Thank You, Norwegian Cruise Line!!!

We military spouses love an organization/company/business that makes our lives easier. Everyone has to make money and so we can't expect that every o/c/b will be able to go out of their way to help us out when the military decides to change its schedule and thus ours as well. However, a little understanding and flexibility never hurt anyone.

Stonewall informed me last night that his drill schedule has been changed and he is now required to be with the Army on the weekend we are to be happily sailing towards Bermuda with alcoholic beverages in our hands and not a care in the world. Needless to say, I was not happy to hear this bit of information, but I had been smart enough to purchase the travel protection insurance for such an occasion.

In the past, when its been necessary to use the "My husband is in the military and dates have changed, blah, blah, blah," the o/c/b has required us to provide them with orders indicating the change. Fine, no problem, completely understandable. Even then we've sometimes had problems and they want to reimburse us only a portion of the money already spent and only if his Orders involve actual deployment overseas to Iraq. However, most of the time a little piece of paper that has completed f'ed up our plans is all that is necessary to change/cancel said plans.

Norwegian Cruise Lines, however, was another completely different experience.

Me: Dial cruise line 800 number. Phone rings once...twice...and...

NCL: Hello, NCL. This is "a wonderful super nice NCL customer service rep." How may I help you book your cruise today?

Me: Unresponsive for a few seconds as I try and figure out why I'm not being asked to press a button for English followed by another 3 or 4 menus until I finally just press 0 repeatedly until menu lady get so frustrated she puts me on hold until the representatives are no longer helping other customers. Then realizing an actual person has answered the phone: Hi "WSNNCLCSR." Actually, I've already booked a cruise.

NCL: Great! We go through the process of locating my account. What can I do for you?

Me: My husband is in the military and he found out last night that his drill schedule has changed and his new drill falls on the first weekend of our cruise. I purchased the Travel Protection Insurance and I'm just calling to find out what I need to do to reschedule our trip.

NCL: We'll actually have to cancel this trip and we'll reimburse the money to your credit card.

Me: We still want to sail with NCL though. Not completely cancel our trip.

NCL: Oh, that's fine. Its the same process though. We'll cancel the first trip (I can do it now if you prefer) and then after you get a chance to find another cruise you can call us back and book the cruise then.

Me: Okay. Do I need to send his orders to you? Can I fax them?

NCL: That's not necessary. We can cancel right now and you can book again at a later date.

Me: So...you don't need any orders or anything?

NCL: Nope. I'm so sorry this had to happen. You and your husband just take care of yourselves, okay? And thank you.

No, NCL, thank YOU for making my life that much easier!! You managed to take a crappy situation and make it less crappy. I wish all o/c/b were like you. You understand that s**t happens and sometimes there is nothing your customers can do about it and you work with them to make things as simple and hassle-free as possible. I have yet to actually put one foot on any of your cruise ships, but already you have convinced me that I want to sail with you again!