DragonFlyPPS

Hang in there my friend. Feel better :) Thanks for review :)

Not sure why people would bring newborn/under 3 years old on cruise. I was respectful not bringing my children until I thought they were of "age" and free of tantrums. No one on ship wants to hear a crying baby.

 

Too all parents who bring children:

 

I am on vacation.

I do not want to hear your kid having meltdown.

Be responsible

So... mega ships that market to families and have dedicated programs (for 6 months and up) are not proper places to bring kids for vacation?

Comments like this 'I was respectful' as noted above really amaze me. Respectful of whom? We are all paying the same fare to cruise. Plenty of adults in various social situations lack common courtesy ... often times in more significant ways than a crying child. On a cruise ship and off.

And yes, I fully agree that no one wants to hear kids crying and having meltdowns in public. Been there done that, I have removed my own child from the situation in those cases.

If your expectation is to go on vacation and be completely away from children, then adults only locations are for you.

We've done adults only vacations at land resorts, kid free cruises (encountering other children - and gasp! - Had a great time) and have taken vacations with our kids. We have enjoyed them all. It's completely reasonable to expect kids on a middle market mega ship.

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Whoa! You agreed parents should take their kids away when having meltdowns.End of story

Totally agrees!

To all parents who want to bring their little ones on board:

I never took my boys on a vacation until till they were over temper tantrums and would not not impede on others who wanted a relaxation vacation. They were 7 and 9. They were fully aware of Disney AND DID NOT waste money cuz now they will remember that experience. Off to Disney Cruise we go a year later. Was awesome.

Not sure why people would bring newborn/under 3 years old on cruise. I was respectful not bringing my children until I thought they were of "age" and free of tantrums. No one on ship wants to hear a crying baby.

Y'all can say that "the crew" LOVES babies! Welcome! I previously posted my concerns about vaccinations.

If you are a responsible parent and remove your child from Dining Room (or any place else) when child is melting down, I commend you.

Too all parents who bring children:

I am on vacation.

I do not want to hear your kid having meltdown.

Be responsible

Good grief! Use common sense. This thread has apparently striked many nerves. If you feel that you are above everyone and "claim" seats on deck and don't return for HOURS, than so be it. I will find other seats for my family. But thank you for exercising common courtesy to others and your train of thought which = me = me = me. Not my train of thought...

Huh?

Popcorn anyone? Bathroom break? Guess we should adapt to rude people who have no respect for others.

Got it! Thanks! :)

So you condone Chair Hogs? Simple respect doesn't factor in? Sure..will find another chair, but people need to be more respectful and not so self absorbed. My children were on Disney Cruise. Packed. We just wanted to watch movie but seats were "flagged" with personal belongings. Lots of seats for Movie opened up when those self absorbed people had previously claimed their territory and never showed up. Bottom Line: Be respectful to others

People just need to be respectful of others. Do not "secure'" chairs and then make it a staff problem. If people think they can throw down their stuff and walk away for hours, then they just proved they have no respect for others. This thread has broken my rib laughing!

Good evening,

How does one get off the ship early? I've read there are tickets that need to be disbursed and reflect when you can tender. How does the process work? Stampede? This will be the first time tender entered into the equation. LOL!

Thanks!

My dad and his wife justgot back from the Gem on a 10 day Eastern Canada and Quebec. I got a kick out of her review. LOL! Hereis an excerpt:

We got back safely yesterday from our 10-day cruise. We had a"great deal of fun" weathering that storm that you all were dealingwith here. I have to say when the waves look huge, and you're on the 11thdeck, that should give you an idea of how big they were. I felt likesleeping in my life preserver. We nearly had to tuck ourselves in the bedto avoid being thrown to the floor. For around 24 hours, the ship enduredbeing tossed. Apparently, the ship endured being tossed better than itsoccupants. There were many sick people we heard later, and barf bags weresupplied all over the ship. On the up-side, there was much more room inthe buffet and restaurants. We had motion sickness pills with us, andyour Dad had to take one dose. This was our second cruise storm, and justlike last time, I wasn't even queasy. I don't get it but am happy aboutthat. Your Dad sat down next to a man in one of the lounges up front anda minute later, the man threw up all over the front of himself. Needlessto say, your Dad fled the scene as the poor vomit-covered man was apologizingto him. Your Dad felt no apologies were necessary...

We also met a couple at the desk who had a bill for $3,000 for a stomach bug. She had to stay in her cabin for 3 days to be sure it wasn't contagious which it turned out to be

 

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Thank you for info. People here need to hear the "real time" info. I am sure they will cut and paste T&Cs and shoot down, but nice to hear REAL EXPERIENCES.. I guess fair warning to all if you need medical assistance.

Thank you for sharing. Hope it is an eye opening to all. Check your Medical Policy. No way should people get raped cuz they have fallen ill on cruise.

Can't wait for cheerleaders who are elite to chime in

Standing Strong, mking. Village Halloween Parade is going as scheduled. But It is a sad day here.

Hope you make GSC.

Thanks again for your reports. Will watch your sail out of PC soon.

Safe Sailing!

