NCL Hell - Beware

[cruisinbill3]

I had a similar incident last Fall beginning a W. Med cruise. I was aware of the pick pockets and had my wallet stolen in Barcelona on a main street. I had my wallet in my right hand pocket wilth my hand hovering over it on the outside, patting the wallet occasionally. One time I patted and the wallet was gone. I had about $375 in American money and Euros. I sopped in a vey nice jewelry to ask for directions to the nearest police station.The lady manager made sveral phone calls. Filled out a report at the police station and got a copy. They said wallets are never found, but ususlly thrown away. Of course I had credit cards, ID etc. My Passport was not taken. Back on board ship I reported what happened. There was one young man who went above and the call of duty to assist me in canceling credit cards etc. Contacted my bank and American Express. He arranged for me to pick up money at he next port. Even located the building that was located just off the ship.Picked up the money and had a good cruise despite the loss of money. He was terrific. I was on the NCL Gem. I wrote a nice note to his superiors commending him for his service to me. Best advice, wear a money belt or better still wear a pouch around your neck. I was fortunate as I had copies of my passport and drivers license in he safe on the ship.

Cruisinbill Vero Beach, FL

[jocap]

Hi Gemini

 

We're thinking of doing a news piece on your passport story so if you're checking in and monitoring the thread, could you please make contact? It's sue@cruisecritic.co.uk.

 

Sue Bryant

Contributing Editor

Sue- are you following this on the other site? Because NCL UK has come back with their answer.

Jo.

[hat776]

Sue- are you following this on the other site? Because NCL UK has come back with their answer.

Jo.

I still can't understand the policy. I understand that passengers should have an original passport when they board. But once the passport has been scanned by the ship's security system it seems so cruel to deny boarding to a passenger whose passport has been stolen and let them sort out the problem at the next Port.

Just imagine if this had happened to an elderly person or someone who couldn't easily get hold of the extra cash needed.

Wisdom after the event - if I ever lose a passport I won't advise the ship until it has sailed. I don't imagine they would throw me overboard or have the ship turn back so that I would be made to disembark.

(the other site is cruise.co.uk )

[JLC@SD]

Maybe if NCL let him travel without a passport he would not be able to get off at the next port - or any other port. It would be like Charlie and the MTA. He would ride forever on the Norwegian Jade but never return. Poor old Charlie.

 

......I never could understand why.......in the song....Charlie's wife threw him a sandwich through the open window..........but she never threw him another nickel.....which is what he needed.....to get off the train.......:rolleyes:

[terryblue]

I still can't understand the policy. I understand that passengers should have an original passport when they board. But once the passport has been scanned by the ship's security system it seems so cruel to deny boarding to a passenger whose passport has been stolen and let them sort out the problem at the next Port.

Just imagine if this had happened to an elderly person or someone who couldn't easily get hold of the extra cash needed.

Wisdom after the event - if I ever lose a passport I won't advise the ship until it has sailed. I don't imagine they would throw me overboard or have the ship turn back so that I would be made to disembark.

(the other site is cruise.co.uk )

 

This is the NCL reply

 

In response to Gemini

This is a response from NCL UK’s PR team after looking into your case closely.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has a responsibility to ensure all guests comply with immigration control regulations and this includes being in possession of a valid, hard copy passport onboard.

 

When the guest had his passport stolen Norwegian Cruise Line asked the pier supervisor, port agent and Barcelona-based tour company to help him make the necessary arrangements until a replacement passport was sought.

 

As you know, the guest was able to embark the ship the following day and complete his cruise, after Norwegian Cruise Line helped him to arrange overnight hotel accommodation.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line asks all guests to ensure they have adequate travel insurance to cover them during their trip. We also advise all guests to be vigilant with their belongings in all ports of call.

_______________________________________________________________

 

If you read the thread on the other site you will find that the same thing happened to someone on a P&O cruise. They were not thrown of the ship but were helped to obtain a new passport the next day, so obviousy P&O do not have to met the same immigration control regulations as NCL, or NCL are an uncaring and unsympathetic company. I have cruised with NCL previously but I will never sail with them again if that is the way they treat people.

Further to the passport debate, we were in Barcelona and other Spanish resorts at Easter and we were told that we must carry an original photo ID not a copy. I had my photo driving license and used that which was very lucky because on this my 6th visit to Barcelona I lost my wallet to pickpockets.

