northwestbear Posted August 26, 2008 #76 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Received an Email from NCL today advising of the problem and giving an updated itinerary. It appears the 8/31 sailing will not have a shortened stay in Ketchikan - they are showing a port time of 7:30a - 2:30p rather than the original 6:30a - 1:30p. However, Victoria now shows a port time of 10:00p - 12:00a. That is probably not enough time to even bother getting off the ship. Being from Seattle I have been to Victoria many times, but those traveling with us will miss an opportunity to see a really beautiful city. The Email did not give any offer of a refund, but did state that a $50 per cabin on board credit would be given.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ohioNCLcruiser Posted August 26, 2008 #77 Share Posted August 26, 2008 the two hour's in Victoria will be anchored and to meet the one international port rule. This is just for paperwork and once again don't plan on getting off in Victoria!! The ship won't fix itself so I would plan on it missing Victoria for the rest of the Alaska season (around 3, 4 cruises left) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mush71 Posted August 26, 2008 #78 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I am keeping my fingers crossed that they don't cancel my cruise. :confused: I am on the first one out of Miami after the repo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markandrews Posted August 26, 2008 #79 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Dear Valued Travel Partners & Guests, Norwegian Cruise Line has important information for you regarding Norwegian Pearl's 7-Day Glacier Bay sailing from Seattle, Washington on August 31, 2008. All guests booked on this sailing need to be aware of this change and travelprofessionals are asked to forward this information to their clients. During routine inspections, Norwegian Pearl's engineers identified localized wear in the thrust bearing on the ship's ABB-manufactured azipod propulsion system. As a result, Norwegian Pearl will be travelling at a reduced speed. At Norwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests is our number one priority. Please be assured that the azipod issues reducing our speed capabilities in no way impact the safe operation of the vessel. Based on this reduced speed, we have adjusted the time to our calls in Ketchikan and Victoria. Our revised itinerary will be: Original Depart Arrive Sun Seattle, Washington 4:00 pm Mon Cruise Alaska's Inside Passage Tue Juneau, Alaska 2:00 pm 10:00 pm Wed Skagway, Alaska 7:00 am 9:00 pm Thu Cruise Glacier Bay Fri Ketchikan, Alaska 6:00 am 1:30 pm Sat Victoria, British Columbia 6:00 pm midnight Sun Seattle, Washington 8:00 am Revised Depart Arrive Sun Seattle, Washington 4:00 pm Mon Cruise Alaska's Inside Passage Tue Juneau, Alaska 2:00 pm 10:00 pm Wed Skagway, Alaska 7:00 am 9:00 pm Thu Cruise Glacier Bay Fri Ketchikan, Alaska 7:00 am 2:30 pm Sat Victoria, British Columbia 10:00 pm midnight Sun Seattle, Washington 8:00 am It's not often that we need to alter an itinerary. When we do, we know it can cause disappointment. As a result of this itinerary change, we have arranged for guests to have an automatic credit of $25 per person (maximum $50 per stateroom) applied directly to their on-board account. This non-refundable credit may be used for any on-board purchase except for service charges and in the casino. Please note because of the shortened call to Victoria all pre-booked shore excursions for Victoria will be cancelled and guests will not be permitted to disembark the ship. Guests choosing not to sail as a result of this itinerary change may cancel their cruise without cancellation fees and receive a full refund of the cruise fare paid. Thank you for your understanding and continued support of Norwegian Cruise Line. Should you have any questions about this change, please call us at (800) 327-7030. As always, a NCL representative is available to assist you. Sincerely, Crane Gladding Senior Vice President, Passenger Services & Revenue Management Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrp96 Posted August 26, 2008 #80 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I have to say that NCL is handling this very well by giving people the option to cancel for a full refund. Kudos for NCL for this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiasugar Posted August 26, 2008 #81 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I do not mind any of these changes. I'd rather know now then when I am boarding the ship. I just do not want to have my cruise canceled. I NEED a vacation!! And I agree-NCL is handling this well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowAviation Posted August 26, 2008 #82 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I also have to say, $50 is pretty paltry compensation for the loss of one and a half ports. I have to agree, I got no notification except a note that my excursion at Victoria was "No longer available", if it hadn't been for CruiseCritic I wouldn't have known what the problem was at all. I called my Travel Agent and she informed me that she knew nothing of the problem. After placing a call to Norwegian she called back and said that I could accept the $50 credit or Nowegian would allow me to cancel for a full refund. I told her to call them and say we would indeed cancel unless we got something more. This is very upsetting for my wife who said that Victoria was the port she was anticipating the most. We shall see what the response is, and I will post it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markandrews Posted August 26, 2008 #83 