Star azipod propulsion problem

[Circusboy354]

It's 11.45pm in Singapore and we're due to leave in 15 minutes. Theres been no official announcement this evening but it looks like we're going to at least try to leave.

 

All in all I think NCL have handled the situation reasonably well. It's frustrating for everyone but I fail to see how it could be handled better given the circumstances.

 

My biggest disappointment was immigration / customs in Singapore. Having flown though Singapore numerous times and arrived by ship into the Marina Bay terminal I always thought Singapore had a professional and courteous immigration, not this time. Not only did we have to go through the full immigration process every time we left the ship they were pretty unfriendly and some downright rude. Last night on arriving back to the ship they were treating the crew going ashore appallingly, some gave up after standing in line for over an hour and returned to the ship.

 

So far it looks like we're still going to arrive in Nha Trang early ish on Saturday morning. We don't have times yet for any of the ports but my source thinks 8am - I hope this is correct - my concern is arriving in the afternoon for a short visit.

 

Just being untied now so it looks like we're heading to sea.

[teamflames]

It's 11.45pm in Singapore and we're due to leave in 15 minutes. Theres been no official announcement this evening but it looks like we're going to at least try to leave.

 

All in all I think NCL have handled the situation reasonably well. It's frustrating for everyone but I fail to see how it could be handled better given the circumstances.

 

My biggest disappointment was immigration / customs in Singapore. Having flown though Singapore numerous times and arrived by ship into the Marina Bay terminal I always thought Singapore had a professional and courteous immigration, not this time. Not only did we have to go through the full immigration process every time we left the ship they were pretty unfriendly and some downright rude. Last night on arriving back to the ship they were treating the crew going ashore appallingly, some gave up after standing in line for over an hour and returned to the ship.

 

So far it looks like we're still going to arrive in Nha Trang early ish on Saturday morning. We don't have times yet for any of the ports but my source thinks 8am - I hope this is correct - my concern is arriving in the afternoon for a short visit.

 

Just being untied now so it looks like we're heading to sea.

 

 

Thanks for the updates and hoping the rest of your cruise is smooth and enjoyable.

 

Having not sailed ncl before, what nationality are most of the crew? If they are Asian I am wondering if that has anything to do with immigration issues ... Singapore brings in a lot of migrant workers from neighbouring countries- just speculating [emoji848]

 

 

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[mking8288]

There are shipyard facilities in HK, not sure how big, and availability is the big question ...

Hongkong United Dockyards (Chinese: 香港聯合船塢) or simply United Dockyard is on the western KL, part of Tsing Yi Island (closer to HKIA or airport) that's better known for superyacht & ships built for local use - Whampoa & Taikoo shipyards merged many years ago, jointly owned by Hutchison Whampoa & Swire group (corporate parent for Cathay Pacific Airways). It has a 40,000t floating dockyard to perform repairs plus two berths for ship repairs without needing floating dock. 4 Ramparts 3000 ASD tugs are available. http://www.hud.com.hk/index.php

 

Ocean-going cargo containers are docked at Tsing Yi container port (and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has space for up to 3 ships) ... in case a longer stay is needed without possibly an escorted tug boat trip from the east end to the west thru the busy HK Victoria Harbour.

 

Next sailing out of HK is back to Singarpore for 14 days, over the holidays and most likely fully sold out, then another loop to HK again for 11 days before heading for Sydney for 21 days via Singarpore. Cruise pax wishing to make last minute air travel & hotel plan changes and extensions are going to find it challenging - flights fully booked and most of the better hotels at/near capacities, depending on the Azipod & whether NCL need to do more. Although, the Star being a floating hotel in HK isn't necessary a bad idea to do some extensive DIY sightseeing, as many travelers find it easy with doing tours ... with a side trip to Macau and even a land visit to mainland China for those that already secured visas.

Edited December 13, 2016 by mking8288

[mking8288]

From ship's live webcam link, she left the dock, turned and on her way for 30 minutes now - doing 8 knots inside the big harbor. Smooth & safe sailing for all those onboard and best wishes - just use NCL's link or other favorite apps like ShipMate to check it out (time zone difference with EDT is 13 hours ahead.)

