NCL Hell - Beware

[danimalct]

I have to say a couple things here. I do read the poster's personal information on negative posts like this. They did join on June 14 and made their first post as a big negative on NCL. So it does raise my suspicions as to whether it is true or a basher. But it does have an air of authenticity, although as usual I find it overstates the culpability of NCL.

 

There may be a problem with a cruise staffer on NCL who did not know how to help the op or did not care to help them. This seems to sum up the problem that the op had. If the proper staffer had stepped up, perhaps this whole incident could have been properly dealt with and the op wouldn't be mad at NCL.

 

I posted this before I read cruising german, so I wasn't able to read their ideas on traveling in EU, so it does make me more suspicious of a basher.... but it also makes me wonder if the NCL staff wasn't properly trained for dealing with EU issues.

[2inTul]

What happened to the OP's two replies on this thread? They were removed for some reason. Were they illegitimate....if so what about the original post?!?

[Mooder]

What happened to the OP's two replies on this thread? They were removed for some reason. Were they illegitimate....if so what about the original post?!?

 

Good question, 2. For all the skepticism (including some of my own), I felt she was reasonable in her responses.

[steamboats]

This is all very nice if you are German, and you have a Reisepass and a Personalausweis, but most nationalities do not have both ID cards and passports. The British don't for example. In most EU-countries, a driving license is in fact allowed as a means of identification, even a non-EU one.

 

In Germany not even a German DL would be accepted as ID.

 

BTW I remember discussions about an ID for the UK but just saw that the new government is to skip the whole thing. Did they ever start giving out IDs?

 

I studied European and International Law and even I had to check what the deal was with Monaco regarding Schengen. This is such an odd one out, and the situation of the OP is so unusual that even people with a degree in the field could not give you a snap answer if somebody was pointing a gun at their head.

The UK is not part of the Schengen agreement, so most UK citizens have less knowledge of the exact provisions than citizens of Schengen countries.

 

Exactly UK is not part of Schengen and therefore there is a passport control when you fly to the UK. But even traveling within Schengen countries you do need a legal ID valid for traveling in that certain country (passport or ID).

 

steamboats

[halos]

Sorry but you are the one who is being a bit off here. There was nothing at all to be read into that statement. It was exactly as I would have put it too.

 

OK...my sincerest apologies then. I honestly didn't know that. :o

[Mooder]

Sorry but you are the one who is being a bit off here. There was nothing at all to be read into that statement. It was exactly as I would have put it too.

 

OK...my sincerest apologies then. I honestly didn't know that. :o

 

That's something a lot of Americans don't realize until they visit or if they have friends in the UK. That's what's great about forums, we learn about each other.

 

OT: I was even more surprised to learn on a recent visit that when life-long Venetians (especially the older generation) go to the main land, they say the are going to Italy. They don't consider themselves Italian, but Venetian.

[mbisson]

when life-long Venetians (especially the older generation) go to the main land, they say the are going to Italy. They don't consider themselves Italian, but Venetian.

 

So you could say that a 'Venetian' is 'Blind' to being Italian ;) (and the crowd moans in disbelief at this comment)

[Mooder]

So you could say that a 'Venetian' is 'Blind' to being Italian ;) (and the crowd moans in disbelief at this comment)

 

Wa-HO!!! Very clever, no moaning here (:().

[LHP]

Sorry, I have not read all the threads...but in case this has not been mentioned....

 

we now get the Passport Cards when we renew our Passports.

 

The Passports stay in the safe and the cards go into port with us.

 

Now I know there are a lot of places the "cards" won't get you...but I am betting that is better than a photocopy...

 

just something to think about.

[nezume]

Dear fellow cruisers, i am writing this post to highlight a very distressing and alarming incident that happened to us while cruising the Med on the NCL Jade.

On the 30th May while sightseeing on our first full day Embarkation day in Barcelona my husband had his wallet stolen by pickpockets, we were waiting in the 'City tour bus' queue line at the 'blue line' connection point near Las Ramblas.

We noticed two dark skinned men with white t shirts and baseball caps racing down the side of the waiting bus, my husband instantly felt his knee length pocket on his shorts and realised what had happened. By the time he and our elder son ran to the front of the bus they had removed their caps and were lost in the crowds (it was a very busy Sunday).

After reporting the incident to the local police we returned to the ship and went straight to reception to inform them. They showed us the outside phone line and we were able to contact our bank to block his bank and credit cards.

But worse was still to come, we informed the receptionist his passport was also stolen and she went to fetch a security officer who told us my husband could not stay onboard without a passport.

Astounded we asked why he could not get it sorted next day in Monte Carlo, only to be told by the security officer Bianca "we would all be in a lot of trouble if he sailed without one". This was with only 20 minutes before we were due to set sail.

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.

