rccampbell

From what I have read lately, you do need to be careful with certain drugs and certain countries. sounds like things as vitamins, Tylenol, ibuprofen, etc. are usually OK, but who knows what is a controlled substance in some countries as this poor woman found out: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britsih-woman-egypt-painkillers-prison-sentence-jail-any-key-names-locations-court-case-a8051696.html

A black card with serious credit limit for medical bills! I only brought my debit card but fortunately the DH threw in a card that would hold my $25k in medical bills. Serviced

We're charged first then rendered. Same at the local hospital for emergency surgery. Left wondering what would they have done if we couldn't pay up front??? This was NCL btw.

 

 

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Interesting, I had not thought of having that high of a limit credit card for our trips. Especially if you have insurance.

Is this a normal requirement? In today's heavy debt world, how many people have that much available on their cards and is there a good number to have available?

Have you checked your personalizer to make sure everything is OK with your April cruise?

I can guarantee that they will not get anything out of me. I carry my own luggage onto the ship and do not need assistance and secondly I do not take BS from anyone and am big enough to stand up for myself and not take that sort of abuse.

We did not know you could carry your own luggage onto the ship?? We carry our own off the ship.

Perhaps this would have saved our friends from losing their luggage. I told them they had not tipped enough when none of their luggage made it on the ship. Eventually was found a week or two after getting back from the cruise and was shipped to their home. Apparently it had been hanging out in the port all of that time. This was Port Everglades.

Are you being serious? Preferring Coke because of gluten? I have worked in the health care industry all my adult life, and now work for a leading hospital and research organization, and I can say with conviction that the so called "gluten issue" is just another health fad. In a decade, it will have died out. We didn't concern ourselves with gluten when I was growing up and somehow we all survived just fine. Up until about a decade ago, maybe 1 in 2500 people worldwide might have some minor issues with gluten intolerance. Now, suddenly, it is more like 1 in 120 in the US that claim they have issues - which is still less than 1% of the population. It is just another example of people responding to what they read or hear and now suddenly they have the same problem. Considering all the diet fads, prescribed and over the counter drugs, and elective procedures that people are depending on today, the US is a country of hypochondriacs. The vast majority of people do not actually have the health problems they think they have. Fine with me, however, as it keeps me employed.

I brought it up because my sister does have celiac disease along with lymphoma. She also has issue with dairy and red meats. In her case, it is not imagined but medically documented.

Coke does not contain gluten, Pepsi does in its caramel coloring.

Many people prefer Coke over Pepsi because of the gluten issue.

I grew up in US somewhat earlier - I learned to cut meat one piece at a time keeping fork in left hand - only switching hands if starting to eat vegetables; never cut all meat at one time. I never could understand the cut-switch-eat-switch-cut approach followed by some - looks like a juggling act. If we have bread or roll to butter, we have butter plate and butter knife rather than use steak knife or table knife. Out of date perhaps: we still always have lit candle on table at dinner - just the two of us.

I think the candles is wonderful! But this is exactly what I was saying about times changing and 1948 being a while ago.

Now that the kids have been long gone, my DH prefers to take his dinner plate to the living room and watch Wheel of Fortune.

Why should manners change with the calendar? :D

Is it good manners to only cut one piece of meat at a time? I grew up in the US in the 60s and 70s and learned that I was to cut all of my meat first, lay my knife at the top rim of my plate and place my hand not holding the fork (non-dominant hand) in my lap where it was to stay unless I needed it to butter my bread.

I then could use my knife to butter my small piece of bread or roll as needed with my knife because in the average American home, you do not have multiple pieces of utensil at the supper table.

I do not think we are in 1948 anymore, a few things have changed. :-)

And remember that every single dollar bill or coin you touch up to your vacation and during may be contaminated with something. Think about reaching into your pocket to pull out that $5.00 bill to tip the porter that took your bags at the port. Where has that bill been? Money has been proven to be the dirtiest thing on earth.

Did you accidentally brush against the porters hand when you tipped him? How clean are his hands or anyone else that touches your luggage handles either flying, at the port, getting it to your cabin.....

That tote at the airport that you put your belongings in at TSA, how clean is it when you grab it to put your items in?

We can blame the ships and stewards, but ultimately, a bug can be picked up just about anywhere.

Just use good hand washing and don't touch your face if you can help it.

I hope I'm not highjacking a post here, but I have a couple of questions about snorkeling.

 

Can anyone snorkel? I mean, how difficult is it or do you literally just stick your face in the water? Lol

 

Can you snorkel without having to pay for an expensive excursion?

 

Is there an age limit? (Minimum age?)

