My companian and I cruised on the Norwegian Pearl 5/22/11 - 4/29/11. The first issue was with the disorganization of baggage check, security and check in; The entire process was so disorgainized, we attempted to find humor in it and laugh with those around us. The second issue was related to health risks to the passengers presented by NCL staff. As a retired Infection Control Nurse, I was aware that the staff handing out the Public Health Forms and the initial Freestyle Daily to those checking in and a wait staff flipping through the wine list in the dinning room all licked their fingers prior to touching the pages that were then handed to the consumer. I personally told the person licking her finger to sort the Public Health forms being handed out, to stop this unsanitary practice! There was also a safety issue with a wet floor sign laying directly in the traffic path in the garden cafe buffet area. After I saw one person almost fall on the sign I went (with my plate of food in my hands) and stood by the sign and told the staff standing directly behind the sign, filling glasses with tea. She look around and said yes. As I step away another person stumbled on the sign. I stated "that is the second person that almost fell on that sign" at which time she picked the sign up and placed it properly on the wet floor. My third complaint is with one very rude staff whom I encountered. A young lady was putting about a third glass of ice in several tea glasses. I asked may I have a full glass of ice to which she replied "do you know how to get it yourself"? I was shocked by this response and said "well, yes, I do know how to get it myself". As I stepped away, she handed out a half glass of ice and said mam! I turned and said "oh no; I know how to get it myself". There were many other issues of concerns and/or dissatisfaction but what I listed was the what I consider the major issues. However, I will say all the food and most of the entertainment was terrible! If it had not been for one singing group and the soft serve ice cream the entire cruise would have been a disaster!

Me and my girlfriend took a Norwegian Cruise out of NY in November and it was the worst vacation of my life. The food was abysmal and the entertainment was almost non existent. We were on the Norwegian Gem. The food was as bad as a high school cafeteria. They purposely make the included food awful so that people pay extra for their specialty restaurants. The funny thing is a few of the specialty restaurants are awful too. Especially the so called Italian restaurant La Cucina. They had a DJ on the ship but he hardly ever spun at all. When you try to find a place to dance on the ship you end up in the one club where they play some awful Time Life video with 20 year old songs on tv's all throughout the club. The rest of the entertainment was lame. Karaoke, playing the Newleywed Game with patrons bla bla, lame lounge piano player that massacres popular songs. All in all it seems these days the cruise industry is dying and I can see why. I've never ever been on a trip with such awful food and with so little fun stuff to do. Avoid cruises at all costs but if you must take one at least avoid Norwegian.

To: [email protected]
Sent: 1/1/2011 10:00:55 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Cruise on Norwegian Sun Dec. 4th Eastern Caribbean


Hello,
Just thought I would send you a short note about our Eastern Caribbean 7 night cruise on DEC. 4th the from Port Canaveral, on the Norwegian Sun- Cabin 8102
The first day and a half was great and then all hell broke loose. Seems at about 1:30 PM on Monday the CLUTCH ASSEMBLY let go on the starboard engine. We were finally notified this at dinner about 7 PM that night that we wouldn't make it to our ports of call. That we would be making a stop at Samana. No one knew anything about this place and I sure wouldn't have booked a cruise to there.
The next day we limped around in the Caribbean on our way to this port. We had a large meeting in the Atrium of the ship at 5 o'clock that night by about 400 passengers or more. We tried to talk to the leaders of the staff of the ship and were getting nowhere as to what we might be compensated etc. In fact the head of the staff and ship Customer Relations told some patrons in his own way " that if they didn't like what they are getting that they could sail on other cruise lines from now on" This just infuriated patrons more. After about an hour or so. A guy named Larry was designated to talk to the ships Captain the next day. He has is meeting and said the Captain was cordial but also there was nothing he could do except control his ship and try to talk to the higher's to be. We all had a meeting in the big lounge the next night after the meeting and things got a little rowdy there also. Seems that they really didn't want to compensate us anything except a shipboard credit of $100 to be used on the ship before debarkation. People were more looking for a price refund or something more substantial. The finally offered Free pictures and a short Rum punch deck party till 3 PM one day and some free activities on their private island that we were stopping at the last day. WE have been that path before. That was really a joke the island is under construction so we were basically confined to a certain area. of just lounging and eating cold food. The food situation during all this was terrible. If you had Turkey one night, had Turkey Stroganoff the next night. The last night of the cruise all the left overs were made into something that was basically terrible. WE basically didn't find out about any of the perks till about 5:30 PM the last night of the cruise after coming back from the private island. Some then was putting notices on all the cabin doors, before that time there was no communication mentioning any of the extras unless your heard of them from another passenger. There is a lot more to this story on a web site created called --www.mybadcruise.com There are more stories there. I basically wanted my port fees returned which in my case amounted to $232 a person. The cruise part was only $143 but they wouldn't break it down anymore than they said they would return about $17 per person as port fees for St. Thomas and St. Maarten. We tried to get a better break down by calling our travel agent but they don't get any better information than what we had. They are offering us a 30% discount on a future cruise within a year, but that only applies to the cruise price, not the taxes and port fees.
All in a nutshell it was a 7 night cruise to Nassau and nowhere for a Eastern Caribbean price. This is the second cruise on Norwegian and the second time for ship mechanical problems. They want to bring a ship into the Tampa Port also and I will be sending some letters to them about there cruise lines procedures and the fleet of broken down ships they have. I hope somebody listens and puts some pressure on this cruise line that is giving cruising a bad reputation and name. We had many others on the ships that were compensated better by other lines etc for not making ports of other problems. They gave us no opportunity for anything except held captive for 7 nights and days on a ship that we weren't sure of being able to make it anywhere at 4-6 knots. Feel free to contact me if you want to know anything further. We have been on 14 other cruises since 2000 and this has been the worst. We will be on the Carnival Dream Feb. 26th for the same cruise to the Eastern Caribbean and I know it will be better.
Thanks for you site, it is very informational etc.