 

P.S. Nga Trang would be a nice stop on this modified, almost free cruise but just not sure what's there to do in Chân Mây for a day, aside from tendering ashore for a beach day ... almost positively sure that cruise ships don't visit there that often, if at all.

Edited December 13, 2016 by mking8288
Ship stats updated from maritime tracking site.

[teamflames]

From ship's live webcam link, she left the dock, turned and on her way, smooth & safe sailing for all those onboard and best wishes - just use NCL's link or other favorite apps like ShipMate to check it out.

 

P.S. Nga Trang would be a nice stop on this modified, almost free cruise but just not sure what's there to do in Chân Mây for a day, aside from tendering ashore for a beach day ... almost positively sure that cruise ships don't visit there that often, if at all.

 

 

I think Chan may will be difficult if it wasn't already scheduled, otherwise Hoi An and Hue are great places to check out but they are a considerable distance from that port

 

 

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[rowdypfeifer]

For those on the December 22nd sailing following along, it appears our itinerary has been modified as well:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7410

[WaveSplasher]

It's 11.45pm in Singapore and we're due to leave in 15 minutes. Theres been no official announcement this evening but it looks like we're going to at least try to leave.

 

All in all I think NCL have handled the situation reasonably well. It's frustrating for everyone but I fail to see how it could be handled better given the circumstances.

 

My biggest disappointment was immigration / customs in Singapore. Having flown though Singapore numerous times and arrived by ship into the Marina Bay terminal I always thought Singapore had a professional and courteous immigration, not this time. Not only did we have to go through the full immigration process every time we left the ship they were pretty unfriendly and some downright rude. Last night on arriving back to the ship they were treating the crew going ashore appallingly, some gave up after standing in line for over an hour and returned to the ship.

 

 

Just being untied now so it looks like we're heading to sea.

 

Yup! Looks like you are on finally on your way. Enjoy the cruise and hope that you can get to Hong Kong without any more bumps.

 

Sorry about the immigration, though. Been through the Marina Bay Terminal a couple of times now and haven't experience this. Hope this was a one off thing.

 

Still wondering whether they have already fixed whatever was going on with the Pods. Edit: Just saw new updated itinerary of the next sailing and I guess they still haven't fixed it yet. This is going to have a rollover effect into the sailing after the next and the next until they can get it fixed(drydock or something?)

Edited December 13, 2016 by WaveSplasher

[teamflames]

For those on the December 22nd sailing following along, it appears our itinerary has been modified as well:

 

 

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7410

 

 

Thanks for passing that on ... we are the one after you. Seems they are offering you a similar offer

 

 

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[robins11]

It's 11.45pm in Singapore and we're due to leave in 15 minutes. Theres been no official announcement this evening but it looks like we're going to at least try to leave.

 

All in all I think NCL have handled the situation reasonably well. It's frustrating for everyone but I fail to see how it could be handled better given the circumstances.

 

My biggest disappointment was immigration / customs in Singapore. Having flown though Singapore numerous times and arrived by ship into the Marina Bay terminal I always thought Singapore had a professional and courteous immigration, not this time. Not only did we have to go through the full immigration process every time we left the ship they were pretty unfriendly and some downright rude. Last night on arriving back to the ship they were treating the crew going ashore appallingly, some gave up after standing in line for over an hour and returned to the ship.

 

So far it looks like we're still going to arrive in Nha Trang early ish on Saturday morning. We don't have times yet for any of the ports but my source thinks 8am - I hope this is correct - my concern is arriving in the afternoon for a short visit.

 

Just being untied now so it looks like we're heading to sea.

 

Thank you for posting and have a wonderful cruise.Ii appreciate the updates as we are booked on the 22nd departure from Hong Kong and any information has been very useful. Enjoy

 

John

[Nix111]

We are on 22 December sailing and trying to adopt a glass half full approach, 3 ports lost and a 50% refund seems fair however it would be nice to hear it from NCL rather than a cruise critic news article... Apparently someone on our sailing has called NCL and they say nothing has been agreed yet - let's see.... Keep us posted and hope sailaway goes well Nicky

 

 

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Edited December 13, 2016 by Nix111

[AusQueen]

We were on the Star last November. Took the 21 day cruise from Rome to Dubai. Everything was great. Not sure what happened. That ship goes through daily drills with their crew members. We even had an additional terrorist safety drill before traveling through Egypt. The compensation they are offering is really generous. I can just imagine all those people who are in the suites rejoicing this morning at the 13th floor breakfast room :) My hubby said - wish the same thing happened during our cruise and he would be happy with the refund. We enjoyed our time with the Star and even joined the future cruises thing. NCL is not cheap and hence, getting a refund while enjoying a cruise is a gift. Staff on board this ship are professionals.

