Jump to content

NCL Ship Damage -- What Would RCL Do?


Recommended Posts

I'm sure everyone knows about the NCL Escape running aground. I wonder if the initial inspections showed structural damage to the ship, because they are disembarking all passengers 3/16-18 and flying them to Orlando according to this letter. Would RCL do a similar measure, esp the 100% FCC? Has anything like this happened in recent years?

image.thumb.png.2a4f6e36acd57955dba9e81c5ce29d36.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suspect any cruise line would offer the same plan if a ship was to be deemed unsafe to sail.  My big takeaway is that they asked guests with no passport to contact guest services for alternative arrangements.  I'd be curious to hear what they might be.  Another example of why you should get a passport and have travel assurance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Man I would be making sure I was on the last plane they are offering, enjoying every moment of the now ‘free’ vacation and looking forward to the next free one.

Unfortunately, you know there will be people on the news whining about how their ‘trip of a lifetime’ was completely ruined. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, DandA said:

I suspect any cruise line would offer the same plan if a ship was to be deemed unsafe to sail.  My big takeaway is that they asked guests with no passport to contact guest services for alternative arrangements.  I'd be curious to hear what they might be.  Another example of why you should get a passport and have travel assurance.

I am kind of curious about those who have a passport card rather than the book as well. My understanding is that the card is only for surface travel (car or ship) and not air. 

Guess the US Embassy is going to have a busy week expediting travel docs.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good question Dunkel! The importance is not so much from the passenger perspective "what do I get" but from an operational perspective. I think all cruise lines should be asking themselves, Are our GPS and SONAR systems calibrated and accurate? Do we need to test or upgrade them more often? What are our procedures in case this type of accident happens to us? Let's walk through those procedures, are we we covering all our bases?  Are we practicing enough? Is the crew ready? A case analysis of NCL what did in this situation, what was right? And, what was wrong? What happened this week to the Escape should be a tool that is used by all cruise lines to make themselves better.

Maritime accidents similar to this or are real easy see that something like this could happen to me on my cruise vacation are quite frequent. The incident last December near Coco Cay caused by the Utopia IV sinking that tanker immediately comes to mind. I mean, the Bahamas government confiscated and purposefully put the Utopia iV on display for all Royal Caribbean passengers in Nassau to look at. That vessel could very well still be there today.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It seems to me this did happen to RC many years ago when Captain Otto Bang "bumped" into something off the coast of Italy.  I want to say it happened in the early 2010's (he was the Captain of Navigator in 2009.)  Not sure of the details only to know that he was "let go" due to the incident.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, coneyraven said:

It seems to me this did happen to RC many years ago when Captain Otto Bang "bumped" into something off the coast of Italy.  I want to say it happened in the early 2010's (he was the Captain of Navigator in 2009.)  Not sure of the details only to know that he was "let go" due to the incident.

With a name like "Otto Bang" they should have seen that coming.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, EmptyNestTravels said:

Is a local pilot required to be onboard for entering/leaving port?  If so, I would expect the pilot to be liable.

Pilots only advise and have no awareness how each vessel handles or is impacted by winds.  The Captain is always responsible and can choose to accept or ignore a pilot’s input.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, royalcaribbeannewbie said:

Out of curiosity in this circumstance would this mean you would get the Crown and Anchor points only for the nights that you actually sailed? Or would it be for the nights you booked since you already started the cruise? I'm assuming it's the latter but just curious to know.

No one knows for sure but historically Royal has been generous with CAS points for other disruptions such as hurricanes.  In those cases if you were on the ship and a cruise was altered you at least received the full planned itinerary points and if a cruise went longer you received points for the extended itinerary.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, MarkFamMan said:

 

Ouch that's a bummer but seems pretty stand up of NCL other than the non passport item already brought up.

 

Dealing with the situation as best they can.  

The passport issue isn’t really NCL’s fault.  People who choose to travel internationally without a passport put themselves in this position.  NCL can’t override the governments and regulations involved.  

There may be people who can’t fly for reasons most of us can’t fathom so they are impacted as well.  

Personally I think CBP should do away with the cruise exemption for passports but plenty of people choose this method so what do I know? 🤣

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, royalcaribbeannewbie said:

Out of curiosity in this circumstance would this mean you would get the Crown and Anchor points only for the nights that you actually sailed? Or would it be for the nights you booked since you already started the cruise? I'm assuming it's the latter but just curious to know.

