Sky Cruise was Fabulous...turned Tragic!

[russianmom]

Oh, no, Joanne. I am so sorry to hear this. Please accept my condolences to you and your friend.

[SJDymond]

So sorry for your loss! Our condolences are with you. We just got off the Sky on Friday and we too had a Code Alpha on our cruise. It is always a scary feeling knowing something isn't quite right. We felt the Sky staff was incredible and it is so endearing to hear the way they treated your situation. Another plus for NCL!

[spidybabe]

So sorry for your loss. I'm glad your friend had time to make memories, that can be cherished forever.

We applaud the crew.

Safe sailing....

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited March 4, 2014 by spidybabe

[Turtles06]

I am so very sorry for your loss. My sympathies to all of you and to your friend's wife and his entire family, and to all who loved him. I hope that you find comfort in your memories.

[newmexicoNita]

Let me start off by saying that our recent 4-day cruise on the Sky started out to be amazing!! We cruised with our best friends; it was our seventh NCL cruise and their first. We loved the ship, the crew was wonderful, the weather was perfect….until the last 12 hours of the cruise when tragedy struck!

 

After a very nice dinner at Crossings where we met some lovely folks from Virginia and Florida, our friend decided to go back to his cabin around 9:30 because he was tired. His wife walked him back and then came to the picture gallery to meet me to purchase some photographs. We returned to our respective cabins around 10:00 (theirs was right next-door to ours), so we could pack and get ready to disembark the next morning. Suddenly she was pounding on our door and calling for help because her husband was on the floor and she couldn’t get him up.

 

My husband and I ran over, he to try and help get him out of the bathroom, me to call 911. Within 60 seconds two doctors, nurses, security, officers, housekeeping, and others responded to the “Code Alpha” on the ship. They valiantly and tirelessly worked on our friend for 40 minutes, trying to revive him before pronouncing him deceased of a heart attack. You can only imagine the grief and shock we felt at this time. Our wonderful vacation ended with the death of our best friend and husband of nearly 50 years to his wife.

 

The crew aboard the Sky was wonderful! I cannot say enough for how they handled the situation and what they did for us. The Hotel Director, Cary, offered my friend a new cabin but I had her move in with us for the night. Housekeeping came right in and made up the couch into a comfortable bed for her. KitKat, in charge of Guest Services allowed us to use the telephone to call whomever we needed at no charge. They offered to come in and pack for us the next day and also told us not to worry about the time we left the ship. When we left, KitKat escorted all of us off and many of the officers were standing in a line to offer their condolences to my friend and us. The NCL Team in Miami changed our plane reservations for us and booked us into a hotel for two nights so we could be there while the arrangements were made to fly the body home. NCL even paid for one hotel night for each of us! They also made arrangements for the head of the Port of Miami to take us through the line so that we didn’t have to wait, quickly getting us through customs and getting us into a taxi to the hotel. He even paid for the taxi! Several times during Friday and Saturday, NCL called to check on us to see how we were doing and to see if we needed anything.

 

We flew back home on Sunday; the funeral was just Friday (exactly a week after we disembarked from the ship). I know I’ve read a lot of negative comments about the customer service at NCL, but I cannot say how grateful we are to both the crew of the Sky and the team in Miami for all they did at such a difficult time.

 

Finally, I’d like to end by saying that our friend left this world in the best possible way! He had the time of his life for the days prior to his death. The Sky and her Crew are awesome. We fully enjoyed the time we spent on her and I’m so glad to have had a chance to have that experience! I will write a full review in a few days when I have a bit more time.

~Joanne

 

Joanne,

 

Our prayers to you, his family and everyone involved. I am sure he is looking down and saying: thanks for the wonderful cruise memories.

[Jenjer]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[BOS_CruiseGuy]

It seems clear that NCL has developed a thorough plan of what to do and what to offer passengers in this situation. It appears that NCL has a generous and compassionate plan, and that should be applauded. While it certainly is the 'right' thing to do, it also makes good business sense (avoids 'NCL charged me $400 for phone calls after my husband died' headlines, etc.)

