[Travelandtourism] Reasons Why I Will Never Sail on NCL Again

Fri Jun 18 02:03:38 UTC 2010

Cheryl et al,

I am resending this post from September of 2008. I have since been on 4 
other cruise lines and would still decline to travel on NCL.   I don't trust 
they have changed that much since I traveled with them and I personally 
wouldn't trust the word of some one sitting in an office and not on the 
actual boat with you/.  I hope your experience is better, but I would 
definitely not risk the sort of treatment and attitude I've experienced with 
them twice now.

Wendy David

Norwegian Cruise Lines is Guide Dog Unfriendly
I wanted to alert any visually impaired traveler who plans to cruise with a
dog guide to think twice before embarking upon a cruise with Norwegian
Cruise Lines (NCL).  I just returned from a cruise on the Norwegian Pearl to
Alaska and was dismayed to find that the cruise line's "company policy" was
to ensure that the dog guide relieves itself out of sight of all other
passengers.  In other words, my dog was expected to relieve in a 4 by 4 foot
box in a stairwell, which back up to a flight of stairs leading downward,
and smelled terribly after the 1st day.  As there were 4 dog guides on this
trip and we were provided with scarcely enough sod to cover the floor of the
box, the box, stairwell, and entire area became disgustingly reeking and
uninviting within 2 days. Though we had been promised cedar mulch that would
be replenished throughout the trip, we were forced to demand the box be
changed and moved, which was finally accomplished after day 5.  It was to
the testimony of the dogs that none had an accident and all continued to
work impeccably, but the 2nd-class treatment and begrudging attitude of the
staff and company was discouraging.  In addition, the refused to provide any
Braille materials prior to the cruise and we had to arrange for any and all
alternative formats.  I have been on 3 other cruise lines and have never
received this form of treatment or glaring lack of accommodation on
Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Holland America.  Additionally, these other
lines provide outside relief areas for the dogs, provide Braille materials,
and do not feel they have to "apologize" to the other guests for the
unobtrusive presence of the dogs. Needless to say, I will not patronize NCL
again and encourage those of you who wish to travel with your dog guides to
do the same.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:43 AM
Subject: [Travelandtourism] o/t reasons why I choose Norwegian Cruise 
Linesfor my Group Cruises questions from the blind and especiallyguide dog 
users

>I realize this may be off topic, but I am sending this to a couple of 
>lists. So hope you will be patient and learn something for the future.
>
> The 2 groups that I have one was for the National Association of Guide Dog 
> Users, and one is for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.  so if 
> you are a graduate and want to know more about either cruise or other 
> cruises NCL has please let me know.
>
> A number of you have e-mailed me that I have chosen Norwegian Cruise Lines 
> over some of the others, to the point I was told I must have been crazy, 
> don't you know a number of us have been on them in the past and were 
> treated terribly and also with our dogs.
>
> Again, I am sure it did happen.  But I am also sure as myself who is blind 
> and has a guide dog that:
>
> 1. I have been on the cruise lines and had no issues at all.
>
> 2. A person who I know and contacted me recently, had issues with 
> reservations and access desk were told information that was totally wrong, 
> and I just got off the phone with Ms. Cathy Vasquez, the head of the 
> Accessibility Department with Norwegian Cruise Lines, after tweeting Mr. 
> Andy Stuart who is the Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, 
> he does answer all tweets and if you are on twitter his twitter name is 
> nclandy, he takes all complaints and concerns very seriously, the he gave 
> Ms. Vasquez, my phone no and got off the phone with her just now so that I 
> can let you all know what transpired.
>
> 3.  IF you are blind, no you do not need a sighted person with you to 
> travel.  You are given tours of the ship so that you are familiar with 
> your surroundings of the vessel since each vessel is different.  For guide 
> dogs who are welcome on board all NCL Ships, a designated area of the ship 
> is dedicated to you dog, whether one dog on board or 100, plus the staff 
> is responsible for clean up after your dog, you also have a choice of 
> material in the box for your dog.  The elevators and each level have in 
> Braille where you are and on the stateroom doors.
>
> 4. They are also dedicated to all needs of all people with disabilities 
> whether you need a wheelchair accessible stateroom which should be 
> indicated at time of booking because not only on NCL but all cruise lines 
> they are limited.  To the type of foods or dietary needs that you may 
> have, etc.
>
> I am sending this out because I do not want to offer fundraising to groups 
> or to the individual that doesn't meet all standards to everyone and not 
> just us the blind.
>
> For shame on me if I do that, I specialize in educating the blind and 
> disabled, since I myself am Blind, Kidney Transplant recipient who was on 
> dialysis and that others may need to have dialysis on any kind of 
> vacation. To being an amputee on some of my toes.
>
> Once I get the e-mail from Ms. Vasquez and all updates need I will post to 
> all of you.
>
> Thank you.  Even if I am not your travel agent, and you need help with 
> these issues, let me know, the expedia and the Orbitz or travelocities 
> wont does this for you since they work for the next sale, I work to make 
> sure you are all enjoying and being safe and secure on your trip, if not 
> then I should not be in this business.
>
> Take care.
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Independent Travel Consultant
> C10-10646
>
> http://Echevarriatravel.com
> 1-866-580-5574
>
> http://blog.echevarriatravel.com
> Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel 
> CST-1018299-10
>
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