NCL ship departs without 50+ passengers transported by NCL bus

[TrumpyNor]

For the record I canceled the bus and am now taking amtrak where its all on me if im late for that reason of nyc traffic

That is what I would do, if I had booked transportation through NCL.... :p

[khaide612]

Sunday was an extremely bad day for travel in NYC - even by NY standards for traffic. They had the Climate March happening & traffic was at a stand still. I read someone on FB complaining that the bus was actually in NY and stuck in traffic & that NCL should have done something to get them through. Fire trucks, police cars and ambulances couldn't get through but make way for the cruise passengers! The only thing anyone could have done was walk.

[meatball_nyc]

I read about this on their roll call a couple days ago.

The city has been a mess with the protestors, the UN General Assembly and the President being here hasn't helped the already horrible traffic.

People on the roll call were flying into Bermuda today.

When we were there, there was a woman boarding the ship on Wedensday with her luggage, escorted by NCL. she said she missed the ship because she had forgotten her passport and didn't have her birth certificate.

Hope they get to enjoy the rest of their vacation.

 

 

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[njhorseman]

I am hoping there are some CCs who could provide more information about something I read on NCL's facebook page. It sounds like on September 21, 2014, an NCL provided bus transporting 50+ passengers from MA and CT to NYC to board the Breakaway got stuck in traffic and the ship left without them 90 minutes before they got there and the passengers got sent back to MA and CT. My facts may not be accurate since there wasn't too much info provided.

 

Although I've never taken bus transportation provided by a cruise line to board a sailing, I have in the past considered it. If I have all my facts right, it sounds like something I should never consider if it's NCL.

 

Anyone out there know what happened?

 

Then you should never consider it if you're on any cruise line. Why do you think NCL is different than other cruise lines in this regard?

[njhorseman]

Thats not true when I call ncl they tell me the time and place and I pay ncl for the bus ride. The bus only goes to the ncl dock.

 

It is not an NCL bus, any more than it's an NCL airplane if you purchase your air tickets through NCL. They are merely acting as an agent booking you on a bus (or airplane) owned and operated by another company.

 

From New England the bus service is operated by Academy Bus Lines.

 

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/getting-to-the-pier#newyork

Edited September 24, 2014 by njhorseman

[khaide612]

It is not an NCL bus, any more than it's an NCL airplane if you purchase your air tickets through NCL. They are merely acting as an agent booking you on a bus (or airplane) owned and operated by another company.

 

From New England the bus service is operated by Academy Bus Lines.

 

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/getting-to-the-pier#newyork

 

Exactly! And Academy has terrible reviews.

[ma_t_gus]

I wonder if it was high tide and the reason they left without waiting a bit. big ship, don't want the top of the ship running into the verrazano bridge.

[ellasmomanddad]

It is not an NCL bus, any more than it's an NCL airplane if you purchase your air tickets through NCL. They are merely acting as an agent booking you on a bus (or airplane) owned and operated by another company.

 

From New England the bus service is operated by Academy Bus Lines.

 

http://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/getting-to-the-pier#newyork

Except for the fact that airlines have zero relationship with any cruise line or resort and offer nothing no discounts for booking where as the bus company does. Your statement would have been better served if you compared it with an excursion by ncl

[Rileyz]

Exactly! And Academy has terrible reviews.

 

I posted in June 2013 about Academy and almost missing our ship. We stay overnight now. The stress was not worth saving a little bit of money.

[njhorseman]

It always helps to know the terms of the guest ticket contract. NCL has no contractual responsibility for this situation, however from reading the roll call thread it sounds as though NCL is helping passengers who were caught in this unfortunate circumstance.

 

You'll likely find that similar contractual language is used by every cruise line in the US.