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I have to agree, I got no notification except a note that my excursion at Victoria was "No longer available", if it hadn't been for CruiseCritic I wouldn't have known what the problem was at all. I called my Travel Agent and she informed me that she knew nothing of the problem. After placing a call to Norwegian she called back and said that I could accept the $50 credit or Nowegian would allow me to cancel for a full refund. I told her to call them and say we would indeed cancel unless we got something more. This is very upsetting for my wife who said that Victoria was the port she was anticipating the most. We shall see what the response is, and I will post it here. Remember, per the NCL passenger contract they are not required to refund anything but port charges. As frustrating as it is we all agree to the contract when we sail any ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarbabe Posted August 26, 2008 #84 Share Posted August 26, 2008 So does anyone know the status of the Pearl. Sailing in 9 days to Alaska on it!! Sept 7!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sugarbabe Posted August 26, 2008 #85 Share Posted August 26, 2008 So does anyone know the status of the Pearl. Sailing in 9 days to Alaska on it!! Sept 7:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glassgirl202 Posted August 26, 2008 #86 Share Posted August 26, 2008 We're sailing this coming Sunday, Aug. 31 on the Pearl. We were called this morning by NCL and advised of the "Azipod" problem. They mentioned the ship would be traveling at about 22 Knots instead of the full speed. They also stated the port time in Ketchikan would be altered some, and that although they would reach port in Vancouver, no one will be allowed to disembark. They offered a $25 per person credit/ up to $50 per cabin. I then called NCL (as we had a fishing trip scheduled for Ketchikan) to see if the shore excursion would be cancelled.. but they said it would be on as the time of arrival and departure would change minimally. Hope this helps. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pj-n-bob Posted August 26, 2008 #87 Share Posted August 26, 2008 sugarbabe - I am on the 9/7 sailing too, so far I have only been notified of the cancellation of Victoria excursions. There was no mention in my email of changes in any other port. Come on over to our roll call, the link is in my signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiasugar Posted August 26, 2008 #88 Share Posted August 26, 2008 August 26, 2008 IMPORTANT: ITINERARY CHANGE INFORMATION Dear Valued Travel Partners & Guests, Norwegian Cruise Line has important information for you regarding Norwegian Pearl's 7-Day Glacier Bay sailings fromSeattle, Washington on September 7, 2008 and September 14, 2008. All guests booked on these sailings need to beaware of this change and travel professionals are asked to forward this information to their clients.During routine inspections, Norwegian Pearl's engineers identified localized wear in the thrust bearing on the ship'sABB-manufactured azipod propulsion system. As a result, Norwegian Pearl will be travelling at a reduced speed. AtNorwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests is our number one priority. Please be assured that theazipod issues reducing our speed capabilities in no way impact the safe operation of the vessel.Based on this reduced speed, we have adjusted the time to our calls in Ketchikan and Victoria. Our revised itinerary willbe: Original Arrive Depart Sun Seattle, Washington 4:00 pm Mon Cruise Alaska's Inside PassageTue Juneau, Alaska 2:00 pm 10:00 pmWed Skagway, Alaska 7:00 am 9:00 pmThu Cruise Glacier BayFri Ketchikan, Alaska 6:00 am 1:30 pmSat Victoria, British Columbia 6:00 pm MidnightSun Seattle, Washington 8:00 am Revised Arrive Depart Sun Seattle, Washington 4:00 pm Mon Cruise Alaska's Inside PassageTue Juneau, Alaska 2:00 pm 10:00 pmWed Skagway, Alaska 7:00 am 9:00 pmThu Cruise Glacier Bay Fri Ketchikan, Alaska 7:00 am 2:30 pm Sat Victoria, British Columbia 10:00 pm midnight Sun Seattle, Washington 8:00 am Please note because of the shortened call to Victoria all pre-booked shore excursions for Victoria will be cancelled and guests will not be permitted to disembark the ship.Guests choosing not to sail as a result of this itinerary change may cancel their cruise without cancellation fees andreceive a full refund of the cruise fare paid. Any cancellations must be made by Tuesday, September 2, 2008.Thank you for your understanding and continued support of Norwegian Cruise Line. Should you have any questionsabout this change, please call us at (800) 327-7030. As always, a NCL representative is available to assist you.Sincerely,Crane GladdingSenior Vice President, Passenger Services & Revenue Management Page 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pj-n-bob Posted August 26, 2008 #89 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Thanks, maiasugar...I can live with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncpatraveler Posted August 26, 2008 #90 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I'm booked on the 8/31 sailing of the Pearl....and received an email yesterday cancelling my excursion in Victoria. When I called to see why...I was told that the ship would be arriving in Victoria too late to be able to offer any excursions there. Today I received a prerecorded message explaining that the ship had a problem that required it to go slower putting us into Victoria much later than expected. I am disappointed about missing Victoria, but I'm scheduled to leave here on Saturday and my main interest was in Alaska(specifically Glacier