Yeah...my family were 1st responders to 911 in NYC. Firefighters. Crazy world. Enjoying your virtual tour. Enjoy your vacay and thanks for taking time to do this :)

I am totally shocked no one has posted a response to this. In fair view, it was your sisters responsibility to hydrate and apply sunblock to avoid this from ever happening. That medical bill you incurred is a non-issue and should not factor in review. However, my interest has been piqued why customer service was so bad. New on NCL and hoping this was an isolated incident. I value other opinions here, as long as they have valuable info to offer rather than degrade and worthless input.

I was under the impression that NCL accommodates to the fullest extent. I sail in 2 weeks (first time NCL). Any and all input would be awesome.

Following. Thanks :)

OMG! Read Post 42. Can we end this? I honestly don't care how you fluff your hair! The question was answered! Move on. Really?

LOL! This thread has been hilarious! We got the answer to this question several miles back.

To all of you who require no styling tools and wear no make up ...good for you.

To all of you who LOVE you hair styling tools and make up....good for you.

Beating a dead horse here. Everyone is different how they enjoy their vacation and their personal hair appliances or there lack of.

It sure has been a hoot listening to all who cut off hair and wear no make up. Also, some love their hair appliances and a bit of make-up.

Somehow this thread has been derailed.

Question was answered. Hair appliances are allowed. Let's close this and move on.

I agree with RevCindy. My concern would be that vaccinations are not fully executed yet. I believe that the most important vaccinations are completed at the 1 year visit (I could be wrong). If your Pediatrician is comfy with your little one leaving the Country with current vaccinations, then all good. :)

Have fun and enjoy your cruise :)

Good grief. Thank you for information and ignore nasty people here. We are all just looking for good info to help others. I take all info in. Digest. Dismiss bad people. I recently booked a cruise on Sky (Inside - Sailaway). Next month. Their price dropped significantly from when I booked (less than 30 days out). My TA was able to get me an OV for $100 more and also onboard credit of $100. It cost me nothing to upgrade from inside to OV. Work with your TA or negotiate on your own. Yeah...solo travelers always take a hit, but understand how Corporate rolls to make $

:)

Geez thanks for your [non] help! Clearly I know that and have done research, but was under the impression that's what CruiseCritic was for: to enlist the assistance of others who have cruised before you!

 

"The more things change, the more they stay the same!"

You brought up valid questions. I learned a lot from the NICE people who offer invaluable information. Thank you to all for info. I want this Bliss/Alaskan cruise so bad! I know what to do now. I hope you have an amazing time! :)

I am sailing on Epic in 40 days. I have paid the 18% service on my promotional item (UBP). I purchased the 4 night SDP - the applicable service charge was added to the price. And I prepaid the standard service charge.

I have no problem with any of these charges. I have found that service on a cruise ship consistently surpasses those typically experienced in a land based setting. There is nothing that makes me feel like anything will be different on this cruise.

That being said, I feel no obligation to tip any further, anywhere on board, unless I receive truely exceptional service above and beyond what I expect.

BTW: I am a solo traveler and all my services charges are based on one person.

First of all, your "name" cracks me up. LOL! Thank you for your input. Well received info. :)

Forgive me. I am confused. So if I am not happy with service, I legally have the right to adjust DSC/Tips? Not saying I WILL.

If a hamburger and wait service in local diner gives me bad food/service, I can leave a "tip" to my liking reflecting service/food. I think we all agree on that. If bad service on Ship, I just wanted to know how that rolls. Can I adjust? I haven't even been on cruise yet, and apprehensive "pre-paying" gratuities which I would love to pay or erase from from "Bill" should I feel the need to do so.

Someone said Cruise Line Workers have a Union. If that is true, then they are guaranteed pay/health care benefits/over time which is covered in their CBA. I do not have those facts therefore cannot comment.

My original question was: Who has proof DSC/gratuities goes directly to workers and not Corporate?

Just want simple answer. You guys are smarter than me. Just looking for knowledge how breakdown is applied. Is there a Union?

I simply wanna take a Solo Cruise. So looking forward to it, but add on's add up without out my permission. Just looking to you guys for help :)

Fair winds and following seas to all :)

You people are brutal. Just trash everyone. Not my style. Thanks for the memories. This site should re-evaluated.

To all of you who think who are better than me..HAHAHA.!

I asked for simple help here and got trashed along the way. Not cool.

Fair winds and following seas to all. If you don't understand that phrase, you can simply Google.

Eventually, the crew need to be paid a sustainable wage, or they'll go elsewhere. NCL breaks that wage into the portion buried in the fare, and a separate portion which can be modified if their performance is sub-par.

 

As for the solo 'penalty', I've never heard of more than a 100% penalty (that is, 2x the fare), but if you consider this 'discriminatory' (hint: being alone is not a definable class for discrimination), then bring a friend. It'll cost you the same, you just have to share your space. Don't want that? Then it's a CHOICE you've made. Not discrimination.

 

 

 

Stephen

 

 

Yes, Solo Travelers are being discriminated against. I get it is a "business" and they need to make $. However, try to make accommodations for "Solo" travelers without absorbing exorbitant cost is insane. Definitely discrimination to Solo traveler. Do you work for Cruise Line? Who are you protecting? Union?

Thank you everyone for your viewpoints. I will take into considering where I go "from here to there". Lots of valuable info/knowledge here and appreciate all viewpoints. Open mind to everything. Thanks again :)

Fair winds and following seas.to all :)