Edited December 13, 2016 by AusQueen

[Circusboy354]

It'll just take time. There's nothing worse than releasing half baked information early to have multiple changes to it. Calculating the speed and time needed is easy, checking port availability and all associated takes more time. Any information from any source other than officially from NCL I'm sure is subject to change now. It's better to wait a little longer, as frustrating as it is and get the correct information first time.

 

 

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[rnargo]

I am on the January 5th sailing. Earlier today when doing a fake booking to see if our itinerary was still there, I noticed that in addition to our itinerary there is now a 7 day leaving from Laem Chabang (Bangkok) on the 9th. I had not noticed it before. I asked on my roll call, and a couple people confirmed they had not seen it before either. Not sure what it all means. Interestingly, one of the roll call members noticed that while mini suites and suites are available on the 11 day, the seven day cruise shows that they are sold out. I'm hoping they are just trying to get more people who would rather take a 7 day cruise from Bangkok than a 11 day from Singapore. I hope that's all it is. I would much, much rather board in Singapore.

 

This waiting game is kind of stressful!

 

 

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[Circusboy354]

I am on the January 5th sailing. Earlier today when doing a fake booking to see if our itinerary was still there, I noticed that in addition to our itinerary there is now a 7 day leaving from Laem Chabang (Bangkok) on the 9th. I had not noticed it before. I asked on my roll call, and a couple people confirmed they had not seen it before either. Not sure what it all means. Interestingly, one of the roll call members noticed that while mini suites and suites are available on the 11 day, the seven day cruise shows that they are sold out. I'm hoping they are just trying to get more people who would rather take a 7 day cruise from Bangkok than a 11 day from Singapore. I hope that's all it is. I would much, much rather board in Singapore.

 

This waiting game is kind of stressful!

 

 

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I noticed this maybe a week ago, before they closed out the sailing we are currently on. I think these legs are selling slowly - even this sailing as there appears to be quite a lot of very cheap GTY cabins on this sailing.

 

 

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[rnargo]

I noticed this maybe a week ago, before they closed out the sailing we are currently on. I think these legs are selling slowly - even this sailing as there appears to be quite a lot of very cheap GTY cabins on this sailing.

 

 

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Good to know! Thank you!

 

How is your cruise going? Glad to hear you finally got underway! Even though the compensation is fair, I'm sure it's still very disappointing to miss the Thailand ports.

 

Thanks again for the information!

 

 

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[karoo]

I noticed this maybe a week ago, before they closed out the sailing we are currently on. I think these legs are selling slowly - even this sailing as there appears to be quite a lot of very cheap GTY cabins on this sailing.

 

 

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I have to admit-I'm suspicious.

[echintune]

We're booked on the 22 Dec sailing. Just queried this with my UK based NCL Consultant and they say that everything has been 'fixed' and the Dec 22 cruise will follow it's advertised itinerary. They did put a rider on this that this may change once on board.

 

Not sure what to believe but either way looking forward to the cruise.:)

[tangigue23]

We're booked on the 22 Dec sailing. Just queried this with my UK based NCL Consultant and they say that everything has been 'fixed' and the Dec 22 cruise will follow it's advertised itinerary. They did put a rider on this that this may change once on board.

 

Not sure what to believe but either way looking forward to the cruise.:)

 

I am on the current cruise and it is not fixed as we are going slow and missing ports and only have one functional azipod. They did bring in a technician from the manufacturer so perhaps it will be fixed in time for the next sailing, but I tend to doubt it. Someone posted above that they will be offering a 50% refund if you take the cruise so they are expecting changes to the itinerary.

[echintune]

I am on the current cruise and it is not fixed as we are going slow and missing ports and only have one functional azipod. They did bring in a technician from the manufacturer so perhaps it will be fixed in time for the next sailing, but I tend to doubt it. Someone posted above that they will be offering a 50% refund if you take the cruise so they are expecting changes to the itinerary.