 

Given that that are over 30,000 people sleeping on NCL beds every night, and hundreds of thousands across all cruise lines, it makes sense for cruise lines to have established plans of actions, as they are surely used frequently.

 

Nice to see that NCL handled the situation respectfully and with professionalism.

[craig-n-carol]

Carol and I sailed with you on the Pearl last year where you ran the M&G and the Cabin Crawl. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. That being said, that would be the way I want to go, on a cruise ship after the time of my life!

 

We'll tip a glass to your departed friend on our upcoming Getaway cruise, Mom and Dad will be with us again. :)

[joteacher]

Carol and I sailed with you on the Pearl last year where you ran the M&G and the Cabin Crawl. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. That being said, that would be the way I want to go, on a cruise ship after the time of my life!

 

We'll tip a glass to your departed friend on our upcoming Getaway cruise, Mom and Dad will be with us again. :)

 

Thanks so much, Craig! I do, indeed, remember you guys...we sure had a blast on that cruise!

 

I know that our friend Elmer would be ever so pleased if you tipped one (or a few) to him. Enjoy your Getaway cruise with Carol and your Mom and Dad.

~Joanne

[craig-n-carol]

Thanks so much, Craig! I do, indeed, remember you guys...we sure had a blast on that cruise!

 

I know that our friend Elmer would be ever so pleased if you tipped one (or a few) to him. Enjoy your Getaway cruise with Carol and your Mom and Dad.

~Joanne

 

We sure did have a blast, that was one of our best cruises so far. I sure enjoyed our jerked chicken lunch in Jamaica, the tour and the chocolate buffet! It was a great time with newly found friends and family!

 

Rest assured we will, indeed, toast Elmer repeatedly on the Getaway!!

[noche_caliente]

Joanne,

I am so very sorry for your loss.

[trini_ras]

My deepest condolences. May he rest in peace

[bean24]

So sorry for your loss. Sounds like NCL did the best they could for you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[terrymtex01]

Let me start off by saying that our recent 4-day cruise on the Sky started out to be amazing!! We cruised with our best friends; it was our seventh NCL cruise and their first. We loved the ship, the crew was wonderful, the weather was perfect….until the last 12 hours of the cruise when tragedy struck!

 

After a very nice dinner at Crossings where we met some lovely folks from Virginia and Florida, our friend decided to go back to his cabin around 9:30 because he was tired. His wife walked him back and then came to the picture gallery to meet me to purchase some photographs. We returned to our respective cabins around 10:00 (theirs was right next-door to ours), so we could pack and get ready to disembark the next morning. Suddenly she was pounding on our door and calling for help because her husband was on the floor and she couldn’t get him up.

 

My husband and I ran over, he to try and help get him out of the bathroom, me to call 911. Within 60 seconds two doctors, nurses, security, officers, housekeeping, and others responded to the “Code Alpha” on the ship. They valiantly and tirelessly worked on our friend for 40 minutes, trying to revive him before pronouncing him deceased of a heart attack. You can only imagine the grief and shock we felt at this time. Our wonderful vacation ended with the death of our best friend and husband of nearly 50 years to his wife.

 

The crew aboard the Sky was wonderful! I cannot say enough for how they handled the situation and what they did for us. The Hotel Director, Cary, offered my friend a new cabin but I had her move in with us for the night. Housekeeping came right in and made up the couch into a comfortable bed for her. KitKat, in charge of Guest Services allowed us to use the telephone to call whomever we needed at no charge. They offered to come in and pack for us the next day and also told us not to worry about the time we left the ship. When we left, KitKat escorted all of us off and many of the officers were standing in a line to offer their condolences to my friend and us. The NCL Team in Miami changed our plane reservations for us and booked us into a hotel for two nights so we could be there while the arrangements were made to fly the body home. NCL even paid for one hotel night for each of us! They also made arrangements for the head of the Port of Miami to take us through the line so that we didn’t have to wait, quickly getting us through customs and getting us into a taxi to the hotel. He even paid for the taxi! Several times during Friday and Saturday, NCL called to check on us to see how we were doing and to see if we needed anything.

