ronko

I posted this another board - thought I would repost it on the cruise board to see if I could get any help for my friend -- I have a friend who is trying to take a Boston to Nova Soctia cruise -- their flight was delayed by 3 hours so they missed the ship in Boston -- they were told to go to Bal Harbor, Main and get on the ship, BUT they were not allowed on the ship, because they were told they could only get on in a foreign country --- Seeing the ship was destined to St. Johns, Canada -- they are on their way their now -- Meanwhile they have incurred expenses -- auto rental - hotels, meals, etc. -- I never heard of such a ruling - they said it was maritime law??? Also, how can they get reimbursed for all their expenses???

FYI they did not book the flight thru the cruise line - they made that arrangement separately.

I am trying to understand what is happening and how they could get reimbursed for their inconvenience.

Ron

jacketwatch

I doubt if they can, sorry. For future cruises either book the air with the cruise line or just go into the port city a day or two early. We always do. Also have them look into buying vacation insurance. Insuremytrip.com has a wide range of plans and I think some include $$ for missed connections. If it was someone from the cruise line who misdirectd them to the wrong port (and I hope they have a name) then puruse this with the cruise company. They should not be responsible for those expenses incurred from such misdirections. Good luck.

BudgetQueen

If they did not have insurance, they are out of luck, sorry. It is nobodies "fault" they missed their cruise, except theirs. They chose to fly in the day of sailing and with a too tight timeframe, instead of coming in the day before. Delays, as they have found out can and do happen. It was a gamble they took.

Best is to just hopefully get on the ship and enjoy the rest of their cruise. The "expenses" are theirs.

doug_stallings

Unfortunately, U.S. law requires you to go to the first foreign port to board a ship that departs from a U.S. port.

Since your friends did not buy airfare from the cruise line, they will have little recourse unless they have insurance. There's just no other way they're going to get compensation. If the cruise line takes pity, they could get a credit for the time they were not able to be on the ship, but that's unlikely, and in any case it would only apply to a future cruise. They are just not going to get compensation for being directed to Bar Harbor.

This one of those unfortunate situations for which insurance was created.

Dayenu

Thank you, Doug, it's good to know.

Eschew

Always try to be at Embarkation port at least one day early. If travelling from or through potential severe winter climates, add an extra day (or 2) just in case of snow or weather delays. Last Christmas, due to extreme weather conditions, Chicago, New York, Detroit etc all experienced major delays and airport shut downs.