GeezerCouple

Thanks. That would be even better! (It's been a few years since we used this plan. We don't need it while we hide at home from ... 😡 ) GC

We got very spoiled very quickly with our Pinnacle Grill breakfasts. We tend to enjoy the same *large* breakfast most mornings when we stay in some places, and our NCL cruise was one of those. So each morning, the same cheerful face soon knew to ask, "The regular?" 🙂 And we had some mimosas in no time at all (plus refills galore), and then in short order, our breakfast, in "courses". Heh. That got us through the rest of the day when we were out and around... That was our first cruise with HAL and alas, also thus far our last. We returned home in December, 2019, and then the travel curtains closed... We had to cancel the reservations we had made when on board. 😞 We had a great time, and found the Neptune suite wonderful. We usually have suites that are a bit larger, but the setup worked very well, and it was extremely comfortable. We also like to see outside from the bed when on a cruise, so some of the larger suites (on HAL and elsewhere) don't work for us, because there is a separate "bedroom", enclosed by walls. At home, yes. On a cruise... nope, not for us. 😉 We can't wait to return. GC

Thanks so much for reminding us about the maximum charge for 10 days in a billing cycle, meaning the maximum charge for unlimited international calls (I *think* it is for all such calls) would be only $100 in a billing cycle (not, say, $300 if one used the phone every day). We haven't traveled much the past few years (duh!), so I had forgotten all the specifics. I remember that we double checked just when our "billing cycle" started, so we could try to keep the trip phone usage in on billing cycle if possible. But worst case, still $10 max per day, meaning max of $200 *if* one used 10 days in each of two billing cycles in a trip. Yes, we used the phone to "call home" (USA) and also any calls within Japan. And it didn't require any special equipment... just a phone call to start the new plan and then another call at when we returned to end it. (And since DH did that, it may have even been possible to do it online...??) Remembering what "roaming charges" used to be, and also what international calls used to cost... this is really inexpensive, with a low maximum, be it per day or per billing cycle, or even per month (max would be if a month spanned 2 cycles, with 10 days billed each). Not that long ago (by our Geezer standards, I suppose!), $100 could be hit (and passed!) all too easily in a single international call... even on a land line... 😡 GC

Request a couple of mattress pads, fold/roll them up and insert under the head of the mattress? And a few extra pillows (but I'm sure you've already worked with that, to the best it works, if at all). Also, ask the steward (and ask them to ask other stewards, etc.). This may not be the first time such a request/need has arisen. But if your wedge is inflatable and you know it works... deflate it, bring it along, and inflate it again? There may well be some equipment on the ship to do the inflation...? Or a hand pump (such as for bicycle tires, meant to be portable and mechanical)? And perhaps ask her physician if there are different, stronger meds that might not be wanted long term, but might work well for a short time? Good luck. ETA: Also ask here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/ Others may have experience with this. GC

We've always used the AT&T feature as described. Most days, we don't use a cell phone when traveling. But IF we do need to use the phone, then during that 24 hour period, we might make a few (or a bunch!?) of other calls as long as they didn't cost extra. I did keep the phone off most of the time. That wouldn't be a good time to get a wrong number or telemarketing call. 😡 I didn't know about the $5 charge for an additional phone on the account, so thanks for mentioning that, FF! GC

And then there are the new ships from Ritz Carlton... and I just saw an ad for a new ship coming in a few years from Four Seasons. Even those hotels "aren't what they used to be"... but then, the world isn't, either... GC

That's good, about the interest refund, and not surprising. But a lot of people express concern (here on CC and elsewhere) about not having access to what to them might be a large sum if the refund is much delayed. That might be especially the case if they want to apply that money soon, to a different trip, or even something altogether different. In the "old days", I could (sort of) understand why processing credits might take longer than processing charges, which can be amost instantaneous, and even in the "good old days", didn't take long. However, now, it's difficult to understand any lengthy delay measured in "billing cycles"... This delay isn't a problem for us these days, but in years past, much earlier in our lives/careers, it sure might have been, so I do understand... especially if it's a relatively large sum. (Also, the days of using the "float" [non-cruise/boating definition! 😉 ] may be here again as interest rates continue to rise, too. That was really a "thing" back in the early 1980s.) GC