 

8. Independent Contractors:

(a) Off-Vessel Transport and Activities: The Guest recognizes and agrees that, if and when the Carrier makes arrangements for the Guest for air transportation, hotel accommodations, ground transfers, shore excursions, medical care and/or for other transportation, activities, services, facilities or amusements occurring off of the vessel, the Carrier does so solely for the convenience of the Guest, the Carrier does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such conveyances, services or facilities, and the same are provided by independent contractors who work directly for the Guest and Guest is subject to such terms, if any, appearing in the tickets, vouchers or notices of such party or parties. Therefore, the Guest agrees that the Carrier assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such person, party, contractor, service or facility, and that the Carrier shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such person, party, contractor, service or facility.

Edited September 24, 2014 by njhorseman

[njhorseman]

Except for the fact that airlines have zero relationship with any cruise line or resort and offer nothing no discounts for booking where as the bus company does. Your statement would have been better served if you compared it with an excursion by ncl

 

See my post #37. Read the contract language I've quoted.

 

And you're wrong about the airlines having zero relationship with the cruise lines and zero discount being offered. In many cases the cruise lines purchase seats in bulk from the airlines, and in fact you can get a discount from published airfare in those cases.

 

PS...do you even get a discount by booking through NCL? You can book this service directly through Academy Bus on their website at $110 per person round trip. What is NCL charging?

 

https://www.enttours.com/destinationdetail.aspx?iDestinationInfoId=12

Edited September 24, 2014 by njhorseman

[sfaaa]

It may not be NCL's legal responsibility or even its fault but it is bad publicity and a potential PR nightmare if not handle properly. I feel sorry for the parties caught in this.

[ellasmomanddad]

Call up ask for the price of airfare then check the airline prices there will be no difference and as for your contract thats rubbish true read the whole thread again ncl can alwayse wait and have

[sfaaa]

Corporate image and customer goodwill are worth way more than a few plane tickets to the Caribbean. Hat off to NCL for going out of its way and helping these strained passengers out. Smart move.

[Hermiones parents]

In June, we were on the Getaway and our departure was delayed by over 3 hours because 30+ people had flight delays. I would assume that they would wait if they were booked through NCL

 

 

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[ellasmomanddad]

They can wait, or they can choose not to wait.

That was the original point ncl sponsors the bus ride much like a ncl sponsored excursion.

[khaide612]

I wonder if it was high tide and the reason they left without waiting a bit. big ship, don't want the top of the ship running into the verrazano bridge.

 

High Tide probably had something to do with it.

 

They probably had absolutely no ETA on those missing. Who knows how many other people missed the ship just driving in on their own or catching a cab at the airport or Port Authority.

[KruzAholic]

Just a couple of years back we were on the Epic. We ended up waiting over 90 minutes while a very small group of people whose flights were delayed due to snow could get to the ship. So they must of changed their policy. If I remember correctly it was for 20-24 people. As soon as they boarded we were out of there and making time up that evening. Who knows maybe they were special VIPS.

[NH Cruisers]

Stuff like this is why I start my vacation 1 day early. I am within a few miles of the port on embarkation day.

[smokie36]

Watching on new York harbour cam it left well after 4:30

[mrobstad]

Nevertheless,this is completely unacceptable. I hope NCL gave them something substantial in return.

 

 

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[meatball_nyc]

Watching on new York harbour cam it left well after 4:30

 

 

Correct. I was watching as well.

 

 

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

[SuiteCruiser]

I don't understand why anyone would take a bus that would bring them that close to cut off anyway. If I was taking a bus, I'd want to arrive by 9 or 10 AM giving loads of time in case they're stuck.

[Laszlo]

Nevertheless,this is completely unacceptable. I hope NCL gave them something substantial in return.

 

 

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Completely Unacceptable LMAO

 

I guess you have never been stuck in traffic, stuff happens and life goes on

[SissasMomE]

Completely Unacceptable LMAO

 

I guess you have never been stuck in traffic, stuff happens and life goes on

 

Not sure why you keep laughing. People purchased transportation through NCL - whether directly or indirectly. They missed the ship, and their cruise. I see nothing funny about it. It's sad, and someone laughing about it is just ... mean.