GORDONCHICK

No remedy at all except paying for another upgrade but it could be an obstructed balcony.  Any window is always considered an upgrade over an inside.  Is it worth it to us?  No.  But you did bid on an OV, and that is indeed what you got.

2 hours ago, RD64 said:

It is not rocket science - it is very simple. If you want cabins near travelling companions or an accessible cabin, then book the specific cabins you want. 
 

Guarantees are just that - a guarantee for a specific cabin grade - they are not there for your convenience. By booking a guarantee, you give up all of the perks that go along with a higher fare. We all know that you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Yep - booking the guarantees is a gamble.  At one time, the price difference made it worth it but it doesn't today for us.

6 hours ago, chillyw said:

A little bounce wrinkle spray works wonders too

but it leaves fragrance, which I don't want.

7 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Pro Tip (from someone who cruises 6-7 times a year): Don't pack things that totally wrinkle easily. And if stuff is a little wrinkled, nobody will care. That's the most important thing... no one will judge you if your blouse has a crease... everyone is wearing cloths that are coming out of suitcases and everyone has that nice folded crease look as they walk around the ship. You're on vacation. Make it easy on yourself. 

I pack an empty spray bottle, fill it with water and spritz clothing and shake them out.  The wrinkles just fall out.  I also don't pack anything that needs pressing.

My son is now 22, but our first cruise was when he was 3.  He loved going to the MDR.  But there were a couple nights he just wasn't feeling it, so I took him to the buffet before our dinner and took him to the kids' club and he was happy with that.  It was a 12 night cruise and I think that only happened twice.  The servers doted on him and when he finished eating early (because his food was brought out earlier than ours), we would ask if he wanted to stay or go to the kids' club then (though sometimes he had to change out of formal clothes first).  Your child might surprise you.  This was the first time mine was in an environment like this and he mostly really enjoyed it - especially when the server would sprint to the table with his chocolate milk and straw every night after only having ordered it once!

Now I will say, we are those parents.  He was still taking naps at that age, so he did on cruises, too.  It was really the only way we could reasonably expect good behavior from him.  Gave hubby a good reason for a nap, too.

6 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

They will bring an iron and board to your cabin.

Really?  I thought irons were prohibited.  I travel with an empty spray bottle and spritz items with water and shake out the day before wearing.

44 minutes ago, Fishboy1947 said:

Thank you, when I booked and listed ages the changes are just what you indicated. 10 day cruise @ $21 per day for 3= $600

 

Our grandchildren always enjoyed mocktails on cruises, cocktails with no alcohol. Is there a drink package for children under 21 that includes mocktails?

New to NCL and learning 

No, there is only a soda package for under 21.

I'm a fan of the rebellious fish on NCL, even have the old souvenir glass fishbown.  But it's probably too fruity for you manly men!

It looks like the only option for them is the soda package.

Cruise Beverage Packages | Bon Voyage Gifts | Norwegian Cruise Line (ncl.com)

7 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

When your need for the larger cabin was no longer there, it appears that the the agent (cruise line) needed to switch you to an appropriate cabin size to balance out the availability of cabin space among the life boat stations. 

It's actually not a larger cabin IME.  It has extra berths and the location usually has fast and easy access to the kid's program area, usually same area of the ship but different deck, so near stairs/elevators.

13 hours ago, Cruiseguy14 said:

I’ve been sailing with my daughter . She is 2 and we have 74 points. It never occurred to me that she gets the points too. Is this true ? 

Yes, happened to our son.  On his first sailing after turning 18 he was platinum.  He thought that was pretty funny.

Yeah, that's not right.  

We will be on a 3 week trip that includes a 9 night cruise from Manhattan to Quebec City.  We will spend a few extra days in Quebec City then fly to Boston, pick up a rental car and drive to Maine for a week.  I'm looking for some comfy knit pants (maybe ponte) with real pockets (front and back) in a straight style (not complete against skinny legs) and I would like more than just black.  Anyone have some comfy but affordable options they love?  I've looked on Amazon and they don't give inseam measurements in their size charts.  I don't really want leggings either.

In my part of the world, hoodies are ALWAYS pull-overs with a hood and a big pouch-like pocket that is not flattering on anyone.  If it zips and has a hood, it's just a jacket.  I don't own a hoodie but I have lots of jackets.

1 hour ago, mugtech said:

Laundry service on a 7 day cruise?

Many of us have pre or post cruise plans, so yeah.  And it helps keep the packing lighter!

I know I've been on cruises that had Continuing Education (CE) classes on them but they usually only took up conference rooms/flex spaces.  I have heard of groups having reserved spaces on ships but IMO, it certainly shouldn't be the most popular space on the ship and all the time!

I used to be able to google cruise line/ship/dates to see if groups came up because there are groups that do this and they don't have enough people/interest to charter a ship.  But the google searches pull up too much junk now and I get tired of trying to sort through them.

I think they will.  Our son as a minor and 3rd person in our non-haven cabins always got the same points we did.  Some of our cruises gave us double or triple points.  He didn't show up as platinum until he cruised at age 18.  All of our cruises/points are listed for him.  They just didn't count-count until he was 18.  So I see no reason they wouldn't get double points for the Haven sailing even as 3rd and 4th passengers.

packing tape works well on those flimsy paper bags.  I used to "laminate" the bag tags to make them stronger and had a small roll in a suitcase.

This is why we do independent excursions.  Well, one of many reasons.

The Pearl is a beautiful ship but larger than the Zaandam.  HAL would definitely be more suited to your mom and I think that itinerary is far superior.  But either do a later flight or fly out the next day.  Chances are incredibly high that you'd miss an 8:15am flight.

I have a different view  - I don't care which cruise line for itineraries like Alaska or Europe.  The experience is more off the ship than on.  It is merely a place to sleep, east a few meals and travel from port to port.  Not only do I look at ports, I look at time in ports.  I also look at glacier days.  IMO, and one way cruise is superior because you should get at least 2 glacier days.  Also, a chance to do an inland trip in AK is alway a huge plus.  AK is easy to navigate on your own  We rented a car and spent 11 nights on our own seeing exactly what we wanted to see - which was a lot!

I would agree that the Spirit is a much better ship/better layout than the Sun.  The Sun has been our least favorite NCL ship.

1 hour ago, newoncruise said:

 

I think I will pack a Hamam towel or a long Pareo which I can also tie around the waist.

 

My question refers to the transport of the towel which Costa offers and personal things from the cabin to the pool and back. 

You had specifically said bath towel and it was your first cruise, and I have known people going on their first cruise who though they needed to pack beach towels.  That's why I said that.

One of my personal mottos is:  Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes!

Been saying that for over 30 years.  I'm 5'3" and fine with being short, but I wore heels for years (still have way too many in my closet!).  Now, if I want a bit of a lift, I will go with a wedge or a wedge platform.

I had plantar fasciitis in 2019.  Walking even a few steps was excruciating.  I found some sandals called Viakix and I wore the one pair I bought with EVERYTHING for about 5 months.  My feet didn't hurt while wearing them - but the big thing was that they didn't hurt when I wasn't wearing them!  I had other shoes that were okay while I was wearing them, but my feet went back to hurting as soon as I took them off.  The style I wear is Sienna.  The first pair I found on Amazon but I order direct and sometimes get coupon emails from them.  

On 7/9/2023 at 8:14 AM, awhfy said:

Buy a hoodie in Maine 

I don't do hoodies.  Never have.  Neither do my husband or son, though son won't be on this trip.