Missold balcony cabin to find out its enclosed

[snorklinbarb]

On 7/24/2024 at 9:32 AM, Travelicious said:

Okay.  I think mine was on the Dawn also.

In colder climates many prefer the sheltered balconies like deck 8 Dawn.

[valleyvillage]

On 7/24/2024 at 6:33 AM, Coops2222 said:

Epic doesn't have good reviews at all, however I liked the itinerary and have used NCL before. At least my expectations are low so I could be pleasantly surprised and it's a port intensive itinerary so looking forward to some new experiences there 😊 

With your good attitude you will have a great cruise. Do write back and tell us tales of Perspex! 🙂

[Coops2222]

Thanks for kind message ! Ha ha... would tell you about tales of perspex if I get moved to a balcony cabin with that on the balcony. It's looking like they can't move me though so will take photos of metal casing balcony! 😅👀🙃 

[TheBeardedCruiser]

On 7/23/2024 at 6:15 PM, BirdTravels said:

You chose the cabin, so you, and you alone, are responsible for the configuration of the cabin and balcony. Looking at a deck plan and then a photo of the ship (as others have) would show you your cabin. No one "missold" a cabin. You picked it. 

 

WRONG! OP hired a travel agent. Their job is to help their client. They are the expert! They should have noticed the symbol and informed their client that the symbol means that the cabin has an obstructed balcony.

Otherwise, what is the point of a travel agent?

 

Even if you disagree, and still think it's 100% the OP's fault, you don't have to be so rude! Have you heard of compassion? OP made a mistake, asked for help on a forum, and you beat them up for it?!? Why?

 

On 7/23/2024 at 6:30 PM, mom says said:

Agree with BirdTravels. You specifically selected a PrivaSea cabin. It is designated as such on the deck plans. And you apparently didn't see, or ignored the disclaimer on the cabin description pages that "Stateroom images, square footage, and configurations are representative only. Actual accommodations may vary."

 

You told the TA to book this cabin. He is not a mind reader and had no way of knowing that you hadn't bothered to read the symbols on the deck plans or find out what a PrivaSea cabin was. You are looking for someone to blame, but in this case you need a mirror.

 

Same as my response above. Your response was so rude!!!

 

Except, I'll add to my response. NCL has no excuse in this day and age! Their website is full of pictures of cabins that are not representative of the cabin that you actually get. They use the legal jargon that you quoted to cover their mistakes. It's pathetic!

 

It would be so easy for NCL to show a picture of an obstructed balcony, but that wouldn't sell as well. So they use little symbols and expect the passengers to be detectives and seek pictures on the Internet. And then NCL blames the customer and uses legal jargon to cover their greed.

 

So blame NCL, not the OP.

 

Coops2222:

Unlike the posters above, I am sorry that you are in this situation! I truly hope that you have a fabulous trip, despite the cabin not being what you desired! From reading your responses, it's sounds like you are going to make the best of it. That's all that you can do at this point. Have fun 🥳🎉😀

 

P S. If it makes you feel better, I had a similar situation a few months ago with a NCL cabin. I booked what I thought was a large oceanview cabin with a couch. That's what the pictures on NCL's website showed me. They even had a layout view showing a larger room with a couch. The cabin that I got was small and had no couch.

I was really busy at work, and did no research before I booked and paid. I literally called the travel agent and booked it ten minutes later. My mistake is that I trusted my travel agent to get me a larger room, and trusted NCL to post accurate pictures of their rooms.

Like you, I realized it after final payment, by being an internet detective. I called my TA and NCL. Neither did anything for me. I asked customer service when I got on the ship, nothing.

So what did I do? I enjoyed my cruise anyway, and found a new TA when I got home. My new TA is so much better!!!

