China Cruises Cancelled?

[julig22]

1 minute ago, blcruising said:

Also, not sure how NCL can unilaterally cancel guests vacation and not be required to refund the cruise fare. I briefly reviewed the passenger contract and it does mention they can refuse passage to anyone. It also says the passenger is entitled to no compensation, but I wouldn't consider the refund of a original cruise fare to be compensation. 

Unfit to travel isn't NCL's responsibility.- why would you expect NCL to absorb the cost of leaving a cabin empty?  That's why they offer insurance.

[luv2kroooz]

19 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Unfit to travel isn't NCL's responsibility.- why would you expect NCL to absorb the cost of leaving a cabin empty?  That's why they offer insurance.

Because that's what a solid, reputable company does. I am on Delta and American websites now reading about flexible travel options. Passengers can fly, change their flights, or cancel their travel and get a voucher for future travel. And then we have NCL....not fit to travel? Too bad, too sad. Don't expect anything from us. Deal with it through travel insurance. Ridiculous, but I'd expect nothing else from NCL.

 

I also see Royal, MSC and Costa are doing the prudent thing which is cancelling multiple cruises and offering full refunds to all passengers. They aren't  as worried about absorbing costs for empty cabins or whether or not their passengers have travel insurance, but are more focused on preventing the spread of what appears to be a serious disease. That's solid customer service and just plain common sense from executives that understand how to operate a business. NCL never gets it right the first time. It is amazing to me.

Edited January 27, 2020 by blcruising

[Level six]

  People are going to lie about where they have been if they feel they will not be allowed on a paid for cruise.  Plus, now the virus is contagious before any symptoms appear, so the screenings are useless.  

 

You are right, that is what a good company would do.  RCCI and Costa are canceling and offering refunds.

 

They should allow people to cancel that don't want to go and let the people who want to go, go.  Plus, think of your staff!!  They may be exposed and then expose future passengers on the next cruise.  Is that what we want??

 

They are not losing money really, offer future sailing credit for the next year.  It is goodwill and will be remembered.  I was on NCL cruise where the engine broke and they handled it great and I have sailed with them some 100+ sea days more.  I remembered that they handled it well and thought about the passengers wellness, happiness and financial well being.  

 

I have travel insurance but it will not pay for epidemics, so unless the cruise is cancelled I am on the hook. 

[casofilia]

@Level six

 

Did you take out the insurance before coronavirus was even thought of?

Does your policy specifically exclude a virus that was not even thought of when you took out the policy?

Does your policy exclude an epidemic that was only declared AFTER you took out the policy?

Who decides if a viral out break is of epidemic proportions?

Has the WHO declared this as either a world epidemic or even a part word epidemic?

 

I think a good lawyer could have a fun time with your insurance company!!!

Edited January 27, 2020 by casofilia

[Level six]

I took it out the day I booked the cruise. 

 

No virus in the news at the time.  

[FM-R]

Last year put deposit with Viking for river cruise.  Looking at map, appears we would travel through many places that have outbreaks.  I've been looking at Viking's website all weekend.  They finally made this post below, which is wait and see basically.  I've only placed $500 deposit.  My nephew was in Hong Kong 2 weeks ago for business and the company cut the trip short after 1 day because of virus.  He said we aren't seeing how really bad this is.  In China they use Tic Tok for social media as Instagram and Facebook not allowed.  He said the postings there are graphic and scary.  My travel agent is calling tomorrow to see if they will refund my deposit now or if we have to wait and see later.  She expects to be told the same as below - wait and see.  I don't want Viking to substitute locales that I don't want to go to - had very bad experience with that when Holland America substituted Slovenia for Istanbul and Ephesus and that sucked big time.  I know they have the right to do so, but I'd rather not.  Here is their post:

Coronavirus Update

Viking does not have any river or ocean sailings scheduled to call in China until March 2020. We are monitoring the Wuhan coronavirus situation closely and will continue to do so in the coming weeks, heeding guidelines from the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our top priority; should we deem a sailing modification or other precaution is necessary, Viking Customer Relations will communicate directly with any impacted guests and their travel agents about the change.

[Lou33]

5 hours ago, dougypk said:

Current reported death rate is 15%.

 

Enjoy your cheap cruise.

 

 

I don't understand your motivation for making a sarcastic comment.  What purpose does that serve?

