leaveitallbehind

Yep and there I go again forgetting the no-show doesn't have one - too many senior moments LOL. You have it all correctly - sorry again for my confusion!

If that was an RCCL agent, that isn't too terribly surprising. While they are well trained in the basics regarding making bookings, etc., they may not be as well versed in the details regarding the app. They work out of a call center and I would venture to guess that most of them have never been on a cruise and don't have direct experience with some of the things they are asked about. If you ever run into a wall with them, ask to elevate the conversation to a supervisor. BTW if you end up with a no-show, those package cancelations are made directly on the app by that passenger. The port fees will be refunded directly to the booking.

Sorry, I did misunderstand that - and just wanted you to be aware there are refund opportunities for that. You were probably clear - I was likely foggy. LOL. So you are covered and that is good! BTW the other comments regarding port fee refunds is also valid. Enjoy your cruise!

I understand that, and it is as I thought. So that's good. However, if you know that they will be a no show at least 48 hours prior to sailing time they should be able to cancel their packages without penalty for a full refund. At that late date there will be no refund on their cruise fare, but port fees will be credited.

No, your purchases should not be canceled. However unless you request to cancel the no-show passengers purchases that money will likely not be refunded. Package and other purchases made through the app can be canceled (and rebooked) without penalty prior to sailing. I agree as well not to rely on an email - call and speak to someone about this to confirm your options. Did you book directly or through a travel agent? There are also implications regarding the money spent for the initial booking fare of the no show passenger as well. If you booked through a TA they are the ones that would have to handle this for you. Otherwise if you booked directly with RCCL, then you need to talk directly with a customer service representative there. But CALL - do not just email!

I think you can put this issue to bed as it is clear that the information you received was incorrect, which is also supported by the responses you've received on your similar post on the NCL board. If for some reason you still aren't sure then contact NCL again and ask to speak with a supervisor to confirm. I assure you the times are not 2 hours post docking and 2 hours pre departure on ports of call. Book your independent excursions and plan to enjoy your cruise. BTW those operators will know the appropriate start and end times to comply with the ship's requirements.

In this case I don't think that is likely as routine drydocks normally only take 2-3 weeks. If the drydock is part of the amplification program that could take 4-5 weeks. In either case Quantum is showing itineraries available prior to the sailing date in question.

I'm also a little confused by this situation as there is still a Quantum sailing on the books, but it is a 14 night transpacific repositioning cruise from Seattle to Tokyo on 9/30 with no ports of call in Hawaii. Perhaps this is what the original cruise canceled / changed to? Completely different. Prior to 9/30 Quantum is doing Seattle / Alaska itineraries The only 9-night Vancouver to Hawaii is on Ovation of the Seas on 10/4. So if this is it, it would have been a ship change as well. Prior to 10/4 Ovation is also showing Seattle / Alaska itineraries. Following the 10/4 Hawaii 9 night is an 18 night transpacific repositioning cruise from Hawaii to Australia.

There really are two issues here: the cancelation of the cruise, and your perspective on the customer service - or lack thereof - you have received. As to the first part, there could be a number of valid reasons why this cancelation was made, and contractually by your booking agreement, they are within their rights to do so. It is unfortunate and unpleasant, but that is the way it is. Canceling an itinerary is one of the last things a cruise line wants to do as it is very disruptive for everyone and always results in negative feedback about them. Hopefully at some point some clarity will be provided for your understanding. As to your thoughts on their customer service, travel agents are in essence the extended sales arm of the cruise lines. When you book through one, they have responsibility for, and control, your booking. By that relationship, the cruise lines cannot talk to you directly about the booking and you are obligated to go through your TA. The TA also cannot provide any direct internal cruise line call line for you, but they certainly can, and should, manage your situation with the cruise line on your behalf. They are your advocate and this is part of their responsibility. I would contact your TA (again) to review and determine your best option and to see whatever information has been made available to them regarding the original itinerary. I'm very sorry this has occurred with your first cruise experience. It is one of the most unfortunate things that can, and occasionally do, arise. The cruise line is trying to do the best for you given the circumstances, an you do have the three options presented. As such, I hope this all works out to your satisfaction and that you enjoy your first cruise.