[Coops2222]

Thank you so much The Bearded Cruiser... I too thought that some of the posts lacked compassion however, unfortunately, realise it is what you set yourself up for when you post on a public forum. Also 100 % agree with this paragraph....this is what I am talking to the T A about at the moment. Not getting very far though 😕 

WRONG! OP hired a travel agent. Their job is to help their client. They are the expert! They should have noticed the symbol and informed their client that the symbol means that the cabin has an obstructed balcony.Otherwise, what is the point of a travel agent?

 

[Asawi]

36 minutes ago, Coops2222 said:

Thank you so much The Bearded Cruiser... I too thought that some of the posts lacked compassion however, unfortunately, realise it is what you set yourself up for when you post on a public forum.

 

Yeah... CC isn't exactly the friendliest place on the net... A thick skin is a must here!
And I agree with @TheBeardedCruiser about the point of using a TA! And the rest of the post come to think of it...

 

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

 

WRONG! OP hired a travel agent. Their job is to help their client. They are the expert! They should have noticed the symbol and informed their client that the symbol means that the cabin has an obstructed balcony.

Otherwise, what is the point of a travel agent?

 

Even if you disagree, and still think it's 100% the OP's fault, you don't have to be so rude! Have you heard of compassion? OP made a mistake, asked for help on a forum, and you beat them up for it?!? Why?

 

 

Same as my response above. Your response was so rude!!!

 

Except, I'll add to my response. NCL has no excuse in this day and age! Their website is full of pictures of cabins that are not representative of the cabin that you actually get. They use the legal jargon that you quoted to cover their mistakes. It's pathetic!

 

It would be so easy for NCL to show a picture of an obstructed balcony, but that wouldn't sell as well. So they use little symbols and expect the passengers to be detectives and seek pictures on the Internet. And then NCL blames the customer and uses legal jargon to cover their greed.

 

So blame NCL, not the OP.

 

Coops2222:

Unlike the posters above, I am sorry that you are in this situation! I truly hope that you have a fabulous trip, despite the cabin not being what you desired! From reading your responses, it's sounds like you are going to make the best of it. That's all that you can do at this point. Have fun 🥳🎉😀

 

P S. If it makes you feel better, I had a similar situation a few months ago with a NCL cabin. I booked what I thought was a large oceanview cabin with a couch. That's what the pictures on NCL's website showed me. They even had a layout view showing a larger room with a couch. The cabin that I got was small and had no couch.

I was really busy at work, and did no research before I booked and paid. I literally called the travel agent and booked it ten minutes later. My mistake is that I trusted my travel agent to get me a larger room, and trusted NCL to post accurate pictures of their rooms.

Like you, I realized it after final payment, by being an internet detective. I called my TA and NCL. Neither did anything for me. I asked customer service when I got on the ship, nothing.

So what did I do? I enjoyed my cruise anyway, and found a new TA when I got home. My new TA is so much better!!!

Nasty. 
 

The OP agreed to the selected cabin. Most people engage a TA for perks and discounts. The TA would not have a clue that the last minute balcony booking was not to the OP’s liking. How would the TA know????
 

Goldilocks syndrome. This room is too high. This room is too low. This room is too close to the elevator lobby. This room is too far. This room is under the pool deck. This room is over the theater. This room is a connecting room. This room is next to an angle balcony so people will be peaking into my room. 

[Asawi]

5 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Most people engage a TA for perks and discounts.

Maybe in USA. OP is in UK. I don't know about UK since I'm in EU. But TAs here don't really offer much perks and discounts so "most people" only use them if they are uncomfortable making their own arrangements. I'd say that they expect the TA to guide and advice them.

[Coops2222]

Absolutely Asawi. All I requested was a normal balcony cabin. Not a balcony which turns out to be an  enclosed metal garage tacked on to the cabin with a porthole in it. Simple request and T A should have advised me it was not a standard balcony. Everything else fine so not sure where the Goldilocks syndrome comes in to it 🤔 

[Oakman58]

28 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Nasty. 
 

