UPSET - Pearl Cancels On Me Again Due To Charter!

[Cubechick]

I just called NCL. The representative knew nothing about the March 5 sailing date being cancelled and our booking remains unchanged in their system. I told her to look at the Pearl for March 6 and she saw that there was a sailing then with a different itinerary. She thought it was funny that passengers know about the change and the people working at NCL do not. I asked if they really expected people on an 11 night cruise to forgo the first day and still pay the same or more and she mentioned the $100 credit, which I pointed out is about 20% of the price of the day. Will wait and see if NCL behaves responsibly. The 11 day cruise they are pushing on March 26 overlaps Easter and Passpver, which makes it a no-go for many.

 

The letter I received stated a 1/11 the refund of cruise fare plus the $50 or $100 OBC dependent on stateroom category if you stay with the 3/6 10-day.

 

We'll be taking our OBC and moving to the 3/26 sailing.

[Clem Kadiddlehopper]

We like to use points for flights, so we book 330 days in advance. Of course, for a NCL cruise out of Miami, we drive to the pier but for other trips routinely book in advance. We can cancel and get the points back, but there is a penalty.

On a different note, what cruise line routinely cancels cruises for a music show that they own? You would think they would decide those days in advance, so as not to upset people.

 

You think people would be LESS upset if they were cancelled just DAYS in advance rather than months? Seriously?

[KeithJenner]

Really? Purchasing non-refundable airfare a year in advance is so not prudent it boarders on irresponsible. Too many things can happen in that timeframe. Injury, illness or death. A change in employment situation. Or, you could find a better cruise or vacation option. On top of that, the cheapest airfare options are usually found about eight weeks out. I guess you could protect yourself with trip insurance, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

 

 

I usually book my flights about 9-10 months out. I have two return trips booked to Barcelona booked, one in April and one in May. They cost quite a lot less than I can currently buy the same tickets 8 weeks out. As long as I don't have to cancel more than one in every three such flights I book then I'm up on the deal.

 

Our flights to Seattle last year cost about £1,000 less for three of us than would have been the case if we'd waited until less than three months out.

 

On the last three years, our irresponsible behaviour has saved enough that our flights to the US next year are pretty well paid for out of those savings.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Benita]

You think people would be LESS upset if they were cancelled just DAYS in advance rather than months? Seriously?

 

I meant to write a year in advance, not days. My point was that as Norwegian owns the company that is chartering out the ship, there was no reason to ever book regular passengers during that time. Guess I should have proofread my post. I will blame it on being old enough to remember Clem Kadiddlehopper - LOL

Edited March 9, 2014 by Benita

[sverigecruiser]

::drum roll::

 

aaaannnnddddd that's why one should always get trip insurance!

 

Without it.......well, it's up to you and your airline to try to work something out.

 

Harriet

 

How different is a trip insurence bought in the US compared to a trip insurence bought in Sweden? A trip insurence bought in Sweden normally cover things that happen during the trip, not things that happen before the trip.

 

It's possible to pay extra to be able to cancel parts of the trip but that's NOT a trip insurence.

 

I want to book our airline tickets now for our cruise on the Breakaway in February next year but I'm a little worried! British Airways have good prices in Club World, their business class, right now but it feels a little early to book them now!

[Demonyte]

How different is a trip insurence bought in the US compared to a trip insurence bought in Sweden? A trip insurence bought in Sweden normally cover things that happen during the trip, not things that happen before the trip.

 

It's possible to pay extra to be able to cancel parts of the trip but that's NOT a trip insurence.

 

Sure it is - trip insurance is an insurance that insures the trip, the coverage varies just as with any other insurance. There are also cheaper insurances available by default in US and other countries - not nearly all insurances are cancel-for-any-reason insurances.

[sverigecruiser]

Really? Purchasing non-refundable airfare a year in advance is so not prudent it boarders on irresponsible. Too many things can happen in that timeframe. Injury, illness or death. A change in employment situation. Or, you could find a better cruise or vacation option. On top of that, the cheapest airfare options are usually found about eight weeks out. I guess you could protect yourself with trip insurance, but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

 

I agree that things can happen but things can happen even if the tickets are bought just a few days in advance too.

