I’ve been on over three dozen cruises and just started cruising with my little kids (ages 4 and 7) last year. Last summer, we went on a 7-day Mediterranean cruise and they loved it so much we booked a 10-day Caribbean cruise six months later for New Year’s Eve. Here’s our review of the Enchanted Princess.
So I know what it’s like cruising with little kids and I can’t imagine what happened to this family from Tulsa, who got stranded in Ketchikan, Alaska because of a tour bus mix-up
According to 2 News (local Oklahoma news), “The trip started as a family reunion trip on the Norwegian Encore. The family said the trip cost around $30,000 for the group of 16. Nine family members went on a Norwegian Cruise Line excursion to a LumberJack show in Ketchikan, Alaska. Struggles started when they tried to get back to the port. “We see the chaos getting onto the buses. We go to get on the bus and one of the attendees is like ‘The bus is full, and you know you got to wait for the next bus,'” said Joshua Gault.”
Gault said the ticket attendant wasn’t checking tickets, only doing a head count, which meant he was letting people from another ship take their seats. The family called the port authority who sent a van to pick them up but it was too late. “They got to the port and watched as clothes, medication, passports, and the rest of their belongings left without them.”
Gault told 2 News, “You know, it was a nightmare. Six kids on board, minor children, and a 78-year-old mother-in-law, all on medication. We all had to quit cold turkey medication these last few days because it was all on the cruise ship.”
This is a nightmare on so many levels and the worst part is that they couldn’t even catch up with the ship at the next port because it was heading to Canada and not everyone had their passport.
“It turned into a long, multi-day journey home including numerous cities, baggage pickup, canceled flights, and overnight airport stays. The family paid for everything, ‘all the flights for nine people, all the food for nine people, all the hotel stays,’ said Gault.”
The craziest part is Gault said, “the cruise line also issued a $971 fine per person for missing the ship.” Their credit cards were charged almost $9,000 and that’s before they purchased hotels and new flights to get home. Say what?!
Fortunately, it looks like they will be reimbursed as Norwegian shared this statement with 2 News:
“On the afternoon of Friday, July 12, a family of nine guests missed the ship’s all aboard time in Ketchikan, Alaska due to a misstep by a local tour operator. When the guests did not return to the ship at the published time, we attempted to contact them but were unable to reach them. As such, we alerted the local port agent in Ketchikan and requested that they assist the family with booking a hotel for the night. As the guests would be unable to downline in the next port of call, Victoria, British Columbia, the port agent also helped the guests with securing flights to Seattle the following day, July 13.
We will be reimbursing the family for all of the out-of-pocket expenses they incurred over these two days, as a result of missing the ship in Ketchikan, including meals, accommodations, etc. Reimbursements will be processed once receipts for these expenses are provided to us. Additionally, we have already initiated the process to refund the family for the fee imposed by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, as a result of the guests not visiting a foreign port prior to returning to the U.S., as required when an itinerary originates from the U.S. in accordance with the Passenger Vessel Services Act. In addition, these guests will be receiving a pro-rated refund for the two cruise days they missed. As a gesture of goodwill, the company will also be providing each of the nine guests with a Future Cruse Credit in the form of a 20 percent discount of their cruise fare that can be used towards their next voyage.”
So what are the takeaways from this story?
1. If you go on a cruise that’s visiting multiple countries, be sure to bring your passport on the shore excursion – especially if the ship is going to another country the following day like the Norwegian Encore
2. If going on a shore excursion, leave plenty of time to get back to the ship because they won’t wait for you. Cruise ships need to keep their schedules.
3. If you do book a shore excursion, it’s safest to book it through the cruise line because they usually will wait for you if something goes wrong or at least reimburse you to get to the next port
4. NCL stated, “we attempted to contact them but were unable to reach them.” Make sure the cruise line has your cell phone number and you have your phone on.
5. Have plenty of extra money in either cash or better yet credit cards because if something goes wrong like this, you will have to have enough credit available to pay for all of your expenses.
6. Use the right credit card to pay for your cruise and get travel insurance through a third party to be even better protected in case something goes wrong.
I haven’t been on Norwegian Encore but my sister and her best friend went on a trip on behalf of JohnnyJet.com and wrote this story: 10 Highlights From Norwegian Encore’s Inaugural Cruise to the Bahamas.
KEEP READING:
–Going on a cruise? Don’t sail without these essentials
–12 cruise secrets that will make your journey so much better
–A reader suggested this little-known cruise essential I never knew existed and she was spot-on
–Going on a cruise? Be sure to bring this
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