It depends upon whether one expects to be using the non-refundable OBC some other way. In our situation, mentioned above, we did *not* expect to be using that much, so we really wanted to apply it to something we knew we *would* be doing... the excursion. It worked out fine, thanks to our PCP. GC

In case it takes a long time (purchases tend to post remarkably fast 😉 ) for the credit to post, you could probably contact the charge card vendor, explain the refund situation, pointing out the charges that are being refunded, and ask for a temporary credit while the refund is pending. That way, there'd no need to pay interest on some amount-being-refunded, or even just not having access to that money promptly. GC

How does the new shape of some of the bows of newer ships change things... the ships where the visible bow has the very forward edge *not* sloping forward (with flaring sides), but has a design where that forward edge is closer to vertical or even sloping slightly *back* as it rises from sea level? [Very sorry for the rough description; I'm obviously not a design professional!] When I saw those, I only thought about "slicing through" relatively calm water. I had not been aware of some of the specific reasons for the "flared" bow in waves. How does the "non-flared" bow change the ship motion in waves? Is there something you could recommend for an amateur to read about this? Many thanks, as usual! We *always* appreciate your input! GC

Yeah, that must have been pretty horrible. I remember reading about that. Ugh. I genuinely can't even imagine. (I assume some people must have gotten rather sick from... assorted things...? I've always wondered about some of the consequences.) However, there was also this Costa ship a few years ago... I daresay that in recent history, that may take the biscuit for "worst cruise" (in "recent history"; I suspect the Titanic would have beat the Costa ship... THOSE were indeed real tragedies, as were some unfortunate others!). As I wrote above, this NCL excursion (not the entire cruise, dare I say?) is a FIRST WORLD PROBLEM. You are actually quite fortunate, in the scheme of things, to have THIS problem be what you "need" to spend your time dealing with. ... rather than finding food for your children, or finding somewhere warm for your family, or medicine that is desperately needed... Put it in perspective already! You *could* have "moved on" by now and been doing something... enjoyable! Or relaxing. Or enjoyable *and* relaxing! (All you are doing is giving the rest of us various sorts of private thoughts as we read and perhaps respond to your sad tale of woe...) I'll bid you adieu now, and hope that we don't meet on some future cruise. Cheerio! P.S. Username checks out! GC

We had something like this happen once. We called NCL and spoke with our PCP (we had a dynamite PCP, until he left NCL, alas) and he somehow changed it so we wouldn't be billed - at the SAME rate - until we were on board. There was no way to do that online. GC

Sure, time is money. And it pays that way, SOMETIMES. If you miss your appointment with some professional, they might bill you anyway. But if they are running late, or need to cancel, how often do they pay you for your "time" spent waiting (even if the appointment isn't just late, but ends up cancelled... oh, say, because the surgery had complications and the surgeon spent a few extra hours at the operating and recovery rooms and didn't get to the office upstairs that morning at all...)? But what about if you buy a movie ticket, and the film breaks part way through. Do you expect your money back? Sure. I would, too. But do I expect the movie theater to pay for my "wasted time"? Nope, it would never have occurred to me. And in your case, your "time" was spent on, dare I say it... a luxurious cruise! ... with your choice of food, beverages, relaxation, on the ship you selected. But you only want to argue. Perhaps if you stumble across this thread in a year or so, you'll have put things in perspective. This IS a *very* "first world problem", as I'm sure you realize. DH has a wonderful example of how this might work: Decades ago, when DH was also a professional, he was waiting for something like a doctor's visit, sitting in the waiting room. He waited. And waited. And waited some more. Finally, he went up to the receptionist and said: "I've been waiting here since <time>. Please tell Dr. X that after another 10 minutes, I'll need to start charging my regular fee for my time waiting." The receptionist got very flustered, and asked him to wait, as she disappeared in back. A few minutes later, someone called him to the door to see the doctor. DH still laughs a LOT about that. Needless to say, he wasn't going to bill anything at all. He might have left, however. And he wouldn't have expected to be "compensated for his time waiting'. He meant that "waiting/billing" comment as a joke. But you are clearly just wanting to argue with NCL and everyone else here and who knows where else. Good luck with that. As SeaShark mentioned, how much more of YOUR time are you planning to spend arguing with *all* of us? That should tell *all* of us how much you yourself value your time. About that "credit" for something you never even used/paid for (the excursion, where the costg was refunded, right?): I'm noticing these $50 and $100 credits toward certain items at the local luxury shop nearby. But they don't have my size, or they are all out. Let's see, I *really* was (REALLY, I SWEAR!!) going to buy 100 of them! I'll wait for the store to refund those "credits" to me. Yup. Yes indeedy... GC

