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by Max Williams, WGME
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PORTLAND (WGME) — Passengers aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship were disappointed when they heard their tropical vacation would become a trip up to the Northeast.
“You book a Caribbean cruise expecting warm, not to be up here in Maine,” a frequent Norwegian Cruise traveler said.
The more than 4,000-person cruise left New York a few days ago and made a stop in Boston before spending the day Thursday in Portland.
Norwegian Cruise Lines says the sudden change in plans to not travel to the Caribbean was due to concerns over Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda.
Passengers walking through downtown Portland Thursday said they wished Norwegian had given them more notice, as some didn’t know what was going on until they got on the boat.
“We were told at that point, 'Well, your luggage is going to be here even if you decide to get off,'” a passenger who traveled from Tennessee said.
One passenger says he noticed a sign that was taped on the wall as he was boarding in the busy New York terminal that was titled “Itinerary Change” and went on to say, “We have lined up some fantastic alternative destinations.”
“They could have sent us the email prior to getting on board. But they didn't,” the passenger said.
Passengers anticipating warm weather say they packed swimwear and shorts. Now they have bought sweatshirts and pants to keep warm.
Paula Ashton, a Portland resident, was near the cruise terminal selling winter clothing.
“Passengers have been buying the hats and earmuffs like crazy today,” Ashton said.
With every purchase, she says she would try to give cruisegoers some encouragement.
“Go have your lobster roll,” Ashton said.
Norwegian Cruise Lines says they will leave Portland on Thursday and make a stop in Eastport before heading to Bermuda next week.