Well, we had a similar situation in regards to a shortened cruise. Our 9-Night on Grandeur out of Baltimore was delayed by two days because the ship had to stop in Port Canaveral for rudder repairs.

Even though the cruise only ended up being 7 nights, we still got the original 9 C&A points along with a 50% cruise fare refund and a taxes/fees refund on the ports we missed as a result.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, twangster said:

Dealing with the situation as best they can.  

The passport issue isn’t really NCL’s fault.  People who choose to travel internationally without a passport put themselves in this position.  NCL can’t override the governments and regulations involved.  

There may be people who can’t fly for reasons most of us can’t fathom so they are impacted as well.  

Personally I think CBP should do away with the cruise exemption for passports but plenty of people choose this method so what do I know? 🤣

I 1000% agree people should not be leaving the US without a passport.

My parents who are both 72 didn't get their first passport until they were 60 years old and I basically had to twist their arm to get them to go get one and they didn't take their first international trip until they were 64 despite the fact of where I work and they get travel benefits.  I understand why so many people in this country don't have a passport and don't see the need for a passport but I agree CBP should end the cruise exemption for this very reason because now we have American's on this canceled cruise struggling to get the proper documentation to get home and there is nothing NCL can do about it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is puzzling.  Everything here will point to the captain of that cruise ship and the systems aboard. High resolution radar systems have been delivering a new standard in navigational awareness for operators of very large cruise ships for years.  What would Royal do??  I would point you to the fine print policy on cancellations for whatever reason once aboard a cruise ship. The liabilities will certain be "lawyered up"  and if Royal wants to do what is right and just, then they have the option to do anything they want. ....like promising to get you home by private jet, should you get covid.   I would look at Royals track record on situations like this compared to the competition to learn more. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, royalcaribbeannewbie said:

Out of curiosity in this circumstance would this mean you would get the Crown and Anchor points only for the nights that you actually sailed? Or would it be for the nights you booked since you already started the cruise? I'm assuming it's the latter but just curious to know.

In 2020 (our last cruise before everything blew up) we were on Anthem which was supposed to be an 8 night cruise.  Because of a suspected COVID case (which turned out to be a false alarm), our cruise was delayed by 3 days and turned into a 5 night cruise to Bermuda.  We received all 16 of our C&A points even though we only cruised 5 nights.

In addition, we received a 50% cruise fare rebate in the form of onboard credit PLUS another FCC for 50% cruise fare...so essentially, the cruise was free.  For reasons that I could never explain, our FCC's were more than 50% of our cruise fare, so we actually made money on that cruise !  My guess (but never confirmed) is that they based the FCC's on the full fare and we had a casino comp upgrade which reduced the PP fare significantly.  I really never quite figured that one out....but never question a gift !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/17/2022 at 9:21 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

In 2020 (our last cruise before everything blew up) we were on Anthem which was supposed to be an 8 night cruise.  Because of a suspected COVID case (which turned out to be a false alarm), our cruise was delayed by 3 days and turned into a 5 night cruise to Bermuda.  We received all 16 of our C&A points even though we only cruised 5 nights.

In addition, we received a 50% cruise fare rebate in the form of onboard credit PLUS another FCC for 50% cruise fare...so essentially, the cruise was free.  For reasons that I could never explain, our FCC's were more than 50% of our cruise fare, so we actually made money on that cruise !  My guess (but never confirmed) is that they based the FCC's on the full fare and we had a casino comp upgrade which reduced the PP fare significantly.  I really never quite figured that one out....but never question a gift !

well that's interesting and great for you.  I have 4 weeks booked B2B and its all cancelled as my wife now tested positive for covid ( feels fine no symptoms)  and air2sea cannot find me a flight for the second leg of the trip or the third!  I was on the phone with them for 5 hours yesterday. Today is the day I find out what will now happen.  All 4 cruises on suites for double points OBC,  all lost  looks like it, as Club Royale and RCCI are 2 separate entities, and Club Royale won't deviate from the offers I used ...and they are expired.  I have a special resolution agent from Royal looking into it, but it does not look good. They are trying to fill in the next 3 weeks out of Florida now. Barbados flights are now fully booked and more than doubled in price to boot.  This was booked last spring.   My wifes quarantine is over this coming wednesday.  Mine is done.  If club Royale won't do anything, then I am leaving the program.  Will most likely give Celebrity a go. At least my crown and anchor is somewhat matched up., and the new ships look fantastic. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This might be a simplistic solution, but it seems like in this case, the DR could allow NCL to put the passengers without passports on to another ship that is not sailing right now. Who knows if that's a cheaper solution than the flight charters and headaches of dealing with the situation. If they still have idle ships, maybe its a preparedness issue. It seems like food could be transferred from the Escape.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

