Norwegian Escape grounded

So by actually reading the article in its entirely, it seems that so-called "bill of rights" was a "shut up the protesters" (and the politicians) document adopted after certain incidents ranging from total disaster (the CONCORDIA) to a power loss (TRIUMPH) suffered by passengers...the woman who wrote the letter admits theres no seeming penalty or procedure for violations...the lawyer quoted actually agrees with her. And lawyers aren't known to be shy when they smell $$ from defendants with "deep pockets"...

After seeing the pictures and reading now badly it was mishandled, I wish those passengers the best of luck. That boondoggle could have happened to any of US!! I still say the Captain could have spoken to corporate and left several guest services reps and a few higher ups from ships staff to handle the thing, and given them a free hand to spend some $$, and been complimented for it.....instead, we have THIS epic snafu. Surprised nobody was injured or had to be medevacked to a toonerville trolley hospital. ......

BTW, just downloaded our EDOCS....

And so the saga continues ... now the passengers are saying that the "Passengers Bill of Rights" has been violated.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/03/26/norwegian-escape-cruise-rights/

Fascinating!

So they lied re the damage...........shoot the piano player......followed by the usual poohbahs on mahogany row....

So I see on cruise law news that a piano player from the ship claims there was a hull breach and flooding on deck 1.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2022/03/18/norwegian-cruise-canceled-refund-credit/7089554001/?gnt-cfr=1

All is NOT well.....NCL can throw all the $$ it wants at these folks, BUT......what a disaster.....they could have

taken the entire Guest Services Dept along with a few of the higher ranking pooh-bahs off the ship to organize this better.....

At the price of a US Passport, I cant really understand it either. $130 for peace of mind if something like this happens is well worth it. I hold the same opinion of Travel Insurance. The extra $100-300 could end up saving you THOUSANDS.

I can't for the life of me understand how anyone who leaves the CONUS would dare to do it without a passport. Yes, alternate forms of ID are acceptable, but when the proverbial stuff starts hitting the fan....well...we've had entire cruises where they stayed in the safe, and we quit carrying those copies in our pockets...just laziness...but no more...too much chance of that stuff flying around....We've had this discussion in here...but try convincing some bureaucrat when things go wrong...

Saw this one this morning ... looks like this is not going to be an easy journey home for some.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2022/03/17/norwegian-cruise-ship-canceled-passengers-limbo/7082765001/

Though I normally don't "endorse" blog articles posted by Mr. J Walker, ESQ, there is an excellent argument as to why we all should cruise with a Passport Book, in the picture of the customer service letter at the end.

In a nutshell it is advising passengers that do not have a passport that they must make special arrangements with the help of on board personnel before being allowed to fly home or to Orlando on the chartered airplanes. Basically they will be able to get special permission from the Department of State to return but it will be on a later flight than those with passport books as they will need to wait for the US feds to do identity verifications. Plus, there is a chance any extra lodging and meal expenses incurred on land may initially be at the passenger's own expense to be later reimbursed by the cruise line or travel insurance, as that aspect is not covered in the letter.

https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2022/03/articles/groundings/ncls-norwegian-escape-runs-aground-near-dominican-republic/