 

Yes, there are good deals on cruises from Hong Kong.  The prices were lowered due to the low demand because of the protests.  Although Hong Kong is part of China, it is almost 1000 km from Wuhan.  At least for now, there are only a handful of cases of the virus in the city.  For comparison, Singapore and Los Angeles have about the same number of cases as Hong Kong.  

 

Most of us did not get a cut rate on our cruise.  We are a little concerned, but at this point all we can do is hope for the best.  I would think that NCL would cancel the cruise if conditions would worsen in Hong Kong.

 

Instead of saying "Enjoy your cheap cruise", maybe you could say "I wish you the best"?

[dougypk]

2 minutes ago, Lou33 said:

 

I don't understand your motivation for making a sarcastic comment.  What purpose does that serve?

 

Yes, there are good deals on cruises from Hong Kong.  The prices were lowered due to the low demand because of the protests.  Although Hong Kong is part of China, it is almost 1000 km from Wuhan.  At least for now, there are only a handful of cases of the virus in the city.  For comparison, Singapore and Los Angeles have about the same number of cases as Hong Kong.  

 

Most of us did not get a cut rate on our cruise.  We are a little concerned, but at this point all we can do is hope for the best.  I would think that NCL would cancel the cruise if conditions would worsen in Hong Kong.

 

Instead of saying "Enjoy your cheap cruise", maybe you could say "I wish you the best"?

 

It was a reaction to the thread hijacker a few posts previous to mine.  It was petty and I apologize.

 

[Isabella Benjamin]

"Norwegian Cruise Line, on the other hand, has introduced non-touch temperature screenings for all passengers boarding its ships from Chinese ports to prevent the flu-like virus from spreading. Those who have a body temperature of 100.4˚F will not be allowed to board.

Individuals who have lived or traveled through Wuhan in the last 30 days will be turned away as well."

 

 

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/cruise-lines-china-coronavirus

[drsel]

9 hours ago, ppcox said:

We are booked on that cruise and have been for 9 months so our balcony stateroom wasn't cheap. We expected the unrest in HongKong to stop by now and things do seem somewhat calmer. We have reservations at the Intercontinental in Hong Kong and they have been very good with advice and we thought that was our biggest worry. How wrong we were every day the news on the virus gets worst, the cruise is in the middle of a trip to the Middle East to see our son so flights and hotels have been sourced independently and although we have insurance the picture on cancellations isn’t clear. Ie if the cruise goes ahead and we decided not to travel to Hong Kong we can’t claim etc

Its a birthday celebration , one of those with a 0 so if it is sensible to go we will.

Honestly for the first time I feel aggrieved with the influx this week of people joining the roll call having bought the cruise at a fraction of the price we paid. I know its not the point and it’s a set of circumstances and neither the lucky folks that have got a good deal or NCL are doing anything wrong its just business.

Its just the price difference is huge. But the price to bid on penthouse balcony or Haven are still high. Mini suites were relative cheap to bid on low bid $45 each but we didn’t want to risk being below public spaces so didn’t bid on those.

 

 

It's sad that U paid so much. There are hundreds of cruises available to book, but most are highly overpriced. 

I only book a cruise if I get a fantastic deal,  below US$50 per day for a TA or TP & below US$75 per day for any other cruise (including ALL port fees & all taxes, excluding tips).

After factoring in airfare & visa costs (if any), the cost per day should be below US$ 125 .

Such deals are available many times a year!

Believe me at the price I pay, its almost impossible to get a price drop!

[drsel]

Its only because there are folks willing to pay so much more, that cruise lines are able to keep their prices & profits high.

Remember once they have U onboard, they can make a lot of money out of U in 8 different ways--

Shore Excursions,

Alcohol packages

Specialty dining

Casino & Bingo

Spa, beauty & massages

Photos paid for

Art auctions

Gift shop

[cassie55]

12 hours ago, ppcox said:

We are booked on that cruise and have been for 9 months so our balcony stateroom wasn't cheap. We expected the unrest in HongKong to stop by now and things do seem somewhat calmer. We have reservations at the Intercontinental in Hong Kong and they have been very good with advice and we thought that was our biggest worry. How wrong we were every day the news on the virus gets worst, the cruise is in the middle of a trip to the Middle East to see our son so flights and hotels have been sourced independently and although we have insurance the picture on cancellations isn’t clear. Ie if the cruise goes ahead and we decided not to travel to Hong Kong we can’t claim etc

Its a birthday celebration , one of those with a 0 so if it is sensible to go we will.

