Unfortunately, the US Dept of Transportation does not do oversight on the cruise lines. However, I think an official complaint to the Federal Trade Commission would have more traction. Or a lawsuit on damages from false advertising.
1. NCL says in it’s “Free at Sea” packages includes free excursions, free drinks and BOGO free airfare. All of which are grossly untrue.
NCL gives a $50 discount on every excursion one purchases. They have no excursions that cost $50 or less. So no excursion is ever free.
With the “free” drinks package NCL charges $400 for gratuities up front. It not based on the actual number of drinks you purchase, it’s based on the maximum amount of drinks you could purchase.
The BOGO free airfare is a farce. Let’s say NCL charged $1,400 for the first passenger and the second person flies for $0 (on paper.) However, NCL states on their website that single passengers get a 50% discount on air. So they pay $700. So the price when you buy one is $700. So really there is no second passengers fly free air.
Also, NCL puts a countdown on the website saying this deal is only good for 3 days to pressure people to buy. Four days later…same deal. Two weeks later…same deal.
Go on their website and they’re still advertising the November 1 to Israel. They know that’s incorrect and they’re not going to fix it?
The price for my cruise went down by almost 50% from what I paid for it. I called NCL and the CSR said yeah, I can upgrade you or give FCC. She said let me get it approved. Her supervisors would not approve it because they said it was too late to rebook the air. About a month later my airline itinerary changes and I have an 8 hour layover. I call NCL and they rebooked my air. 🤦♀️
And I will be filing a formal complaint, it’s free and the FTC has to respond.
