Brad on a boat

I don't mean for this post to be a rant--more of a question, and maybe an eye-opener for some.

I have a diamond card with Total Rewards, which gets me 20% off Norwegian cruises.

We usually cruise NCL twice a year either using that discount or with a free voucher from a land based casino.

I have followed this section of Cruise Critic closely and joined the NCL Casinos At Sea Facebook group and learned people get much better discounts, even free cruises, directly through NCL Casinos At Sea.

So in 2016, on two NCL cruises, I earned over 5,000 points.

After my wife and I returned home from the second cruise, we called the dedicated NCL Casinos At Sea number, told them we'd like to book another cruise, and asked what my play earned me. I was told they could offer me 20% off my next cruise.

I asked the representative if she was sure that's all I had earned--yes.

I told her I already get a 20% discount through Total Rewards and asked her why in the world would I continue to put money through NCL casinos if I don't get anything in return. She told me because I get 20% off in return. Clearly I was getting nowhere. And I feel like I'm getting nowhere with NCL.

Celebrity, on the other hand, gives us a comped balcony or above on just about any sailing we want.

So my question--if all I'm going to get through NCL is the 20% I can already get, why would I give their casinos another penny?

Different ships for different reasons.

My wife and I got engaged on the Sky at sail away, so even if it's the least interesting ship in the fleet, it will always be special.

Some of the amenities on the Getaway are fantastic, (Spa Thermal Suite, Illusionarium, 678 Ocean Place is a great meeting place, restaurants are spacious.) But we found some things lacking. The theatre, for instance, looks like an after-thought. And it's a common complaint, but it's the first ship we've been on that felt "crowded".

We really enjoyed the Jewel and Dawn. Seem to be the perfect size and never feel crowded. Doing the Gem in just a few weeks, couldn't be more excited!

But let's be honest...the best ship is the one you're going on next, right??

To echo what others have said:

1.) Go to the bars that aren't as busy, and

2.) It never hurts to tip a few dollars. Have it in your hand when you approach the bar, and you'll get immediate attention. On our last cruise, (Celebrity, not Norwegian) I made friends with one of the bartenders by tipping him nicely, and instead of drinking the bottom-shelf garbage my wife and I were entitled to with our beverage plan, he always reached for the top-shelf!

If you're into comedy, each and every one of the "Second City" shows is wonderful.

And the Cruise Director Dingo Dave (who I believe is still on board) is, in our opinion, the best in the biz.

I doubt they'll enforce it, just like they don't enforce the no smoking on balcony rule.

We were on the Sun back in March. The guy next to us smoked so much we couldn't have our balcony door open, let alone sit outside. We brought it to the attention of our cabin steward, security & guest services & they did nothing. In fact, they cleaned his ashtray.

If NCL isn't going to enforce their no smoking policy, how are they going to tell me not to bring dessert home from the buffet?

If anyone hasn't heard, NCL has changed the itinerary for the Dawn's sailing today. Two days at sea, Monday in Nassau, Tuesday at their private island (also in the Bahamas), two more days at sea before returning to Boston.