I'm so sorry.... it is near Hobart, Tasmania. The sanctuary is small, but our visit there was a high point of our entire trip (as was the zoo in Sydney). DH got a terrific photo of me surrounded by those kangaroos. They were smaller than I was expecting... and much friendlier! (Of course, these were somewhat domesticated, once it was determined they wouldn't be safe if rehabilitated into the wild, etc.) GC

Aha... You have a contractor arranged for some major work on your house. When did you first contact the contractor? When did you figure the details and sign? When was the work to begin? And end? Terrific. All good. And now... you'd want to tell the contractor that you want to make some significant changes to be completed next week (!), or maybe even TOMORROW! Or... their equipment breaks the day before they were to show up? Or their supplies (your carefully selected choice of X) is stuck on a cargo ship *still* stuck in ship traffic off the port at LA? "What do you mean, you can't make the changes that I prefer on such short notice? Someone else already reserved the <equipment> or <specialist workers>? How DARE they... *I* want them and *I* want them *soon*/tomorrow!!" What did your written contract state about delays for the specific reason... those terms and conditions... There *are* plenty of other cruises, travelers, tour groups, etc., and they are all over the place, most of them having carefully PLANNED very carefully, way in advance, makiing deposits in advance, or perhaps paying in full in advance, yes, perhaps "thousands" or even tens of thousands... And now *you* show up at the last minute (hurricane or whatever reason) and want THEIR PLACE/excursion/guide/boat/jeep/etc., but you can't have it! How unfair can life be!? GC

We were on Hurtigruten's Trollfjord in late Feb/early March a few years ago, for the full round trip, and "The Lights" were a big part of the appeal. FORTUNATELY, we had read a lot of comments about how the way the colors of the Northern Lights appear in photos is typically *not* what the naked human eye and brain process. If one is lucky, the shapes and movement might be there, but I guess one needs to be *very* lucky to get any bright colors visually. Anyway, we carefully chose the timing to be when there was little or no moon most of the trip, and we also chose a time when there would be lots of "night", but also some daytime so we could enjoy the landscape both ways. And... we noticed that October-ish and Feb/March-ish tended (on average, ahem) to have less cloud cover. We preferred to see snow, so we chose the later winter timing. Of COURSE... we had cloud cover, and then more cloud cover... and then some more... We absolutely loved the cruise, and really loved the ship. (We had not been at all sure about the ship, given the word "ferry", which in our minds instantly brings up images of the Staten Island Ferry, which is a different critter altogether, but we didn't know for sure...) Everything about the trip was wonderful, including that train ride from Oslo to Bergen, which has that other-worldly section (!!). By the return part of the trip, we no longer had our clothing set out for a quick fire-station jump-into-the-warm-clothing if we heard the "Lights!!!" call. So... late one evening, when we were in bed, sure enough... "the call!" We threw on our jeans, and bundled up with sweaters and our expedition-level parks, and ditto the boots, and raced up the stairs. The COLD was unbelievable, truly unbelievable, given the wind and the ship's movement. Unfortunately, the "lights" were of the "mostly gray-ish" type, although the shapes and some movement were unmistakable. But that COLD...! I thought my thighs were going to freeze solid, even though the rest of me was nice and toasty warm. Then we noticed that the direction of those gray-ish lights was mostly off the ship's stern, and we had a balcony there! So down we raced, and then we were mostly protected from the wind, and thus the worst of the cold. We finally saw some hints of color (as in, "Does over there look a little pink-ish to you?" 🤔). So, all of that of course counted as "seeing the Northern Lights during the cruise"... We took an "Astronomy" cruise package, and had a wonderful (and very funny) astronomer. He took lots of photos and we got a memory stick with all of those, plus he included a bunch of great photos from previous cruises. It's easy to "think" that those beautiful, colorful photos are what *we* actually saw, but... they are not. We had such a wonderful time, that it was only a minor negative, despite the fact that it was the Northern Lights that were the underlying reason for the trip in the first place. That is how beautiful everything was, and how nice the ship was, too. 🙂 We are considering going back. We seriously considered those igloos with glass domes, etc. (elsewhere, of course). But then... we'd need to plan to stay for some time to allow for "luck", and that just doesn't seem as interesting as a cruise. The landscapes were soooo beautiful, we won't mind going back if we ever decide to leave the house again. (Sigh... 😡 ) Have a great time!! hallasm: Did you see any bright colors, by any chance!? GC