 

Terry

[sparks1093]

This is the NCL reply

 

In response to Gemini

This is a response from NCL UK’s PR team after looking into your case closely.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has a responsibility to ensure all guests comply with immigration control regulations and this includes being in possession of a valid, hard copy passport onboard.

 

When the guest had his passport stolen Norwegian Cruise Line asked the pier supervisor, port agent and Barcelona-based tour company to help him make the necessary arrangements until a replacement passport was sought.

 

As you know, the guest was able to embark the ship the following day and complete his cruise, after Norwegian Cruise Line helped him to arrange overnight hotel accommodation.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line asks all guests to ensure they have adequate travel insurance to cover them during their trip. We also advise all guests to be vigilant with their belongings in all ports of call.

_______________________________________________________________

 

If you read the thread on the other site you will find that the same thing happened to someone on a P&O cruise. They were not thrown of the ship but were helped to obtain a new passport the next day, so obviousy P&O do not have to met the same immigration control regulations as NCL, or NCL are an uncaring and unsympathetic company. I have cruised with NCL previously but I will never sail with them again if that is the way they treat people.

Further to the passport debate, we were in Barcelona and other Spanish resorts at Easter and we were told that we must carry an original photo ID not a copy. I had my photo driving license and used that which was very lucky because on this my 6th visit to Barcelona I lost my wallet to pickpockets.

 

Terry

 

So NCL did not just abandon the OP's DH, they made arrangements for him to be taken care of with staff at the port. And you say this is uncaring and unsympathetic? Each to his own, but it sounds like they did what they should have done. NCL has to obey the law (and it is irrelevant that some other company does not).

[Mooder]

......I never could understand why.......in the song....Charlie's wife threw him a sandwich through the open window..........but she never threw him another nickel.....which is what he needed.....to get off the train.......:rolleyes:

 

ROFL. How often I've thought the same thing!! But then it wouldn't have been much of a protest song, would it? ;)

[Mooder]

This is the NCL reply

 

In response to Gemini

This is a response from NCL UK’s PR team after looking into your case closely.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has a responsibility to ensure all guests comply with immigration control regulations and this includes being in possession of a valid, hard copy passport onboard.

 

When the guest had his passport stolen Norwegian Cruise Line asked the pier supervisor, port agent and Barcelona-based tour company to help him make the necessary arrangements until a replacement passport was sought.

 

As you know, the guest was able to embark the ship the following day and complete his cruise, after Norwegian Cruise Line helped him to arrange overnight hotel accommodation.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line asks all guests to ensure they have adequate travel insurance to cover them during their trip. We also advise all guests to be vigilant with their belongings in all ports of call.

_______________________________________________________________

 

If you read the thread on the other site you will find that the same thing happened to someone on a P&O cruise. They were not thrown of the ship but were helped to obtain a new passport the next day, so obviousy P&O do not have to met the same immigration control regulations as NCL, or NCL are an uncaring and unsympathetic company. I have cruised with NCL previously but I will never sail with them again if that is the way they treat people.

Further to the passport debate, we were in Barcelona and other Spanish resorts at Easter and we were told that we must carry an original photo ID not a copy. I had my photo driving license and used that which was very lucky because on this my 6th visit to Barcelona I lost my wallet to pickpockets.

 

Terry

 

I hope those that said NCL treatment of the OP was horrendous and that the man was simply "dumped" off the ship, will apologize now ... but I'm not holding my breath. :rolleyes:

[Globaliser]

I hope those that said NCL treatment of the OP was horrendous and that the man was simply "dumped" off the ship, will apologize now ... but I'm not holding my breath. :rolleyes:

I also hope that the OP will now come back and apologise for having failed to tell the truth. But that's an even vainer hope, I fear.

 

However, it will reinforce many people's scepticism about ranting one-post wonders:-

We explained all the resources to get any other money were taken along with his stolen wallet and asked how he was to get another passport etc but she shrugged her shoulders and stated it was not her problem. It beggared belief this was the reaction and it only compounded our anxiety and distress even more. My husband was being thrown off the ship without a bean for all anyone knew. No one cared he was being abandoned in Barcelona. My husband had transferred money from his bank account into mine earlier whilst on the phone but as far as they knew he had nothing and at no point enquired to his health, his ability to cope, absolutely nothing at all.

[Mooder]

I also hope that the OP will now come back and apologise for having failed to tell the truth. But that's an even vainer hope, I fear.

