emm126

1 hour ago, Waquoit said:

I'm not seeing your point. Are you saying that after NCL responds to AMEX that AMEX will then tell me to wait the 90 days to get the money from NCL? If not, what?

sorry if I wasn't clear. Amex will send NCL a letter about the dispute. NCL will have 30 days to answer and once they do answer and say a refund is in the works, Amex will most likely close the dispute in your favor as they have already processed your refund. Good Luck and stay safe.

@Waquoit the reality is, Amex is going to send NCL a letter stating that you disputed the charge. They will ask is a refund due and maybe even when will it be processed. NCL will respond yes, a refund is due and Amex will probably say well we did it for you. Case closed. Also there is very little possibility that someone could double dip and get 2 refunds. Someone, either NCL or Amex would be looking for the money on the 2nd credit. 

4 hours ago, akmarshall said:

Were you able to get a refund on a non-refundable ticket? 

Hello- yes, ticket was non refundable however Delta cancelled flight. You will be able to receive a refund under those circumstances. 

2 hours ago, Norseh2o said:

Did you call Delta?  

you can cancel and get your refund on delta.com if booked with Delta directly. I did. Good Luck!

Booked a last minute cruise on the Valor for 1/23/20 for my bd. I usually don't cruise for my bd but for some reason decided to do it this year. Glad we did as it might be my only cruise for a while. 

17 minutes ago, momof3cruisers said:

I seriously doubt your governor is going to allow them to sail. San Francisco is closed for a linger time. I’m betting he’ll close LongBeach and San Diego as well.

 

So my cruise is within the cancelled dates—Liberty June 15th. But I haven’t received an email and I haven’t been able to log into my cruise manager account page for at least a week. I get a “working on it” message.  Do you have to rebook right away or can I wait awhile and see what happens?

Hi - if you go on Carnival.com, on the top of the page it says Health and sailing update, click on that link. Then click on cancelled Cruises, last updated April 13. Next page you will see is pretty much the letter I received from my TA and toward the bottom is a link, see below, where you can complete for FCC or refund- Good luck! 

I don't know when you have to decide by, I didn't see any dates besides it needs to be booked by 12/31/20.

If you are booked on one of these sailings, please make your selection here – there is no need to call

I was booked on the Pride on a bounce back offer for May 24th and had a Vista suite. It hurt to cancel it. I was going back and forth about what to do and finally decided it would be best to take the refund. The cruise portion was $620 for me, my mom and my niece. It just got so complicated about using the FCC only on 1 booking and I wasn't sure if we would have to travel together etc. 

If I was traveling solo I would have opted for the FCC and the $600. (although I do wonder can the $600 be used in the casino otherwise I would have hard time spending the $600 lol) 

3 hours ago, bahacca said:

I still haven't sent in the form. It states we have until Dec. of this year to do so. The only sailing I have seen that we would do is in August, but that is too close for comfort for me to book right now. My husband, just today, got notice that pay is being cut at his company by 10% across the board. I'm prepared to send in requesting that refund if he loses his job. 

You have to book by the end of 2020 but have until 2022 to travel. 

8 minutes ago, FitchburgWIFamily said:

Hey, OP...I am glad you are home safe.  

 

I think about the passengers on ships that didn't cancel.  There is a Celebrity Eclipse that was supposed to disembark in Santiago that wasn't allowed to on the 15th march and might still be at sea.

 

I know the ship seems like it would have been the safest place to be, but just because you didn't see any passengers coughing doesn't mean there weren't asymptomatic people spreading the virus on board.  There is a Holland America ship that has a few deaths reported and a number of sick people that is also, I believe, still at sea.

 

I am sorry the act of cancelling the cruise was so stressful: both to you and to your pocket book.  I can't imagine how much it costs to get last minute international flights and how frantic it felt to wonder how you were going to make an unplanned trip home.

 

When unexpected things happen in traveling, there are a lot of logistics to worry about.  After ships have been redirected for hurricanes, people have cars in ports they can't get back to and no cars in ports they are taken to.   

 

I am 100% with you that NCL could do a better job with some small things that would have made this a better experience.   

 

They probably couldn't have left you on the ship too much longer because even though there wasn't a next cruise, they did still need to leave the port on a schedule.  The port workers etc. are there for luggage and loading only at certain times.   They could at least have staggered the departures as much as possible so the latest flights were the last to leave.  They could have possibly contracted with some port staff to make the room where passengers wait to board available to disembarking passengers to wait for shuttles.