 

I'm expecting changes. I contacted them via their Cruise Norwegian twitter account yesterday and got a reply saying there will be a revised itinerary and detailing their refund offer. They don't seem to have told the UK based staff.

 

Still looking forward to the cruise

[BirdTravels]

I am on the January 5th sailing. Earlier today when doing a fake booking to see if our itinerary was still there, I noticed that in addition to our itinerary there is now a 7 day leaving from Laem Chabang (Bangkok) on the 9th. I had not noticed it before. I asked on my roll call, and a couple people confirmed they had not seen it before either. Not sure what it all means. Interestingly, one of the roll call members noticed that while mini suites and suites are available on the 11 day, the seven day cruise shows that they are sold out. I'm hoping they are just trying to get more people who would rather take a 7 day cruise from Bangkok than a 11 day from Singapore. I hope that's all it is. I would much, much rather board in Singapore.

This waiting game is kind of stressful!

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Bottom line is that MCL will do everything possible to run a normal cruise. It depends on identifying the problem and having the replacement parts at one of the ports of call. And if they get the parts on board in Hong Kong, it may take a few days during the next cruise to complete the repairs.

 

WRT the minisuites, there is a separate inventory of rooms for each itinerary. The cruise lines want to sell the longer cruises. Which means that they hold rooms for the 11 day cruise that are not available on the 7 day cruise. By cabin number

[ECCruise]

We don't sail the Star until the first week of February so we have some time. However, I wish NCL would be more forthcoming with their information to all. They know what the problem is, when it will be repaired, and who will be affected (if anyone).

 

I have experience with sailing with busted azipods since we had a Celebrity cruise cancelled because of it. If the problem is in the internals of the physical azipod, it cannot be fixed as they are sailing. The Star will have to come out of the water, and that means dry dock.

 

When the M Class Celebrity ship we were scheduled on required the repairs, they had to bring it from Hawaii to the west coast, through the canal and to Norfolk for the repairs. These repairs happened to the M Class frequently as well as twice earlier on the Star.

[pieshops]

We don't sail the Star until the first week of February so we have some time. However, I wish NCL would be more forthcoming with their information to all. They know what the problem is, when it will be repaired, and who will be affected (if anyone).

 

I have experience with sailing with busted azipods since we had a Celebrity cruise cancelled because of it. If the problem is in the internals of the physical azipod, it cannot be fixed as they are sailing. The Star will have to come out of the water, and that means dry dock.

 

When the M Class Celebrity ship we were scheduled on required the repairs, they had to bring it from Hawaii to the west coast, through the canal and to Norfolk for the repairs. These repairs happened to the M Class frequently as well as twice earlier on the Star.

 

It's funny they are damned if they do and damned if they don't. If they release a revised itinerary, give people the option to cancel and then get it fixed they will be killed for being pre mature and if they don't say anything Hoping it will be fixed and it isn't then they are killed for not being forthcoming. I agree something from the like we are working on it and hope to have it resolved before the next sailing which by the way I am on would be nice to hear from them.

[Laszlo]

Full compensation to all passengers plus 50% off their next cruise? Thats not a bad deal at all. Doesn't do much for you now but not a bad deal at all

[drb247]

I am on the 22nd sailing (I hope).

 

We have had no information from NCL whatsoever. On contacting my CC he has said that the compensation information referred to on the cruise critic article is not official. Furthermore he is under the impression that the Azipod issue is fixed (which it clearly isn't).

 

I am due to fly from Dublin to Hong Kong on Sunday. Right now I don't even know if I will be taking this flight. I think the least NCL could do is contact us and let us know the latest information... even if that is that they are still trying to figure things out.

[sbsmutoni]

Similar to what some others from the 22nd sailing have posted, after calling NCL, I tweeted on their page. I recieved a prompt response and asked follow up questions. They said they are working through itinerary responses based on port availability. Once the revisions are confirmed, they will notify passengers. They also confirmed a 100% refund and 25% off a future cruise if you don't sail, and a 50% refund and. 50% off a future cruise if you do sail.

 

I know this is still not official and is subject to change, but I thought I'd share.