Long time NCL cruiser. AWEFUL EXPERIENCE!

[compfixer]

Some of you know me from meet and greets I have hosted, I'm a long time NCL dedicated cruiser! 20 points from diamond, ruby level casino player, and a US Army combat veteran, usually I am a fan boy for NCL 

 

I book a 12 day repositioning cruise Oct 16th to 28th on the Joy out of New York ending in Miami. 

 

Then today, literally 3 days before I get a notice that all travelers require passports for this cruise! 

 

I did online check in, and chose birth certificate for my travel companion, no popup, warning, nothing. Printed Edocs, boarding passes... The usual. 

 

Of course I'm not leaving her behind, so I call to. Cancel, and they want to charge me over 1000.00 to cancel a trip they allowed me ro book choosing a birth certificate?

 

Unacceptable! I'm disputing with credit card company and just letting everyone know TO BE CAUTIOUS over 40 NCL cruises since 2011, and was a loyal patron. And now I get a script that I should have known!  REALLY??

[backsbanny]

When Del Rio took over the company everything changed. Its all about the money. 

[parachutes63]

This a federal government requirement, not a decision from NCL.

[fastpitchdad]

Doesn't it have to be a closed loop cruise so sail without a passport? I am surprised it would give BC as an option. 

 

My wife lost her passport in a move a couple of years ago right before a cruise and was able to get a new one same day in Seattle. 

Edited October 13, 2023 by fastpitchdad

[compfixer]

Just now, parachutes63 said:

This a federal government requirement, not a decision from NCL.

 

But why do they allow you to check in using a birth certificate as a form of citizenship? And why a notification literally 3 days out?

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Sorry you're having to deal with this passport issue. But it does appear your cruise among other ports goes to two different South American ports, Aruba and Curacao, which I would have thought would have automatically required a valid passport with an expiration date greater than 6 months prior to the conclusion of the cruise. It is weird they would let you check in with the BC option.

 

12-day Cruise to Caribbean: Curacao, Aruba & Bermuda from New York, New York on Norwegian Joy (ncl.com)

 

Edited October 13, 2023 by Ken the cruiser

[Liljo22]

Only cruises that start and end in the same US city can sail without a passport.   Check in was at 21 days.  With the delays for passports currently, you would have been in the same boat at check in.  

[compfixer]

1 minute ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Sorry you're having to deal with this passport issue. But it does appear your cruise among other ports goes to two different South American ports, Aruba and Curacao, which I would have thought would have automatically triggered a valid passport with an expiration date greater than 6 months prior to the conclusion of the cruise. 

 

12-day Cruise to Caribbean: Curacao, Aruba & Bermuda from New York, New York on Norwegian Joy (ncl.com)

 

 

Nope, brcsuse it goes from New York and ends in Miami! Stops on between should be a factor, but are not! BTW, she's a gold NCL cruiser!

[schmoopie17]

Looks like someone else is in the same boat, so to speak.

 

 

[cruiser2015]

9 minutes ago, compfixer said:

Some of you know me from meet and greets I have hosted, I'm a long time NCL dedicated cruiser! 20 points from diamond, ruby level casino player, and a US Army combat veteran, usually I am a fan boy for NCL 

 

I book a 12 day repositioning cruise Oct 16th to 28th on the Joy out of New York ending in Miami. 

 

Then today, literally 3 days before I get a notice that all travelers require passports for this cruise! 

 

I did online check in, and chose birth certificate for my travel companion, no popup, warning, nothing. Printed Edocs, boarding passes... The usual. 

 

Of course I'm not leaving her behind, so I call to. Cancel, and they want to charge me over 1000.00 to cancel a trip they allowed me ro book choosing a birth certificate?

 

Unacceptable! I'm disputing with credit card company and just letting everyone know TO BE CAUTIOUS over 40 NCL cruises since 2011, and was a loyal patron. And now I get a script that I should have known!  REALLY??

This seems to be an awful situation for you. But I am confused about the circumstances.

 

I received the same message by email today. I have a sailing in January, booked this past July and knew that a passport was required all along. Also note that the NCL letter says that it's a "reminder" of the requirement.

As I recall, nowhere during the booking process do they verify that you possess any particular type of ID, but should be mentioning it.

I assume that your itinerary includes one or more foreign ports between NY and Miami. I also have no idea about a policy change (involving two US ports). If it was just from NY to Miami, I can't imagine why there is a need for a passport. But with foreign ports in between, at least that would make sense.

 

The mystery deepens with your check in. If it was required to have a passport, why did it allow you to check in using a birth certificate?

