PACD_JG

Deceiving indeed. The link says NCL Prima has some of the best ratios in the business, but you go to the NCL board and almost everybody says there's not enough space (I've been entertaining a cruise on the Viva).

I don't know...am I the only one who thinks this sales gimmick is bad? It reminds of me layaway at Montgomery Ward. Serious customers can't buy merch because all the half-hearted customers stashed it behind the counter waiting until payday.

I've seen the pax on HAL and I've seen Titanic - assuming there would be quite a few folks who follow the Straus' example, making space on the lifeboats moot. 👴👵

You bring up an excellent point. I live by the real estate axiom - it's better to have the worst house in a great neighborhood than the best house in the worst neighborhood. But that further cements @Hlitner's argument.

As if on cue, Sheri from CruiseTipsTV just posted a video of her Seabourn Odyssey Alaska cruise. Assuming the price was equal, only the zealot (since we're speaking of religion) would think a Neptune Suite on the Koningsdam would be a better experience than the lowest Verandah (which is still a suite) on the Odyssey.

I'll let you know how it goes in just over 2 weeks (Koningsdam, Alaska). I still need to buy a biodegradable urn that holds enough for two, as my dad's wish was for his ashes to be mixed with my mom's.

Here is a response from HAL from April. Dear Mr. XXXXX, We at Holland America Line are truly sorry to hear of your loss and would like to extend our deepest condolences to you and your family. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to advise that we can assist with the spreading of your loved one’s remains at sea. Please find the below guidelines for burials at sea. Burial at sea of cremated remains can only be done at sea while cruising in International Waters and at least 12 nautical miles off the coastline. Containers for the remains (if used), must be provided by the guests and biodegradable. Flowers & wreaths that are decomposable in the marine environment may be placed at the burial site. An Officer is required by EPA regulations to be present for the spreading of the ashes. Holland America does not perform memorial services; however, if the guests would like to have clergy present this can be requested. The captain can provide a certificate with the ship’s position and time of the spreading of ashes. Guest should contact customs and airlines in regard to any paperwork, certificates or permits that may be needed. Once on board you will want to contact the Guest Relations Manager to confirm the arrangements and assist with any last minute questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to contact me should you think of any questions or additional celebrations of life you would like to add prior to your sailing.

To add merit to your position, if I had a nickel for every time I read that given an option, folks would always prefer the smaller ship...but blasphemy if it's with a different cruise line!

Yes, because it's in HAL's best interest to give away 3K+ cups every week on a Pinnacle class ship...

I haven't done a deep dive yet, but I would consider a European line for this cruise. The "unique" thing about this Viva cruise is that it stops in Istanbul two nights, which is important to me. I haven't really seen that before.

I actually knew Rocky (probably 15 in 2014?) the best since we used to play football, basketball, and kickball in the gym with the Cold Bay youth. Rocky had a younger sister.

I do, but only because everybody knew everybody. I lived there from December 2013 - February 2015.

TIA - I've only sailed on HAL Pinnacle Class ships, but I know I want to do a Greek cruise in June 2025. Two adults, two teen daughters. The Viva is doing a 10-day which I'm interested in - https://www.ncl.com/vacations?date=jun-2025&ship=norwegian-viva My first question - a family balcony is going to cost about $8500. It looks like two inside cabins will cost about the same. From what I can tell from the website, booking 2 rooms will give all of us the free at sea benefits, and booking one room won't. My issue is that my daughters will be 18 and 17 at the time, and the website says somebody at least 21+ must be in each room. Could I book two insides with 1 adult + 1 child, get the benefits, and then just have the girls room together once onboard, or is that a huge no-no? Will I truly miss a balcony room in the Aegean? (We've only sailed with Verandahs/Balconies). Is this price outrageously high? I have nothing to compare this too, and to be honest, I don't care about the new ship or the go-karts or any of that. In fact, I wish the Jade was still sailing but that is not the case for Greece in 2025. What is this airfare promotion? Buy one, get one free. How would this work if I wanted to do a land-vacation in Greece before the cruise?

The horror! Good thing you have 13 more days to figure this out!

I'm pretty disappointed in the NCL Viva's 10-day itinerary for June 2025 because it goes to Volos and Thessaloniki, and I don't consider them necessary, particularly since I'm going to do a 1-week land vacation in Greece with a night in Meteora. But enough about that - all I'm really looking for is a 7-night roundtrip cruise from Athens that spends 2 nights in Istanbul. NCL Viva has great itineraries but for July and August 2025. Is there any other cruise line that does roundtrip Athens with 2 nights in Istanbul? I know it's 2 years out so not everybody has itineraries yet but sometimes past performance does indicate future results.

Is there any country that isn't going to tax you on foreign investments? 🤷‍♂️

Show recommendations? As in you have several options every night? To be blunt, you go to the one showing, or you don't...

How many more reasons does our government need to permanently get rid of the PVSA?

When folks rate you 9 of 9 out of the cruiselines, HAL is more likely to sell a ship than get a new one. If you don't want to watch this new video (not mine btw), I do believe this is how they ranked them (heavy emphasis on value). 1. Virgin 2. Royal 3. Norwegian 4. Disney 5. Carnival 6. Princess 7. Celebrity 8. MSC 9. Holland America

I've wondered about these fishing trips. What if all you caught were Humpies, or even worse, Dogs?

I recall a thread lamenting the tie-ins that HAL has had... Lincoln Center, America's Test Kitchen, Chateau St. Michelle, BB Kings, Rolling Stone, Billboard, BBC Earth, et. al. Not sure why anybody would get excited about another one...

The irony of the OP promoting AI's benefits, yet won't use speech to text transcription software...

Thanks for your review. But I have to ask - is it all you can eat?

But suffer the children... But all "kidding" aside. Look at the prime real estate that Club HAL has. Could be turned into Pinnacle Suites, or they could expand the Crow's Nest and bring back the dance floor and the band that I hear folks reminisce about.