Do you know how large (er, small) a cruise ship pool is? And that it is likely to be shared by others, regardless of the time? That is, if *you* are interested in swimming, chances are reasonably good that on a ship with some relatively large number of passengers, some others may well be interested in swimming as well? Or they may show up after you are in the pool? In the latter case, you might never even know that they left because there was "that" taking up space in the pool..." And unless you and the float are completely motionless (unlikely), you will be "affecting" more of the "space" than you may realize. And it's not just the exact dimensions. Others aren't going to be immediately next to you and the float, so add at least a couple of feet in each direction... (Would you actually want others one inch away from the edge of the float?) It's difficult to consider this a serious question, actually. GC

"Life happens!" At least you were/are all safe. It could have been otherwise. But really, you are complaining that NCL wants "...to hide behind T&Cs..."? What, exactly, do you think their written Terms and Conditions are for? Presumably, some of it is so it is unambiguous (hopefully) what will happen, or what might happen if... I am sure that NCL was not happy about the changes. Needing - on short notice - to find other ports that are available (and aren't affected or possibly affected by whatever the problem is) isn't like just calling a different restaurant and asking if they have any availability for an extra table. And it is exceedingly unlikely that they are enjoying knowing that almost all of the passengers will be quite disappointed or upset, or worse... Yes, they *could* have given a credit of some sort to each passenger. But these days, the cruise lines (many travel vendors) are barely keeping their heads above water (uh, thank goodness...!). And this was definitely not something that resulted from NCL's own actions or inactions, unless they have powers that we, at least, don't yet comprehend. How about being glad that NCL made a choice to keep the ship out of harm's way, rather than to "trying to keep to the original itinerary", etc., and risk... whatever... (Note: There are occasionally complaints here on CC about rough seas/weather, and "why didn't the ship take a different route to avoid that bad weather!?" or such.) Yes, it was a disappointment. No question about that. But it's hurricane season. And even outside of "hurricane season", other "things can happen". "Life happens!" GC

Or the Caesar salad prepared tableside? Thanks to awards, we now fly ultra long-haul in first or business on some top international carriers. But my most memorable meal service was in F on Swiss Air, probably back in the 1980s. (As an aside, the F seat back then, while wide and cushioned, barely reclined by today's standards.) Anyway, the "stewardess" rolled a trolley down the aisle, stopping to ask each passenger how they preferred their meat, medium or medium rare, etc. And there on the trolley was a big chateaubriand on a carving board, and she had a nice carving knife to slice off whatever one asked for... thin, thick, etc. And, of course, seconds. 🙂 I think I ate my way across the pond... GC

Have you seen any photos of the type of "visitor" that might greet someone returning to their cabin? There they are, sitting in a chair, with shirt, pants, shoes, hat, sunglasses... YOUR shirt, pants, shoes, hat, sunglasses... with a nice fluffy torso... Some of those are REALLY done well! But if *I* walked in alone, I think I'd have a heart attack, or turn around and start screaming... I'm not particularly brave in less startling situations... 😞 I'm not a real fan of the towel animals, and would suggest to the steward that they not bother and save the time. However, it turns out that DH really gets a kick out of them, and sometimes arranges them around our suite. That surprised me... so we keep them around. And once the stewards realize we are making a little collection, they sometimes get even more elaborate. 😁 The photos of the "visitors" are quite something! GC