The OP agreed to the selected cabin. Most people engage a TA for perks and discounts. The TA would not have a clue that the last minute balcony booking was not to the OP’s liking. How would the TA know????
 

Goldilocks syndrome. This room is too high. This room is too low. This room is too close to the elevator lobby. This room is too far. This room is under the pool deck. This room is over the theater. This room is a connecting room. This room is next to an angle balcony so people will be peaking into my room. 

 

The way you make excuses for NCL and now for travel agents/advisors, I'm thinking you must be a TA.

 

I use a travel agent to help me with a booking, not for any perks.  Last year I booked a cruise through my TA with Celebrity, about a month after booking, my cruise agent notified me of a port change and also that Celebrity changed the ship they would be using to the Celebrity Edge.  No big deal I thought until she told me the Edge had infinite balconies and I should look online at videos to see if I would be satisfied with one of those cabins.  After looking at videos I told her to cancel our booking.  I use a travel agent to keep me informed, not for perks.

 

I

[Asawi]

Actually, this thing with TAs offering perks and discounts was totally unknown to me until I came to CC. That is absolutely NOT how it works here! But some people seem to think that the whole world works the same as their little part of it. (OK, maybe not so little, but still just a part.)

I will not get a cheaper cruise or any onboard credit or paid gratuity if I choose to go through a TA. I MIGHT get a discounted transportation to the cruiseship if I choose one of a limited number of itineraries. On the other hand, since I'm pretty good at finding cheap transportation and hotel rooms myself I might not. Or rather, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. 

This whole TA business just isn't very big here nowadays when people can do things themselves online.

[mjkacmom]

Who chose the cabin? I book connecting cabins, and usually pick them out and then call and book them. Is it possible that all of the solo balconies have hull balconies dine they’re cheaper?

[Coops2222]

I was on the phone with her booking the cruise and she directed me to that group of cabins which I found out afterwards are offered to solo cruisers. Had she said it was a hull balcony I would have said no thanks and been happy to pay more for a normal balcony which was available at the time. By the time the invoice came through ( after I paid) it said 'Please be aware this is an enclosed balcony' I had to look that up by the way....All balcony cabins are sold out now. Have offered to upgrade to club suite cabin on website upgrade but no guarantee I will get that as have offered £250 more and it's like an auction from what I'm told by NCL. 

[Asawi]

7 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

 Is it possible that all of the solo balconies have hull balconies dine they’re cheaper?

No. Not all of them. But a bigger ratio than the non-solo. So very likely the only solo balconys left when OP went to book. In general the "solo" rooms are the least desireable in each category. Which absolutely doesn't mean that they are all bad. Just "less good"...

[julig22]

1 minute ago, Asawi said:

No. Not all of them. But a bigger ratio than the non-solo. So very likely the only solo balconys left when OP went to book. In general the "solo" rooms are the least desireable in each category. Which absolutely doesn't mean that they are all bad. Just "less good"...

I find it kinda ironic that what NCL seems to consider "less good" tends to be cabins that I prefer. And yes, that includes enclosed balconies, since I often sail in cold-weather.  Against my better judgement, I booked a solo cabin on an upcoming cruise because I had a specific cabin in mind -best "regular" balcony on the ship IMHO if you're trying to capture pictures in Alaska. First time I was in that cabin was because it was one available for upgrade using points (also usually the "less good" cabins).

But paying for it in another way, due to price drops that don't exist for solo cabins.

[mjkacmom]

4 hours ago, Coops2222 said:

I was on the phone with her booking the cruise and she directed me to that group of cabins which I found out afterwards are offered to solo cruisers. Had she said it was a hull balcony I would have said no thanks and been happy to pay more for a normal balcony which was available at the time. By the time the invoice came through ( after I paid) it said 'Please be aware this is an enclosed balcony' I had to look that up by the way....All balcony cabins are sold out now. Have offered to upgrade to club suite cabin on website upgrade but no guarantee I will get that as have offered £250 more and it's like an auction from what I'm told by NCL. 

