Is it legal? - NCL changes to port departure times

[vacation44]

The St. Thomas change is huge to us, since we haven't been in that port since we got married there 35 yrs. ago. I had planned a tour which would have included a full day's activities; now, I really have to think about this one. The extra hour in the morning means nothing...what the heck can we do at 7am??? As for Nassau, the port time has been 10-6 since we booked in Jan., so no change for us there.

 

I agree, the extra hour in the morning means nothing to me. It is getting back to the ship three hours earlier that ruins our plans.

[SissasMomE]

NCL can do what they want, and they obviously do not care about screwing people, or losing customers. Changing a 6pm departure time to 3pm is beyond ridiculous and completely unacceptable. This one really takes the cake.

[LoveyHowell]

Of course it is legal. What are you going to do about it? Nothing.

[Ilovesailing]

The only way these time changes are NOT going to happen is if enough folks send emails/letters.

It will be interesting to report what there answer is when i hear back in the next couple days.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Ilovesailing

[SissasMomE]

The only way these time changes are NOT going to happen is if enough folks send emails/letters.

It will be interesting to report what there answer is when i hear back in the next couple days.

 

I already sent one. We'll see what happens.

[vacation44]

The only way these time changes are NOT going to happen is if enough folks send emails/letters.

It will be interesting to report what there answer is when i hear back in the next couple days.

 

Please let me know where to send an e-mail. I would also like to send one regarding this issue.

[SissasMomE]

Please let me know where to send an e-mail. I would also like to send one regarding this issue.

 

Socialmedia@ncl.com and publicrelations@ncl.com

[Bonobochick]

Please let me know where to send an e-mail. I would also like to send one regarding this issue.

 

I sent a note to relations asking about this issue. Contact info on here.

Edited July 20, 2015 by Bonobochick
link

[hpecorari]

The port charges we pay.....is that 'per port' and does it matter how long we're in that port?

 

Harriet

[vacation44]

Socialmedia@ncl.com and publicrelations@ncl.com

 

Thanks you! Just sent an e-mail.

[vacation44]

I sent a note to relations asking about this issue. Contact info on here.

 

Thank you!

[zqvol]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine.

 

What do you think?

 

NCL has NO legal obligation to take you to any specific port on any specific cruise. They try to stick to the ports that are announced but ports, especially tender ports, are often missed. The cruise contract specifically says that the cruise line can make any modifications to the itinerary that they want.

[zqvol]

Fuel costs now are really low. The fuel saved by leaving or arriving at one port 2 hours early is negligible. The real benefit to NCL is in the added on board spending. Bars open two hours longer, casino open two hours longer, shops open two hours longer, that is where the money comes from not fuel savings.

[Jane Don]

Fuel costs now are really low. The fuel saved by leaving or arriving at one port 2 hours early is negligible. The real benefit to NCL is in the added on board spending. Bars open two hours longer, casino open two hours longer, shops open two hours longer, that is where the money comes from not fuel savings.

 

Burning 200 gallons of fuel per nautical mile I respectfully disagree. Even a small increase in efficiency can add up to a lot of cabbage. The added casino and bar hours are gravy.

[xriva]

Just because something is written in a contract it does not mean it is legal. The better the customer protection laws where you live, the better for you.

 

 

If you both signed the contract, it is legally binding. It doesn't mean you can't take them to arbitration (which is also in the contract), but you agreed to be bound by the terms when you booked.

[motleyfan]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine.

 

What do you think?

 

Of course it's legal they reserve the right to change anything they want

[newmexicoNita]

There are several threads discussing the fact that NCL appears to be changing the departure time for several ports (for all sailings) for as long as two hours. If I make a deposit, or final payment, on a cruise that is supposed to be in port form X - X, should NCL be responsible for keeping their contract unless there is a good reason why they are not able to stay at that port for the previously agreed amount of time.

 

The worst part is that NCL is not letting customers know about this change or is not even updating their search engine.

 

What do you think?

 

OMG, what next? This appears to me just to be another issue to discuss and start a war over. First of all, most changes have little to do with the ship and more to do with the ports themselves. No, port charges are not based on length of time in a port. Business hours change on all things, all the time and it is rare that the port time change would really affect anyone's decision to take a cruise or not. Yes, we have seen minor time changes on some itineraries, and not just NCL, for many reasons but it has never affected our cruise.

 

BTW, yes it is legal and I can't believe a few hours less at a port it going to hurt any of us. Heck, think of how the ships feel when they are delayed leaving a port because of traffic or final inspection? Look at the bucks they lose on the casino!!!!

