MrsTocko

53 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

WT*????????????????  I've never heard of such a thing before.  And you have time to go on cruises??

(jk)

I know it’s iconic..(good or bad), put a lot of names on the map…I have tried, but not fully committed to it. DH has said he will watch it with me…we just have busy lives, and have a hard time finding time to watch anything…I’m back to being a football widow/fan again.  He is a HS football coach, so practice every night till late, then I go to the games on fridays.

but maybe next time we have a day to do nothing we will try again.  I enjoy mob movies, and he loves mob..anything.

On 8/15/2022 at 8:51 AM, KimInTime said:

Yeah I noticed it appear during my check-in for the Star (Aug. 24th), but you can't add it to cart or anything, so I guess it's maybe not available on the Star? Maybe the Star doesn't have a Starbucks yet?

I was on the Star last month, no Starbucks.  They have the atrium cafe, where your get a limited Starbucks menu.  They will auto include a gratuity automatically to your total.  In addition, if you are paying per drink, they are more expensive.  You can not use your Starbucks card on board, only room charges.  I had the standard FAS.  Did not upgrade to the plus, as we didn’t feel it was worth the added expense to buy for both of us, when I would be the only one using it. And that would be the ONLY reason for us to add it.

We are a balcony family regardless of the destination.  We like having a place to retreat from the general public, without suffering from FOMO.

Love the Viking Voyages commercials - they are flipping genius.

I try to be aware of little pitchers with big ears in the vicinity before I start dropping f- bombs and other choice vocabulary words. 

and finally, I do NOT have an informed opinion on The Godfather as I haven’t seen it.  DH and I do have a difference of opinion on whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

1 hour ago, fenny7cats said:

I love decorating my cabin door/inside/balcony with balloons and birthday banners, confetti etc - but hate when the cabin cleaner removes it.  I want to celebrate my special occasion for more than one day.

I have been successful with a door flag that DH got for me on our door.  I have a hook magnet for the top and then 2 bulldog ones for the bottom.  We buy magnets as souvenirs and then use them to stick stuff to the walls, (notes, shore excursion tickets, dailies....)

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

And, you would be the one causing every cabin around you to call guest services and complain that their cabin is hot.  Yes, opening the balcony door does shut off one AC system, the one that merely recirculates your cabin air (like a window AC at home).  However, you have just unbalanced the fresh air supply AC system, that is not shut off when the door is open, and your cabin gets more fresh, cool air, as the system tries to rebuild the overpressure in your cabin (it can't overcome the huge opening that is the balcony door)(the overpressure is to keep smoke from entering your cabin from the passageway), and everyone else in the block of cabins (typically everyone on your deck between the fire doors, so 40-50 cabins) gets less cool air.

That makes sense...except im not the only balcony cabin doing it.  those all around me are too. or if they are not, they are up on deck because we are cruising through glacier bay...so, until they install speakers on the balcony so I can hear the rangers.  Or turn the balcony doors into floor to ceiling windows that dont open forcing me to the public areas...Apologies for screwing up the AC system to my former and future fellow cruisers. 🤪

16 minutes ago, juju2454 said:

It will never happen,  I wouldn't leave the door open either ( I know many say the do it at night*shivers in fear*) I would consider an ocean view if it wasn't on the bottom floors like 5,6 or 7, lowest I've been is 8.    Thank you for the offer,  I have seen them from across the room we're in when they are cleaning and even then my legs as you say *tingle*  I don't do the room crawls for that very reason ... 😉 

Well shoot then.  I get that.  I can look at someone on the edge of something on TV and my legs tingle.

2 minutes ago, rugerdog said:

What I don't enjoy that others seem to:  spending hours upon hours at dining/coffee venues playing cards, crafting, etc. whilst others search for a place to sit to enjoy their meal.

I do enjoy sitting and playing cards or what not...but NOT while others are trying to find a place to sit down and eat.  That is just rude, and there are other places that you can go to play your games. Now if you have a small plate of snacks, I have no problem.  I will usually try to go sit near a bar anyway to play my cards, or read my book.

5 minutes ago, juju2454 said:

If we ever got to Alaska I would have to seriously consider that ocean view,  but balcony is for am a hard no, out of paranoia.🙆‍♀️

Alaska is one place that I strongly recommend a balcony especially for cruising bay, or hubbard or tracy arm.  Put the chair inside the room, leave the door open (for the breeze and fresh air as well as clarity of view), and watch it go by. Front porch sitting.  Listen to the ranger on the TV.  or turn the sofa.  ALMOST what you would get on deck, or in an observation lounge. Without the crowds of people jostling for a view, enjoying your favorite beverage (hot or cold).

