Norwegian Cruise Line review: Removal from ship after being physically assaulted by another passenger

Dear Norwegian Cruise Lines, I wanted to express my extreme disappointment with how I was treated by your staff and company after being physically assaulted by another female passenger 3 days into our recent Hawaiian Cruise.

Background

My husband and I booked this cruise with our two children on the Pride of America to celebrate our 20th Year Wedding Anniversary. We had previously cruised with NCL on a Mediterranean Cruise and had an all-around amazing experience.

What happened: Tue. 8/8/2023

A portion of our cruise as diverted due to Hurricane Dora, so we spent the early part of a sea day at the pool. While my husband took my daughter to the restroom and I dipped my feet in the pool, a woman put her belongings on one of the chairs we were sitting in and went to the jacuzzi. I politely walked up to her and let her know that my family was sitting in the chair she placed her belongings on and I was going to move them over to the next available chair.

After I moved her belongings she got out of the jacuzzi, grabbed my legs and dug her nails into my ankles. I shook my legs free and then she slapped me across the face. I reacted by throwing my drink at her and then she attacked me by pulling my hair, hitting and scratching me. Two male passenger had to pulled her off of me.

This all occurred in front of my 13 year old son who was sitting right next to me.

How Were We Impacted

Security arrived after 10 minutes of the incident occurring and escorted the woman and I to their office. I was physically injured, bleeding from my nose, arms, and legs; and nobody attend to my injuries or asked if I needed anything. Security did not review the video footage with me nor did they read the incident statement that I filled out. Although the other woman clearly assaulted me, they quickly came to the conclusion that I was equally at fault because I reacted by throwing a plastic cup of water at her; after she slapped me in the face. They had us sign a document stating that our conduct would cease immediately, not continue, and any further violations of the ship's rules may result in immediate removal from the vessel; which I agreed to and complied with.

On Thursday, 8/10 we arrived in Nawiliwili Kauai, and upon attempting to disembark (4PM), my family and I were stopped. Security came to escort me back to the management office where I was told that NCL headquarters in Miami FL had made the decision to end my vacation and remove me from the ship; without any notice.

This left my family and I completely devastated to be separated from each other. In addition, I was faced with the unthinkable task of making last minute hotel accommodations in an unfamiliar area; late in the evening.

This ruined our vacation, my children were traumatized, I was traumatized, and I was left to figure everything out alone without reimbursement for my expenses.

This is not how I would have expected NLC to treat returning guests!

Especially, someone who was viciously assaulted and had no choice but to defend herself.

Questions about security watching this footage yet, not coming to help at any point also concerned me and my family.

This circumstance was unfortunate because, it did not have to end this way. It was verbally clear to me by security officer Lee Sullivan, that if an another incident occurred on board or further violation of the ships rules may result in immediate removal from the vessel. However no further violation or broken rules took place beyond the original incident. So, I was left very confused and stunned that this decision had been made which affected my family greatly; both emotionally and financially.

This was our 20 year anniversary vacation which we saved up for and planned for months in advance and when I go back to remember our family vacation, this will be what we will all remember from this cruise.

My family and I had even booked a Greek Island Cruise for the fall of 2024; but immediately canceled it after this devastating experience.

And so NCL, I ask how can you try to turn this around somehow and make this right for my family? We would like a full reimbursement for our cruise since it was completely ruined by the decision you made to separate me from my family and put me in a situation that seemed utterly callus and dehumanizing. At least do us the favor to make it right.

Maybe then, we won't feel the need to express our grievances to everyone over social media, friends and family.