But if it’s not designated as a solo you’d have to pay that times 2.

[julig22]

3 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

But if it’s not designated as a solo you’d have to pay that times 2.

The "solo" staterooms are usually less than double occupancy (not always LOL) but definitely not half of double-occupancy. So the difference can just be a few hundred $$s.

[BirdTravels]

On 7/27/2024 at 1:27 PM, Coops2222 said:

Absolutely Asawi. All I requested was a normal balcony cabin. Not a balcony which turns out to be an  enclosed metal garage tacked on to the cabin with a porthole in it. Simple request and T A should have advised me it was not a standard balcony. Everything else fine so not sure where the Goldilocks syndrome comes in to it 🤔 

Goldilocks,,, nothing will ever please some people.

 

I lived in the UK for many years and would not trust a high street travel agent to provide anything more than a package booking. Do you disagree????

 

It is the responsibility of the person buying the service/room to ensure that they are pleased with the booking. 

 

You seemed to have been able to check the room.... after you paid. Why didn't you do that before you paid? Seems to be your fault to me. 

 

Cancel your cruise. File an insurance claim. Solved. 

Edited July 28 by BirdTravels

[Coops2222]

I dont disagree however they are a cruise specialist travel agency..not a high street package holiday travel agent. I only looked the cabin up AFTER I was informed on the confirmation invoice about the balcony being enclosed. No need to question it before paying as the photo of that cabin on their website showed a normal balcony and Iglu Cruises agent directed those cabins to me as being available over the phone so I did check out the photo before paying. The photos of hull balconies on the Epic are not good as other people have pointed out here on CC. See below. Whilst I appreciate othe posters have said they do not mind, I do mind and it is not what I paid for at the time of booking. I have also read on this forum that this has happened before to other cruisers however they didnt realise until they got in to the cabin. I would have rather saved money and booked an inside cabin. Cruise is sold out now so I can not do that. Have a great day Bird Travels.

[Panhandle Couple]

2 hours ago, Coops2222 said:

I dont disagree however they are a cruise specialist travel agency..not a high street package holiday travel agent. I only looked the cabin up AFTER I was informed on the confirmation invoice about the balcony being enclosed. No need to question it before paying as the photo of that cabin on their website showed a normal balcony and Iglu Cruises agent directed those cabins to me as being available over the phone so I did check out the photo before paying. The photos of hull balconies on the Epic are not good as other people have pointed out here on CC. See below. Whilst I appreciate othe posters have said they do not mind, I do mind and it is not what I paid for at the time of booking. I have also read on this forum that this has happened before to other cruisers however they didnt realise until they got in to the cabin. I would have rather saved money and booked an inside cabin. Cruise is sold out now so I can not do that. Have a great day Bird Travels.

Cue the Monty Python skit.

 

"Hello I am Bounder of Adventures"

 

"I'm Smokes Too Much"

 

Etc, etc.

 

[Coops2222]

I just googled Monty Python

"Hello I am Bounder of Adventures" 

Hilarious 😂  thanks for that x

 

[Tinknock50]

I didn't read through all your posts, but is there any way to convert to a Guarantee booking?  You may not fare any better, but it is worth a shot.

I have found over the years, that even if a ship is considered full, they generally have something open. or opened up near the cruise date.

Edited July 29 by Tinknock50

[Coops2222]

They say they are fully booked however apparently someone at NCL told me yesterday that they hold back cabins for those that bid to upgrade.  I have just heard that the travel agent accepts it was their error and are refunding me some cash which I have put towards a higher bid for an upgrade. Fingers crossed 🤞

[Asawi]

22 minutes ago, Coops2222 said:

I have just heard that the travel agent accepts it was their error and are refunding me some cash which I have put towards a higher bid for an upgrade. Fingers crossed 🤞

Glad to see you got some compensation! 

[Coops2222]

Thanks Asawi 😊