 

The definitely could have provided the shuttles for free to any of the back to back cruisers.

 

I don't know if I agree they should be responding with personalized correspondence.  If that were a requirement with the volume of correspondence, it would be years before you heard anything.

 

I don't know if I agree, as hard as a pill this is to swallow, that they should compensate you for your airfare home.  If the cruise had ended mid cruise, I would think differently, but this cruise was cancelled, and not for a reason that was within NCL's control.  When there is a weather related cancellation, I don't think they compensate everyone for their travel to or from the port.   

 

I am not trying to be a NCL cheer leader, and I really do have empathy for you.   Buying two last minute international flights would put a severe dent in my pocket book, and I would have to dip into savings to make that work.   

 

I just hope that you can take a little time to reflect on all the things that are good about what happened:  You are home, safe, not trapped on a ship at sea with no idea of where or when it will land;  the ship had no known cases of covid19 when it landed, and no one on board died from covid19; and you were able to find flights home and are not stranded in a foreign country.

 

 

 

 

It's funny you mention the Celebrity Eclipse as I have been following the story as I know people onboard. I will tell you after getting denied from several countries/ports, Celebrity made the decision to sail an additional 2 weeks to San Diego, where they supposedly docked this morning. Celebrity is providing transfers to the airport (free) and air home for all US citizens onboard. (also free). They have also provided free internet the last 2 weeks. This issue was not Celebrity's "fault" either, but IMO that is how you treat your customers. 

And another thing I would like to add, If the officers on board, the most senior representatives of the company on board, state you will get reimbursed for you travel expenses, you should be reimbursed. For those stating, oh they said it, to not start riots is ridiculous. If any of my employees gave out incorrect information, I would stand behind it. I would love to hear NCL's reasoning behind that but I guess it is doesn't fit on their form letter.

To TJBarney- I hope you keep fighting for your money back, you deserve to receive a refund for your additional expenses. 

Carnival seems to be doing the right thing to those on board, can't say the same for those that are waiting to get on. 

Greg- I appreciate that you are making the best of a bad situation. 

35 minutes ago, LS6Caddy said:

But still required 48 hours prior to sailing. So those sailing today would not have been covered, and those sailing tomorrow would’ve had to act within hours of the announcement to get the FCC. 

I think those that wanted to cancel their cruise on 3/8 would have acted within hours. And the 48/72 hour rule is waived for this weekend on some of the cruise lines. 

10 minutes ago, LS6Caddy said:

You have to be realistic here.  Logistically it is going to take some time to set up for the onslaught of calls they are going to be getting for this policy. Additionally, cruises this weekend have already been set in motion. Financially, logistically, and realistically it isn’t feasible for NCL (and the others as they have very similar policies) for them to offer those changes a day or 2 before sailing. 

Most of the other cruise lines new policy went into effect on March 6, so those sailing this weekend were covered. 

3 minutes ago, oumagic said:

Yes. That is what I am upset about. Last communication said to be there one hour later and to have a nice lunch. No updates to the text notification since

ok- usually the text alerts are the most up to date info. I did just look at Matt Mitchum's fb page and it does say, debarkation is delayed until at least 6pm. I guess that's the 6 hours for the test to be done. Just trying to offer some assistance. Situation stinks, I hope everything works out for you all.

21 minutes ago, oumagic said:

The $15 is for people waiting to get on the ship. They have still not told us not to come to the port. We were supposed to be there in 10 minutes, but are waiting about 45 minutes away

Have you signed up for the text alerts? maybe they are sending info thru that?

I am going on the Pride 5/24 and received the letter from my Travel Agent a little while ago. It doesn't matter how you booked it, you are covered.

8 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Wait do I have to inventory everything? It’s wash and fold. Does that go under valet or dry cleaning? Is wash and fold valet?

Yes, well just the totals. Like shirts 4, shorts 3 etc. I put under dry cleaning, I don't think it really matters. I use write in an item if needed on the other line. The form is so out of date to me, I mean handkerchief? 

10 minutes ago, lennythenose said:

Ugh. Do NOT like this. Fortunately last month on the Miracle they still took dessert orders after dinner. But they moved Early seating to 5:30 which I thought was too early. We “suffered” through it and had a great cruise😉.

Last month on the Valor I said to the waiter, I am not sure if I will want dessert or not and I was told let him know after dinner. That is what I did every night. Wasn't a problem. 