 

However, it will reinforce many people's scepticism about ranting one-post wonders:-

 

I guess it depends on what your definition of "abandoned" is. Last I knew it didn't involve being put in the hands of 3 different persons and/or entities specifically qualified to assist. ;)

 

To be accurate, while it appears as though she was a one-post wonder, she did come back and post a couple of times after the initial post to respond to subsequent posters, but those posts were deleted for some reason. It is odd and confusing since nothing in them seemed any more or less significant or inflammatory than the OP which remains. :confused:

[Globaliser]

To be accurate, while it appears as though she was a one-post wonder, she did come back and post a couple of times after the initial post to respond to subsequent posters, but those posts were deleted for some reason. It is odd and confusing since nothing in them seemed any more or less significant or inflammatory than the OP which remains.

I suspect that the reason for their deletion was something else, but we're not supposed to talk about that.

 

Although the OP did come back and post twice more, the first post had all the hallmarks of the one-post wonder - and it seems quite fitting that that's the way this thread has been left. :)

[Planer's Edge]

I hope those that said NCL treatment of the OP was horrendous and that the man was simply "dumped" off the ship, will apologize now ... but I'm not holding my breath. :rolleyes:

 

...expecting people to apologize for their error in judgementalness? Are you serious? :rolleyes:

 

PE

[Mooder]

Although the OP did come back and post twice more, the first post had all the hallmarks of the one-post wonder - and it seems quite fitting that that's the way this thread has been left. :)

 

I couldn't agree more - some things happen for a reason.

[SueBryantCruiseUK]

Thanks, jocap. I'm following this story on three sites so far; it was our editorial team here who alerted NCL in the UK to the postings. It's not the technicalities of the passport story that interest me, but why the OP has not joined in the debate here. She's posted a bit more elsewhere but the members of that thread are almost universally sympathetic to her, whereas we at CC have, I think, looked at both sides of the argument. Maybe the original intention was purely to have a rant. Maybe she didn't get the sympathy she was looking for here. Who knows?

[salty dingo]

It's complete stupidity on both parts. For the passenger, he should never have disclosed the passport was stolen. It should never have left the ship after all, and is not required for re-boarding.

 

Secondly, NCL should have pretended to not hear about the lost passport. They complied with all the relevant laws when they checked the passport at the start of the voyage. When was the last time the authorities did a shake down of all the passengers on a cruise for a passport, in the middle of a voyage? It is not going to happen.

 

It seems there were some bad decisions made here and it cost the passengers a lot of money. Next time, keep you mouth SHUT!

[CT Cruiser10]

It's complete stupidity on both parts. For the passenger, he should never have disclosed the passport was stolen. It should never have left the ship after all, and is not required for re-boarding.

 

Secondly, NCL should have pretended to not hear about the lost passport. They complied with all the relevant laws when they checked the passport at the start of the voyage. When was the last time the authorities did a shake down of all the passengers on a cruise for a passport, in the middle of a voyage? It is not going to happen.

 

It seems there were some bad decisions made here and it cost the passengers a lot of money. Next time, keep you mouth SHUT!

 

It seems to me that NCL followed the law. You are suggesting that they don't follow the law.

[mpk218]

It's complete stupidity on both parts. For the passenger, he should never have disclosed the passport was stolen. It should never have left the ship after all, and is not required for re-boarding.

 

Secondly, NCL should have pretended to not hear about the lost passport. They complied with all the relevant laws when they checked the passport at the start of the voyage. When was the last time the authorities did a shake down of all the passengers on a cruise for a passport, in the middle of a voyage? It is not going to happen.

 

It seems there were some bad decisions made here and it cost the passengers a lot of money. Next time, keep you mouth SHUT!

 

 

In a perfect world ..LOL ;)

[sparks1093]

It's complete stupidity on both parts. For the passenger, he should never have disclosed the passport was stolen. It should never have left the ship after all, and is not required for re-boarding.

 

Secondly, NCL should have pretended to not hear about the lost passport. They complied with all the relevant laws when they checked the passport at the start of the voyage. When was the last time the authorities did a shake down of all the passengers on a cruise for a passport, in the middle of a voyage? It is not going to happen.

 

It seems there were some bad decisions made here and it cost the passengers a lot of money. Next time, keep you mouth SHUT!

 

There is a name for companies that flout the law. They are called defendants:D.

