NCL has been a Pain and we haven't even stepped foot on the ship... Ideas?

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, cruiser2015 said:

Sorry about the story - yes, it was, all together, a bit complicated.

That wasn't even all of MY story - posted elsewhere on these boards - about getting a veterans discount after final payment, which also involved my TA. Complexities there, as well as fixes, courtesy of NCL.

Bottom line, this TA, an online cruise specialist, certainly one of the largest around, does not really charge fees and has generous perks (OBC, gift cards, paid DSC).

 

The fee in question was for their offer to cover (temporarily) your deposit. If NCL was not running their half off deposit offer, it would have been $500. The offer could have been for as much as a couple of years. This may appeal to some to not go out of pocket for that time. For me, it was not needed and if I realized the fee was involved, I would have simply given another payment, which was 4-5 weeks before final.

No need to apologize. These stories are always good for warning others of the pitfalls that can occur when making changes. 

[cruiser2015]

3 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Sounds like this fee was interest on a cash advance the TA gave to cover the deposit.  10% seems high but it isn't out of line with the fee changed for cash advances by credit card companies.

I think you're on point.

They have advertised this offer for a long time - like years. I don't recall if it's continuous or on and off.

But the fee part was not prominently displayed - just the "we cover your deposit". At first glance, it actually looks like they are gifting it to you. Not.

I just opened their website - I do not see the deposit deal mentioned. 

[cruiser2015]

3 hours ago, ontheweb said:

No need to apologize. These stories are always good for warning others of the pitfalls that can occur when making changes. 

Yes.

One small pit.

[Adam Packett]

I know it has been a bit but I wanted to put a bow on this after the cruise:

 

The short version is that after several calls and agents, we finally got a hold of one that knew what the heck was going on, could explain everything, sorted out the upgrade and actually admitted that the first rep (at least) had no clue what was going on and was able to get us where we needed to be.

 

Big kudos to that guy for stepping up and making it happen.

 

The cruise was amazing and we have already booked another suite for next year.

(using a travel agent... lol)

 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

2 hours ago, Adam Packett said:

The cruise was amazing and we have already booked another suite for next year.

 

Did you add the Free at Sea promos? 

Do you have a detailed invoice for EVERYTHING that you should have?

[Adam Packett]

15 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

Did you add the Free at Sea promos? 

Do you have a detailed invoice for EVERYTHING that you should have?

LOL

To heck with all that this time around.

That's why we are using a local travel agent where you actually sit down face to face... and yes I have an invoice.

Technology\internet isn't always the best way to go.

I consider it a lesson learned.

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, Adam Packett said:

LOL

To heck with all that this time around.

That's why we are using a local travel agent where you actually sit down face to face... and yes I have an invoice.

Technology\internet isn't always the best way to go.

I consider it a lesson learned.

Sounds like you'll be in better shape this time. While I am a technology guy - I don't like talking to people face to face - I appreciate what you're doing. I'm glad you have an invoice. Be sure your travel agent send you a new confirmation every time you change something on your cruise. You'll want it for your records, to ensure the travel agent/NCL did what you wanted them to do.

[hallux]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Be sure your travel agent send you a new confirmation every time you change something on your cruise.

Unless it's something separate from the cruise (air, hotel, etc) that the TA is booking then NCL should be sending that to the email on file.  Though it might be helpful to get in writing from the TA that you requested a change.

[cruiseny4life]

17 hours ago, hallux said:

Unless it's something separate from the cruise (air, hotel, etc) that the TA is booking then NCL should be sending that to the email on file.  Though it might be helpful to get in writing from the TA that you requested a change.

Do they? That's interesting and I don't doubt it'll happen. In my experience, I had to generate a confirmation through NCL's system, then email it directly to those I was working with. Granted, the last time I booked a NCL cruise was March, 2023 so the system also may have updated since then. 

 

I agree with getting in writing that a change was requested. The travel agent should be responsible if a requested change isn't made (unless NCL says no, obviously). 

[hallux]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

Do they? That's interesting and I don't doubt it'll happen. In my experience, I had to generate a confirmation through NCL's system, then email it directly to those I was working with. Granted, the last time I booked a NCL cruise was March, 2023 so the system also may have updated since then. 

Maybe it works different when booked through a TA?  On direct bookings I get a new confirmation PDF any time a change is made (dining, excursion, etc.)

Edited May 22 by hallux

[cruiseny4life]

10 minutes ago, hallux said:

Maybe it works different when booked through a TA?  On direct bookings I get a new confirmation PDF any time a change is made (dining, excursion, etc.)

Ahh, that's true! Our personal bookings have all been made through a PCC. The discount she was able to offer was always higher than the commission. Whenever she made changes to our travel, we did receive an automated confirmation. You're definitely right about this part! 

 

I have some colleagues that send their own confirmations that are "pretty" to clients. I'm lazy and just use the same one received when booking direct through NCL.