Thomas and Diana Clark
14700 Shadowwood Blvd.
Hudson, Florida 34667
727-819-0553 or 734-558-7278 or [email protected]

This is the first experience I had with NCL, we went as a group of three families and we all booked ocean view, the cruise is Pride of America, ship hopped between four Islands in Hawaii. I have high expectation but everything turns out short. The following summaries our disappointment:
Room- there is no view, all three rooms window were blocked by the rescue boats. Cookies crumbs were all over the sofa bed, apparently, the bed was never pulled out during cleaning.
Service & Food- bad service at the buffet area, especially the person that serve the meat, she serves prime rib pieces less than 3cm thick ( same as roast beef, pork etc.), and refuse to add extra saying that there is a line and we need to go back to the end of the line. Fruits, especially papaya, were prepare awfully, the seeds from the papaya seems to be pulled out by hand and finger, with 50% of the papaya meat gone. All the other restaurants were between good and excellent, but the line was long, I guess no one wants to go to the buffet. Also the variety of food is very limited, and always not prepared enough, the shrimp cocktail went out within 2mins and the second batch, the shrimp size is half of the first batch. Morning breakfast, getting an omelet takes at least ten minutes. There is no 24hr food service, between lunch and dinner, only left over was served.
This is not a bargain cruise line, I expect NCL to provide at least sometime comparable to other cruise line that cost only half as much. Really disappointed.

The following complaint was sent to NCL Directors complaining of HARASSMENT, PREJUDICE AND EXPLOITATION. After receiving the letter the perpurtrator was dismissed, however NCL refused to accept responsibility and refused to pay any compensation due to my forced resignation.

Attention:
Mr. Bill Cornell
Mr. Mathew Lewis

Norwegian Cruise Line
7665 Corporate Center Drive
Miami
FL 33126

08.18.2008

Dear Sir

COMPLAINT OF HARASSMENT, PREJUDICE AND EXPLOITATION

I, SATIYA, Mark Francis, with ID. 0128001 working in the Surveillance Department on the NCL Sky hereby lodge a formal complaint of harassment, exploitation and abuse in the Surveillance Dept. onboard the NCL Sky.

I started employment on the 04.27.2008 with NCL onboard the NCL Dawn and was transferred to NCL Sky on the 06.08.2008, the reason being that the SKY was short of surveillance personnel.

When I arrived on the Sky there was no Surveillance Department in operation and after a few days I was joined by Andrew Bastista and then SULLIVAN, Gerald. From the onset of my meeting with the new Surveillance Manager, Sullivan, he had a negative attitude towards me and his first remark was that “he had a South African guy working under him and he did not last at NCL even for a week.”

Both Andrew and I started working 12, 15 and 24 hour shifts with us rotating between night and dayshifts, with no breaks in-between for lunch or going to the rest room. SULLIVAN insisted that we could not leave the camera room unattended and he was not prepared to relieve us. I had to wait for a second when SULLIVAN stepped out of the Surveillance room before I could run to the rest room and get back. We continued working in these conditions without food and water. SULLIVAN would also make statements like, “your work does not end after your shift but only when you sign off the ship and I can page you or call you anytime to the office”