[jocap]

Thanks, jocap. I'm following this story on three sites so far; it was our editorial team here who alerted NCL in the UK to the postings. It's not the technicalities of the passport story that interest me, but why the OP has not joined in the debate here. She's posted a bit more elsewhere but the members of that thread are almost universally sympathetic to her, whereas we at CC have, I think, looked at both sides of the argument. Maybe the original intention was purely to have a rant. Maybe she didn't get the sympathy she was looking for here. Who knows?

Sue- I'm a bit torn myself on this one; I can feel the shock of the OP at seeing her partner suddenly leaving the ship, and I can see the daftness that took a passport into Bcn without security. I'm also aware that he had no need for a passport again until returning to the UK, being a member of the EU. People will go on a package holiday to Europe 2 or 3 times a year, without ever worrying about such things because there's a friendly holiday rep to pick up the pieces.....a cruise line is very different to that, and many pax don't read the rules. I was stopped from checking in on line with P&O, for a simple Med cruise, because my passport didn't have the full 6 months on it....I never thought about it, as I was only going round the Med, where a passport can be used up to its last day.....I hadn't read the small print.

But there seems to be a lack of common sense- or "job's worth" on the part of the staff member who heard about the passport, esp. as the ship was sailing on to France/Monaco....there would be no time to claim for a temporary passport in Bcn if it was ship's sailing time, and security could have escorted the pax next am to the embassy in Monaco. Lock him in the brig- whatever- but it seems to have been handled in a heavy handed manner.

Rules are rules, but we respond in a gentle way to those who have suffered-eg. the number of pax who have been unable to start their cruise from Bcn after having papers nicked at the airport- and can put our views across without some of the harshness which has been given out on here.

Jo.

[hottyjustice]

I must admit that I understand your point of view. However, just as if someone would steal your wallet walking down the street, you have to be extra careful in foreign places. You do become a prey and have to pay careful attention to your things.

[hat776]

I regularly log in to CC as well as the UK site. I enjoy reading the forums of the 4 lines I've cruised with. I've never read any post that someone wasn't allowed to board because his passport was stolen. i've often read of people losing passports but they never said they couldn't board - was it just becaue they didn't advise the ship ?

What would have happened if the passenger advised NCL some time after the ship had sailed ?

Once we arrived at Barcelona on a Sunday. Just imagine if the passenger didn't have enough money to pay for the hotel/train/taxi and had no credit card with him . It would have been impossible to contact his bank to transfer money. Plus the bank would have to send it to be collected from a bank "upon application " with details of passport for identification purposes. There's no way he would have been able to reach Monaco/France.

Again, think of the money involved if it was a whole family.

NCL was the first line I sailed with and I have a soft spot for them but I still think that NCL could have have dealt with the problem differently.

Does anyone know if these cases of passengers being denied boarding because they have lost their passports have happened on other occassions and on other cruise lines ? It definately wasn't the first time this happened.

NCL must be vey happy to have so many loyal customers who are so ready to defend the line at all times. Leaving aside whether the OP explained herself well or whether she gave all the facts - do you all really agree that someone who loses a passport be denied boarding ? I know what the law says but surely the human factor comes in to it.

At least we've all learnt what to do if this ever happens to us. By the way, at Barcelona we were always told that we were required to carry passports (or official photo ID card) with us.

[salty dingo]

There is a name for companies that flout the law. They are called defendants:D.

Ha! You can't get sued for something no one ever finds out about, now can you?

 

My point stands - no one would ever be the wiser if the passenger had zipped his lip. Don't ask, don't tell would be the policy here.

[MrPete]

Shame on you NCL

 

WOW! This is SCARY! First, getting robbed, and then being made a victim a second time.

 

I always leave my passport on the ship. Don't know if that's the right thing to do, and if I missed the ship, I'm sure after all the red tape, I could get back to the States. (Don't know what the UK requirements are while traveling abroad).

 

But to be thrown off a ship due to the lack of one due to a robbery........UNREAL.

 

OK. Time to read the friendly responses from this community.

[Planer's Edge]

Stirring things up?

 

PE

[Hunwolf]

WOW! This is SCARY! First, getting robbed, and then being made a victim a second time.

 

I always leave my passport on the ship. Don't know if that's the right thing to do, and if I missed the ship, I'm sure after all the red tape, I could get back to the States. (Don't know what the UK requirements are while traveling abroad).

 

But to be thrown off a ship due to the lack of one due to a robbery........UNREAL.

 

OK. Time to read the friendly responses from this community.

 

LOL. It is some good reading. Evidently one person demanded a formal message board apology to the cruise line...but I haven't been able to track that specific post down yet. It's really good stuff though. :D