Valposada73

Hi there. Ok so I don’t go through a travel agent so maybe that process is different. I book everything myself directly with the cruiselines. I received the letter from NCL that they’ll reimburse airline change fees for people that individually books their airfare up to $300. I had to modify my airline rez myself with Expedia. That cost me like $237 I think. There is a link in the correspondence NCL sends to whomever booked the trip… in that case it’s me… how to submit a claim for that refund. I sent them my original airfare receipt and my rebook receipt and requested the $237 last night. If you worked with a travel agency then maybe you need to contact them? Sorry not sure how that works exactly. Hopefully someone else chimes in on that.

Submitted my airline change claim yesterday with all supporting documentation and I received notice they were crediting my card this morning. Well done NCL. They made it super smooth.

Hi. I called NCL about two days ago and I was told I could get a credit if I canceled or I could accept the trip “as is”. At the time I called it was still a “Haifa” departure. I’m located in the USA and thats the word the rep gave me. But, I decided to wait and see until the official change of itinerary came out before I decided. I am not sure what they would tell me if I called now though since they’ve issued a revised plan. Hope that helps! Hope everyone is having a good day.

I have a different perspective. I see it as we are all super lucky that we weren’t in Israel when this happened. We easily could have been. Yeah, we have to pivot plans. Perhaps see places we have been before. But I’ve traveled all over the world and what I know about traveling is that we have to be flexible and have an adventurous mindset. Ok so we are in the same port more than once… I’m sure we can find new things to do. It’s a huge city… or skip the sights and have a delicious meal by the water? Or take that mid cruise extra Athens day as a spa day? It’s about mindframe. We could easily have been stuck on a tour in Jerusalem when the rockets hit and figuring out how to evacuate. I am looking forward to the trip and vacation no matter where we end up. As long as I have good food, beautiful views and can meet new people, we are blessed. Not preachy, just perspective?

@sjane39 go to the actual port authority website and click on cruise arrivals. Then open the document for 2023 (which is updated daily) and you’ll see the Epic. It’s been on the port authority’s page since last week so there seems to be hope!

Again nothing official from NCL yet but perhaps they’re working on it. Check out the port authority schedule we noticed several days ago…. Maybe leaving from Athens will be announced soon? We have to remain patient. But I’m sure they’re trying the best they can.

Check out the Athens port authority schedule of ships. Right now Athens shows the Epic there on a few dates in November. No guarantee of course but that’s where we have been getting that information

Nope I do not. I believe the staff of NCL were advised to give this corporate talking point until they announce the true plan. But passing this along to the group.

I just called and NCL told me that we have two options: 1. to cancel and receive a future credit. 2. That the ship is currently still leaving from Haifa and they’ve been told by authorities that the airport and port aren’t affect by the war. So, go as is planned with the caveat that certain ports en route may change. I asked how much time we would be given to change flights if and when the Haifa changes as the port of embarking… and then she repeated the same line that authorities are telling them it’s currently ok to sail from Haifa. i am on the 11/20 Epic. Has anyone else called that’s on this same cruise and received this same communication?

Still see the Epic listed on Athens Port of Authority schedule for 11/20. Has anyone heard from NCL yet to confirm this is truly the new port of departure? I’m hoping to stay in Cairo now a few days ahead instead of Tel Aviv and then book a short flight to Athens. One thing traveling has taught me is that being flexible and making Lemonade out of Lemons is part of the adventure. Please let me know if anyone hears from NCL that Athens is indeed where the cruise will start.

For what it’s worth, found this on the Athens Port Authority ship schedule this morning. Nothing official from cruiseline yet so don’t go changing flights on my advice yet. Ha.

For what it’s worth, found this on the Athens Port Authority page for the Norwegian Epic for 11/20. Still nothing official though from the cruiseline.