 

If I die, I don't care about my money for the non refundable tickets! (Someone else might die but if someone I love and care about dies, I don't care about the money anyway.)

 

I can be sick the day before the trip so that's really not a reason to wait.

 

A change in employment situation doesn't matter because if I have decided to go on a cruise and everything is booked and paid for, I will go on that cruise even if my employment situation changes.

 

Since I can't get my deposition for the cruise back I don't look for other cruises when I have a cruise booked.

[Benita]

The letter I received stated a 1/11 the refund of cruise fare plus the $50 or $100 OBC dependent on stateroom category if you stay with the 3/6 10-day.

 

We'll be taking our OBC and moving to the 3/26 sailing.

 

That would make sense as the cruise is one day shorter. If that is the case, we will probably stay on the sailing. I like the 11 night itinerary much more, but the 3/26 sailing interferes with Passover and Easter. The Pearl was the first ship I found that did the 11 nighter from Thursday to Monday, so we did not have to miss two weeks of work to get to those ports. Oh well, I would say maybe next year, but from what I gather, it is routine for NCL to cancel these sailings during the time we would want to go.

We have not cruised NCL much as we prefer set seatings at dinner, but I liked this itinerary so much that we decided to try it. We got such a good price on a full suite, that we will stay with this cruise.

Now, if I could just figure out why they charge more, per day, for a dining package for a ten day cruise, than they do for a seven day cruise. After my typo a few postings above, I may seem rather ditzy, but I certainly know how to divide.

[Cubechick]

I agree that things can happen but things can happen even if the tickets are bought just a few days in advance too.

 

If I die, I don't care about my money for the non refundable tickets! (Someone else might die but if someone I love and care about dies, I don't care about the money anyway.)

 

I can be sick the day before the trip so that's really not a reason to wait.

 

A change in employment situation doesn't matter because if I have decided to go on a cruise and everything is booked and paid for, I will go on that cruise even if my employment situation changes.

 

Since I can't get my deposition for the cruise back I don't look for other cruises when I have a cruise booked.

 

See, we do get our deposits back if we cancel (up to 75 days out).

 

I personally start looking for airfare at around the 6 month mark. It is when I've usually found good prices, and I'm sure I am going on the cruise.

[che5904]

I agree that things can happen but things can happen even if the tickets are bought just a few days in advance too.

 

If I die, I don't care about my money for the non refundable tickets! (Someone else might die but if someone I love and care about dies, I don't care about the money anyway.)

 

I can be sick the day before the trip so that's really not a reason to wait.

 

A change in employment situation doesn't matter because if I have decided to go on a cruise and everything is booked and paid for, I will go on that cruise even if my employment situation changes.

 

 

Exactly, nor irresponsible at all IMO.

[santacruise2]

FYI , NCL just posted PEARL R/T miami on March 6th 11 day, they say more info to follow, I just started a thread titled PEARL 3-6-2015

DEN

[BabsinTX]

Ncl CEO / ksheehan@ ncl. Com

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

airisfox: Thanks for this. After I posted yesterday, I realized I had the CEO's last name wrong. I mailed a letter to him today, but will email it, too. Here's what I sent him:

 

Re: Cancellation of January 2015 10-Day Eastern and 11-Day Southern Caribbean Cruises

 

Dear Mr. Sheehan:

 

My husband and I sailed on the Epic’s seven day Eastern Caribbean cruise this past December, and enjoyed the Eastern Caribbean islands so much that we rushed home to book our 35th anniversary cruise: the 21 day combined Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises on January 12 through February 2, 2015, aboard the Pearl.

 

We have now been told that those trips have been cancelled, with the Pearl being chartered for some other purpose and travelling on some other itinerary.

 

We enjoy sailing on Norwegian, and until now have not really considered booking trips on other cruise lines. But we find it disconcerting that Norwegian would advertise a uniquely interesting combined cruise, accept reservations, and then cancel in favor of a special-interest group.

