NCL’s legal obligation?

[OctoP]

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

OctoP wants compensation because their cruise is going to somewhere other than the planned port calls in Tel-Aviv/Haifa and Jerusalem/Ashdod. 

I’m fine with going somewhere else. The problem is that we haven’t been told that we’re actually going anywhere else.
 

I’ve received no communication from NCL outside of ads for their credit card and room upgrades. If you went by my email inbox, everything is perfect in the world and everything is progressing according to plan. My itinerary still shows all of the Israel and Egypt ports. I’m flying out in a week for the Nov 1 sailing on the Gem out of Istanbul.
 

So, are we going somewhere else, or are we floating around the Mediterranean for a week? That’s the core of the question.

[ontheweb]

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

OctoP wants compensation because their cruise is going to somewhere other than the planned port calls in Tel-Aviv/Haifa and Jerusalem/Ashdod. 

That really sums it up. Why would anyone at present want to be transported into an active war zone. 🤦‍♂️ 

[ontheweb]

13 hours ago, OctoP said:

This makes perfect sense, especially for something very expensive. If what I purchased changes in a material way, it’s no longer what I intended to buy.

 

So, I guess good for them that they can get away with it, but not good for people who don’t get what they thought they were buying. Buyer beware. 

You were buying a cruise that would now be going into an active war zone. Do you really think that is now something safe to do? Do you realize it is complicated to rearrange ports with short notice? Do you really think that they are not working on this?

[OctoP]

Just now, ontheweb said:

You were buying a cruise that would now be going into an active war zone. Do you really think that is now something safe to do? Do you realize it is complicated to rearrange ports with short notice? Do you really think that they are not working on this?

You’re putting words in my mouth. I never once said it was safe, or that I insisted they stick to the original itinerary, or that’s simple to change. The question was whether they legally had to give us a different ports or if they could just keep us on the boat all week.

[ontheweb]

1 minute ago, OctoP said:

You’re putting words in my mouth. I never once said it was safe, or that I insisted they stick to the original itinerary, or that’s simple to change. The question was whether they legally had to give us a different ports or if they could just keep us on the boat all week.

And as others have already posted, they can do whatever they want or need to do according to the cruise contract you signed. Others have posted the new itineraries for their affected cruises, and it was not just sailing around and around the Mediterranean.

[OctoP]

Just now, ontheweb said:

And as others have already posted, they can do whatever they want or need to do according to the cruise contract you signed. Others have posted the new itineraries for their affected cruises, and it was not just sailing around and around the Mediterranean.

Yes, my question around the legalities was answered. I do appreciate that. And I do see others have received a new itinerary. We have not. It looks like we’re the last ones, so I’m trying to understand the possibilities of what might happen. 

[Oakman58]

Just an FYI, here is the link to the Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights.

 

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/CruiseIndustryPassengerBillofRights052313.pdf

 

 

[G-DawgMN]

11 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I don't believe that anybody on a fantastic NCL cruise is "out of luck."  They're either having a tremendous amount of fun or complaining.  It is largely (entirely) up to the individual.

 I would certainly have fun but also complain about it because I want attention!!

 The smart person carries the trip insurance that covers missed ports. Make the right choices and you could make some coin!

 

 

 

[G-DawgMN]

38 minutes ago, OctoP said:

You’re putting words in my mouth. I never once said it was safe, or that I insisted they stick to the original itinerary, or that’s simple to change. The question was whether they legally had to give us a different ports or if they could just keep us on the boat all week.

 While yes they could keep you on the boat, its in their best interest to stop at ports so you spend money on their excursions. 
 

[Yesimapirate]

14 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Have you ever booked an airline ticket that had delays, missed connections, cancelled connecting flights, mechanical problems, etc?  I've had all of those, and never "got what I thought I (or my company) were buying."  It's just the world that we live in.

 

What do I need to "beware" of?

 

 

In the EU, they're actually required to compensate you for all delays (including weather) over 2 hours.

 

The US proposes similar guidelines last spring but then they were quickly forgotten and never really spoken about again.  Without being political, it was a publicity stunt after the travel issues in late 2022.

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, OctoP said:

I’m fine with going somewhere else. The problem is that we haven’t been told that we’re actually going anywhere else.
 

I’ve received no communication from NCL outside of ads for their credit card and room upgrades. If you went by my email inbox, everything is perfect in the world and everything is progressing according to plan. My itinerary still shows all of the Israel and Egypt ports. I’m flying out in a week for the Nov 1 sailing on the Gem out of Istanbul.
 

So, are we going somewhere else, or are we floating around the Mediterranean for a week? That’s the core of the question.

Here ya go! Check your inbox on/about 9/18. If you booked through a personal cruise consultant or travel agent, ask them for the communication. There haven't been any additional updates since 9/18, which I believe is before the Israeli's declared war.

 

Edited October 20, 2023 by cruiseny4life

[OctoP]

16 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Here ya go! Check your inbox on/about 9/18. If you booked through a personal cruise consultant or travel agent, ask them for the communication. There haven't been any additional updates since 9/18, which I believe is before the Israeli's declared war.

 

Sorry, I meant no communication since war broke out. I did get this one from before everything started.

 

My cruise consultant has been great, but she also has received no information since this. It looks like all the other sailings have their new itinerary. Just not the Nov 1 sailing.

 

 

[OctoP]

15 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

No, it's the same thing.  I can't ever remember being "compensated" by an airline for issues (allegedly) beyond their control.  I actually think the cruise lines are more noble than the airlines in this area.

 

How has an airline compensated you for your grief?