 

In summary, was there a policy change, if so when. Were any notices sent out. Is this an NCL policy (seems unlikely to me) or a Federal policy?

Knowing the timeline of each event: requirements at time of original booking; policies and/or their changes & dates; notices thereof; will reveal what options you may have for recourse.

I am assuming, of course, that you do not have a passport.

[Ken the cruiser]

2 minutes ago, compfixer said:

 

Nope, brcsuse it goes from New York and ends in Miami! Stops on between should be a factor, but are not! BTW, she's a gold NCL cruiser!

Both Aruba and Curacao require all visitors to have a passport.

[parachutes63]

Not in the same boat. I was posting so others would see it. I have done a lot of one-way cruises and the Panama Canal cruise. Passports have been required for those cruises in the past.

 

[IAcruising]

21 minutes ago, compfixer said:

. And now I get a script that I should have known!  REALLY??

 

Unfortunately, yes, you should have known -- especially as an experienced cruiser. It's common knowledge, to anyone who makes any effort at all, that a BC can only be used on a closed-loop cruise.

 

I'm sorry this happened to you, seriously. I agree that NCL should not have the option available on an open jaw cruise, but ultimately, it's all on you.

 

Good luck getting it resolved.

 

[compfixer]

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Both Aruba and Curacao require all visitors to have a passport.

 

Last time from Miami to Miami that wasn't a problem... Problem is leaving New York disembarking Miami. 

 

I've never been asked for a passport when getting on or off the ship in ANY country except Panama. 

 

Just room key and photo ID...

 

I do have my passport BTW. She does not. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

11 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

But it does appear your cruise among other ports goes to two different South American ports, Aruba and Curacao, which I would have thought would have automatically required a valid passport with an expiration date greater than 6 months prior to the conclusion of the cruise.

Is the six month part true for Aruba and Curacao?

[schmoopie17]

9 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Both Aruba and Curacao require all visitors to have a passport.

But you don't show your passport when getting off the ship for the day in any port that I'm aware of. 

 

 

Edited October 13, 2023 by schmoopie17

[cruiser2015]

2 minutes ago, compfixer said:

It allowed it and got Edocs!

 

I got that.

Seems like another NCL foul up. But that doesn't help your situation. They would refuse boarding when you are asked to present your docs at the pier.

It seems you're in a really bad situation here. If you can find fault with NCL somewhere along the way (I don't think the bad check in is enough as it's too recent), maybe you have some recourse towards a FCC as opposed to a forfeiture.

[cruiser2015]

4 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Is the six month part true for Aruba and Curacao?

I think that the 6 months is mandated for all travel requiring  a passport.

[IAcruising]

7 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Is the six month part true for Aruba and Curacao?

 

I believe it's a NCL requirement regardless of country visited. I assume it's to make everything uniform, rather than having different criteria for different itineraries.

 

[compfixer]

3 minutes ago, cruiser2015 said:

I got that.

Seems like another NCL foul up. But that doesn't help your situation. They would refuse boarding when you are asked to present your docs at the pier.

It seems you're in a really bad situation here. If you can find fault with NCL somewhere along the way (I don't think the bad check in is enough as it's too recent), maybe you have some recourse towards a FCC as opposed to a forfeiture.

 

If it's a requirement, it shouldn't allow you to proceed! A warning, anything other than "ready to sail!" 

 

Then 3 days away, they are like, oh I forgot to tell you something important that will not allow you to enjoy your purchase, but we'll gladly give you back half what you paid!

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

3 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Is the six month part true for Aruba and Curacao?

Here's a link to the list that requires 6-month validity. It does not appear Aruba or Curacao are on that specific list.

 

Countries That Require Six Months of Passport Validity (us-passport-service-guide.com)

 

 

[JamieLogical]

Birth certificate and photo ID have always only been good for closed-loop cruises. It does seem weird that NCL let you check in though. 

[compfixer]

4 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Here's a link to the list that requires 6-month validity. It does not appear Aruba or Curacao are on that specific list.

 

Countries That Require Six Months of Passport Validity (us-passport-service-guide.com)

 

 

 

That's for airfare... This is Cruise... Critic 🤫

[ChiefMateJRK]

6 minutes ago, IAcruising said:

I believe it's a NCL requirement regardless of country visited.

Are you sure about this?  What is your source?

[ChiefMateJRK]

11 minutes ago, cruiser2015 said:

I think that the 6 months is mandated for all travel requiring  a passport.

Where did you read this?