NCL Change in Deposit Policy for Villas

[wheresthewater]

Was looking forward to a great time on NCL Jewel in March 2008. Had placed a deposit on one of the A3 courtyard villas 11/10, waiting to hear from friends if they could join us. When they got back to me on Monday saying they couldn't make those dates, I called my agent and requested switching to a AE suite instead. Lo and behold NCL was going to charge me $1500 from the $3500 deposit because of change in policy (HQ/Miami said back in March 2007). HQ was so sure they would have a vacant A3 (for mid-March 2008), they insisted on only applying $2000 to the AE suite. HQ said the change in policy had come out in the new 2008-2009 brochures, which my agent had requested several times but was told printing hadn't been completed. Amazingly, HQ seems to think its better to take the $1500, lose the passengers for the AE suite, and lose a frequent NCL cruiser. Tell me just how that works to NCL's advantage. Other than disputing the charge with my credit card company and abandoning the entire cruise season for my husband and daughter, I'm left to fume over such poor customer relations.

 

Let me know what you think. Was I simply a dumb bunny on some point here? If so, let me know. This is one hell of an expensive learning curve.

[Drew358]

That policy does not make sense. Can't you cancel, get your money back and then book an AE? If they insist on keeping your $1500, then the policy in which you booked your cruise should be applicable, not the new policy under which you booked your trip. You should also consider posting this in the NCL forum, as you probably will receive a better response.

[wheresthewater]

Yes, I've just posted this in the NCL forum. I suppose I'm simply venting right now. I still have to tell my husband what's going on, but I'm afraid he'll never agree to cruise again.

 

What a time to contact the credit card company and learn about disputing a charge. I'm learning about cruise line deposits and credit card disputes in one fell swoop.