 

I am sad to say that we will spend our anniversary with Princess Cruise Lines aboard the Grand Princess. We sincerely hope that in the future you refrain from advertising cruises to the public until you are certain that they will actually take place. Thank you for your time and attention.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

(signature with Latitudes #)

 

Our cruise history:

2/02/2015--Grand Princess—Hawaii (mini-suite; replaces NCL Pearl—Eastern & Southern Caribbean)

5/13/2014--NCL Sun--Pacific Coastal with (aft mini-suite)

4/28/2014--NCL Sun--Panama Canal (aft mini-suite)

12/2013--NCL Epic--Eastern Caribbean (aft balcony)

5/2013--NCL Sun--Alaska B2B with (aft balcony)

5/2013--NCL Sun--Pacific Coastal (aft mini-suite)

10/2009--NCL Star--Mexican Riviera (balcony)

11/2008--NCL Star--Mexican Riviera (balcony)

12/2004--NCL Sea--Western Caribbean (oceanview)

I wanted him to know we have a history with NCL.

 

Recently I saw a quote from Sheehan saying that NCL had received only two complaints about smoke on the Epic (due to the openness of the casino). But I've read lots of complaints here on Cruise Critic, so what we say here in the boards must not be read by NCL, or they don't care unless they get DIRECT feedback through corporate channels.

 

So, write him a letter and/or email him. Let's make his day, or at least give him something to think about!

[BabsinTX]

Harriet,

 

Sorry this happened to you.

 

This happened to us before our Panama Canal cruise that we were on with you last month...here is my experience with getting all of our OBC transferred...hope it helps :)

 

Make sure they "protect" (support contact's words) all of your OBC and any other perks you may have received from BOTH cancelled cruises.

 

Be sure to get the name of your support contact and their email and/or phone number!

 

It took me at least 8 phone calls to get all of my OBC and perks transferred over to my Star PC cruise...in the end they also gave me an additional $225 OBC as a "courtesy" ...that was a NICE surprise :)

 

Also, be sure to have them email you an amenity conformation page so you can take it with you!

 

jvsnana: Thanks for pointing this out about the OBC. I've emailed my TA to make sure I get it attached to my next booking, along with the $50 "compensation" OBC.

[che5904]

Re: Cancellation of January 2015 10-Day Eastern and 11-Day Southern Caribbean Cruises

 

Dear Mr. Sheehan:

 

My husband and I sailed on the Epic’s seven day Eastern Caribbean cruise this past December, and enjoyed the Eastern Caribbean islands so much that we rushed home to book our 35th anniversary cruise: the 21 day combined Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises on January 12 through February 2, 2015, aboard the Pearl.

 

We have now been told that those trips have been cancelled, with the Pearl being chartered for some other purpose and travelling on some other itinerary.

 

We enjoy sailing on Norwegian, and until now have not really considered booking trips on other cruise lines. But we find it disconcerting that Norwegian would advertise a uniquely interesting combined cruise, accept reservations, and then cancel in favor of a special-interest group.

 

I am sad to say that we will spend our anniversary with Princess Cruise Lines aboard the Grand Princess. We sincerely hope that in the future you refrain from advertising cruises to the public until you are certain that they will actually take place. Thank you for your time and attention.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

(signature with Latitudes #)

 

Our cruise history:

2/02/2015--Grand Princess—Hawaii (mini-suite; replaces NCL Pearl—Eastern & Southern Caribbean)

5/13/2014--NCL Sun--Pacific Coastal with (aft mini-suite)

4/28/2014--NCL Sun--Panama Canal (aft mini-suite)

12/2013--NCL Epic--Eastern Caribbean (aft balcony)

5/2013--NCL Sun--Alaska B2B with (aft balcony)

5/2013--NCL Sun--Pacific Coastal (aft mini-suite)

10/2009--NCL Star--Mexican Riviera (balcony)

11/2008--NCL Star--Mexican Riviera (balcony)

12/2004--NCL Sea--Western Caribbean (oceanview)

I wanted him to know we have a history with NCL.

 

!

 

Well written letter.

[Twiz]

I hope he gets many many letters about this subject. I did notice yesterday the 10/11 day was still up on the NCL site but gone now. I also am going to write him but need to cool off first !!

[Canuckland 1910]

Thanks… Maybe Kevin Sheehan NCL CEO should go "undercover" with the passengers on his cruise ships...

