Due to severe weather, Holland America Line has postponed the departure of Nieuw Amsterdam’s Caribbean cruise scheduled for this Saturday from Port Everglades.
Together with compensation, the cruise line offered booked passengers a new embarkation date and a shorter itinerary.
| The letter it sent to guests explains, “We are writing to advise you that due to adverse weather conditions in the Bahamas and along the coast of Florida, Nieuw Amsterdam will be delayed in returning from her scheduled drydock maintenance. As a result of this delay, embarkation for your cruise will now take place two days later than originally scheduled, on Monday, December 18, 2023.” |
Holland America told passengers that it would instead visit Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas and Key West, Florida, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on December 23.
The original voyage should have been to Samana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.
Read more Severe Weather Causes Major Cruise Disruptions, Miami Port Back Open
Cruise line compensation
The cruise company has offered future cruise credits that are equal to 100% of the guests’ cruise fare for the initial 7-day voyage as a way to make up for any inconvenience caused. Additionally, the passengers’ payment accounts will be credited with 25% of the fare amount for the first seven days.
Each guest will also get $150 in onboard credits. Any tours booked through Holland America that can no longer be accommodated due to the change of ports will be refunded.
For guests needing additional nights in Fort Lauderdale or Miami, the cruise line offers $300 per stateroom per day in onboard credits to help passengers minimize their unexpected expenses. Holland America also recommended a few hotels where they might find vacancies.
Cruise lines have been known to adjust voyages from time to time because of weather or dry dock needs.
In the last few months, two sailings on Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and six cruises on Carnival Panorama were canceled because the vessels needed repairs.