Honestly for the first time I feel aggrieved with the influx this week of people joining the roll call having bought the cruise at a fraction of the price we paid. I know its not the point and it’s a set of circumstances and neither the lucky folks that have got a good deal or NCL are doing anything wrong its just business.

Its just the price difference is huge. But the price to bid on penthouse balcony or Haven are still high. Mini suites were relative cheap to bid on low bid $45 each but we didn’t want to risk being below public spaces so didn’t bid on those.

 

 

We booked 18 months ago. We're in a penthouse and I can book Haven today for over £1000 ($1400) less than we paid. I spent all last week on the phone to NCL. So did our travel agent. She called both London and Miami.  They won't refund and they won't allow us to upgrade.  The most they'll offer is $250 each onboard credit.  We're platinum plus and hoped we'd be treated better.  

[KarlGermany]

17 hours ago, Newleno said:

Oh man you gotta tell us about halong bay when you get back, onboard shore excursion or independent, book in advance or after you got off the tender, etc...  Have a blast we so want to go on this 7 day adventure, cause we really just want to see halong bay but i cant get off work until feb 6, then i have the rest of the month off, arh ah the timing of it all, oh the horror such great pricing for this incredible itinerary and we cant go

Don’t expect too much from Halong. We‘ve been there and it was far from being as pretty as we thought. Sure, partly because weather was not really good (no blue sky), but we‘ve been told that the bay is often more rainy than blue sky. Much more disappointing was the view. Forget about all those nice advertising pictures with a bay, (blue sky), many islands and a single lovely old fashioned boat. Reality: even outside the mein season it’s more crowded than in many Harbour. Old (meaning just old and not necessarily nice) ships anchoring everywhere. The islands /caves are nice but I have been to much more spectacular caves in other places worldwide. 
bottomline: yes, it has been originally a nice, picturesque remote place. Nowadays it is much to crowded to be nice anymore, I would not go there a second time.

[drsel]

I agree with Karl. We have been to Halong bay once & its enough.

 

We did a tour on the spot with a local agent, who took us in a motor boat around the small islands to the main Princess(?) cave, where we spent 1 hour inside, then a relaxing small rowing boat ride into a peaceful lagoon ($5 extra). We had excellent weather in Feb.

 

In Halong when U get off, there are local traval agents who offer the tour for US$35--50, but will settle for $25 per person, including transfers to the motor boat & back.

 

In all of South east Asia, you should always do independent tours on the spot & support the poor local tour operators, travel agents and taxi/minivan drivers. They also offer terrific value! We usually spend only $25--30 per person for a full day shared tour in all ports in Vietnam.

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by drsel

[mugtech]

11 minutes ago, drsel said:

I agree with Karl. We have been to Halong bay once & its enough.

We did a tour on the spot with a local agent, who took us in a motor boat around the small islands to the main Princess(?) cave, where we spent 1 hour inside, then a relaxing small rowing boat ride into a peaceful lagoon ($5).

We had excellent weather in Feb.

Went last March on Jewel, was very thick fog, could only see things up close, never got the total view, would not go back.

[mugtech]

On 1/25/2020 at 10:11 AM, BirdTravels said:

Cruise lines rarely cancel a cruise. They will change the ship’s itinerary. They would leave a ship idle. 

Supposedly a fan blog based in Singapore announced that the RCI Spectrum OTS has cancelled cruises that were roundtrip from Shanghai on 1/27/20 and 1/31/20.  Have heard nothing from RCI or any cruisers, the roll calls were never started.

[ppcox]

6 hours ago, cassie55 said:

We booked 18 months ago. We're in a penthouse and I can book Haven today for over £1000 ($1400) less than we paid. I spent all last week on the phone to NCL. So did our travel agent. She called both London and Miami.  They won't refund and they won't allow us to upgrade.  The most they'll offer is $250 each onboard credit.  We're platinum plus and hoped we'd be treated better.  

I am really sorry to read this it seems unfair and I wont hold out any hope for us then. We are Platinum and you do hope loyalty counts. 