If we make it to cruise together, you can come take a gander from inside our balcony, while we are not moving.

5 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

The problem with this, is that you could achieve "gold" status on a variety of ships, and therefore you may not be as familiar with where the muster stations are on your present ship.  As I've said, it is "muscle memory", actually going to the station that causes you to retain it.  Also, wandering there, or being escorted one on one to the station is not giving you the "drill like its real" aspect that you get when everyone on the ship is moving to their stations, as they would be in an emergency.

Right - Everyone still MUST go check in at their station.  So you know where it is and how to get there.

But if you have reached Gold - you know how to put on the life jacket, the 7 long blasts....because you have been doing the old school muster on other NCL ships.  That part should be the sale across the fleet, and at gold or say 5 NCL cruises, you are good to watch the video and check in, and go on with the cruise. until something changes in HOW NCL does their muster that has an effect on HOW passengers should respond/react, then back to 5 cruises old school again.  (new muscle memory)

22 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

I believe the muster stations are tied to how many people can fit in the lifeboats.   In an emergency, though, where it's sinking so fast that you cannot possibly save everybody, then I imagine it's anyone's game.

I would also think that they have a system in place to quickly check off/account for everyone in their station.  So they know that everyone from room 10090 is accounted for. and dont go looking for you.  That is a waste of precious resources at that point.

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

And, as another attempt to steer this back to the OP's question, I'll chum the waters with this:

 

What I love that others hate:  Old muster drill

What I hate that others love:  New muster drill

 

Enjoy

I LOVE the streamlined aspect of the new muster drill.  Gets me to the fun stuff that much quicker. 

However, I do kinda miss the gathering, (not the waiting around for it to start), also miss the putting on the life jacket and go stand outside.  That is nostalgia for me.
 

I do think though that with everything that they have already attached to your card, based on your latitude status, they could figure out a hybrid system, if it is your first cruise with NCL, you are required to do the drill the old way...say until you hit gold....after that, you can do it the new way, until and unless something changes in how NCL does their muster.  Then you MUST do new muster for X number of cruises. After said number of cruises, they you can go back to the video/check in "new muster".

I mean - They KNOW you have watched the video each of the 5 times they send you the email, as well as when you have checked in.  If you are a seasoned cruiser this is not new.  They know who has been on before, and who has not.  They know how many times.  They can easily attach the note to your profile that you need to do the drill or not.  This would also free up crew members, sooner, because they dont have to check in as many people, and the old school method wont take as long, because fewer people.

Not sure how feesible this really is, just throwing out an idea, but I would think there is a happy middle ground.

Just now, PhillyTravelBug said:

I do not understand the love for Vibe beach club.  It's just personal because I do not like sitting in the sun. Even with spf100, I feel like  I am slowly getting skin cancer.

Right? We rarely (can count on 1 hand and have fingers left over) the # of times that I have utilized ANY ship pool/hot tub.  I will fry to a crisp.  I get the fresh air on my balcony or sit in the shade.  That way I am also not fighting the chair hog...

I once spent a weekend in Vegas eating, gambling and drinking for 3 days on $5 total.  I had booked early, non-refundable, and ran into some car issues that resulted in nothing left in the Vegas saving fund.  Prepaid the shuttle round trip from the airport, went to the gas station on the corner for burgers and chips, and sat at the nickel slots long enough to get a couple of those free drinks.

Art Gallery on a ship…I don’t understand the concept behind thinking that a cruise ship is the place to put an art gallery.  I can look at pretty painting and think that it is pretty.  I don’t have an artist’s eye, nor a lover of statues and paintings.  I can look at it and appreciate and respect the work and talent that went into creating it.  However, I also know that it has no place in my home, or life past the 5 min I spend looking at it.  To me it is like having the spa guy at the fair. Why do we need this on a ship? Or at the fair?

52 minutes ago, billslowsky said:

The ropes course on some of the ships (like the Encore) has a short zipline (and walk the plank), then you can progress to Oasis ships on Royal, and so on.

Our next cruise has quite a few zipline excursions...I might try one of those...DH has done ziplining in Puerto Vallarta (with the ex) before and said it was great...PV is a stop on our next one.

5 minutes ago, juju2454 said:

That is my fear is the edge of a ship.  now smaller boats no problems.  Heights? no Problem.  The rope bridge would be no problem too, for m, but I get where you are coming from.   I see the bridge in I think it is Japan that is glass and as you walk on it it reacts like it is breaking. 😮  could be freaky.  Zip line can produce some interesting feelings too.   I got you too! 😉 .

