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

Fri Jun 18 09:24:23 UTC 2010

Well I am not a guide dog user but traveled on the Pride of America in 2008
and found the hotel manager to be very inflexable and therefore some of his
staff to be he same.  We had a noise issue with  the club below our cabin.
We sasked to be moved but were only give the choice of an inside cabin with
no ship credit.  We also asked that the bass level be dropped after 11 pm
and were told "we have to think of our other customers".  These are the
reasons while we will "NEVER" sail with NCL.  Royal Caribbean has gone out
of their way to make accomidations and is a much blind friendlier cruise
line.  We have been on  3 RCL sailings and have another on in January and
look forward to the excellent service.

-----Original Message-----
From: travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter Donahue
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 11:44 PM
To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Reasons Why I Will Never Sail on NCL Again

Good evening everyone,

    If a nation-wide group of guide dog users chose NCL as its cruise line 
of choice perhaps you would do well to learn to start trusting others in the

blind community and believing that like other travel entities cruise lines 
can change their ways and become more accommodating. If I would you I would 
stop recycling messages from years ago, and reserve my spot on this cruise 
assuming that is still possible. You will be better informed from first-hand

experience.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wendy David" <wendydav at mindspring.com>
To: "NFB Travel and Tourism Division List" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>; 
<cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
Cc: "Wendy David Work" <Wendy.David at med.va.gov>
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 9:03 PM
Subject: [Travelandtourism] Reasons Why I Will Never Sail on NCL Again

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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