iceland to southampton sept 26-oct 6th.  my wife's bucket list is to see the lights. if we don't, i'm dead meat

Aurora Forecast | Geophysical Institute (alaska.edu)

6 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

 

I apologize. Value is relative. I received 3-nights at the Marriot Amsterdam Town Centre and 2-nights at the Courtyard Marriot in Seattle with points to spare.

I'll take that over a category upgrade.

 

To each their own.

 

Just to clarify, I only use my NCL card for NCL stuff. I have other cards that give me points for other things - it's not an all or nothing proposition. But I also don't pay for the privilege of having a specific travel card.