 

I cant look at that glass bridge on my computer, and my legs start to tingle.  after we got to the other side of that rope bridge, DH said "you know we have to go back right?" "Yup, as soon as I have feeling back in my legs, we will be good to go"

Me no like heights.  me no like bridges. I think about my dropping something over an edge...nope.

I started cruising before I started swimming.  and still not a strong swimmer, but not as afraid as I once was (near drowning will do that to you).

I try to not let my fears conquer me.  I am stronger than my fears. it just may take me a while to conquer it! Thinking about a zipline one of these days. not like the one at Icy Strait...but still thinking about it

1 minute ago, juju2454 said:

I don't really have negativity towards Haven in and of itself,  I think it is about the "elite" attitude that many have once they book it.  It's your money , spend as you wish.  I only do inside center of ship center of section. because  1) I am terrified of the edge of the ship( yeah true story), I don't go to it, I will never do a balcony ( have had nightmares of rolling out the door on a rough sea day lol (I know I know)  ) So even club balcony isn't something I would try for.  But again you buy what you want. and I do too.  It is the remarks  that come from many ( not all) haven peeps of calling people lesser to them that is the issue.  for many.   Enjoy your choices!!  Happy cruising!

I got you.  We get a balcony mid-ship by elevators...I grip the railing whether we are moving or not.  Most terrifying thing I did was the rope bridge in Northern Ireland.  Look up Carrick-a-rede rope bridge and you will see what I mean.  BUT I conquered that fear that day (only), is a bit easier now, but not much..

24 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've cheated by booking a number of cruises with double and triple point promos.  That makes me "smarter" in one half to one third the time. 😎 

guess a lot of us are smarter by half...myself included...

1 minute ago, billslowsky said:

We skipped the train and did a van trip up to the suspension bridge in the Yukon. Several stops along the way, including the touristy "Welcome to Alaska sign" photo op.  We also had a professional nature photographer as our trip guide, she was great.  Lots of info about what it's like to live there as a seasonal employee, how the people deal with intermittent doctors on site, etc.  Didn't have to deal with the people who hog the "better side" of the train in both directions.  Similar but still different.

 

Our first one we did the bus in skagway both ways.  Then we started doing the bus up and the train back.  Best of both for us.  we like the relaxing part of the train ride.  Having done it, we know that we see plenty from both sides.  DH like to stand out on the platform and take pics.  I do not like being that close to an edge, so I sit inside with the backpack.

6 minutes ago, billslowsky said:

Too many people on this site post what they always do on their same cruise line time after time.  

We love alaska (have done it 4 times, and will do it again), and NCL.  the things we (DH) like about NCL is the freestyle concept.

We try and do different things in repeat ports. Except Skagway - we tend to do the same excursion there, because we enjoy it so much.  I try to be impartial when asked though, and explain what we liked or didnt like about each.  We like learning the history of the a place, and getting an overview. so that is what we go for at least the first time.

1 minute ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I beg to differ.  We all know who the seasoned cruisers are on this forum and I, for one, greatly value their posts.  To the point, they usually don't need to start with "well, I am Platinum/Diamond/etc.", but they likely are.😎

agree - You have to put your accomplishments out there to show how important you are?

I have my past and future cruises in my signature because:

a. it helps me remember WHEN I went...

b. maybe I will run into someone on here that I have cruised with before and has a fond memory to share.  (havent really changed)

c. when I joined that is what everyone else seemed to be doing, so I did (i try to blend in everywhere), and now im too lazy to change it

10 hours ago, KeithJenner said:

The thing with the Haven for us is that it really isn’t worth the extra as we are really very happy with the standard cruise experience.

 

People say about the benefits of not having to queue or being away from crowds, but these things just either don’t happen or don’t matter for us. I don’t mind busy places, and we don’t tend to be in the popular areas (we don’t hang around the pool, or eat at busy times etc). Our room steward does everything we want for our room and we like making our own plans so I have no need for a concierge. I also have no wish to eat in my room.

 

The only thing that appeals about a suite is the bigger room, which is why the non Haven Suites on older ships work well for us. We still get butler and concierge but if you don’t ask them to do anything then they tend to leave us alone.

 

As I said earlier, I have no wish to be fussed over, so that is actually a negative of being in a suite/haven, although I think that we probably do get slightly better seats (more window seats etc) in restaurants, which is nice.

 

The one time we have stayed in the Haven (on the Pearl, so no bar/restaurant), we found ourselves spending time in tha Haven area when, in hindsight, we would probably rather have been in the main bars. If we were in a Haven with its own bar then I suspect that would be better, but I can still see myself thinking “let’s head down to a bar on the Waterfront”. When there are so many options that work well for us it seems a bit of a waste to spend thousands to add another.