Edited July 20, 2015 by newmexicoNita

[Brittany C]

Hi everyone,

 

We are looking into these itinerary changes and were wondering if you could provide the exact ships that are being affected by the changes, and what ports have been adjusted. (Time in port has been shortened as well?)

 

Thank you!

 

~Cruise Critic staff

[hpecorari]

Hi everyone,

 

We are looking into these itinerary changes and were wondering if you could provide the exact ships that are being affected by the changes, and what ports have been adjusted. (Time in port has been shortened as well?)

 

Thank you!

 

~Cruise Critic staff

 

Pearl - October 18, 2015 sailing -

Puerto Limon, Cost Rica was 8 a.m. to 6 p.m NOW 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Escape - January 23, 2016 sailing -

St. Thomas - was 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. NOW 7 a.m. to 3 p.m

Nassau - was 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. NOW noon to 7 p.m.

 

Gem - April 30, 2016 sailing -

Port Canaveral - was noon to 9:30 p.m. NOW noon to 9 p.m.

 

So far my other cruises haven't changed.

 

Harriet

[Brittany C]

Thanks for the info, Harriet!

[LMaxwell]

Escape - January 23, 2016 sailing -

St. Thomas - was 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. NOW 7 a.m. to 3 p.m

Nassau - was 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. NOW noon to 7 p.m.

 

Where did you see this change? On a different Escape sailing I see the Nassau change you indicated, but St. Thomas is still listed as 8AM - 6PM. If it changes to 7AM - 3PM that is NOT GOOD. The extra hour early in the morning is a throwaway, but to have to be back onboard by 2pm or 230pm really cuts out a big chunk of the afternoon.

 

Tortola hours show as original and leaving at 4PM which will be the earliest I have ever departed Tortola.

 

Nassau at least now we almost certainly will have lunch on the ship so that'll save some money, but by the time the mad rush to eat/disembark is over we probably won't be able to get off before 1245 or 1PM.

 

23 hours in port for a 7 day cruise is pretty paltry. Back in the 80's and 90's it seemed like port times on a 7 day cruise were in the 35-40 hour range cumulative.

[jmele999]

Pearl - October 18, 2015 sailing -

Puerto Limon, Cost Rica was 8 a.m. to 6 p.m NOW 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Escape - January 23, 2016 sailing -

St. Thomas - was 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. NOW 7 a.m. to 3 p.m

Nassau - was 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. NOW noon to 7 p.m.

 

Gem - April 30, 2016 sailing -

Port Canaveral - was noon to 9:30 p.m. NOW noon to 9 p.m.

 

So far my other cruises haven't changed.

 

Harriet

 

Our January 16, 2016 sailing on Escape also has the same changes as Harriet's sailing.

 

Johan

[HarpHarp]

Burning 200 gallons of fuel per nautical mile I respectfully disagree. Even a small increase in efficiency can add up to a lot of cabbage. The added casino and bar hours are gravy.

 

The port time changes for our Escape cruise makes NO sense if fuel savings were the reason. Our St Thomas times have been changed from 8-6 to 7-3.

The next stop is Tortola, less than one hour away by ferry. We, if we don't cancel, will be sailing around in circles for at least 15 hours.

 

As a former St Thomas resident, this destroyed my plans for my return. As far as costs go, Celebrity has a less expensive cruise that substitutes St. Maarten for Tortola, & we could fly to Miami, spend a couple days, fly to St Thomas, stay at Sapphire for 4 nights for about the same price, depending on what we spend on food.

Edited July 20, 2015 by HarpHarp

[hpecorari]

Where did you see this change? On a different Escape sailing I see the Nassau change you indicated, but St. Thomas is still listed as 8AM - 6PM. If it changes to 7AM - 3PM that is NOT GOOD. The extra hour early in the morning is a throwaway, but to have to be back onboard by 2pm or 230pm really cuts out a big chunk of the afternoon.

.

 

Not on my confirmation that was e-mailed to me! LOL That has the times that were posted when I booked this cruise. I simply went to do a mock booking on the cruise and looked at the times. They're now different than what I have on my confirmation.

 

Harriet

[karoo]

I think you're wrong! If NCL couldn't do it they wouldn't. No company is going to open themselves to a lawsuit if they can avoid it.

 

Now, show me the across the board change by all ships on all cruises by several hours. I saw one post about a two hour change for one port, what else? As others have said, your contract clearly states they can change any port/sailing/departure/arrival time they want. You get the cruise and food you paid for. Of course, this is true for every cruise line.

 

 

Epic changed three port times/reduced hours on all the Med sailings. We were notified by e mail, but many passengers felt short changed.