Definately eye opening!
Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage
7 Night Alaska Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: August 22, 2015
Ship: Norwegian Jewel
Cabin type: Inside
Cabin number: 8129
Traveled as: Large Group
Reviewed: 9 years ago
Review summary
This was our first cruise. After paying $1600 for our room and what we assumed would be trip bill then we checked out with another $1680 bill. It jaw dropping! The overall trip was good. The scenery and cruising we had a blast with family and friends.
Our drain backed up in our bathroom floor 4 nights! We were extremely disappointed in the compensation. After two nights of stepping in someone else's shower water we had to get dressed in the middle of the night to use the bathroom in the hall. It was gross and frustrating that we didn't have a room swap or anything comped off our bill!
The service from most of the staff was good, but the language barrier was extremely frustrating for passengers and crew. Not all but some of the crew was rude about when they had to repeat things or just grumpy in general. I understand it was the last cruise of the season so I'm sure workers were ready to get off the boat, but on the flip side this was our first experience on a ship and it wasn't the best.
For the reasons mentioned above, if we were ever to go on another cruise it definitely wouldn't be with Norwegian!
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9 Comments
shostetler 9 years ago
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback. It seemed like getting answers from anyone was an act of congress. Its good to know what we should have done (insisting to talk to a manager at the front desk) we did have someone come look at it but it wasn't until the 4th day, after that there weren't any issues.
My boyfriend tried to call the customer service # they gave us when we asked for a manager's # on the ship but was directed to a website to fill out a survey.
That's frustrating as well when you want to talk to someone! I will for sure write the letter though.
I agree with not messing with the crews wages, they do work hard! We definitely weren't expecting a refund, but at the time they could've comped something. Like I said though it was definitely a learning experience.
Thanks again for the feedback!
Deejay43 9 years ago
You need to write a letter to Norwegian's Customer Relations department advising them of the reasons for your dissatisfaction with your "first cruising experience". Having a flooded cabin and having to use a public lavatory are legitimate complaints that should evoke some recognition in the form of a credit against a future cruise. It is not at all likely that you will receive a refund but you did have the option to ask the customer service desk to deduct some of the hotel service fees (aka gratuities) from the bill. It is not really fair to the ship's crew to do so because those fees comprise most of their income but you do have that option. Make the fact known in your complaint letter that you were fair to the crew and that you expect Norwegian Cruise Lines to reciprocate. If you have a similar problem on a future cruise give the service desk only one chance to provide you with alternate accommodation (Sorry, the ship is full is the standard response) and then ask to see the Hotel Manager who is the second most important officer after the Captain.
The charges to your shipboard account should never come as a surprise. With the exception of the "luxury cruise lines" that offer all-inclusive fares there is nothing free save for the entertainment and meals. Now that you know, don't let this experience sour you on cruising. It's a great way to see the world.
shostetler 9 years ago
We did eventually look at our bill, but just by talking to other people on the cruise to know that's what we should do. I guess being it was our first cruise we didn't know all the extra charges other than just booking the cruise (we went with a big group and someone else did most of the booking, sometimes reading the fine print is overlooked.)
My sister checked out with a zero balance and 2 days after we got off the cruise she had another $300 charge on her card. She called to find out it is a hold they put on your account until the rooms are cleaned. This was in the fine print. It's frustrating when it causes overdrafts. Either way, lessons learned.
Believe me it wasn't all bad! I just think next time we go to Alaska it will be renting a car and exploring on our own time.
Overall it was a great experience.