Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Nieuw Amsterdam Stranded in Port Everglades - Advice?

spkack

By spkack,
in Holland America Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

spkack

spkack

Posted
Posted

We are currently on the Nieuw Amsterdam that is stranded in Port Everglades due to machanical issues.  Cabin has strong mildew/musty odors and we didn't have a response for 4 hours after reporting the issue to shipboard services. When we didn't get a response from shipboard services within a couple hours I called HAL directly and finally got our stewards to show up to check out the odor issue (4 hours after reporting it).  We're from Florida so we can stay in a hotel in Lauderdale any time we like which essentially is what we are doing now. Surprisingly several bars are out of certain spirits and supplies as well (even though we are still in port where they have access to everything).  Since we are stuck in port the casino and many services are suspended as well. Any suggestions on how to get resolution on any of this?  Ideally I'd like them to provide a refund and let us off the ship but I know that is unlikely.  Unfortunately we sprung for an SS Suite this time too so our out of pocket is significant ☹️.  Earliest possible departure time is AM on 12/15.  Thanks for any suggestions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
HappyInVan

HappyInVan

Posted
Posted
32 minutes ago, spkack said:

We are currently on the Nieuw Amsterdam that is stranded in Port Everglades due to machanical issues.  Cabin has strong mildew/musty odors and we didn't have a response for 4 hours after reporting the issue to shipboard services. ....

 

Since we are stuck in port the casino and many services are suspended as well. Any suggestions on how to get resolution on any of this?  Ideally I'd like them to provide a refund and let us off the ship but I know that is unlikely.  Unfortunately we sprung for an SS Suite this time too so our out of pocket is significant ☹️.  Earliest possible departure time is AM on 12/15.  Thanks for any suggestions.

 

You won't get any satisfaction from HAL. Best to check with your insurance company about what would trigger trip cancellation/interruption.

 

Very unfortunate. The NA is only 10 years old.

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
HAL Sailer

HAL Sailer

Posted
Posted

Not that it solves your delayed departure but you may find that the spirits certain bars don't have tonight are actually onboard but have not been re-stocked into all the various bar locations yet.  We were on the NA mid-November and the first day some bars didn't have all the ingredients to make a Mojito but other bars did. By day two, that was resolved. 

 

Here's hoping you sailaway soon with your favorite libation in hand! Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
spkack

spkack

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks to both for your responses.  The bathroom odor is the worst of it.  They've tried several times but no resolution yet.  Very dissapointed with HAL.  We are 3 star Mariners and this is the first such experience.  Certainly changes our opinion of the cruise line.  Also just learned the ship issue is the same repair the Oosterdam had in SanDiego a few weeks ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
HAL Sailer

HAL Sailer

Posted
Posted

A tip for your next cruise: pack a $2 hanging car air freshener -- the ones that are shaped like a flat pine tree. I get the 'ocean breeze' or similar.  Onboard, I hang it under our bathroom sink. Takes up no luggage space, is TSA compliant, and solves an amazing amount of odors coming from or into your bathroom.

 

I know this doesn't help today, but next time you'll have the best smelling cabin onboard!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
spkack

spkack

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks all.  The odor appears to be drain related.  NA is at full capacity so no cabins for us to relocate to.  They have flushed the drains Andi it is between but not as we would like.  I believe the issue is one of the azipod thrusters and they have divers under the ship doing repairs which might explain the port authority boats

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Himself

Himself

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, HAL Sailer said:

https://pevvesseltraffic.broward.org/webx/

 

FYI, the above Broward County website shows scheduled vessel activity at Port Everglades. NA had been scheduled to move piers at 10pm tonight but that was changed and is now scheduled to be moved to Pier 21 at 2am tomorrow.

WOW!  I guess I will see here in the morning. I am about to retire for the night. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nashto

Nashto

Posted
Posted

I'm just so sorry this is how your cruise is starting! I hope they can fix this quickly and successfully for you and all the other passengers, as well as selfishly for myself as I'll be on NA is 2 weeks. Fingers crossed this is rectified ASAP!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sevenseasnomad

sevenseasnomad

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, HAL Sailer said:

A tip for your next cruise: pack a $2 hanging car air freshener -- the ones that are shaped like a flat pine tree. I get the 'ocean breeze' or similar.  Onboard, I hang it under our bathroom sink. Takes up no luggage space, is TSA compliant, and solves an amazing amount of odors coming from or into your bathroom.

 

I know this doesn't help today, but next time you'll have the best smelling cabin onboard!

Fabulous idea.  I've added this little item to my shopping list for Monday.  We board NS Dec. 22.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sevenseasnomad

sevenseasnomad

Posted
Posted

So sorry your cruise started with odors and a huge glitch.  Let's hope they get it resolved quickly so you can be on your way to the best cruise ever.  Once you get underway, look forward, not back.  Try to relax and forget the problems.  No one wants to get the issue with the ship resolved faster than corporate, I'm sure, although that may seem like a ridiculous comment at this point, especially to the stranded passengers.  Mechanical failures happen on all cruise lines.  Lately it seems HAL is having more than its share with two ships reporting problems in less than a week.  Thank goodness they detected the problem prior to leaving.  Imagine being stranded in the middle of the Caribbean.  How do they fix the problem then?

 

I just viewed the webcam, and smoke is pouring from the stacks.  Is NA getting ready to sail?  I'll watch for a while and see.  If so, bon voyage, spkack.  I hope the rest of the cruise shakes out better than your first day.  Welcome to CC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
spkack

spkack

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Morning all.  No new information given onboard.  We have relocated and are docked across from terminal 25 (cannot see the terminal number we are docked at.  Celebrity Edge is in the birth across from us).  I sure as heck hope we don't have to wait an additional day.  As I said, we are local and can stay in a hotel in Ft Lauderdale anytime we want.  At this point I'd rather they let us off and pro-rate a refund.  I booked through Costco who will be alerted as well.  Very, very disappointing experience all around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...