 

We flew back home on Sunday; the funeral was just Friday (exactly a week after we disembarked from the ship). I know I’ve read a lot of negative comments about the customer service at NCL, but I cannot say how grateful we are to both the crew of the Sky and the team in Miami for all they did at such a difficult time.

 

Finally, I’d like to end by saying that our friend left this world in the best possible way! He had the time of his life for the days prior to his death. The Sky and her Crew are awesome. We fully enjoyed the time we spent on her and I’m so glad to have had a chance to have that experience! I will write a full review in a few days when I have a bit more time.

~Joanne

 

I am SOOOO sorry to hear of your loss. I do have to tell you.. I have told many family and friends that if I die while on a cruise, I could not think of a better way to leave this world.

 

Thank you for your post. It just reaffirmed what I have always thought of NCL.

 

You and your friends family are in my thoughts.

[kandpsmom]

My condolences for your loss. You literally brought tears to my eyes. May it being you a little peace to know he passed after having a wonderful vacation with his wife and best friends.

[cls711]

It seems clear that NCL has developed a thorough plan of what to do and what to offer passengers in this situation. It appears that NCL has a generous and compassionate plan, and that should be applauded. While it certainly is the 'right' thing to do, it also makes good business sense (avoids 'NCL charged me $400 for phone calls after my husband died' headlines, etc.)

 

Given that that are over 30,000 people sleeping on NCL beds every night, and hundreds of thousands across all cruise lines, it makes sense for cruise lines to have established plans of actions, as they are surely used frequently.

 

Nice to see that NCL handled the situation respectfully and with professionalism.

 

To the OP, so very sorry for your and your friend's great loss.

 

As for the response by NCL, I agree they have be very prepared for this. I have heard from industry insiders, on average on the large (3000+ pax) ships 1 person dies per week. This number goes up on itineraries that attract an older clientele and goes down when a younger crowd is onboard. Not only do they have to take care of the immediate family but also keep the details private from the rest of the ship to avoid gloomy passenger morale.

 

I'm glad to hear first hand how compassionately you were treated by all involved.

[Orleanscruiser]

Let me start off by saying that our recent 4-day cruise on the Sky started out to be amazing!! We cruised with our best friends; it was our seventh NCL cruise and their first. We loved the ship, the crew was wonderful, the weather was perfect….until the last 12 hours of the cruise when tragedy struck!

 

After a very nice dinner at Crossings where we met some lovely folks from Virginia and Florida, our friend decided to go back to his cabin around 9:30 because he was tired. His wife walked him back and then came to the picture gallery to meet me to purchase some photographs. We returned to our respective cabins around 10:00 (theirs was right next-door to ours), so we could pack and get ready to disembark the next morning. Suddenly she was pounding on our door and calling for help because her husband was on the floor and she couldn’t get him up.

 

My husband and I ran over, he to try and help get him out of the bathroom, me to call 911. Within 60 seconds two doctors, nurses, security, officers, housekeeping, and others responded to the “Code Alpha” on the ship. They valiantly and tirelessly worked on our friend for 40 minutes, trying to revive him before pronouncing him deceased of a heart attack. You can only imagine the grief and shock we felt at this time. Our wonderful vacation ended with the death of our best friend and husband of nearly 50 years to his wife.

 

The crew aboard the Sky was wonderful! I cannot say enough for how they handled the situation and what they did for us. The Hotel Director, Cary, offered my friend a new cabin but I had her move in with us for the night. Housekeeping came right in and made up the couch into a comfortable bed for her. KitKat, in charge of Guest Services allowed us to use the telephone to call whomever we needed at no charge. They offered to come in and pack for us the next day and also told us not to worry about the time we left the ship. When we left, KitKat escorted all of us off and many of the officers were standing in a line to offer their condolences to my friend and us. The NCL Team in Miami changed our plane reservations for us and booked us into a hotel for two nights so we could be there while the arrangements were made to fly the body home. NCL even paid for one hotel night for each of us! They also made arrangements for the head of the Port of Miami to take us through the line so that we didn’t have to wait, quickly getting us through customs and getting us into a taxi to the hotel. He even paid for the taxi! Several times during Friday and Saturday, NCL called to check on us to see how we were doing and to see if we needed anything.