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

Mushroom Bisque

 

 

 

 

Great review so far! Thank you for taking the time!

The mushroom soup is my favotire item on the menu. one of the 1st thing I do when I get on board is to see when it will be served and have been known to switch up specialty dinning to get the soup-  My friend thinks I am crazy but what can you do. lol

20 hours ago, audcc77 said:

Yes. But according to my pvp, there Is nothing left. All rooms on all sailings have been bought. 
 

oh well, maybe next time. 

Well my casino rates are now back in my offers and I too have the OH1 although it is a different rate. I am showing a lot of available cruises for March, so you might want to check again. Expiration date is 2/29 but it is still showing? good luck!

I actually think there is something wrong with Carnival website right now, all of my casino offers are gone?

Anyway, when I received my bounce back offer a couple of weeks ago I couldn't find any availability. So I called Carnival and they transferred me to the casino department and they were able to tell me about 10 sailings it was available on, so I was able to book it. I would try and call back tomorrow and speak with someone else. Good Luck!

You seem to be enjoying yourself for the most part- The big question is did they open the pool yet? I would be bummed if it was closed especially since it was something you were looking forward to. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

I really don't understand the talk of cutbacks especially impacting service. Maybe I have just been lucky.  Last year, I was on 3 Carnival cruises and 1 other, a mass market new ship. 

The 3 cabin stewards on Carnival were friendly, efficient and cleaned my cabin once a day. (my preference) 

The other cabin steward, I saw/talked to once all week. I left notes for him twice, something I never do but there were things that needed to be addressed. 

On Carnival I have had excellent service in the dinning room, I am usually in and out in an hour, which is what I like.

On the other cruise is was close to 2 hours!! for 3 courses, which is torture for me. HA. I understand it at a specialty restaurant but this was the main dinning rooms. 

I do agree with the comment about the rust on the ships however I did see recently John Heald had said there was an issue with the paint/company that was used and it is being addressed, so we shall see about that.

I enjoy talking to the crew when possible and I do find Carnival to have the friendliest, most engaging crew out there. I have almost met so many wonderful, friendly people over the years,  I also appreciate how Carnival handles issues that come up, I feel they try to do what is best for the company, yes but also for their guests.  For example, the Pride is coming in late today about 5-6 hours, for guests getting onboard today Carnival gave everyone $15 for lunch OBC, I don't see that much from other lines. 

I am platinum with Carnival, close to Diamond, I don't feel the benefits are that great compared to other lines however I do enjoy a couple of them. I don't cruise for the benefits, I cruise for the experience itself. On my carnival cruises I am so sad when they are over however the other cruise last year, I was done after 5 days and could not wait to get off the ship.

to answer your 2nd question- I have been on the Horizon twice and the internet worked really well- I don't think I had 1 issue the whole week. Have a great cruise!

2 hours ago, smplybcause said:

 

Even if NCL bought tickets that could be changed between the change fees and walkup rates you'd have to pay it'd likely be a pretty penny to change - if they let you. 

oh I agree with that. my original comment was see what the fees would be and if it is worth it to you to change. There most likely will be a change fee and the ticket would have to be repriced since the change is to the outbound flight. 

18 minutes ago, JDBRANDT17042 said:

OK, I will agree that NCL is in control of the ticket.  This is the coding on the ticket that the airline agent read to me.

Now, in my case, my email about the ticket was received 19 hours ago.  So, based on your above comment, I rang up NCL one last time, and explained that '...somebody I know who cruises with NCL a lot...' told me that changes can be made inside the 24-hour window after issuance.

Based on his response, I'll say that, maybe NCL can reissue the ticket, but, in this case, '...because it was a promotional ticket...', the NCL rep told me that, once the ticket is issued, that's it.  No changes.  The 24-hour period doesn't matter. No IFs, No BUTs, No Coconuts.

--------------------

As I said in another thread, I have a BackUp plan.  According to the airline I have been booked with, if I wait until 24 hours BEFORE an alternative flight, I can call the airlines, and request a Same Day Change - THAT they will do, because the 'restricted' ticket, apparently becomes less restricted within 24 hours of a change.  This was news to me - but, then again, I don't buy plane tickets through agents.  Not much of a backup plan, but, a possibility

the 24 hour rule is standard airline policy, not sure about the answer they gave you but since NCL issued the ticket, they do have final say. Good luck!