Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it would be canceling the remainder of two westbound cruises, one to Florida and another to Cuba. The company cited a “commercial dispute” and said passengers could disembark in Miami or Tampa instead.
The “norwegian cruise line” was forced to cancel its mid-cruise due to a mechanical issue. The ship will now return to New York.
Norwegian Gem is canceling the rest of its current trip and returning to its homeport of New York City due to unspecified COVID-related conditions. Guests will be given a full refund for the cancelled trip, as well as extra compensation and help in rebooking their travel arrangements to return home when the ship docks in New York City.
Mid-Cruise Cancellation of Norwegian Gem
Norwegian Gem is now operating a 10-day Caribbean cruise that was scheduled to leave New York City on January 9. The ship was supposed to visit Grand Turk, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Tortola, and Amber Cove, but passengers were told of major itinerary modifications on the first day of the voyage, which was a day at sea after setting sail the evening before.
The remaining ports were reorganized, and two ports – Grand Turk on January 12 and St. Thomas on January 13 – were deleted. Instead of new ports, the trip would feature two extra days at sea, for a total of six sea days on the 10-day journey.
Guests received a $100 onboard credit per reservation at the time, as well as a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) worth 10% of the current trip ticket paid, which may be utilized on any future cruise until January 17, 2023.
Photo credit: Shutterstock.com / Mariusz Lopusiewicz
Three days later, passengers got another letter from the ship’s captain, Kim Karlsson, advising them that “due to COVID-related circumstances, we are unable to continue your Norwegian Gem cruise now underway.”
“We truly regret for the inconvenience,” the letter said, “but your health and safety, as well as that of our crew and the towns we visit, always comes first.” Always.”
On January 13, the ship spent the night at St. Maarten, and passengers were allowed to disembark and enjoy that one port of call. The ship is presently returning to New York City, although no projected arrival date or time has been set.
Dramatic Changes Require Dramatic Compensation
Due to the many modifications to this journey, Norwegian Cruise Line is providing all guests a full refund of the cruise ticket, which will be repaid to the original mode of payment. If the voyage was paid for using a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), the FCC will be refunded in full to the guest’s Latitudes account.
This is an unexpected reimbursement since, when a trip is interrupted, customers usually get a prorated refund depending on the portion of the cruise vacation they were able to enjoy. Because of the combination of two missing ports and the abbreviated cruise, a full refund is most likely being granted in this circumstance.
Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock / Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock / Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock
Guests will still get the $100 onboard credit they got earlier in the voyage, but the previously given 10% FCC as compensation for missing ports has been upped to a 50% FCC. The FCC is still valid for cruises until May 31, 2023.
All guests who booked flights via Norwegian Cruise Line will have their flights rebooked, and any guests who need to rebook their own independent travel arrangements to return home will have access to the internet. Independent arrangements will not be compensated, but visitors should check with their travel agents, airlines, and travel insurance providers to see whether they are eligible for compensation.
Cruises in the Future in jeopardy?
While the next Norwegian Gem sailing, a 10-day Caribbean trip, is still scheduled to depart New York on January 19, many customers and cruise aficionados are doubtful that it will take place. This comes on the heels of Norwegian Cruise Line canceling planned sailings on many of its ships.
On January 5, eight ships were canceled, with more sailings on other ships being canceled two days later, on January 12.
Norwegian Gem was not on any of the suspension lists, and several of the ships are scheduled to resume service later this month. Will those waitlists become longer, and will Norwegian Gem join the halted Norwegian Cruise Line ships? You’ll be kept up to date with Cruise Hive.
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Princess Cruises is a cruise line that operates primarily in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Sea. On Friday, Norwegian Cruise Line announced it was canceling its mid-cruise to return to New York City. Reference: princess cruises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Norwegian cruise Line come back?
A: Norwegian Cruise Line is a cruise line that has been in business since the early 1900s. In July of 2018, CEO and President Frank Del Rio announced to employees that they will be ceasing operations for financial reasons.
Did Norwegian cancel November cruises?
A: As of now, there is no current update on Norwegians website indicating that they have canceled their November cruises.
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