Azipod on the Pearl

[northwestbear]

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.:(

[ohioNCLcruiser]

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)

[mush71]

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.

[Markandrews]

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

[wrp96]

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.

[maiasugar]

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.

[SnowAviation]

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.

[Markandrews]

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.

[sugarbabe]

So does anyone know the status of the Pearl. Sailing in 9 days to Alaska on it!! Sept 7!!

[sugarbabe]

So does anyone know the status of the Pearl. Sailing in 9 days to Alaska on it!! Sept 7:confused:

[Glassgirl202]

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. :)

[pj-n-bob]

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.

[maiasugar]

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 from

Seattle, Washington on September 7, 2008 and September 14, 2008. All guests booked on these sailings need to be

aware 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'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 Arrive Depart

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 Arrive Depart

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

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. 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 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

Page 1

[pj-n-bob]

Thanks, maiasugar...I can live with that.

[ncpatraveler]

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.

[terrymtex01]

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.

[terrymtex01]

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?

[yyjguy]

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.

[maiasugar]

Thank you for that information.

In your opinion, what are the chances that the 9/14/8

cruise to Alaska will be canceled?

[terrymtex01]

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

[yyjguy]

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.

[msydpdx]

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

[amy86]

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. :(

[Vol fan]

Amy86,

Come on over to our 10-12 roll call and join in on the fun.

Volfan

[Frosting Master]

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