 

Each to their own though.

you said it way better than I did...but all of this...

2 hours ago, DrSea said:

My next question is, if the Haven has so many perceived psychological triggers, then why bid for it?

Actually I have only bid for an upgrade once - before the last cruise - because it was for our anniversary, and bucket list destinations, and I figured WTH.

but when I win the lotto - I will pick another set of bucket list destinations, and book the haven, follow the dude/dudette with the card (that says im better than you because I'm in the Haven) at embarkation, scream "I'm platinum" (just turned on the last cruise), and demand to stay away from the commoners...

I guess I need to start buying lotto tickets???

4 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

@wil e coyote I think this one may take over as the leader in about five hours. 

 

I'll be the first to bite - I agree 100% Dave994. I'd much prefer pay a higher rate at the front, knowing the staff is being paid a fair wage. I'll go on the record as saying I know the cruise lines (likely all of them) screw over their employees at every opportunity they get unless it's frankie boy del rio. 

My PCC automatically adds the DSC to my booking.  So I am paying it upfront.  Well worth not thinking about it later.  I save all year long for the "spending" dollars using the 52 week $ challenge.  That is what I use for porter tips, or souvenirs in port and I stick aside some for tipping my steward at the beginning, and then extra at the end.  I know that they don't make what they should, and were out of cruise work for 2 years. I give them what I can with gratitude and appreciation.

And honestly if they "raised" the prices, but "removed" the DSC, would people care if it was embedded in the initial cost?  I know that I wouldn't.  do like other lines where "crew appreciation" is included.  The perception that you are getting more for your buck is a powerful marketing tool, and has kept me loyal to NCL (yes, i do exhaustive comparison between the lines and NCL usually comes out ahead or close to it - so loyalty points then come into play)

My vacation budget isn't always large, so I need to make the most of it, always.

12 hours ago, DrSea said:

In terms of entitled or rude people who think they are better than others bc of some made up thing in their head, I just don't let them bother me. All these people around me think they are God's gift to the earth bc they went to an ivory tower some time in their training (I did too), won some national award (I did too), and made some discovery (same here). But whatever. I don't let others make me feel bad and ignore others behaving badly. Your giving a random stranger too much power if their poor attitude elicits a reaction from you to the point that you are avoiding an area of the ship or an experience. If I worry too much or pay any attention to people who are poorly behaved, I would spend my entire vacation worrying about others and not enjoying myself. Up to you if you want to avoid those people. Just realize that it is objectively an immature coping strategy (defined per psychiatry....not me...don't shoot the messenger). I don't want to spend my life trying to avoid arrogant jerks all day long or else I wouldn't be able to work at any hospital system ever. It's just easier to ignore, reframe my perspective, live life, and laugh (look it up, humor is a mature coping style). 

I think this is a matter of personal perspective from my stand point. 

Above you said: "I don't want to spend my life trying to avoid arrogant jerks all day long"

Why would I put myself in a situation where I have to make to do that on VACATION?  That is my time to relax and recharge.  to enjoy my surroundings, and the food and laugh.  I have NEVER been one who liked being the center of attention.  Too much bullying as a kid directed towards me. Yes, it shaped me.  It shapes everyone. That is how we learn and grow. I can't ignore it, not in me to ignore it.  and I left it effect me as little as possible, but that takes effort.  So I distance myself from people that bully, and that I have to make an effort to be around.  That is why I apologize to everyone in the customer service industry when I have witnessed this appalling behavior.

I always remember that the only thing I can control is MY reaction to whatever is happening and the situation around me.  I am mature enough and have grown enough to know what my triggers are and how to cope and deal with them. I am also mature enough and grown enough to know better than to put myself in a situation I am not able to handle.  I deal with it enough in the real world, I don't need to deal with it on vacation. Personally, I think that is more mature coping strategy. (I actually had a lot of good counseling as a kid at an age that the lessons stick, and I am a quick study.  I was taught how to figure out what I am reacting to and WHY...Knowing that...I can adjust my response to a more affective one, rather than strictly emotion.

Again, I don't believe that everyone in the Haven are entitled jerks, nor that they are confined to the Haven.  I do believe that the entitled jerks are LOUDER than the ones that are just there to enjoy themselves and have a good time, and are OFTEN staying in the Haven.
 

See something, say something, do something - makes sense.  By ignoring it, we are letting it fester and grow. I dont feel that society can continue to say "just ignore it, not my problem."