Anyone should be able to snorkel if they have the ability to learn how to use a snorkel mask. Young and old if you are comfortable in the water.

I have snorkeled in 3 ft of water off the beach and in 100 ft of water off the side of a catamaran.

Visit a good snorkel/dive shop, they will fit you for a mask and teach you everything you should know. These can be rented for a few hours or few days. Locals can tell you the best shops.

You can even practice in a swimming pool near home ahead of heading on vacation if you have access to a snorkel business at home.

Loved it so much, my DH and I now own full face snorkel masks.

Why are you assuming they weren’t looking for the luggage? I expect that it would be difficult, but if they said they were going to try and find it, I assume they tried to find it. If this was a person behind the counter, she doesn’t work for NCL, but I expect she told those on the ship about the issue.

I do not assume anything, I just wonder, and we can hope that the ship had been notified of the situation. We will never know for sure I am guessing.

NCL stepped up to the plate and that is all that matters except to remind us all......Please keep your documents on your person until you are on the ship and can lock them in the safe.

You're too late. It's been posted several times AND NCL has reimbursed the couple AND given them a free cruise any time they want. Just FYI.

I am sorry, but I am the OP and had posted this story on CC at 7:48 cst on Sunday morning. NCL had NOT stepped up to the plate yet. That didn't happen until Sunday afternoon.

My biggest reason for shaming NCL, was because they had the couple sit down in the terminal for 3 plus hours and assured them all would be good. It was not because the couple forgot their paperwork in the luggage, it was because of the way NCL handled the situation.

Another thought..... did anyone check to see if the couples bags had been delivered to their state room prior to sail away? Sometimes, we just have to think outside the box just a little bit especially when we are assisting the elderly, the disabled or the young.

Also, can we be sure that once the couple was seated to wait....did anyone actually try to find the luggage? Was there any plan what so ever to assist them or were they sat there and forgotten about? This is why NCL needed to step up their customer service.

NCL did make good:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/01/28/norwegian-cruise-line-changes-course-offers-couple-apology-refund-and-dream-trip/JfHQCLMLSi9ZqjNug1EovI/amp.html

 

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This proves the power of the crowd can make a difference. Excellent NCL!

I just think there must have or should have been someway to get their passports/luggage before the ship sailed.

This is such a sad story, but reiterates the need to keep your documentation in your carry on.

Too bad NCL doesn't have more compassion for their customers.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/01/27/left-dock-and-looking-for-refund-and-some-compassion-from-cruise-line/mszHE2cq2Po5k9ZY9EnPvL/story.html

Another idea is to turn your U shaped pillow around backwards so it is supporting your chin VS the back of your head, or try it sideways too.

I remember as a child growing up in the Phoenix, AZ area. If you used the restrooms in the Woolworth's, you need either a nickle or a dime to put in the coin slot to get the door to the stall to open.

How do you know if the person wanting your money is actually the restroom monitor/attendant and not just some shake down person looking to make a buck?

If unavailable, you can always make it yourself in the microwave located in the clothes cupboard....just make sure that you punch in the right code to open it.....

Oh you are so mean!!!! ;p

Fair enough, still don't understand why they just don't include it in the cruise cost though.

 

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This is an income tax situation....if the gratuity were part of the cruise cost, then it would be counted as income to the cruise company. By listing it as gratuity, it is turned over to the staff and the staff claims/pays any income tax on it if applicable.

I totally agree that these costs are better referred to as options rather than hidden but I think some of y'all are failing to recognize that this is the "First Time Cruisers" board. I'm assuming Laura posted on this particular board for the benefit of first timers who may not know about the extra costs....not for the benefit of seasoned cruisers.

Exactly! When we took our first cruise, we had no idea what was or was not included, especially when everyone talks about cruising being all inclusive.

Actually, I was surprised to find out we had to pay for many drinks because I thought inclusive meant inclusive.

We loved " Tips from a Cruise Addicts Wife".

We read 2 of her books and found them to be lots of fun and helpful.

I am sure others may have better info because of more cruises under their belts....but we found food almost all day long in the buffet and then of course there is ice cream, pizza and burgers available most all day.

There is also the International Cafe. All of these were easy access, just walk right up and have what you would like. Also, there is room service available. I also went to the buffet and fixed a plate of cheeses, fruit, etc and took it back to our stateroom. There are mini fridges in most rooms.

You will not go hungry unless you want too.

Looking for company to explore our ports AND dinner/lunch/show partners.

RetiredGI - aka KENT :-):cool:

Try posting this on your roll call too. Probably will be more people will respond.

I would do it in a heart beat if life allowed.