Windjammer Cruises has canceled three more weeks worth of cruises. Worse yet, Windjammer is being very hazy about when those people will get refunds. We understand there are also still lots of people waiting for refunds from canceled sailings even farther back. Windjammer is now also even unwilling to refund any charges for changing air fare for those who were on the canceled cruises.
In preparing today's edition of Cruise News Daily, we spoke with Sandi Copes of the Attorney General's office in Florida. She told CND that they have been contacted by 34 people regarding Windjammer. That doesn't necessarily mean 34 official complaints have been filed with them, but it is at least one step in the process. Depending on their circumstance, the individuals may go on to file full complaints.
She said that right now their office is conducting an internal review of the situation. She said that is a preliminary step to deciding whether or not to take some action against Windjammer.
Copes encouraged all consumers having a problem with Windjammer (even if they are not in Florida) to either call the Attorney General's office or register the information on their website. She said that helps them see if there is a trend, and it assists their office in deciding a course of action.
They'd like to hear from anyone who feels Windjammer hasn't dealt with them fairly, including people who have not been refunded money for canceled cruises, people who have had to resort to getting a chargeback on their credit cards, and people who are owed money for air fare to meet up with canceled cruises (especially those who may have gotten to the port before they found out the cruise was canceled).
Inside Florida, the number to call is 866-966-7226.
Outside Florida, the number is 850-414-3990.
The Attorney General also has an online complaint form.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
NCL Adds Fuel Supplement
Norwegian Cruise Line has become the second of the major cruise companies to add a fuel supplement. The first and second passengers in the cabin will pay $7 per person per day, and any additional passengers will pay $3 per person per day. Unlike the Carnival program, there is no maximum charge per voyage.
The supplement will apply to all new bookings from December 1, 2007 and beyond.
The supplement will apply to all new bookings from December 1, 2007 and beyond.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Coast Guard continuing to search:
Coast Guard spokesperson Jennifer Johnson tells CND that they are continuing to search the waters north of Hollywood Beach (Florida) for the crew member missing from Sea Escape's Island Adventure.
In addition to the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter that mounted the search yesterday, a Falcon jet joined the search today. Late yesterday, a cutter and one of the Guard's smaller vessels also were on the scene assisting in the search, and they also were searching today.
At the time he may have gone overboard, the currents were going toward shore. They still remain optimistic that the man will be found.
In addition to the HH-65 Dolphin helicopter that mounted the search yesterday, a Falcon jet joined the search today. Late yesterday, a cutter and one of the Guard's smaller vessels also were on the scene assisting in the search, and they also were searching today.
At the time he may have gone overboard, the currents were going toward shore. They still remain optimistic that the man will be found.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Crew Member Believed Overboard
A crew member was reported missing this morning from Sea Escape's Island Adventure.
The man is believed to have gone overboard during last night's cruise to nowhere out of Ft. Lauderdale. The Coast Guard is searching an area due east of Hollywood (Florida) and north and toward the shore where the current models show he would likely be.
The 44-year-old man was last seen about 9:30pm during the evening cruise, which returned to Port Everglades at 12:15am this morning. Records show he did not disembark from the ship.
Sea Escape spokesperson Judy Jarvis said the man is an assistant cook and is not a US citizen. She told CND he lives aboard the vessel, as many of their crew members do, so it wouldn't be unusual for him not to disembark. She said he was discovered missing this morning about
8:30 when he didn't report for work. After thorough searches of the vessel, he was reported as missing to the Coast Guard about noon.
From Cruise News Daily Nov 13, 2007
The man is believed to have gone overboard during last night's cruise to nowhere out of Ft. Lauderdale. The Coast Guard is searching an area due east of Hollywood (Florida) and north and toward the shore where the current models show he would likely be.
The 44-year-old man was last seen about 9:30pm during the evening cruise, which returned to Port Everglades at 12:15am this morning. Records show he did not disembark from the ship.
Sea Escape spokesperson Judy Jarvis said the man is an assistant cook and is not a US citizen. She told CND he lives aboard the vessel, as many of their crew members do, so it wouldn't be unusual for him not to disembark. She said he was discovered missing this morning about
8:30 when he didn't report for work. After thorough searches of the vessel, he was reported as missing to the Coast Guard about noon.
From Cruise News Daily Nov 13, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Form the you can't please all of the people all of the time department:
The Charleston (SC) Post & Courier reports that Norwegian Cruise Line is increasing its turnarounds at the city this year to a record 36 NCL cruises departing Charleston this year.
The agreement between the state, which operates the port, and the cruise line guarantees the port 105,000 passengers will board NCL ships at this winter season, on nine more sailings than last year over the same period. The article says last year the port's passengers numbered 107,030 for all cruise lines combined. In addition to the NCL sailings from Charleston, five other lines have scheduled port calls there.
Of course while the additional ships are bringing additional revenue to the port and providing economic benefit to the area, there is an element of the local population, as reported in the article, which is concerned about the effects of the additional visitors on the city. Read all about it in the link to the Post & Courier article.
Note: Link is valid at the time of posting.
The agreement between the state, which operates the port, and the cruise line guarantees the port 105,000 passengers will board NCL ships at this winter season, on nine more sailings than last year over the same period. The article says last year the port's passengers numbered 107,030 for all cruise lines combined. In addition to the NCL sailings from Charleston, five other lines have scheduled port calls there.
Of course while the additional ships are bringing additional revenue to the port and providing economic benefit to the area, there is an element of the local population, as reported in the article, which is concerned about the effects of the additional visitors on the city. Read all about it in the link to the Post & Courier article.
Note: Link is valid at the time of posting.
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