Last year I went on a Panama Canal cruise and due to changes in cruise fares, I got a Future Cruise Credit, which needed to be used within a year. I was running out of time, so recently booked an Alaska cruise that was way cheaper than my FCC ($3000+ FCC, $900- cruise fare), and understood that I would forfeit the unused FCC.
I prepaid gratuities and the port fees/taxes and purchased insurance for medical reasons, so the out of pocket cost ended up being about $1000. As I mentioned, the cruise fare was completely paid for by the FCC. I was told that if I cancelled, the prepaid gratuities and fees would be refunded.
A week before the cruise my dad had a stroke. He is home now, but needs lots of care. So I cancelled the cruise two days before departure.
Today I was told that since my cruise fair was more than what I paid, there would be no refund of gratuities and fees. WHAT?!?! I was told to submit an $800 claim to insurance. While I understand that I CAN do this, it seems completely wrong to me, and not what I was told. I have responded to my NCL contacts, but how can this be the policy? Any advice for how to get NCL to honor what they originally told me about refunds?
After my last two experiences with NCL (the Panama Canal cruise had many, many sick people and it's the one where the gangway collapsed and injured several passengers) I am not so keen on doing business with them anymore.