I gave him my bank card and raced to get an overnight bag together, meeting him on the exit gangway with our family, elder son, teenage daughter and her young friend, plus our young foster son. Becuase of them we made no fuss and went along with what was asked of us.

It cost my husband 800 euros in taxis, overnight hotel stay, replacement 7 day passport and flight from Barcelona to Nice where he met us the next day back on board in Monte Carlo. Had it not been for the fact my husband had the access to that money i dont kn ow what would have happened.

It still shocks me immensly that a multi-billion dollar company like NCL has not got a procedure already in place to help their guests when this type of thing happens. I cannot believe all cruise lines act the same way either. I believe, like the Cost Victoria who we sailed with two years ago, NCL could inform their guests in the daily onboard newsletter we all receive, would you really have had time to read this before getting off the ship again? Most people that board the ship on embarkation day to drop off luggage get off very quickly. I think it's understood the Freestyle Daily is more reading for the evening after the ship has set sail. As many other has attested to, we have seen this, so most likely it was in there, you probably just missed it. the dangers of pickpockets in certain ports of call.

I still have no understanding as to why my husband could not have stayed onboard and sorted out his passport the next day. Everyones passports were scanned into the ships system at registration on embarkation day. Reception had a copy, i asked for his passport number to expedite the process in the British Embassy, so what was the problem, perhaps someone could enlighten me.

I used a search engine and input 'Barcelona pickpockets' whereby i learnt Barcelona is the number one pickpocket capital in the world. Reported thefts numbered 6000 from May to September 2009, horrendous statistics which largely go unknown to tourists. Did you do any research before your cruise? Barcelona is well known for pickpockets

This was such an unnecessary act from NCL but I hope my post highlights to everyone the need to assess from time to time how safe and secure our personal belonging are carried. Also i have since learnt that we should make copies of all our passports which can be taken ashore (except in Dubrovnik - advice from other cruisers), leaving the originals in the cabins safe.

Shame on you NCL

 

Replies in red. I too am very sorry to hear this happened to you but travel insurance (which I understand is mandatory for UK citizens) should cover the cost of getting to the next port and although NCL's staff could have better explained things onboard and provided you with a bit more assistance, they really had no other choice.

[rian90]

we now get the Passport Cards when we renew our Passports.

 

The Passports stay in the safe and the cards go into port with us.

 

 

 

I have a question about this. If you are carrying the card and you lose it, won't you have to cancel your passport? I would imagine they are tied to the same number so then the passport in your safe would be invalid and you would have to get a new one. If you didn't cancel it, you could be in trouble if someone used it to do something illegal.

 

I am curious because I have thought about getting a card but not sure its a good idea to carry either.

[garycarla]

Sorry, I have not read all the threads...but in case this has not been mentioned....

 

we now get the Passport Cards when we renew our Passports.

 

The Passports stay in the safe and the cards go into port with us.

 

Now I know there are a lot of places the "cards" won't get you...but I am betting that is better than a photocopy...

 

just something to think about.

 

I thought those cards were only good for travel to Mexico and Canada. Otherwise they are no more valuable that a state issued DL.

[UKBayern]

Gunther, thank you for backing up my point.

 

Steamboats: this is actually different per EU-country. For example, in the Netherlands, a driving license is considered proper ID. In Germany, it is different since most people have a Reisepass and a Personalausweis, so they don't need the addition option of the driving license. And by the way, did you know that by law in Germany, you do not actually have to have your ID on you at all times? Under German law, it is enough that you escort the police to the place where you keep your ID (home, hotelroom, car, etc) and show the ID to them there.

 

----

I was just thinking of something else: what if the OP found out about the theft after the ship had set sail? This is very possible. You come back on board, go to your cabin, want to put your wallet in the safe, and oops.... What would NCL have done with the OP's husband? Throw him overboard and make him swim ashore?

[Mooder]

I was just thinking of something else: what if the OP found out about the theft after the ship had set sail? This is very possible. You come back on board, go to your cabin, want to put your wallet in the safe, and oops.... What would NCL have done with the OP's husband? Throw him overboard and make him swim ashore?

 

Interesting point. I am no expert on such matters, but lots of laws acknowledge the difference between doing something knowingly or unknowingly. Unfortunately, once you know something you can't unknow it. ;) As much as you might wish to.

[CT Cruiser10]

I'm going to guess that part of the problem was that it was the first day of the cruise. I've never boarded the ship and then got back off; I didn't even know it was possible. Perhaps the NCL rep thought that the passenger was trying to board the ship without a passport.

[garycarla]

...

I was just thinking of something else: what if the OP found out about the theft after the ship had set sail? This is very possible. You come back on board, go to your cabin, want to put your wallet in the safe, and oops.... What would NCL have done with the OP's husband? Throw him overboard and make him swim ashore?