Bay) anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrymtex01 Posted August 26, 2008 #91 Share Posted August 26, 2008 I have to agree, I got no notification except a note that my excursion at Victoria was "No longer available", if it hadn't been for CruiseCritic I wouldn't have known what the problem was at all. I called my Travel Agent and she informed me that she knew nothing of the problem. After placing a call to Norwegian she called back and said that I could accept the $50 credit or Nowegian would allow me to cancel for a full refund. I told her to call them and say we would indeed cancel unless we got something more. This is very upsetting for my wife who said that Victoria was the port she was anticipating the most. We shall see what the response is, and I will post it here. Well.. at least with a full refund you guys could just got to Victoria instead and your wife would have a whole week there. We have never been to Victoria, so I am assuming you can stay there a week, eat, and get around for the same cost as the cruise, but I don't know for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrymtex01 Posted August 26, 2008 #92 Share Posted August 26, 2008 NCL is talking to Victoria Shipyards, and may cancel the last Alaskan sailing, and put into the dry dock for repairs, prior to heading for the canal. Also being looked at, is a dry docking in San Fransico rather than Victoria. YYJGUY, now people on that last cruising are goiing to be worried until they hear something from NCL. Can you tell us what your source is so people know if they really should be worried or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yyjguy Posted August 27, 2008 #93 Share Posted August 27, 2008 NCL has been inquiring as to dry dock availability, and Victoria Ship services to tend to the repairs. I work at the dry dock. They have made the same inquiries at the San Francisco shipyards. They spoke to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiasugar Posted August 27, 2008 #94 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Thank you for that information. In your opinion, what are the chances that the 9/14/8 cruise to Alaska will be canceled? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrymtex01 Posted August 27, 2008 #95 Share Posted August 27, 2008 NCL has been inquiring as to dry dock availability, and Victoria Ship services to tend to the repairs. I work at the dry dock. They have made the same inquiries at the San Francisco shipyards. They spoke to us. WOW.. ok.. that is fairly first hand knowledge. Would you get on here and let us know as soon as you hear something has been decided? I know the people on the remaining alaskan cruises are anxious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yyjguy Posted August 27, 2008 #96 Share Posted August 27, 2008 NCL is only looking at options right now, so that they can make a decision that is best for their operations, and thus passengers. Once determined when dry dock space is available, and where (Victoria, California, Freeport or east coast ship yards) they will make their choice. Space here is very limited, as we have several cruise ships lined up for scheduled refits, San Fran has a major refit for Star Princess planned. My guess, is going to Freeport once the canal trip is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msydpdx Posted August 27, 2008 #97 Share Posted August 27, 2008 I spoke with NCL last night and they are going to send divers down to take a look at the azipod. They think there is a possibility that they can possibly repair under water. I'm told our cruise on 9/21 (reposition) is not affected at this point, just the Alaska cruises. Victoria has a lot to offer, but a weekend would be enough. The time you have in port is mostly after dark, so nothing really lost. Plus it is Saturday evening and many things close early. If you are taking this cruise just for that port I suggest you cancel and just go to Victoria. Wouldn't be my choice after taking this cruise last year--the highlight is Glacier Bay--it is ...well... there are no words. "Unbelievable" may come close. I plan to do it again just to repeat the experience. We saw bears swimming, whales, eagles, seals, salmon, chunks of ice floating by, etc. And the stars at night are awesome. Think hard before you cancel this one... D Ann :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy86 Posted August 27, 2008 #98 Share Posted August 27, 2008 NCL is only looking at options right now, so that they can make a decision that is best for their operations, and thus passengers. Once determined when dry dock space is available, and where (Victoria, California, Freeport or east coast ship yards) they will make their choice. Space here is very limited, as we have several cruise ships lined up for scheduled refits, San Fran has a major refit for Star Princess planned. My guess, is going to Freeport once the canal trip is done. Well hopefully your guess is wrong, because I'm on the 10/12 carribean cruise right after the repositioning. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vol fan Posted August 27, 2008 #99 Share Posted August 27, 2008 Amy86, Come on over to our 10-12 roll call and join in on the fun. Volfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosting Master Posted August 27, 2008 #100 Share Posted August 27, 2008 We are on the 9/7 cruise and so far have received a phone call and an email informing us of the port changes. I'm impressed with NCL. Of course, I already knew about these changes because, here at Cruise Critic, we have the best information. Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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