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

cheryl echevarria cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
Fri Jun 18 12:22:44 UTC 2010 

I will give you an example of what I mean, and I am sorry Maurice, and he 
will know what I mean.

I cannot stand Carnival Cruise Lines, I don't like there customer service 
reps on the phone, and management, but that doesn't mean I will not sell 
them either, if my clients want to go on Carnival, I will do it, they are 
great to the guests, but personally I will never take a carnival cruise.

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


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: "NFB Travel and Tourism Division List" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 8:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Reasons Why I Will Never Sail on NCL Again


> You said the last one was in 2008 it is now 2010. I have posted the 
> information from the cruise lines contact person here, you do not have to 
> go on NCL again Wendy, again like Maurice has said that is your right to 
> do so. But again, I have a right as a blind person and a guide dog user, 
> to make up my own mind as well. I am not talking as a travel agent now. If 
> someone came up to me and offered me a cruise to help raise money for my 
> guide dog school. I would do my very best to get the word out. I am hoping 
> that others like the supporters of GDF, like Lions and other organizations 
> and people will take the cruise, as well as guide dog users.
>
> As with the NAGDU cruise, or with anything NFB does, and I am doing the 
> NAGDU cruise as a member of NAGDU and not a travel agent difference here, 
> to sell to others to help support our organization, the same with GDF.
>
> Like with the Coin we sold last year, if we sold to ourselves what would 
> be the point, yes it is nice to have one to keep but if we sold to only 
> ourselves, we are not getting the word out there about NFB, NAGDU, GDF. 
> What's the point.
>
> Norwegian Cruise Lines is doing there very best to work with me and answer 
> all my questions and speak to me on the phone.  Believe me they do not 
> want to lose customers, no one does in this economy.  You wont get the 
> same customer service that I give with the Expedia and Orbitz, they don't 
> care we are only a number to then and then they move on.
>
> myself on the other hand, have everything riding when I sell travel to 
> someone, I don't want them telling everyone to stay away from me because I 
> sell a certain product, I sell where every anyone wants to go, if they 
> have issues with the supplier in this case NCL, then I am on top of it, I 
> don't want to give someone something that they will not like.
>
>
> 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
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Wendy David" <wendydav at mindspring.com>
> To: "NFB Travel and Tourism Division List" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 12:35 AM
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Reasons Why I Will Never Sail on NCL Again
>
>
> > Peter,
> > I've experienced 9 cruises now and twice on NCL. I think I have enough
> > first-hand experience to make an informed decision. Like I said, I hope 
> > your
> > experience is better but I've traveled enough with my dog guide to know 
> > that
> > as a consumer, I can now make better choices.
> > Wendy
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
> > To: "NFB Travel and Tourism Division List" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:44 PM
> > 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
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> Travelandtourism mailing list
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> > >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
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> > >> Travelandtourism:
> > >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org/wendydav%40mindspring.com
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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