Cruises have a lot going for them, but among the less appealing aspects of a cruise ship is that, at all times, you're at the complete and total mercy of a massive multinational corporation. Case in point:
Aimee Focaraccio boarded the Norwegian Gem on Sunday for her 10-day birthday cruise from New York. But the celebration ended Thursday when Norwegian let passengers know the cruise would be canceled due to COVID-related issues. By Friday evening, Focaraccio learned she was staring down several days at sea with no early return even though the cruise had been canceled...
"Without the islands and ports to break up the sea days this is turning into a nightmare. I really can't imagine four more sea days back to back without much to do," Focaraccio told USA TODAY. She noted earlier in the day that the ship had already opted to skip port calls in Grand Turk, St. Thomas and Tortola before it arrived in St. Maarten and before the decision to cancel was made by the cruise line.
Yeah it's not something you're likely to give much thought, but if the cruise ship decides, for whatever reason, that you're not getting off the boat...well, you're not getting off the boat.
Which means you're just stranded...on a cruise ship...with only the crew to keep you company...
Not the most refreshing of vacations to contemplate!
Passengers of the Gem, meanwhile, are going to make Norwegian feel the hurt for this one:
"Not that we didn't make the best of it but the uncertainty was frustrating. I'm a frequent cruiser and shareholder, so I will rebook but I'm definitely going to wait a little."