 

1 - If he did not tell NCL, then nothing would happen because they would assume that all passengers had a valid passport and would tell the next country that was true.

 

2 - Once he told NCL, they would probably be required to notify the authorities in the next port, and may have to ask him to disembark there. I am sure each country has different rules.

 

Personally, if I thought enough ahead I would not tell NCL and would just deal with upon arrival at the next port, or do whatever I could do via the internet.

[shucks]

Technically it is a legal requirement to carry a passport at all times in Spain.. unless of course you have a national identity card... photocopies are handy for obtaining replacements when necessary.. but would not be accepted for legal purposes.. does seem very harsh and very bad customer service by NCL not to offer better assistance. it cannot be the first time a passport has gone missing and they must know the ropes in obtaining a new one... As to Barcelona being the pickpocket capital.. well I think there are problems in all major cities.. where there are tourists there are rich pickings.. you need to stay one step ahead.. and do not keep all your financial/travel documents in one place...Has put me off NCL though this is no way to treat customers. assistance with accomodation and onward travel should have been given.

[CT Cruiser10]

Has put me off NCL though this is no way to treat customers. assistance with accomodation and onward travel should have been given.

 

We don't really have the whole story, so I wouldn't go blacklisting NCL just yet.

 

I still want more explanation regarding boarding and leaving the ship on embarkation day. I just don't get it. You get on the ship at noon. The ship leaves at 5:00, all passengers must be on board 2 hours before leaving. Why would you get off?

[Mooder]

We don't really have the whole story, so I wouldn't go blacklisting NCL just yet.

 

I still want more explanation regarding boarding and leaving the ship on embarkation day. I just don't get it. You get on the ship at noon. The ship leaves at 5:00, all passengers must be on board 2 hours before leaving. Why would you get off?

 

You are right. It is very confusing. Also, they had this conversation with the reception desk 20 minutes before sailing. I am not sure I doubt what we've been told, I just don't think we've heard the whole story and I KNOW more conversation was had with reception than was reported here because other details were revealed in the review posted on another site.

 

I believe NCL should have offered some assistance, but I'm not convinced they didn't. Again, and I know I've said it a few times now (as it seems to get lost in the discussion), but the OP's primary concern seemed to be the lack of warning, not the lack of assistance. If you are sailing from a city, you need to know about it before you board.

[Mooder]

Technically it is a legal requirement to carry a passport at all times in Spain.. unless of course you have a national identity card... photocopies are handy for obtaining replacements when necessary.. but would not be accepted for legal purposes.. does seem very harsh and very bad customer service by NCL not to offer better assistance. it cannot be the first time a passport has gone missing and they must know the ropes in obtaining a new one... As to Barcelona being the pickpocket capital.. well I think there are problems in all major cities.. where there are tourists there are rich pickings.. you need to stay one step ahead.. and do not keep all your financial/travel documents in one place...Has put me off NCL though this is no way to treat customers. assistance with accomodation and onward travel should have been given.

 

Onward travel should have been given?!??! That's a bit over the top, don't you think for something that happened OFF the ship?

[nona0541]

I thought those cards were only good for travel to Mexico and Canada. Otherwise they are no more valuable that a state issued DL.

 

You are correct. Only valid for Mx and Canada.

[sunshine nana]

We were surprised to learn that Copenhagen is also a big pick-pocket city. When Rudy Guiliani was the mayor of New York City, he had all kinds of sting operations to rid the city of "minor" crimes like pick pocketing, selling fake watches, squeege guys etc. Barcelona COULD put a big dent in the crime if they had undercover police act as tourists and bust the pickpockets. I think the cruise lines should put pressure on some of the cities that really rely on tourism.

[NMLady]

I'm really sorry this happened to the OP. Unfortunately it sounds like NCL's hands were tied. Sometimes crap just happens and this is one of those times.

 

I agree that NCL's hands were tied regarding the fact that a passport was needed for further travel, but why didn't NCL notify their port agent and have the port agent help the passenger the rest of the day and next day??

[NMLady]

What was the number of YOUR first post here? Do you build your 5000 by comments about other's post counts?

 

The reason for the comment about the 'first' post is because it seems as if 95% of first posts are negative ones where the OP never returns to comment or explain further. Regular CC members often wonder why members don't post the first time with a positive or with a neutral question or as a reply to someone else. Too many first posts are extremely negative stories. This seems to be yet another first post negative with no return of the OP.

[SnootieTootie]

I do not find it odd that someone comes here, and their first post is negative.

 

If I, say, went on an Apple Vacation, and had a horrible experience, I may seek out a message board regarding Apple Vacations to voice my displeasure with the vacation package, and to solicit advice and understanding from others who had been on an Apple Vacation.

 

Is this not plausible?