Refer: NCL SEMS – F312 –Record of work and rest hours:
“Details
1. Based on the STCW and proposed ILO Consolidated Convention standards, the minimum rest periods requirement and maximum periods requirement are mutually exclusive. The proposal Convention specifically states that in regulating hours of work, a Member (Flag State Country) SHALL EITHER regulate a maximum number of hours of work OR a minimum hours of rest, either of which must be consistent with the provisions of the Code. (Regulations 2.3.2) STCW, on the other hand, establishes only minimum hours of rest required to be considered fit for duty. (Section A-VIII/1) On a daily basis, it doesn’t make a difference under the proposed Convention as to whether the Member elects to regulate work or rest because once the 10 hour minimum for rest is met, in any 24 hour period there would only be 14 hours available for work (which is the maximum allowed by the proposed convention). It does make a difference, however, under the 7 day standards. Because rest is a minimum, if rest is regulated, the remainder can be worked (i.e., 98 for STCW and 91 Convention).it does make a difference, however, under the 7 day standards. Because rest is a minimum, if rest is regulated, the remainder can be worked (i.e., 98 for STCW and 91 Convention). Conversely, if work is regulated, the maximum allowed under the Code will be 77 hours over the 7 days, with the balance being available for rest (91 hours, which is well above rest minimums under either STCW or the proposed Code).NCL/NCLA/OL SEMS requirements reflect STCW (mandatory for all ships), flag state regulations (USCG or BMA), and individual Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA’s).”

4. “ILO applies to everyone “who is employed or engaged or works in any capacity on board a ship to which the Convention applies.”

SULLIVAN also insisted on knowing what we do in our rest times and made profane statements like “you guys must move around the ship in your spare time and not play with yourselves in your cabins”

SULLIVAN continued with this attitude of always belittling me and Pravin (the new technician that joined us at a later date) in front of the other surveillance operators and other individuals not from the Surveillance Department. SULLIVAN would at times bang on the table and swear profane languages at us. He would also make statements like “I care a f***k for any one of you.” At times he would also swear regarding other individuals including yourself, as he would say that “Bill knows f***k all about casinos and he put up the cameras in the casino and the views are all f***ked up and I have to go and put it right. He never consulted me as to the way I wanted it.”

At times SULLIVAN would ask me a question and if the answer did not suit him, he would become very aggressive and continue to harass me and he would go on and on about it. SULLIVAN proved to lack management skills and he was very short of being a manager as he would not deal in fairness and he always attempted to find trivial excuses to harass me about. He ruled as an autocrat and with an iron fist. He should always burst out in anger when he wanted to without cause, although I tried to do my very best. This was not appreciated.

If I did not agree with him on any points, he would become very angry and he would bang on the table with his fists and use vulgar terms on me. He also made threats that if we try to come against him, he will come right back at us and he will make us pay severely. He continued to show me discrimination and stated that if I am in the USA I must adapt to that way. He also stated that he has Miguel Pilgrim on his side and he will back him with anything as they are very good friends. At no stage did I give him permission to use profane terms on me. The work environment became a hostile and a prison to me. Back home in South Africa, I am a minister in a local church, I serve the Department of Justice and Peace as a Commissioner of Oaths and I am also the Founder and President of the Kawasaki Disease Foundation Of South Africa, a NPO in SA, serving the community and at no such instance was I ever belittled or treated in this manner. Even the previous Surveillance Manager at the Dawn treated me with respect. Refer to NCL HR Policies and Procedures Number 1011 Subject: Anti-Harassment:
“NCL strives to create and maintain a work environment where team members are treated with dignity, decency and respect. The company will not tolerate offensive behavior or acts that can lead to unlawful discrimination or harassment. The work environment at NCL is characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression and exploitation. Violation of this policy and based upon the seriousness of the offense, disciplinary action may include written warning, corrective action up to and including termination of employment.”

“IV PROHIBITED CONDUCT UNDER THIS POLICY

Harassment:
• Harassment, including sexual harassment, is prohibited by federal and state laws. This policy prohibits harassment of any kind, and the company will take appropriate action to address any violations of this policy. The definition of harassment is:
• Verbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate or coerce. Also, verbal taunting (including racial; and ethnic slurs) which, in the team member’s opinion, impairs his or her ability to perform his or her job.”

“Examples of harassment are:

Verbal:

• Comments which are not flattering regarding a person’s nationality, origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, body, disability, or appearance. Comments include slurs and negative stereotyping.”

SULLIVAN continued displaying an attitude of a split personality like some thing was seriously wrong with him mentally and it is not known what to expect next. What shocked and embarrassed me is the way he used to call me by crooking his finger as if I were a two year old.

My life on board became a living hell, instead of what I was promised before my employment at NCL and at the same time, I was getting sick as I was not eating and I was skipping meals and not going to the rest room at times because I could not leave the camera room, which resulted in diabetes that started reacting as it could not be controlled due to me not eating on time and not having a balanced diet. When we went on a meal, even if we were off duty he should question us and get angry about it.

