maywell

Good to know. I'm not sure you can really call it a hidden secret however because it is listed in the dailies :)

 

 

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I know - had the secret of the Uptown Grill for breakfast to myself til like Day 4, when other people "discovered" it. [emoji6] Not too many know the secret of free lunch in Moderno, yet.[emoji14]

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At least he had a cabin, I had visions of him being turned away from the sailing completely.

So did I - because a deposit wasn't paid at all, person not getting onboard period. But question - who took over the booking when cruise certificate desposit was applied? And two - Why didn't the OP checked on MyNCL.com for the initial check-in, just to double check if the room numbers had been switch at least a week before the trip? Because that is some switcheroo to pull on, even for NCL...

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This wasn't address before the cruise because no one informed us. First knowledge of this was when checking in.

 

and in my original post i did say I need to write to management first before i start escalating it up the chain.

Wait, he was able to print his boarding pass before embark day? That is troubling...

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I think some of you are mis-reading the OP's dimensions. She is using a 29 inch suitcase, which is a very big one. Aside from the fact that you are lugging a huge bag, there are times when you are allowed to board the ship but not go to your room yet. Do you really want to be dragging a huge suitcase with you? I don't take bags that are quite that big any more because when you fill them they are too heavy for flying, but I use the 26 inch, so send that to my room on the ship, but pack a few things I might want, like a bathing suit and maybe dinner clothes for the first night, in a small carry-on or tote bag.

Hopefully, Tampa will allowed them to take luggage (there's different types of luggage like regular suitcases, spinners, duffel bag) and cabin is ready as they start calling board groups. If they tell OP to check-in the luggage because of the 29 inch size; then for the next trip, I suggest a 22in wheeled carry-on and a large backpack / crossbody bag / tote bag (whatever is your preference that makes you comfortable - just need one of them) to split up the weight.

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Can't speak for Tampa, but for NYC port - if it's not in shape of a duffel bag (no matter the size, wheeled or not), anything else over 22-24inch gets checked in (depending on how finicky the port workers /security are). So pretty much can carry-on a 30 inch wheeled duffel but not a 26 inch suitcase/ spinner over there.

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Thanks for sharing David. Bless your heart Maywell. Some of us aren't on these board 24/7 like you so it just might be new to us!:eek:

Yes, bless my heart before a vacation trip, indeed - hard for me to be completely surprise when any cruise line makes the business /national/travel news. The news about Carnival and Royal business plans were also on Bloomberg, months earlier too.

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Thanks for all the great replies. Great info and its pushing me towards trying NCL. Did someone mention above that o'sheehans is one of the free dining options?

Thanks

Rob

O'Sheehan's is free dining choice - still got to pay for alcohol and soda they serve in there, tho.

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I like what some complain about. I get to choose what I want too add on AND pay for. I love the flexibility on NCL.

 

I am happy in the MDR. But I throw in specialty dining too. I like to mix it up.

 

I have enjoyed all my cruises. But Since I discovered the NCL suite life I have loved that. (Especially the suite breakfast. ). But even before that I have always felt special on NCL. The crew is just wonderful. They are always smiling and asking if you are having a good time.

Y but ot good eah, some of things some people complain about, like complimentary food tasting like Applebees/Chili's - well, something wrong with them because those taste good/great.[emoji14]

I like NCL for the variety of choices they have - not necessarily all are free, but it good that choices. Yes, you can dine a full week at the complimentary places for breakfast /lunch/dinner and not bother going to specialty dining at all. One has to try really hard to schedule a time at specialty restaurant because that's how good the complimentary choices at NCL are. The specialty dining is pretty good too, don't get me wrong - one should dining at them at least 1-3 during the trip, so maybe a 3 day SDP is a good idea if one still wants to dine at both.

Try to go to their shows - way higher production value than Carnival. It may not have Punchliners but all other shows like "Howl at the moon" make up for it.[emoji3]

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Guess you didn't read the other articles from earlier this year and the USAtoday article from 2 weeks back.....

