DrSea

Those are high prices for the Prima class. Ouch. Especially for a TA.

Carnival has replicated NCL's free style formula pretty closely. The only difference is that there is a dressy night on CCL and that they charge you for ordering beyond your 2nd entree (I think, I haven't looked back since that change was made as that is a line in the sand that I will not cross).

The only thing I can think of is the money saving potential as being the impetus for this misguided initiative. It failed on the prima, but it may not on larger ships with more specialty dining? I'm hoping it goes over like a lead balloon and people make a huge ruckus over it. But I'm not so sure people will because there will be a lot of first time cruisers on their other ships who don't know any better. There were on mine.

I'm glad he won his battle with cancer. Yes it makes sense why you would pick the YC with mobility issues. I think NCL can help with the food, but it's always hard to find someone who can help

Charging for a second entree too? Ugh. That's s bitter pill to swallow. Is this across the entire line? Or just certain ships?

Can I ask what health problems pushed you to go to YC? Just so that I know for my patients when I make recommendations.

Comparing NCL to PCL, X, or HAL today is a losing proposition. I think they are aiming to break into that market with the prima line, but I haven't sailed on that class of ship yet and can't comment on it tbh. Also, right now the star doesn't have a Broadway show, if that matters to you. I was very disappointed to not have one on board. Enjoy your cruise!

I just realized that MSC has more ships in their fleet than NCL. When did this happen? With MSC growing rapidly and 8 new ships to be built, I am just realizing that they are aiming to overtake RCL and CCL to become the biggest cruise line in the world. This is very eye opening for me and I wonder how things will change in the cruise industry. Thoughts?

I had an amazing time on the star. The staff and officers are great and really get to know you if that's what you want. Consider the Haven if you want an elevated experience, esp since you cruise with princess a lot more frequently. Just pack warmly and be prepared to walk 5 miles daily on that itinerary. I averaged 13 miles per day.

I did the star in Iceland and Norway. It's very rare to see a polar bear in longyearbyen. And if you do it will be off in the distance (1000+ feet away). Star had no lines even when at max capacity.

Exactly. It's insight to your cruising habits on an individual level. They didn't implement this million dollar system solely for our convenience only.

It is and it isn't. If you want an early dining reservation and everyone jumps in and books it on the app, then you're out of luck by the time you go to the host and ask for an early time. You're going to have to wait. Some would say that the app is necessary and others wouldn't depending on how you view this scenario. And staff rolls their eyes or sighs when I tell them I don't have the app. It's been my experience on multiple ships. Staff always remind me that I can use the app to do the same thing when I prefer to talk to someone about it. There is a lot of social conditioning by staff to use the app, which I think is what some ppl are objecting to when they say they are "forced" to.

There aren't cameras everywhere. I know this bc some guests assaulted my guests when I wasn't around. We couldn't prove it bc there wasn't any cameras. Princess kind of said too bad and turned a blind eye to it despite us making a report to security.

Embarkation is lightning fast on any all cruise lines after the pandemic regardless of the cruise line. The medallion doesn't affect this at all.

IMHO, it's a little disingenuous to say that the app isn't needed to cruise when staff ask you to use the app for everything, including booking reservations for dining, making complaints to customer service, or just asking for more towels. When I try cruising without downloading the app, I get eye rolls and sighs from the staff.

NCL is allegedly going to do a test run at fixed menus fleetwide. General managers have the option of doing fixed menus for the entire cruise, half the cruise, or cancel it entirely. Newer ships are going first. They aren't sure yet exactly which cruise they are going to pull the trigger on the getaway yet. You heard it first here folks! Source: NCL getaway officers

Ah. I see. Yes communication is not NCL's strong suit.

It was a big issue for me when I was 12 to 28 yo. Eating at fixed times, awkwardly sitting with strangers, and having to wear business casual were deciding factors for me. Free style was so revolutionary when I first experienced it 20 years ago and has made a lasting impression on me. NCL was my preferred line for a long time despite there many many flaws.

I don't get it. What's wrong with rewarding loyalty? And whats BTF?

No need to apologize. Sometimes cruise lines use temp agencies to get doctors to fill in bc it's hard to hire doctors willing to sail. But they are very expensive. Hence, they pounce when they see me.

I miss the days of cruising where this kind of service was standard for everyone without an upcharge.

I'm in my 30s and I miss the old days too. The medallion does complicate things needlessly and fixing issues caused by the app eats up vacation time. I'm still carrying around the princess platter, so there is no reduction in paper waste. Virtual menus aren't up to date either, which is supposed to be a selling point of virtual menus.

Doctors are employed by NCL. Staff (like managers and captain etc) try recruiting me every time they find out I'm a doctor.

NCL is doing an evaluation of what shows will be on each ship. They think million dollar quartet will still be on the getaway as it is the most highly rated show on NCL, but that is TBD. Licenses and rights may or may not be renewed. You heard it here first folks! Source: stage manager on the getaway

I got zero for noise complaints. How did you get money back?