Norwegian Cruise Line still saying no change to itinerary; 'mass confusion' in Boston'
BAR HARBOR, SEPT. 15, 2023 - As late as this morning at 9, Norwegian Cruise Lines was telling callers that there have been no itinerary changes despite having emailed the harbormaster here Wednesday canceling its Saturday visit.
A cruise line operator said, “As of right now, there hasn't been any itinerary changes regarding that” when asked about the impending hurricane headed toward Maine.
Asked a second time about the storm, the operator said, “I'm aware. Yes, sir. Right now there has not been any any kind of itinerary changes or anything regarding that regarding the weather.”
One reader wrote the QSJ to state, “I have managed to get in contact with a passenger that just boarded the NCL Pearl, in Boston, and he is saying the cruise staff has no information or updates on whether the cruise is still sailing. He said that there is mass confusion among the passengers and staff with no one providing any information.
“My wife and I have a scheduled cruise aboard the Norwegian Pearl, which is set to take us from New England to Canada on September 15th. Hurricane Lee is currently on a direct path that intersects with every destination we have planned, including Bar Harbor and Halifax, with our final stop in Quebec City, Canada.
“Norwegian Cruise Line has not provided any updates or information regarding the status of our cruise, leaving us uncertain about whether it will proceed as planned. When we contacted the Norwegian call support line, they stated that they have no information on this matter. On various online forums, we've noticed a significant number of frustrated cruise passengers who are facing the same dilemma—uncertain whether to cancel their inbound flight to Boston or their outbound flight from Canada. This experience has been by far the worst in terms of customer service among all the cruises I have been on.
Another reader wrote, “In the same boat. We’re supposed to leave on 9/17 out of NYC for a New England/Canada sailing. No updates. Norwegian has a canned answer saying itineraries aren’t affected. Yeah right. I’m guessing this is so folks don’t cancel en masse. All I do know is I will Never sail w Norwegian again bk of poor customer response.”
“I'm in total agreement with you that we will never sail with Norwegian! Our cruise is slated to set sail, through a hurricane, in 22 hours, and still, absolutely no update, no alerts, no notifications. The only message we received is to watch the ‘Pre boarding safety video’ for the 4th time ...”
As much as I’d like to bash a big bad cruise ship company… and I would. I’m not a big fan. In fact, I’m probably more of a pirate than a cruise ship passenger. But, per one passenger’s comment, the cruise is leaving Boston on the 17th.? We’ll see the outskirts of the hurricane/tropical storm pass the MDI and Downeast Maine on the 16th, continuing north, northeast. If I understand the calendar right, they’ll be 24-48 hours behind the bad weather, no?
Lincoln, I have just heard from the passenger that is currently on the Pearl
9/15 - Friday
10:10am EST
"There was just an announcement for the crew that embarkation is commencing in 15 minutes, and one of the staff who is directing people to their muster stations just told me we are still going to Bar Harbor on schedule!"
10:30am EST
"I’ve just completed my muster drill, and I asked the attendants if we are still going to Bar Harbor. She told me “we don’t know yet.” And—I swear this is true—“we will know in about ten hours.”
Phil