NCL Cruise cancelled

chrise70

I booked a cruise only holiday with NCL via AhoyCruises and paid deposit on my credit card. NCL cancelled the cruise due to virus. AhoyCruises said they would refund the money in full but have gone bust. Credit card co will only refund the deposit, As NCL cancelled the cruise, should they be responsible for refunding me the cost of the cruise.

bradders1983

How did you pay the rest of the balance? 

chrise70

I paid by bank transfer as AhoyCruises wouldn’t accept further payment by credit card.

sheramber

Are  you claiming chargeback or  S75 ?

bagand96

NCL cancelled the cruise, so they owe a refund* (*there is a but - see below)  Given that you booked via an agent, that refund would usually come via the agent.  The situation is slightly different now that the agent have gone bust.

I would get in touch with NCL explaining the situation and asking for a refund politely.  It will depend largely on whether NCL had received the funds from AhoyCruises or not.  If NCL had been paid, then they owe a refund and should refund you.  If they were not paid by AhoyCruises then they won't be responsible for a refund and your money was lost with Ahoy.

By paying the deposit on a credit card, your card company are liable for the entire purchase, regardless of the fact you didn't pay the balance on the card.  As long as you have a receipt showing you paid the balance as proof.  It is a Section 75 claim and not a chargeback - there is a difference.

So check with NCL first, if no joy, go to your credit card.

chrise70

sheramber said:

Are  you claiming chargeback or  S75 ?

Claiming S75 but M&S say I can only claim back the deposit.

bradders1983

I dont think that is accurate in the slightest but someone else may be able to post a link.

As an aside, never pay a company by bank transfer again. Dodgy as anything.

awilliams

Have you checked with NCL as they may have paid AhoyCruises the refund, but they neglected to pass it on to you before they went bust.  This has happenened to us, we had a cruise package involving flights, a 30 day NCL cruise and hotel stays.  It was cancelled due to corona virus, and Ahoy promised us a full refund once they had collected the money from the various parties.  We waited 3 months, and have now discovered NCL paid Ahoy at the end of June - they went bust a week later without paying us a penny.  We are owed £11,562 by Ahoy.  NCL were very helpful and told us we could claim through ABTA .  We are waiting for the ABTA site to publish instructions for claiming, and just hope that we are actually covered.  I have also instigated a Section 75 claim with my credit card as, like you, I paid a deposit by credit card and the rest by bank  transfer.  I had thought that I'd have a claim for the full amount under Section 75, but now you have worried me that I might only get the deposit back!  

chrise70

I contacted NCL several times but they wouldn’t confirm whether or not they had refunded Ahoy, nor would they refund me the money for “legal reasons.” I’ve sent the necessary information to my credit card company and requested a Section 75 refund and am awaiting their response. I also contacted ABTA who also suggested a Section 75 claim, failing which I should contact them again. 

chrise70

Now been advised by M&S that due to the volume of claims it will take approx 60 days for my section 75 claim to be dealt with.