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Tonya Papanikolas ReportingCruises sound like a great vacation, especially when you're stopping in tropical ports, but some Utahns had a very different experience with one cruise line. Almost 40 Utahns are being reimbursed after Norwegian Cruise Lines apparently scammed the passengers.
Norwegian is one of the largest cruise lines around, but previous passengers say the company was deceptive with them and didn't offer what it promised.
Gayle and Scott Davis had never been on a cruise before, so when they got the chance to sail to the Caribbean in October, they jumped at the chance.
Gayle Davis, Cruise Scam Victim: "We had made all kinds of plans, diving and snorkeling."
The Norwegian Dream was supposed to stop in four cities. But when the Davis' boarded, they were told they were only stopping in two ports.
Gayle Davis: "The crew started to talk and told us it was because the ship was minus an engine."
And the engine had been out for four months, but no one informed the passengers.
Scott Davis, Cruise Scam Victim: "I personally think they knew that if they cancelled the trip, there would be a lot of money lost for the cruise line."
Without the engine, the ship cruised at half speed. With bad weather approaching, they were soon told they wouldn't make it to the second city.
Gayle Davis: "We were literally, we feel like, held prisoner on the sea for five days. Because we were only on land for two days."
Passengers soon started a petition and approached the cruise line, but they got no sympathy.
Gayle Davis: "The company told us, ‘So sorry, that's just the way it is. We have the right to change our itinerary any time we want.'"
Back in Utah, the Davis' told the Consumer Protection Division, which found Norwegian had done the same thing on cruises before and after this one.
Francine Giani, Department of Commerce: "They were very well aware of the limitations of the ship going into certain ports, but were still promoting these trips as visiting all the ports."
Utah's consumer protection contacted Norwegian, who denied the allegations. But they did agree to settle the case, reimbursing all Utah passengers on the Davis' cruise with $200. Other states are looking at similar action.
Consumer protection urges anyone who was scammed on other dates or cruises to contact them.