If compared with the previous medical results from the Dawn, when I found that I suffered with diabetes, it was controlled. My blood sugar level began to rise right up to 198 in the Sky and when I informed SULLIVAN about it he showed no concern. He was also informed that I was advised by the ships doctor to have my blood sugar tested twice, in the morning and afternoon at the medical centre but Sullivan made no attempt to have me relieved as he would sometimes only come into the camera room after 11am at which time the medical centre was already closed. SULLIVAN continued with his harassment and intimidation of me, which eventually ended me up at the South Miami Hospital, where I was admitted from the 08.08.2008 to the 08.11.2008 and a number of tests where conducted and I was finally diagnosed with Diabetes and Helicobacter Pylori infection, in my digestive system, weakening of the underlying stomach cells, which led to severe Gastritis.

On the 08.15.2008 I was again taken at 0800hrs to the Cruise Line department in South Miami Hospital where I spent the entire day there and I was taken back to the Sky at 1615hrs, before the ship sailed and I was met by the Personal Manager, George who was waiting outside the ship for me. I was then asked by George to proceed immediately to the medical centre, which I did and various tests where conducted by the medical staff there. I was under the impression that SULLIVAN was aware of my return to the vessel, as the Personnel Manager was expecting my return to the vessel and was already waiting outside for me. I was then informed by medical staff to go back to Personnel, which I did and received a new ID card/key card for my cabin. I then proceeded to the cabin left my bag which I had brought from the hospital and then went to the Surveillance room and asked the operator, Andrew to page for SULLIVAN, which he did and informed him that I had arrived. I waited at the Surveillance Room for 30 minutes as I was informed by Personnel that I needed to go to a different cabin as my cabin was occupied by another crew member. I then took 2 of my suitcases from the Surveillance room, to the new cabin as the suitcases were brought there when I was admitted in the hospital. I also informed Andrew that I will leave the suitcases in the new cabin and return to see SULLIVAN.

When I arrived at the new cabin, SULLIVAN called me to the office and when I arrived there he began to harass me, stating that he has no more sympathy for me and that I made people to work 12hrs for me in the Surveillance. He also stated that I was an obstacle in the department and pulling the team down. He then asked me “what was the deal, ” I told him that although I was still not feeling well physically, I was prepared to work. He then took me to the ships doctor and embarrassed me as he stated to them that the Miami doctor’s letter says that I am fit for duty but I am telling him that I was still not well. He kept on badgering in the presence of the ships doctor and he accused me of dishonest in telling him that I was still sick. He then insisted that I start working immediately and I finished off at 0200HRS the next morning. Sullivan continued to show me discrimination.

Although I was very ill the next day, I continued to work and then on the 08.17.2008 I could no longer manage and I then proceeded to the medical centre, where my blood sugar was tested and it indicated a low figure of 77. The ship doctor then immediately booked me off sick for the next 24hrs and gave me a certificate which I gave to SULLIVAN. I then proceeded to my cabin to rest and I was called by SULLIVAN, who stated that I am becoming an obstacle in the Surveillance department and I must decide what I want to do and he suggest that I should resign so that I can go home the next day and he also stated that he wanted a written letter stating that I want to resign for medical reasons. He also told me to go and speak to the ship doctor and tell him that I wanted to resign, which I did, although I did not want to resign. I then went and gave SULLIVAN the written letter and he took me through to the Personnel.

The next morning SULLIVAN gave me a poor assessment, which I did not understand and agree with, as it was untruthful reflection. SULLIVAN then insisted that I signed the assessment. In comparison to the one month assessment that I received from the Surveillance Manager at the Dawn and compared to the assessment of 4 months done by SULLIVAN, it does not make any sense, as SULLIVAN failed to give me any previous assessments, counseling or warnings in the areas that he stated that I lacked, neither were these brought to my attention by SULLIVAN. I don’t understand why all these issues are only being brought to my attention at my departure.

At the Dawn I was treated with respect but I cannot say the same about the Sky Surveillance Manager. I am 38 years old but never in all my life have I been treated with so much disrespect. No matter how hard I tried to please SULLIVAN, he always had a problem with me. I cannot even describe the horror of working under SULLIVAN. I am so disappointed of the hospitality of America. My version of what America would be like is totally different from the reception that I had received.

Bill, what I wish to know, why is this sort of discriminatory behavior at management level allowed to be displayed onboard, where people leave their different Countries to come and work in the USA, thinking that there will be liberty, freedom and equality.

Attached kindly find copies of assessments from the Dawn and from the Sky. I sincerely wish that disciplinary action be taken against the perpetrator concerned.

Details of this incident will also be circulated to the local, international media, USA and SA Embassies should no action be taken against perpetrator. I sincerely hope that another South African citizen will not be treated in this same manner.



Yours sincerely





___________________
SATIYA, Mark Francis
[email protected]