🤪⚓️That's ridiculous! NCL rejected me at the port, but reversed course — after the ship sailed away!

 ⛑️Consumer Rescue Presents 🛟

Tales from Consumer Advocacy Land

Hello friends! ❤️

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I thought you might like some bedtime stories this evening.

🚢⚓️First up: I have the unusual story of an NCL passenger who got an unpleasant surprise as she tried to board Norwegian Spirit in Tokyo. Port staff informed the stunned woman that although her passport was valid and she had all the visas necessary to cruise, she wouldn’t be allowed on board the ship because of her nationality.

Then came an unexpected twist. The next day, Norwegian Cruise Line reversed course and informed the bewildered would-be passenger that she was welcome aboard. But by then, the ship was hundreds of miles away.

Will she make it, and who is responsible for this cruise fiasco? Find out in this evening’s featured Tales from Consumer Advocacy Land.

Of course, I’m also sharing some polished-up articles that you may have missed the first time around.

🚗👀Did you know that your rental car might have a GPS installed and that the agency might be able to track your speed, driving behavior, and whereabouts? It’s true. One traveler found out the hard way when a Thrifty location revealed its ability to spy on him after he returned the rental car — and after he’d driven that vehicle to off-limits territory.

Next up: Many cruise passengers push their luck and insist on traveling without a passport. But let me tell you about one family whose luck ran out at the pier in Los Angeles. Find out what can happen if you need to catch up to your cruise ship, and it’s in Mexico, and you don’t have a passport.

Also today, I’ve been receiving some requests from readers to offer some guidance about what to do if you have travel planned during the government shutdown. I’ll give you my best tips and insights in the next section of today’s newsletter under the featured articles.

Enjoy!! ☕️🛋️😴

I hope that the government shutdown will end soon and that this advice will be unnecessary. However, if you’re traveling this week or next week (as I am), it’s best to prepare.

As you may know, during a shutdown, government workers are not paid — and of course, many are temporarily furloughed. TSA agents and air traffic controllers are considered essential government workers, so during a shutdown, they’re required to continue business as usual.

Naturally, that unusual scenario increases the number of disgruntled employees, sick-day call-ins, staff shortages, and other, more serious consequences that can impact travelers. Here’s what to remember as you plan your travels during the government shutdown.

Reconsider travel: If your trip is optional and you can reschedule, you may wish to defer your travel until the shutdown is over. Unfortunately, unless you have Cancel for Any Reason travel insurance (CFAR), government shutdown cancellations aren’t likely to be covered by your travel insurance provider.

Prepare for delays and cancellations: It isn’t unusual for flight delays and cancellations to increase during a government shutdown, so set your expectations accordingly. Ensure that you know your rights and prepare for the possibility.

Remember, if an airline cancels your flight, you’re owed a refund or a rebooking. Download your airline’s official app so you know exactly how to reach someone who can help you rebook if necessary. Fake call centers are like landmines in the Google search results, and those scammers rely on panicked travelers dialing up their phony customer-service lines. Here are specific tips to make sure you dodge the bad guys. ✈️

Get to the airport early: You can expect that security lines will be longer. Despite what many travelers believe, airlines aren’t required to hold the plane for you if you’re held up in security. And if you’re flying on a basic economy ticket, you could find yourself without a flight and without a refund if you miss final boarding because you didn’t factor in the extra time it may take to get through security.

Pack your patience: The best thing you can do if you’re traveling in the coming days and weeks is to expect that things might not go exactly as planned. Keep your cool, bring a good book, and some calming music to keep your stress levels down. Remember, we’re all in this together. 🤓

Do you have an opinion about today's articles? Want to share a suggestion? I love to hear from you.

Our comment section on the site is open and ready for you to offer your thoughts. You can also add your comments under our articles on the Consumer Rescue Facebook page.

Or you can join our "Consumer Rescue: What's Your Problem?" Facebook group. It's a community where we can discuss consumer issues, solve real-time problems, chat about consumer news and our articles, and get quick answers to questions. Members can also share tips, guidance, and travel experiences.

It's a private group, so only members can see what's inside. We hope to see you there!

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