Forewatch

That answers my question too. I’m def taking the helicopter tour. I saw two travel programs which showed what it’s like to walk on a glacier, and its an experience not to be missed. That’s what I’m doing.

Nukesubsailor, You’re awesome! Thank you!!!!!

This is wonderful information, thank you! I will be ordering the two books recommended. It is so overwhelming, and I’m so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to respond.

I watched an Alaskan special on TV, and saw where you can helicopter onto a glacier and walk on one with a guide. I would love to do that!

I do want to take the train ride everyone talks about. I would also love to pan for gold.

I know what I don’t want to do.. I don’t want to do the lumberjack show, nor the totem pole tour and being a dog lover, I think the dog sled tour would upset me. I also have no interest in fishing, although my friend’s husband wants to do that.

I did say seven days, but I realize I would need to fly up a day earlier for the cruise. I have someone coming in every day to take care of my parrot, but she is miserable when I’m gone. Seven or eight days is my limit. I’m sure other pet lovers here understand.

Thank you for responding. I have searched the forum, and haven’t found the answers that I’m looking for. I want to do seven days because I have a pet at home, and although I have someone coming in to take care of her, I don’t want to leave her more than seven days. Maybe I need to talk to a travel agent. I was really hoping to get some responses from some people who have been on the trip.

I’m a veteran cruiser, but never been to Alaska... I would so appreciate your help planning my trip. We would like to go in June of this year.

I will be cruising with my good friend and her husband. I’ll have my own cabin, so I think I’m going to get hit with the single supplement again. (or is there a suite with two bed rooms??)

Which ship would you recommend? (We are open to any cruise lines EXCEPT Carnival and Norwegian.)

Which port should we sail out of?

Which excursions would you recommend? I’ve saved up more than I need for this trip, so money isn’t a problem. I would love to go out on a glacier if possible. I heard there are float boat trips?

Thank you for any help. I’ve been trying to do my homework, but I’m overwhelmed.

I have friends in NYC and NJ who are stocking up on water and charged batteries today.

I'm in NY and I don't know anyone panic shopping up here.

Wow.. What a great story with a happy ending! I'm in my 50's and still have "Buttons".. My beloved stuffed dog. I've had him since I was six months old. All the fur is gone, and the stuffing is falling out, but he's my prized possession. I understand how your son felt when he thought his monkey was gone forever. I would feel the same way, even now.

I don't drink. I'd rather have a box of chocolate.

Thanks for the replies! I'll call Verizon today.

Anthem only offers the combination package. All I wanted was surf... But had to buy both.

I always had a company phone, but just got my own so I don't know much about the pricing other than I get free texts and calls. Are calls with the surf and stream free? Do I have to configure my phone? I just don't want to get a surprise big bill from Verizon.

I'm with you, TubbyMrT. My mom taught me well too, and I'll continue to dress nice for dinner.

The Hilton is nice, but you're upwind from the cruise ships. We couldn't stay on the beach because of the strong diesel smell.

Where do you think most of the bottled water comes from? If you said your tap, you would be right. It's, again, mostly a marketing ploy. There are a few that are spring water, but most of it comes from the local tap, good or bad. There is no regulation.

Which is why I only drink Mountain Valley Bottled water.. Which is not available on NCL. You just made my case.

In the scheme of things in life, does this really rank amongst the top 10 things? I am certain that if NCL announced that everyone had to start bringing their own water for their cruise, the same people would be outraged. :rolleyes:

 

That being said, the policy should not have been thrust upon people who had already agreed to the "contract", and made their final payment.

For me, yes.. It's among the top ten things. Once again, for me it's not about the money. For me it's literally having nothing available that I will drink as I don't drink bottled tap water.. Only spring water from a reliable source.. Nor do I drink soda, juice full of chemicals or alcohol. NCL has literally left me with no options.

Did not NCL start charging for upcharges in the MDR?

Does NCL not charge for some of their better entertainment? Other cruise lines never charge anything for any entertainment venue.

No charge for taking pictures? How nice!

 

EVERY cruise line and EVERY vacation resort nickel and dimes their customers. Some are worse than others. Why should NCL be immune from criticism or discussing it?

 

I stay at Hilton resorts all over the country. They are even worse for nickel and diming than NCL. They have a huge outdoor parking lot but they charge you to park your car, even on your own. They add $10 "resort" fee to your bill every night of your stay. In a sense they are charging you to use the pool, hot tubs, bikes, etc even if you never use any of it. The resort "fee" entitles you to one free appetizer each day. However no drinks are included so the resort actually makes money because most people would order drinks to go with their appetizer (pure genius on their part). They charge you for internet service. They charge you extra if you bring a dog. The list goes on and on. If this was a hotel forum, would it not be fair to discus these extra charges without some going crazy and leaping to defend Hilton resorts?

Get the idea?

You are absolutely correct. However, the key is.. They do it "because they can." If you (plural you.. No you in particular) continue patronizing these places with no push back, then you're allowing them to do it more and more.