 

We flew back home on Sunday; the funeral was just Friday (exactly a week after we disembarked from the ship). I know I’ve read a lot of negative comments about the customer service at NCL, but I cannot say how grateful we are to both the crew of the Sky and the team in Miami for all they did at such a difficult time.

 

Finally, I’d like to end by saying that our friend left this world in the best possible way! He had the time of his life for the days prior to his death. The Sky and her Crew are awesome. We fully enjoyed the time we spent on her and I’m so glad to have had a chance to have that experience! I will write a full review in a few days when I have a bit more time.

~Joanne

 

I am so sorry to hear this. Please accept my condolences to you and your friend.

I hope you don't mind I have posted your post on the NCL facebook so non-cruise critic could read this.

[joteacher]

I am so sorry to hear this. Please accept my condolences to you and your friend.

I hope you don't mind I have posted your post on the NCL facebook so non-cruise critic could read this.

 

I don't mind that you posted it on the FB page. I didn't think to do so myself, or I would have. Thanks!

~Joanne

[gardiner41]

Like so many others, I wept as I read this thread. So very sorry for this tragic loss. A stark reminder to all of us to enjoy every moment as we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

 

We sail on the Sky in 3 weeks. We too will toast your friend, and a life well lived. May all who knew and loved him have peace and comfort as they learn to live without him and grieve this tragic loss.

Angela

[jkgourmet]

I know I’ve read a lot of negative comments about the customer service at NCL, but I cannot say how grateful we are to both the crew of the Sky and the team in Miami for all they did at such a difficult time.

 

~Joanne

 

This terrible situation isn't a matter of "customer service". The normal day-to-day service on NCL is what generates the negative comments.

 

This IS an example of good, decent, kind, compassionate people doing the right thing. The world should have more people like this. I hope God blesses them for their actions.

 

My condolences to you for losing a dear friend, and to his family.

Edited March 15, 2014 by jkgourmet

[Orleanscruiser]

I don't mind that you posted it on the FB page. I didn't think to do so myself, or I would have. Thanks!

~Joanne

Some posted comment on NCL Facebook

 

Norwegian Cruise Line

March 15 at 11:25am

What a beautiful and touching story Joanne. Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. May he rest in peace.

 

Laurie Kivi

March 15 at 11:57am

Thank you for sharing.. Just goes to prove the NCL cares!

 

Darleen Lowe

March 15 at 8:52am

So sorry for your loss xox

 

Roxy Bovaird Wasson

March 15 at 8:45am

Thank you for the kind and thoughtful words during a difficult time. I am sure your friend is looking down at you all and proud of the way you and NCL took care of him and his family. Life is to short to worry about the little thing we all need to count the blessings we have while we are here on earth. May God be with you and your family

 

 

Kevin Wood

March 15 at 8:25am

How sad, but when I die, may it be on a cruise....can't think of a better way to go, enjoying life....may God be with him

 

 

 

Kathy Ray Hendrix

March 15 at 8:08am

Thank you for sharing. NCL, you are awesome

[joteacher]

Some posted comment on NCL Facebook

 

Norwegian Cruise Line

March 15 at 11:25am

What a beautiful and touching story Joanne. Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. May he rest in peace.

 

Laurie Kivi

March 15 at 11:57am

Thank you for sharing.. Just goes to prove the NCL cares!

 

Darleen Lowe

March 15 at 8:52am

So sorry for your loss xox

 

Roxy Bovaird Wasson

March 15 at 8:45am

Thank you for the kind and thoughtful words during a difficult time. I am sure your friend is looking down at you all and proud of the way you and NCL took care of him and his family. Life is to short to worry about the little thing we all need to count the blessings we have while we are here on earth. May God be with you and your family

 

 

Kevin Wood

March 15 at 8:25am

How sad, but when I die, may it be on a cruise....can't think of a better way to go, enjoying life....may God be with him

 

 

 

Kathy Ray Hendrix

March 15 at 8:08am

Thank you for sharing. NCL, you are awesome

 

Is it posted on the Norwegian page? I can't find it. Never mind...just found it. Thanks!

~Joanne

Edited March 15, 2014 by joteacher
correction