NoobCroozer

FYI for anyone who paid for a cruise via AMEX and afraid of the future of the industry and not receiving their refund. I contacted AMEX 2 days ago to file a dispute pertaining to the cancellation of an upcoming cruise by NCL. I was completely up front with them and advised that I was not defrauded, but that I felt that waiting 90 days + was excessive and unreasonable. I advised them of the refund policy, everything was explained to them in great detail (that the refund request had to be made at a later date, and payment within 90 days). I personally was going to wait the 90 days until the news broke of the possibility of NCL filing for bankruptcy. That's when I called. 

Was just advised that the dispute was complete and my check was in the mail. Took two days.

I'm sure all results may vary, but I have been with AMEX for decades and never disputed a charge. Should also note the entire cruise was paid on the AMEX.

Good luck and be well.

21 hours ago, Jersey42 said:

One more thing. Before you cancel, you should probably confirm the current cancellation policy with your cruise line.  Things have changed drastically over the past few weeks, so you might be able to get your 100%  money back for the cruise and not have to file an insurance claim.  Same thing for air fare.

Thanks for the response...

I know that many are offering 100% refunds, but NCL is taking minimum of 90 days to repay, I'm not feeling too good about the industries longevity. Combining our current situation and the uncertain future of cruising, I'm thinking of playing it safe and taking the 75% back in a couple of weeks from insurance.

Hello,

   We have never had to cancel a cruise. We have third party CFAR, and are cancelling for personal medical reasons. Do you cancel first with the cruise line or with the third party insurance company? Been on hold forever with the insurance carrier.

Thank you and be well.

2 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

A US Navy hospital ship is being dispatched to NY City...so we have a real floating hospital on the way 

Yeah I know but it's a drop in the bucket. There are a total of 53,000 beds in NY, and they are estimating we will need 140,000 beds in 14-21 days. Hopefully the curve starts to level soon.

2 hours ago, njhorseman said:

First, using cruise ships as hospitals is not practical for a variety of reasons. There's a lengthy thread on the "Ask a Cruise Question" board discussing it. Regardless, who said they would allow the ships to be used at no cost? After Hurricane Katrina Carnival got paid a pretty  penny to allow a ships to be used as hotels for evacuees and displaced city workers. 

 

 

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

I didn't say it would be at not cost, I would expect them to bill. But I would think who ever did step up with some beds, which New York in particular needs desperately, it could receive come sort of aid. Whether a PR stunt or not.

I will now get edumicated on the post you state.

Be well.

1 hour ago, esm54687 said:

I'm a little frustrated that the cruise industry flags their ships in foreign countries to bypass taxes, labor laws, etc from the US but here they are getting my tax money instead of it going in my pocket where it should.

The only way I wouldn't object to some sort of relief is if the lines took page out of Carnivals playbook and allowed their ships to be used as hospitals.

1 hour ago, cartman3132 said:

I don't get this prevailing thought they're not sailing.  How long do you think a business can survive without taking customers?  They'll be sailing in May, probably late April, it'll be up to you if you're going or not.

I have some stock in the Brooklyn Bridge, hit me up.

2 hours ago, zqvol said:

 

I think that there is a good chance that you will be able to go in late July. I anticipate that our May 31 cruise will be a go.

Wishful thinking.

The curve is onward and upward doubling overnight all over the globe. The only country to have it under control (so they say) cannot be trusted. Until a particular region flattens out, forget about it. And even if said region flattens out I highly doubt they would accept travelers from abroad into their ports.

21 hours ago, megansdad1 said:

During this whole epidemic, I have been looking into how various cruise lines have been responding and treating their customers.  I feel that NCL has done a very poor job.  Between the leaked emails encouraging rep to lie to customers. NCL saying that they will resume operations in April.  The way they are holding peoples money.  The way that they will not let you use the FCC towards things that your money originally went to.  

 

 

 

 

We are in uncharted waters here.....while I agree that something does seem fishy, pretty much everyone outside of NY and LA are saying there will be a two week quarantine, when we all know it will take a lot longer than that. Also, perhaps they are saving returns until the original date to sail? I don't know as I have never had to cancel cruise, what is the SOP? Do you typically get a refund ASAP?

1 hour ago, Waquoit said:

I don't know but I wonder if they wait until your cruise date before they issue a refund. 

Sounds reasonable.

5 hours ago, Waquoit said:

 

Huh? Until Monday their president was calling it a Democratic hoax. Let's not blame those who listen to their president. We still don't know how bad this because we don't have nearly enough testing yet.

He said the criticism by the Democrats of his administration's handling of the virus was "the new hoax". He did not at any time refer to the virus itself as a hoax.

59 minutes ago, GlamorousGirl said:

 

PS - even with all this traveling neither of us has gotten sick. We’re using sanitizer and washing hands a lot

I hope you are right, and you will be ok (and that you did not infect anyone else).

It can take up to 14 days to be symptomatic. Also, some physicians believe you can be infectious for up to 37 days (even after recovery).

It's nothing to play around with.

48 minutes ago, fanotravel said:

Our sailing was for the date of March 16 so we will get the 150% FCC.   We know we will be cruising in the future so we will take the 150% cruise credit.  50% return on an investment is not a bad return if you choose to look at it in that light.  

It would be, I agree. But something tells me the costs associated with cruising may go up, at which point you'll probably break even. Still a good faith offer. As is the 100% refund.