Not to derail the cruise talk, but we’ve had really great treatment from Alaska Airlines. Things don’t go wrong often, but when they did, they really stepped up and took care of us. They probably went beyond their basic legal obligations. That’s why we are their loyal customers. A little kindness and compassion goes a long ways, and isn’t forgotten.

[cruiseny4life]

26 minutes ago, OctoP said:

Sorry, I meant no communication since war broke out. I did get this one from before everything started.

 

My cruise consultant has been great, but she also has received no information since this. It looks like all the other sailings have their new itinerary. Just not the Nov 1 sailing.

 

 

You're right. The other Nov. cruises have communications. It is weird that your cruise has not had an update posted yet. Hope you hear soon! The anticipation would be stressing me!!

[sailingships]

1 hour ago, Yesimapirate said:

In the EU, they're actually required to compensate you for all delays (including weather) over 2 hours.

Yes In May we were going by train from Bari, Italy to Venice. That morning we found all the trips north were cancelled because of the rain and flooded rails. Right there at the station we were immediately given back all our funds we paid for the trips. Money in Euros. (Luckily, we were able to fly to Venice that same day for just a bit more than the train cost.)

[sailingships]

2 hours ago, OctoP said:

I’ve received no communication from NCL outside of ads for their credit card and room upgrades. If you went by my email inbox, everything is perfect in the world and everything is progressing according to plan. My itinerary still shows all of the Israel and Egypt ports. I’m flying out in a week for the Nov 1 sailing on the Gem out of Istanbul.

Yesterday we got Emails with the new itineraries for the Gem Nov 11th and 22nd. They added Crete, Limassol, Cyprus and another day in Alexandria instead of Port Said Our accounts in the NCL website have not been updated as yet.

Edited October 20, 2023 by sailingships

[OctoP]

4 minutes ago, sailingships said:

Yesterday we got Emails with the new itineraries for the Gem Nov 11th and 22nd. They added Crete, Limassol, Cyprus and another day in Alexandria instead of Port Said Our accounts in the NCL website have not been updated as yet.

That sounds great. I really hope we get something similar for the Nov 1 sailing. There seems to be something holding them up for our sailing so I’m really nervous about where it’s going to land.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, KSSS2013 said:

 The smart person carries the trip insurance that covers missed ports. Make the right choices and you could make some coin!

Have you ever purchased a super deluxe policy with this coverage? The vast majority of policies don't have this coverage, and when it is included, it is like $100-$150 per port. The smart person probably would not take a super deluxe policy just for this coverage. 

[G-DawgMN]

6 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Have you ever purchased a super deluxe policy with this coverage? The vast majority of policies don't have this coverage, and when it is included, it is like $100-$150 per port. The smart person probably would not take a super deluxe policy just for this coverage. 

 

 No, because I'm flexible and can deal with changes. Or I like to roll the dice.

 

  I've seen posts of people that do get this coverage and seem happy with it and haven't complained about the pricing. We have an annual plan since for us it's the best bang for the buck, it doesn't offer an option for missed ports.

 

 

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, KSSS2013 said:

 While yes they could keep you on the boat, its in their best interest to stop at ports so you spend money on their excursions. 
 

OTOH, if they did keep you on the ship, they could make money with the casino open as well as the shops open.

 

It does look like they have been finding ports (and in competition with other lines that had the same problem.) It's just some want this to be solved immediately despite the complexities of the problem.

[OctoP]

4 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

OTOH, if they did keep you on the ship, they could make money with the casino open as well as the shops open.

 

It does look like they have been finding ports (and in competition with other lines that had the same problem.) It's just some want this to be solved immediately despite the complexities of the problem.

Please stop portraying us as unreasonable. We’re well past “immediately”. Those of us on the Nov 1 sailing are about to get on planes to fly half way around the world, with no idea of what awaits us on the other end. We’re seeing all of the other sailings get their new itineraries, but not us. Of course we’re worried.

[PATRLR]

18 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Have you ever booked an airline ticket that had delays, missed connections, cancelled connecting flights, mechanical problems, etc?  I've had all of those, and never "got what I thought I (or my company) were buying."  It's just the world that we live in.

First - you included mechanical issues for which you should get everything you paid for, plus compensation for hotels and meals.  I've been put up and fed many times by airlines for mechanical (or crew) issues. 

The other issues, my understanding is the airline still has the obligation to get you to your destination.  It may not be on time, but, for that they have the concept of "trip in vain" in which case you get your money back.  (I admit, I don't know if trip in vain is an airline's concept, or, regulatory concept).

I don't think cruise lines are under any similar obligations.

[Liljo22]

Based on people in this thread, RCCL is only refunding cruises that leave or end in Israel.  If you are on a cruise with stops in Israel, you will forfeit your payment if you cancel.  

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2969659-royal-caribbean-insensitivity-understatement/

[yakcruiser]

Maybe a bit off topic but if you still dock in Alexandria, I would not be taking any excursions to Cairo. You do not want to be that far from your ship if things start to go downhill.

[DCGuy64]

2 hours ago, californiales said:

Who would want to sail into a war or travel into a war zone and put themselves in danger?

As far as I know, NO cruise line is sailing into a war zone. If anything, they're changing the ports to avoid one.

2 hours ago, californiales said:

but the financial ruin potentially experienced by thousands of passengers whose bookings and dreams are now impacted by the Israeli Gaza war. 

What potential financial ruin? Are you implying that people used money they need to live on, in order to take a vacation? I hope you're not suggesting that. The money we spend on cruising and other vacations is 100% disposable. Never would I think of using money for a cruise if it meant not being to pay the mortgage or put food on the table. I really hope people with cruises booked to Israel didn't do that, because it's extremely unwise. Maybe since this whole post was about a catchy tune, you were joking. Hard to tell.