ChicagoBarb

11 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

 

(bonus points to whoever can identify where that quote came from, I will be SHOCKED if anybody on CC knows🤣)

Twin Peaks

24 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Plus whatever taxes/fees are involved - there has to be a reason that it's a separate charge.

Years ago - I'm talking the '70s and possibly the '80s - cruising was a flat fee.  There was no breakdown of taxes, port charges, etc.  The only additional expense would be tips which were handed out on the last night to stewards and wait staff.  This was cash in envelopes.

I only remember that "someone" made a big stink about it, so the change was made to list each item separately on the invoice.  I say "someone" because I don't know if the change was made due to complaints from passengers or if a state or federal agency stepped in and forced the change.

This was also well before the internet.  One would go to a travel agent, book a cruise, pay the bill.

Personally I didn't mind the change in the way invoices are now handled.  I don't do the extras.

I am packing for my upcoming cruise on Sunday.  I know this is subjective, but was it chilly inside - specifically the casino?  Some ships just love to run that air conditioning, so I want to be prepared. 
 

We’re a totally different itinerary (heading south to New Orleans) but I’m going to assume they don’t adjust the interior  temps too much.

Thanks for the great review!

Thanks!!

Sorry that this is so off topic but just had to respond.  I can’t answer the question, but….
 

Molokai-Chuck - I sailed on the SS Independence in the late ‘80s.  You are the first person I’ve run into that sailed on her way back when.

14 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We decided to drink bottled water rather than stuff out of the tap.

 

You’ve been posting this picture for years.  Does this happen?  Obviously.  But I’ve been cruising since 1975 and have never run into this problem.

Yes, the bid amounts are based on your current cabin category.  I was in an ocean view and a friend was in an interior.  My bid amounts for balcony and club balcony started at a lower amount.

It is possible for the minimum to be reduced for a short period of time.  I was offered balcony and club balcony.  The club balcony must not have had many bids as the minimum was reduced as a “special” for a limited period of time.  Just keep your eyes on the offers you have.

The Bliss will transit through the “new” locks.  If you want to experience the transit and the locks as described in “The Path Between the Seas”, select a smaller ship that will transit through the “old” locks.

I have done both sets.  You will enjoy the engineering more through the original locks.

I just got home from the same cruise.  This cruise is at the top of my list as one of the best.  I'm going to give the Gem another try in March.  If it ends up being another "Mystery Cruise" I'll still be one happy cruiser.

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Absolutely not. I said that if the “friend’s” husband has COVID, the wife can not cruise. 
 

The first sentence was to “stick to the facts”. The “friend’s” husband is sick and decided not to cruise. The “friend’s” husband has tested negative for COVID. Period. Stay away from random conjecture that the husband has COVID-like symptoms, etc. If asked, state the symptoms, not an uneducated / unqualified guess “they are like COVID” based on something you read on the Internet. State the facts, leave the interpretation to the medical team. 

Read post #4 again.  If your going to quote yourself in a response at least quote yourself correctly.

See you on board!!

SomewhereGirl:

Would you not travel/sail on December 7, 2021 because of the significance of the date?

It will depend on the airline.  I have had no problems with upgrades with United or American.

55 minutes ago, bcc99 said:

Sorry, gang...just checked my reservation for the “Joy” on 12/8 and got the dreaded “time is running out” screen, so a December announcement must be forthcoming. Not unexpected since she’s still hanging around in the general vicinity of Manila.

I have the same message for Joy on December 27th.  Not surprised, but sad.

1 hour ago, drsel said:

If you want to book again you should have taken a future Cruise credit and got a 10% discount

That was not the offer with this round of cancellations.  Full refund to form of payment plus 10% discount on the next booked cruise.  FCC was not an option.

Seems to be November only.  My December and January cruises are still showing up OK.

2 hours ago, pcakes122 said:

Covid-19 testing is free.

This is so not true.  You may not have to pay for it at the time of testing but you and the rest of us will be paying for this through our state and federal taxes for years to come.  

Interesting.  I am booked for November 2020.  I just checked and there are no cruises out of New Orleans until Nov/Dec 2021.

So, either a glitch or I'll be getting an email that the cruise has been canceled.  It won't be the first once I've had canceled, but hopefully the last!

While you are in your list of favorites just click on the heart.  That will remove it from your favorites.

Yes.

I would choose the Sun.  I'm going to assume that it will transit the old canal which, in my opinion, is a much better experience than the new canal.

I am booked on the Sun in October for the San Diego to Port Canaveral.

12 hours ago, HowardK said:

 This would allow NCL to increase revenue (even though it should be considered a prepaid asset- yeah I took accounting and finance thats how I allow myself to be nickel and dimed!)

"A liability account on the books of a company receiving cash in advance of delivering goods or services to the customer. The entry on the books of the company at the time the money is received in advance is a debit to Cash and a credit to Customer Deposits."

Deposits are on the Balance Sheet as liabilities not assets.  Glad you're not my accountant.

15 hours ago, Double Jack said:

While we were in the waiting area awaiting boarding between 9:45 am – 10:30 am, we noticed the passengers in line waiting for a taxi after debarking were moving slower that a one-fingered typist. I heard folks waited 1 ½ – 2 hours to get a taxi.  It was right then we decided to use self-assist when we debarked in 9 days.   The challenge of 4,000 passengers both coming into and leaving the port was overwhelming.

I was also on this cruise.

To be more specific on the very long wait time in getting to and from the port, the problem is all of the road closures due to road construction in New Orleans.  We stayed at Harrah's and decided to use Uber.  Fortunately the driver knew of an area before the port that had been set up for luggage drop off.  It was near train tracks and I'm sorry that is all I know as I don't know New Orleans - maybe someone else can help with more info.

We did decide to walk back to Harrah's after debarkation.  We had a later flight home.  A short walk even with my luggage and a walker.  So if you have the time before your flight home think about walking away from the port and grabbing a cab away from the chaos.  Even walking to the closest hotel for a cab will save you the time in a horrendous line.

I just received my flight info - 37 days prior.  I took 1 day deviation.  Both are direct flights on United, ORD to MSY and decent times.