49 minutes ago, DunkelBierJay said:

This might be a simplistic solution, but it seems like in this case, the DR could allow NCL to put the passengers without passports on to another ship that is not sailing right now. Who knows if that's a cheaper solution than the flight charters and headaches of dealing with the situation. If they still have idle ships, maybe its a preparedness issue. It seems like food could be transferred from the Escape.

Needs to be a ship that returns to Port Canaveral or they violate the PVSA.  They could alter another ship’s itinerary but then you impact a whole other set of guests.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/17/2022 at 4:44 AM, twangster said:

Pilots only advise and have no awareness how each vessel handles or is impacted by winds.  The Captain is always responsible and can choose to accept or ignore a pilot’s input.  

This opinion keeps coming up.  Mostly because when talking to cruise ship officers, they always say "The Captain is always in command", which while mostly factual, isn't when it comes to the use of harbor pilots.  We have friends who are harbor pilots in Texas.  Maritime law on this is well established. The pilot is is command of navigation.  He/she gives the orders. The Captain/crew may either obey those orders, or dismiss the pilot.  But he/she would then have to get another pilot on board, before moving again.  In the US, most states have very small liability clauses. In Texas, the most one can sue a pilot for, is $1000.  Sounds insane, but if the line could sue the pilots, then the cost of hiring pilots (which is already expensive) would go out of sight.  

In this case, it's likely that the pilot will lose his/her license, unless it is documented that his orders weren't followed.  As well, the Captain's career is likely over.  My uncle, a US Navy Commander, was forced to retire after his ship caught fire, while he was on leave (vacation).  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Eddy said:

well that's interesting and great for you.  I have 4 weeks booked B2B and its all cancelled as my wife now tested positive for covid ( feels fine no symptoms)  and air2sea cannot find me a flight for the second leg of the trip or the third!  I was on the phone with them for 5 hours yesterday. Today is the day I find out what will now happen.  All 4 cruises on suites for double points OBC,  all lost  looks like it, as Club Royale and RCCI are 2 separate entities, and Club Royale won't deviate from the offers I used ...and they are expired.  I have a special resolution agent from Royal looking into it, but it does not look good. They are trying to fill in the next 3 weeks out of Florida now. Barbados flights are now fully booked and more than doubled in price to boot.  This was booked last spring.   My wifes quarantine is over this coming wednesday.  Mine is done.  If club Royale won't do anything, then I am leaving the program.  Will most likely give Celebrity a go. At least my crown and anchor is somewhat matched up., and the new ships look fantastic. 

Might have to digress here..... getting another test. If negative, all is a go!  Otherwise the whole trip is scrapped

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Eddy said:

Might have to digress here..... getting another test. If negative, all is a go!  Otherwise the whole trip is scrapped

I have seen where people have reached out to Michael Bayley direcdtly via email (I do not have it) or on Facebook.....I am following him on facebook and witnessed someone post and tag him and he answered to send him a DM and he would have the issue addressed.  Hopefully there will be a negative test for you. If not, look into that.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Bill S said:

This opinion keeps coming up.  Mostly because when talking to cruise ship officers, they always say "The Captain is always in command", which while mostly factual, isn't when it comes to the use of harbor pilots.  We have friends who are harbor pilots in Texas.  Maritime law on this is well established. The pilot is is command of navigation.  He/she gives the orders. The Captain/crew may either obey those orders, or dismiss the pilot.  But he/she would then have to get another pilot on board, before moving again.  In the US, most states have very small liability clauses. In Texas, the most one can sue a pilot for, is $1000.  Sounds insane, but if the line could sue the pilots, then the cost of hiring pilots (which is already expensive) would go out of sight.  

In this case, it's likely that the pilot will lose his/her license, unless it is documented that his orders weren't followed.  As well, the Captain's career is likely over.  My uncle, a US Navy Commander, was forced to retire after his ship caught fire, while he was on leave (vacation).  

The last I checked the DR is not the United States.  Pilots in the DR and other Caribbean ports do NOT take command of the ship.  Even in St. Thomas, USVI, pilots do NOT take command of the ship.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...