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But it will eventually. For certain

Not for another 10-20 years or until cigarette cartons/packs are for the filthy rich only. Whichever comes 1st.[emoji3]

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The$160 is not that important to some people.:)

Some people don't need convincing to buy Vibe passes for the anemities for even $ 500. But the OP does, for $160 and already rooming with large balconies...[emoji6]

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Not that soon on NCL

Jancruz1

This. When smokers can't afford the carton of smokes for $100, then there's a possibility of ban on it. Til then, still have to put with them, even on the streets....

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Not endure the swarm of people on the pool deck but a balcony does the same thing too, without a swimming pool/hot tub/bar...So, do you really feel like spending another $160 after spending money on a balcony? Enjoy your trip.[emoji9]

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Thanks! 26 days isn't *too* bad! :)

But still too far away....[emoji22]

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Zero!!!! Sitting with my embarkation group awaiting to board the Pearl in Miami! *happy dance*

Enjoy your trip! [emoji16] Still too many days for mine.[emoji52]

26 days for 12 day Breakaway

389 days for 3 week Escape and Getaway

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A strategy that is working for ... the cruiselines, on behalf of the stockholders. :D and, that "some" people here say they are willing to pay for it (not necessary themselves, as they got their own sweet deals :rolleyes:) Let's admit that some lines are better in rolling out the changes and communicating to the customers on what is to be expected. #cough #cough - Q3 earnings out, stock price down 5% pre-market ... buy on rumors, sell on news.

 

Over the years, prime ribs, roast beef, pork chops & roast rack of lamb, even duck are disappearing off the MDR menus - now, possibly re-emerging as surcharged items. On the seafood & fish corner - grouper became tilapia, shrimp cocktail and scallops no more, and it's just a matter of time that salmon will become the next surcharged item as an option. If folks are cruising for spaghetti and meatballs, I wonder if chicken thighs & legs will be substituted for the boneless fillet of chicken next - all in the name of Feestyle cruising innovation.

 

For those with hefty appetite, easy to make extra bucks + 18%, a surcharge for extra portions in up-sizing and start charging for wasted unconsumed or eaten food left on the plates ... it's all in the name of cost control :eek: & - oops, heathier eating /cooking light was the old "buzz" word (remember ...)

Overall Nasdaq is down by 5%, which NCL is on and all 3 cruise lines stocks on that market are down #smirk.

Any hoo, you pay for what you get and it's not enough to have 1lb whole lobster , 32oz steak, or 16oz prime rib in the fare every other night for every single passenger in the MDR of NCL. It's not the same thing as the other 2 lines in the NCLHoldings that can do that feat. Why? Because ALL those customers are paying tens /hundred of thousands per person per trip meanwhile, on NCL its in the low thousands even for the extremely small group paying in the Haven/suites.

You're not liking that times have changed and that there actually people that genuinely don't care for those extra items sailing on NCL - No offense, that your personal problem to deal with, not them. Because again, it goes back to paying for what you get and the fares, for lack of better term, is dirt cheap - so dirt cheap in fact, they did serve spaghetti & meatballs, Flounder, eggplant parmigiana, chicken, vegetable lasagna rolls, pot roast, Chuck beef, garden salad, etc in their MDR, either every night or every other night. I guess you have to pay extra and eat in specialty restaurants since NCL's MDR is too 'tasteless' and "low class" for you and others, that want those 3 extra items free there every night. *smirk*

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Well, that was actually my point - my point that I made very badly. Nearly all the extra cost items aren't of interest to me, so I simply don't buy them. But every time on cruiseline or another trots out a new specialty restaurant or any other change that's extra cost, I see many, many people who are very willing to pay for it. Fine. But I think it's only reasonable to assume that there will be more and more extra cost items down the road, since this is a strategy that's working.