[drsel]

The Norwegian boss has made it clear that his main interest is profit for the shareholders

[mking8288]

5 hours ago, mugtech said:

Supposedly a fan blog based in Singapore announced that the RCI Spectrum OTS has cancelled cruises that were roundtrip from Shanghai on 1/27/20 and 1/31/20.  Have heard nothing from RCI or any cruisers, the roll calls were never started.

 

RCI and MSC has - per this & additional posting on the Asia forum here - cancelled the upcoming/immediate sailings in China and providing/issuing refunds / future cruise credits to rebook, etc. - 

https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/coronavirus-cruise-lines-cancel-sailings/

 

NCL Jade doing the port turnaround in Hong Kong hasn't - HKSAR has not shut down its border or close down cruise terminals, etc. (not yet, anyway).  Norwegian Pearl has a sailing later in early April, calling upon Shanghai, China - probably too early to make the call for it.  

 

Situation is rather dynamic and unfolding, changing by the hours, not days.  

[luv2kroooz]

26 minutes ago, drsel said:

The Norwegian boss has made it clear that his main interest is profit for the shareholders

I hope he delivers. NCL is the only travel related stock I own that does not yield a dividend. Yet the boss man takes total compensation of $20,000,000.

[Markanddonna]

I  just read that Medjet has suspended operations and flights out of four areas because of the coronavirus outbreak, including China. So, if you choose to travel to China on a cruise, you will have to rely upon the Chinese health care system for your care. 

 

Just renewed my MedJet policy this morning and got this on their web site:

MEDJET SERVICES ALERT

 

Due to government imposed travel restrictions resulting from the Coronavirus, 
MEDJETASSIST and MEDJETHORIZON services are currently suspended in the following countries:

• China
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Macau

 

1. Services to additional countries may be restricted in the future.

Edited January 27, 2020 by Markanddonna

[drsel]

I hope he delivers. NCL is the only travel related stock I own that does not yield a dividend. Yet the boss man takes total compensation of $20,000,000.

Then why do you own it, if they refuse to pay any dividend ever?
Is it because they are very good at milking their customers

[luv2kroooz]

6 minutes ago, drsel said:

Then why do you own it, if they refuse to pay any dividend ever?
Is it because they are very good at milking their customers

I hope he starts paying a return and grows the stock price. No milking going on here. Successful Rock bottom basement shopper here and have been for many years.

[chankahon]

Pressure is mounting on the Hong Kong government to deny entry for more mainland Chinese residents (now they do only for Hubei residents). Such further restrictions may expand to other non-local residents and eventually force NCL to act further. That might happen in less than a week.

 

Reported cases in Hong Kong is relatively subdued but the general mood is downbeat. Both theme parks are shut down indefinitely, schools won't reopen for another 3 weeks and many commuters may be allowed to home office after holiday ends on Tuesday. More radical measures are definitely on their way.

 

HKU scientists are predicting actual cases in Wuhan alone are in the 40,000s. Major outbreaks are expected in Chongqing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou (and possibly Hong Kong). Such outbreaks could peak in March to April and get under control by June. Any travel plans to China and Hong Kong prior to July may not materialize. 

 

Before switching your destination, there is one basic fact to keep in mind: reporting of confirmed virus cases is entirely based on the availability of such virus test kits and effective screening of patients. In Wuhan, there are obviously not enough test kits to paint the full picture. Places that are not reporting cases are not necessarily virus-free. 

 

In fact Hong Kong and Taiwan are not seeing the bulk of Chinese tourists this spring. Instead, many have headed to Thailand (in particular Pattaya and Bangkok), Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia. People in some of these places are not as resourceful or experienced in handling an outbreak. The situation is no doubt grim and NCL might have no choice but act soon.

Edited January 27, 2020 by chankahon

[ppcox]

8 hours ago, cassie55 said:

We booked 18 months ago. We're in a penthouse and I can book Haven today for over £1000 ($1400) less than we paid. I spent all last week on the phone to NCL. So did our travel agent. She called both London and Miami.  They won't refund and they won't allow us to upgrade.  The most they'll offer is $250 each onboard credit.  We're platinum plus and hoped we'd be treated better.  

We just have a big fat very polite NO upgrade no nothing I understand their rationale in normal circumstances.

Except the prices for this cruise have fallen so far the standard responses don't feel just.