[Canuckland 1910]

Bravo! Good for you! … Sailed on the Diamond Princess 2004? 2nd 3rd voyage of the ship… Princess was just starting too introduce specialty restaurants free of charge… l.o.l..

 

Have a good trip!

[PoofCat99]

BabsinTX,

 

While your letter is well thought out, and raises some good points, in the future I would recommend you refrain from telling the CEO (or whoever reads it) that you have already decided to move on. In other words, what reason does a busy executive have to continue reading or make an effort to "make it right" to your satisfaction. You have stated your position and disappointment but make it clear that you are not interested in a resolution. The cruise line is happy that you are going quietly and will file your recommendation in the round file.

 

If I were you, I would have mentioned the disappointment of having to give up your special vacation and leave it open-ended, let them come back (if they decide, with an offer or response). From a marketing standpoint, the way to win customers back is to respond positively, but in your case, what can they say other than a negative? That they are sorry you are disappointed but have a nice time on a competitor? If anyone remembers the scene in Fight Club where Ed Norton's character explains how car companies deal with recalls, don't think that isn't true. Any business manager will tell you that they will weigh the costs of losing one customer over the potential for satisfying two. I would think that hosting charters wins more new customers to replace the ones that won't sail NCL again.

 

For the rest, I haven't been on the Pearl and have never had a cruise chartered, but I understand why they do it. They are in the business of making money and I have seen lots of charters on these boards. Just the other day, the HAL board was complaining that there was a nude or "lifestyle" charter in a few months.

[jvsnana]

jvsnana: Thanks for pointing this out about the OBC. I've emailed my TA to make sure I get it attached to my next booking, along with the $50 "compensation" OBC.

Good for you :) Hope all goes well on your next cruise.

[Twiz]

Thanks… Maybe Kevin Sheehan NCL CEO should go "undercover" with the passengers on his cruise ships...

 

personally I hope those chartered cruises TANK and NCL learns an expensive lesson !!!

 

I cant imagine that there are enough people who want to take a music cruise to fill an entire ship each week for 2 months straight !!

[KeithJenner]

personally I hope those chartered cruises TANK and NCL learns an expensive lesson !!!

 

I cant imagine that there are enough people who want to take a music cruise to fill an entire ship each week for 2 months straight !!

 

They seem to have been quite popular so far.

[Twelvevman]

personally I hope those chartered cruises TANK and NCL learns an expensive lesson !!!

 

I cant imagine that there are enough people who want to take a music cruise to fill an entire ship each week for 2 months straight !!

 

These charters sell very well and some have been around for a long time. The rock boat will be in its 15th season, Cayamo in its 8th season. Then you add in Kid Rock, Kiss and the Skynard cruise that sell out very quickly. The Pearl has a passenger count of 2394 at double occupancy. Figure these artists can sell out a 20,000 -30,000 seat arena with only pulling from a local area. The cruises pull fans in from all around the country and the world.

[feb08paris]

What happens if you have already booked your airfare?

 

6 months prior to our cruise on Norwegian Pearl we received the same cancellation notice. Since I already booked the airfare NCL agreed to pay the cancellation fees imposed by the airlines. We made changes on our plan and booked another flight.

 

From here on I vowed not to book Pearl anymore in January. The ship is so popular with this charter program.

[VIPERTRUCK]

Can you give me some examples? Have you had this happen a lot on other cruise lines?

 

I have been cruising for 30 years, usually in the winter months, and have never had a cruise cancel because of a total ship charter. I have this happen to me twice in one year with NCL; one a Med cruise the other a PC cruise. I certainly have been on ships on other cruise lines with groups, some even quite large, but never have had a cruise canceled because the cruise line chose one customer over another (with paid reservations in place).

 

Happy and safe cruising all!

 

Carnival Destiny October 2011, they chartered out our wedding cruise date for the Kiss Kruise. Had to have our entire wedding party rebook and change airfare! This is industry standard...

[sverigecruiser]

See, we do get our deposits back if we cancel (up to 75 days out).

 

I personally start looking for airfare at around the 6 month mark. It is when I've usually found good prices, and I'm sure I am going on the cruise.

 

I know that you can get your deposit back but I can't so I don't look for another cruise when I have a cruise booked.