A CRUISE passenger was kicked off the ship and forced to pay hundreds of pounds to fly home after he called a crew member an ‘idiot’.
Robert and Esther Gaines were travelling with Norwegian Cruise Lines trip on a seven-night cruise around the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas when Robert got into a disagreement regarding a show reservation.
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The incident, which happened last May, took place near the beginning of their trip.
Robert Gaines was forced to leave the ship and was left on Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.
He claims that he made reservations for the show, but his name wasn’t on the list, which led to the heated argument.
He told NBC 6 in Miami: “I said ‘Listen you idiot, I’m telling you right now that my family is in the show. Why are you keeping me out of the show?'”
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Robert claims: “They started calling security and I may have made a comment that said you better get more than a couple because I’m a big guy. They were really scaring me.”
While the incident ended without any physical altercation, Robert provided a statement to security.
The next morning, however, he claims that a security officer showed up at his cabin.
He was informed that the captain decided that Robert would have to disembark on the island of Tortola.
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Esther said: “She said because of the incident the captain has reviewed everything and he’s decided Robert has to disembark in Tortola.
“I gasped, I couldn’t believe they were saying that.”
According to Robert, he wasn’t even given a chance to argue the decision with the captain and was forced to spend hundreds of dollars to get home.
He explained: “We’re loyal NCL customers and that’s what the biggest thing is, it’s the shock that this happened to us.”
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A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Lines told Yahoo Lifestyle: “We are in the business of providing incredibly positive and memorable experiences for all our guests.
“We also care deeply about our team members and work very hard to ensure they are happy and treated with the utmost respect.
“Therefore, we do not take kindly to anyone who behaves badly by disparaging others or creating an environment which erodes the experience we are providing for our guests and crew.
“As such, we have a zero-tolerance policy aboard our fleet when it comes to inappropriate or discourteous behaviour.
“Guests are advised of this in our Guest Conduct Policy, which is agreed to by all guests upon payment of the cruise fare.
“Any guest that violates these policies is subject to removal from the ship by order of the captain and is responsible for all travel arrangement expenses incurred.
“All travel companions of a removed guest remain in good standing and receive the exceptional service for which our crew members are recognised. Please know that we do not take the removal of guests from ships lightly.”
What are your rights if you are kicked off a cruise ship?
Brett Rivkind, a maritime lawyer, told NBC 6 that cruise tickets are a “contract” which allow the cruise liner to decide when or if passengers are removed.
He explained: “The cruise ship companies draft those contracts so they don’t really give passengers any rights.
“If something happens and they want to kick you off the ship, they are not only the police; they are the judge and the jury.”
The Norwegian Cruise terms and conditions state that if found to be rude or abusive to crew members, then it may result in “removal from ship at the next port-of-call. Guests removed from a Norwegian Cruise Line ship pursuant to this policy, are responsible.
“Documentation requirements for re-entry into the guest’s home country are also the responsibility of the guest.”
A woman dressed in ‘pink pyjamas’ recently fell from a Norwegian cruise ship, with the search for her called off last week.
Sun Online Travel has contacted Norwegian Cruise Line for comment.
This article was originally published on Fox News and has been reproduced with permission.
