Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that it has extended its suspension of sailings through June 1, 2021. In a very brief message sent to travel partners, Norwegian simply said that sailings would be canceled, and then launched into details about refunds and additional compensation for impacted cruisers. For prior suspensions, during the pandemic, Carnival Cruise Line has been the first announcement, so Norwegian being first for June 1 raises an interesting question will the other major lines follow suit.
Norwegian Cruise Line has become known for its ability to deal with special needs of all sorts from full disabilities to someone like me, who is partially disabled.
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE LEVEL AND TYPE OF ASSISTANCE
Every person with a challenge or disability is different and you are the best judge of any special assistance you may require. Norwegian Cruise Line has specially trained employees to answer your questions before and during your cruise or to resolve any issue that may arise relating to travel with Norwegian Cruise Line. Norwegian Cruise Line also has a centralized internal corporate resolution staff to assist vessel personnel, available by telephone 24 hours a day. If we are doing more or less than you need, please let us know.
The fun and excitement of Freestyle cruising should be able to be enjoyed by everyone. That’s why we are committed to providing all of our guests the freedom of choice to cruise your way.
- Special Assistance Coordinators Before and During Your Cruise
- Advance Notice Needed
- Guests with Mobility Impairments
- Guests who Are Deaf or Have Low Hearing
- Guests who are Blind or Have Low Vision
- Dietary Requirements
- Other Needs or Challenges
A wheelchair, scooter or walker may be the primary mobility assistance aid for getting on and off the ship for guests who cannot walk on their own. Norwegian Cruise Line has a limited supply of wheelchairs onboard. In order to accommodate our guests, Norwegian Cruise Line wheelchairs are reserved exclusively for embarkation and disembarkation situations. If you will require regular use of a wheelchair, we strongly recommend that you bring your own wheelchair with you or make rental arrangements with Scootaround. The limited supply of wheelchairs onboard are available for emergency rental arrangements and are on a first come first serve basis.
Scootaround
This became a personal for me on the Norwegian Sun. In the middle of a Norwegian Sun cruise from Port Canaveral, FL, in November, 2019, I accidentally discovered and became a user of Scootaround, and became truly a handicapped traveler. For your special needs, contact me or Scootaround, https://www.scootaround.com/mobility-rentals, 1.888.441.7575. Use SRN 11137. Special Needs Cruising: https://youtu.be/DWR5kNM2x_g
Although the early days of the industry Covid suspensions saw many complaining about refunds being delayed, Norwegian’s latest missive indicates that “monetary refunds will be automatically processed by NCL within 30 days,” although they mention it might take an additional 7-10 business days for said monies to become visible in on those forms of payment.
Those who paid with previously-issued Future Cruise Credits will have those credits re-applied to their Latitudes accounts with 7 days.
In addition, guests “may” receive a 10 percent discount on their next Norwegian cruise, valid on all published sailings through and including December 31, 2022. The note says that “if applicable,” this discount will also be applied to the guest’s Latitudes account by February 17 and must be used within one year of the issue date.
According to blogger Curb Free With Cory Lee, the following 10 wheelchair accessible and disabled cruises cover 5 different destinations: Alaska, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Bahamas, and Scandinavia or Northern Europe, with 5 different cruise lines. Norwegian covers two of his ten top accessible cruises.
Now we see if the other cruise lines will follow Norwegian on suspending cruises through June 1.