4 hours ago, seaman11 said:

i think the cruiselines and the passengers are well aware of whats going on and that all are taking extra precautions , then it would be fine.  i didnt hear any new reports  of more cases from cruises coming back this week. 

The thing is, this is new territory. According to physicians, they are finding tat the virus remains with the host for 37 days. So, you have the virus for a few days, feel better, and what do you do? You'll carry on as if you just got over the flu and go about your day to day routine while infecting everyone along the way that's susceptible.

11 hours ago, dockman said:

 

 

An FCC is simply and IOU but if NCL jacks prices up, as it appears to be doing already,  it really does not provide you with the product you purchased. 

 

An IOU will also be close to the bottom of the list of reimbursements if NCL should declare bankruptcy and after all the lawyers and fat cats divvy up the carcass you can pretty well bet your IOU won't be worth the paper it is printed on.

 

 

Two valid points, which is why I will attempt to exercise my CFAR for 75%. At least I'll get something in return (without mentioning covid-19 of course).

I wouldn't hold your breath with the CC companies, I checked all of my contracts, I didn't see a provision on there, even with AMEX. AMEX is usually pretty good with resolution issues, however given the fact that NCL is offering FCC as a good faith effort, I don't see them entertaining a claim. But Im not an expert on the matter so who knows.

21 hours ago, big al said:

 

You are welcome..and I agree on your point about posters- this is why I have dropped my  posting a lot the last 2-3 years....

Ditto....Been off here for about 5 years for the same reason. Only to come back and find the snark has multiplied 10 fold.

7 minutes ago, seemoreroyals said:

Forgot to mention that during this CNN Coronavirus special report they referred to cruise ships as floating hot zones.  

If this thing breaks out, any confined space is problematic. Had a recent checkup, the Dr. advised don't sweat it, but utilize caution and exercise due diligence. That being said, she also said to keep a minimum of 6' from anyone at all times (which, on a mega ship could be hard to do).

That's great news, hopefully NCL follows suit. I like everything about it. They provide a year for rescheduling or they offer a good faith on board credit if you chance it. 

Does anyone know if you have a third party CFAR, that that could possibly be transferred as well? I'm thinking not. 

3 hours ago, firstimerhaven said:

I probably should have said in my original question, I live in Westchester where there is now a big cluster.  I work in Manhattan.  My kids go to school walking distance from one of the schools that was closed because of this cluster.  I take the subway every day.  But I am still torn about going because of the risk of quarantine.  

I hear you, if you're in Westchester, we're practically neighbors. Watching the numbers around us triple daily. I also work in the city. Good times.....They are also bringing home 300 SUNY/CUNY students from China, S Korea, Italy and Iran through Stewart, so hopefully they can successfully quarantine them. I am in the same situation with an upcoming in May and worried about the quarantine more than anything. Go with your gut instinct, good luck (if the numbers around us continue to spike, I'm out).

12 minutes ago, babydaryl24 said:

Someone on Twitter just said their Priceline support agent called them back this morning to say, "Dont cancel yet. Changes are coming, even for existing reservations.."

 

So we shall see.

Thanks!

11 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

It is because NCL does NOT sell CFAR insurance. The insurance will only pay for an approved reason. 

 

So, if you cancel because you are afraid of COVID-19, you submit a claim to the NCL insurance company and they will, more than likely, deny the claim and pay you $0. 

 

Once the insurance company denies your claim, you submit the $0 reimbursement to NCL who will provide you a Future Cruise Credit for either 75% or 90% of your cruise fare (only). 

That's what I thought.....I keep hearing NCL has CFAR, and I'm like "what did I miss?".

48 minutes ago, blcruising said:

That's kind of where I am with it. Last week I was all in, that is starting to change each day. I really want to go, but logic is saying don't.....as is the rest of my family and just about everyone else I know. I have the 75% CFAR so I suppose I just wait it out and make a final decision three days before sailing. Concerned about getting back into US, healthcare overseas, being exposed from someone else that has it, NCL rerouting itineraries and making changes at the very last minute, scrambling to reshuffle flights, family worrying, etc...too much up in the air and unnecessary hassle.

Same here (with all your points). Pertaining to CFAR, I'm also 75% covered for a voyage in May. Hopefully NCL offers 100% credit to a future cruise before then, I would take that. So long as the time to utilize is reasonable....not "offer good for June/July of 2020".

I was in both on a CCL. Other than the shops and a snorkeling excursion, I did not go to a beach in St Thomas. I did however go to the Virgin Gorda Bath's in Tortola, which is my favorite beach of all time. Absolutely surreal. The only downside (not for me, for the wife) was the ferry to Tortola was pretty rough (I thought it was fun, but there were a few green folks).

Would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath. I have CFAR, which I may or may not use for an upcoming in May, but if 100% could be used at a later date, I would take it. My CFAR only guarantees 75% back.

48 minutes ago, Booboochase said:

Thank you Noobcruiser for the insurance info.  I did find the cryptic insurance company lol...it stated on there that you must purchase the cfar insurance within 21 days of first deposit.  Too late for us unfortunately.  But I do appreciate the info!!

Give them a call anyway....we were right at the 21 day mark and were concerned we wouldn't be eligible (we were actually at the 20 day mark). My wife seems to recall that for the policy we were signing didn't have that limitation. They were very helpful, you could probably get an answer right away. I HAVE seen that a lot of carriers have been adjusting their policies because of Covid-19, effecting policy's purchased after January 21. At least you will be able to get some info for your next cruise....