This latest move by NCL is unacceptable.. And everyone who objects needs to write and call NCL to let them know.. And you must vote with your feet.

I'm definitely educated on ship water and and tap water in general. It's mostly just people being paranoid. If you prefer bottled water that's fine, but the tap water is perfectly safe.

 

Where did anyone say anything about fresh squeezed juice??

 

I'm not being flippant at all, and you obviously have the right to choose. Don't blame NCL though for you being so picky.

I'm absolutely blaming NCL for taking away my CHOICE!

I choose not to drink tap water with chlorine (look up the health hazards)

I choose not to drink juice that has been reconstituted and is full of chemicals

And as a Gator who bleeds orange and blue, I forgive you for supporting Georgia. Chomp, chomp! :)

I'm curious... so the entire week you don't drink anything but your own glass bottled water? How many cases of this glass bottled water would you bring on board for an entire week if that's all you drink?

 

Also, how do you ever travel anywhere? Do you always have to go and find this glass bottled water? What if it's not available?

 

It really doesn't sound like you have any medical issue with the other waters, it's just that you choose not to drink it. Which would make this entirely your own choice and a situation of your own creation.

Mountain Valley also comes in plastic bottles, but I prefer the glass. Yes, I bring them aboard in Litre bottles, but I also bring a lot of organic juice drink boxes.

https://www.mountainvalleyspring.com/

But if I choose to not eat meat, and that's all NCL offers, that is also of "my own choosing". And that's precisely my point. NCL is TAKING AWAY MY CHOICE! Just as some of the soda drinkers are upset because they prefer Coke and can only get Pepsi.

BTW.. I don't trust other waters because many of them are just tap water that is bottled. Many have bacteria, and a lot have sodium. After much research, I have confidence in Mountain Valley. Check them out for yourself.. but then, maybe you're not interested in health.

It would appear that you are the problem then, not NCL.

No, I've never "been the problem" prior to this ridiculous rule. But trust me, as a long time Latitudes passenger, I will not be "a problem" any longer, as I'll be switching cruise lines to one that doesn't take away choice.

That's fine for you, I just find it to be ridiculous to change because of bottled water. Tap water is perfectly fine.

 

I don't see it as NCL taking away your choice, you are choosing not to drink what they have available on board.

So in your line of thinking.... if I was a vegetarian, (I'm not.. but just for argument's sake) and all they served on board was meat, then you would argue that I am "choosing not to eat what they have available on board?"

I can't believe people are losing their minds over this, and talking about switching to other cruise lines.

 

Like Billy Currington said: God is great, beer is good, and people are CRAZY!

Well, in my case, it's a matter of literally having nothing on board to drink. I don't drink beer, wine or any alcohol. I don't drink soda. I don't drink tap water. I only drink one particular brand of water that comes in glass bottles because I don't trust the other brands. And, I only drink organic juice.

This never was a problem, because I used to pack liter bottles of water in my suitcases, as well as organic juice in juice boxes.

It is what I choose to put in my body. NCL is taking away my choice.

Have you thought about taking this issue to the media? They are already reporting on the new NCL water restrictions. I would think they would be very interested in your story.

There is free filtered water all over the ship that is as clean or cleaner than bottled water. It is your choice to pay for bottled water. Once again this is another example of people taking advantage of something that NCL allowed and had to cancel due to abuses by a small minority.

Actually, it's not about the abuses of passengers. They can still smuggle in booze in a mouthwash bottle or in any other number of ways (I don't drink alcohol.. just making the point). But you can't smuggle in alcohol in a sealed juice box or plastic shrink wrapped bottles of water.

This new issue is all about the money. For me, it's not about the money-- it's about what I will or won't put in my body. I only drink Mountain Valley Bottled Water. I only drink organic juice. So what do I do now? Simple, NCL gives me no other choice but to cruise on other lines so that I can bring with me the water and juice I drink.

Thanks, Chisox. I'm sorry this is taking place on your cruise. I was going to book one on Norwegian this fall, but I have changed my mind because I literally have nothing that I will drink on board. I only drink my brand of bottled water and organic juice. I don't drink alcohol at all or soda. I literally cannot sail with them under these circumstances.

I think the only way Norwegian will change their policy is if they're hit in the wallet. I understand you're already booked, but I do hope others who have not booked, find another cruise line.

I'm glad the media is picking up on this story. I hope people let their feelings know on the comments section of these media stories.

Thanks for the e-mail address. I will send something off to them. I'm also planning on writing a good-old-fashioned snail-mail letter to the president. I think snail mail can have more of an impact. Everyone, please stay vigilent.

Millymaid, I am not going to debate this with you. As I said in my post.. if you drink tap water, fine.

But for those of us who choose not to... this thread is for you.

Thanks for taking action Chisox. Can you please provide me with the e-mail address you used? I'd like to write an e-mail as well, and I'm going to share it on my Facebook page. This is just disgraceful.