It's getting harder and harder to find this done properly even on land at top restaurants. Some still do (or did, prior to COVID; we haven't gone to fine restaurants since those before times...). Seeing proper fish forks and knives, etc... I suppose those who haven't really learned to associate that type of service with "fine dining" don't miss it. But it did (and occasionally still does, I hope) a very special feel to the meal and the evening, etc. Does Cunard's Queens Grill still have this type of service perhaps? But some of that has just vanished in life generally. Reminds me of a sad comment from an airline female flight attendant, "Years ago, they issued white gloves to us. Now, they issue handcuffs." Sigh. GC

This is such a personal decision. Only you know how often you are really likely to want to check something or to browse about something that came up, or whether there are ever (likely?) reasons that you might *need* to log in somewhere. We usually get unlimited wifi plans, so we don't have to worry about it. We usually share one plan, and that's easy to arrange: "Hey, can I kick you off the internet so I can use it please? 🥰 " With ann unlimited plan there's no pressure about "can I get this email sent fast", "Did I forget to log off!??", etc. DH was reluctant about not being "online" for his work, and probably a bit of occasional browsing (such as about something we just heard about a port or something relevant to the cruise - or a future trip coming up, etc.). Because he was going to retire very late (he really enjoys his work), this could have been a problem. Fortunately, for quite some time he has been able to arrange most of his schedule, aside from some teaching or the rare "command performance meeting". Otherwise, we'd be doing much the same, but more during regular holiday times. So I emphasized that I would MUCH rather that he sit with his laptop on his laptop on, say, the balcony of a ship (or resort/hotel, etc.) than stay at home all the time because he needed/wanted to be online. 🙂 I also am frequently on my laptop. For example, there's this wonderful place about cruising where I learn a LOT about ships, destinations, etc. - oh, and whether to bring laptops on cruises... (If you ask nicely, I could share the website name. 😄) And there are a few other places I like to check in occasionally (or, um, perhaps a bit more at times...) So on a sea day, we might be all comfy on some loungers (or a double lounger on some ships), perhaps with a book or two, or an open laptop, or peacefully sleeping from the rocking motion and fresh air... Paradise! No pressure*, just more of "whatever/whenever" of vacation time! There is a lot of flexibility on a cruise. Your hotel conveniently follows you around at night; there's no cooking or washing up, etc. Make it what *you* want it to be and enjoy! We take our laptops on all trips (we no longer go backpacking!), but again, that's what works for us. Handy hint: If you end up with a plan with limited minutes, there are many times when one can download what is needed and then log off. Then read/copy it, work on it, and then send it somewhere else with a new online session. Even with email, one can often download a message, log off, compose an answer, log back on, and "send". GC * There have been occasional times when there was some sort of deadline, either during a vacation or shortly after our arrival back home. Again, better to spend some time as described above than to stay home!

Good point. I guess it depends upon whether some could go along to "watch", and not have to do the actual "zipping". I do that sometimes, joining DH but mostly watching and enjoying the outing and enjoying his fun. Most recently, it was a swim with dolphins in the wild in NZ, where the dolphins came to visit, or not... HE got in a wetsuit with about 6 others and jumped into the icy water. One other person was with me, sitting nice and comfy in the little boat. You should have heard the squeals as they hit that cold water and it got into those wetsuits before it warmed up! I had tried to arrange a difference vendor with a larger boat who would wet everyone down with warm water before they jumped. I have no idea if that actually helps, but it sounded good...(?). Anyway, it was still great fun even though I stayed in the boat. And perhaps it was even "better fun"...? 😉 So IF "spectators" were allowed, I'd probably have gone... and then gotten stuck in the mud barely part way into that hike! 😱 IF spectators were allowed, I hope there was some sort of plan B, although it seems that everyone was indeed able to make that trek. I'm SO glad everyone got back safely! GC

Was *everyone* able to walk two miles in the mud and rain? Some may have had difficulty with two miles when it's not in the mud and rain... GC

In the current cases, I have a feeling that O might have underestimated how many people would have been "ready and eager to cruise again" now. The software for the reservation/occupancy rates can't really have been developed for the currently odd circumstances. They probably assumed that there would still be lots of people who would be cancelling, from paid reservations to the "guarantees". And then... perhaps fewer cancelled and those guarantees had to be accommodated... Just my thoughts. All I know is I wouldn't want to be in that particular travel prediction/estimation business many months in advance these days! GC