Unless NCL is getting rid of chicken, pork, ground beef, turkey, sandwiches, cheeses, bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, lentils, potatoes, fish, imitation crab meat, other seafood like scallops and lamb from the complimentary places - not really missing prime ribs, lobster and surf & turf in the MDR that much either.

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Depending on how one sees it -wonderful or dreadful - NCL posted their financials for the 3rd quarter this morning and met Wall Street's profits forecast. Let's the real wall of flames begin![emoji6]

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And your "inside" information comes from where? You have no clue what NCL is going to do in January. How do you create facts out of thin air? If the facts don't agree with you opinion, just make them up?

I think he's assuming due to the specialty restaurants a la carte menus are going fleetwide. But it's a MDR menu /complimentary, which can change without any notice at any time...

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And back to smoking .....

Well, at least it wasn't the smokers that brought it up again.....I mean, Sheesh, I get it - don't like smoking, I don't like smoking either, but can one of militant non-smokers take a chill pill and relax? NCL is fixing the problem that benefit both sides - calm down! Good grief....

And for the record alcohol does smell, especially if someone is reeking of it. Rubbing or drinking (wine, liquor, cooking, beer) - it makes me nausea when its too much...

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I can't read this entire thread as it takes too long to load the pages on the ship. I just want to say that I've spoken to several people who have ordered the a la carte items in the main dining room, and they seemed thrilled to have the option. For me, I've been very impressed with the dinner choices and felt no need to order anything for pay. We do have 4 day SDP on this cruise, and since we are on our 5th night, we probably should start using those. Haha

Oh wow - you better use those up! [emoji13] Good to know, that the MDR dining is even more better (well, on Escape anyway, I'll find out at the end of this month if Breakaway improve too[emoji3] ). And not surprised that those 3 items seem to have takers that like it.[emoji6]

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I happen to like Mr Del Rio way of future thinking. I like new, modern, and innovative ships. The Getaway blew my mind and that's why I booked 3 more cruise with NCL. Now before all the claws come out. The man ran other lines and made a product good to great. If he wants to do it to all NCL ships...that's superb!

 

 

 

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The groundwork was already there with the Breakaway - Del Rio and Stuart are just as you said, making the entire fleet good to great. Its just that in order to do that, they have to step on some customer's toe that don't like change....

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Not soon enough for some. Perhaps the way to do it is to have each guest register as a smoker or nonsmoker and charge a premium for the right to smoke and only in the designated areas. Would be fun to read the threads about the nickeled and dimed smokers who are taking their business elsewhere. Remember all those folks who went elsewhere when smoking was banned in balconies? :D

You mean that went to the casino and designated smoking spots instead of lighting up on the balcony? I don't think even NCL realize how successful or bad (depending on whom you ask), that was/is...

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Enjoy! :)

The "so you're saying you'd cancel your cruise over X, Y or Z" argument is so played out. NCL has been doing this crap all year, way above and beyond other mass market lines. It adds up, and everyone gets to decide for themselves where their breaking point lies.

You mean "they been doing it for years and now some people are Finally at their breaking point".:rolleyes: It wasn't a year, it was YEARS - NCL always "nickel & dimed" when it came to the extras - why some of these posters are acting so shocked and surprised since NCL been like that, because they gave them proverbial boot from all fronts even though it only $2-50 more per person per day, depending on what extras you're buying.:rolleyes:

All it genuinely comes down to is some people want Ruth Chris / Capital Grille benefits at 7-11 prices but NCL is selling it for McDonald / Starbuck prices with Applebee / Outback service - and it burns those posters that NCL can still fill those berths at full or close to full capacity each sailing, with or without them.

I'll be honest - the price for those 3 extras in the MDR, is pretty low, especially now that it seems their going to be served everyday. 3 items that some people have been wanting to eat everyday in the MDR and complaining that it was removed / served on certain days, now they have it. But its on those that want to eat it dime, and not on other passengers that can't eat it and/or don't really care about it. Still other complimentary dishes in the MDR menu to eat from, that's not any of those 3 extra charge items....