As long as the topic was raised I will add that with most cruise lines, you will not receive any credit or refund of the fare paid due to missed ports for the affected cruise, however they may issue some form of an on board credit or discount for a future booking.

As @mom says, plus any port fees associated with any missed port of call.

Agree!

I have never cruised with NCL but have to say that in 50+ cruises I have never heard - nor experienced - that. That just makes no sense to me. It has always been as described by myself and others on this thread. And if that is the case then that is one reason I likely will never sail with them. IMO whomever you have talked with is incorrect and I would call back to reconfirm. I would also post this question on the NCL board to get responses from other NCL cruisers to hear their experiences. Here is that link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/

Agree. But for clarity, in either case the 2 hour guideline as questioned by the OP would not apply, as ports of call would typically have disembarkation commencing as soon as the ship has cleared immigration at the port of call, and return embarkation typically 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure, as others have said. Agree, as suggested by others, that the 2 hour guideline is, in particular, for initial departure, and final disembarkation.

I am saying that as well. If it is called a service charge then the passenger is obligated to pay it to NCL. Calling it a gratuity provides the passenger the option not to pay it to NCL. Calling it a service charge assures NCL that the money is indeed paid by the passenger. Further, NCL's own statement indicates that this service charge is a component of the applicable staffs compensation.

...and I wasn't trying to suggest changing lines, only pointing out who, IMO, has the better programs to consider. As one formerly involved with the travel industry, has the NCL air program worked well in the past and is this your first negative experience? I ask only as I want to compare opinions with my posted response. Hopefully you will still find a successful resolution.

Fortunately, no we have not, and I can't answer your specific situation other than to say IMO NCL has one of the worst air programs. While they often are inexpensive, they frequently are at inconvenient times, via connecting flights, and at the lowest cabin class, and will have itinerary changes that are not always caused by the carrier. Your situation is unacceptable. I would continue to press NCL for a correction, or at least to put you both together on the changed flight. If you booked through a TA they should be able to assist. I realize it's too late in your case but for future reference, IMO, Princess and RCCL / Celebrity have very good programs of the mass market cruise lines that offer that service. Otherwise I would book the air directly. I hope you are able to find an acceptable solution with NCL with this. Also as this specifically relates to NCL you may also want to post this on the NCL board for additional responses here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/

Hopefully he was a good conversationalist!

Not sure from where you are determining "it's some US legal thing"? But even so, I think your assumption may not be correct, as with the exception of Pride of America, NCL ships are of Bahamas registry and would not be subject to US guidelines regarding crew compensation. From the NCL website: Staff members including complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff are compensated by a combination of salary and incentive programs that your service charge supports. I'm going to take them at their word and believe that calling this a mandatory service charge assures that it is paid whereas, as mentioned before, if it is called a gratuity it becomes optional and may not be paid. IMO this also mitigates the international debates regarding gratuities and fixes those amounts as part of the cruise fare as a supplemental service charge. This is also not a debate on who gets how much, as with the standard gratuities program I'm not sure we know that either. It just seems to me to be NCL's method of assuring something is indeed paid.

But for clarity, as I understand it, most cruise lines don't take insurance on board for these charges and they need paid via credit card on board and then submitted to your insurance carrier separately, correct? Glad she is better now!

Of those islands, Uber is only in Barbados, but as @navybankerteacher points out, cabs are plentiful at each port of call. In St. Lucia look for a light blue number license plate with a TX prefix for authorized cabs. In Barbados they have a Z on their plates. Set the price with all ahead of time and if need be, arrange with your driver a return pick up. We've done that in St. Martin when we went to Yellow Beach on Pinel Island for the day.

What a State! 🤪

Mobility scooters for use on the ship can be charged on the ship, I guess by plugging the charger into the room plug? I would think the e-scooters would be charged in a similar manner.

Yes, it is a service charge - that is the language they use. My guess is that makes it mandatory and avoids non-payment of these amounts if the were called gratuities. Maybe this is the way of the cruise industry....

Yeah, Charles4525 provided that link earlier. They may be becoming common, but they must be relatively new there as they weren't there in July '22 when we were there last. The mini-car rentals had only recently entered service there then as well.