reporterjen

15 hours ago, SeaShark said:

ADDING...

I also love that fact that the lazy journalist responsible for the linked story couldn't even be bothered to show the right cruise ship. The photo used is the Norwegian Sun, not the Star, and was taken waaaaaaaaaay back before the ships had hull art.

A bit off topic, but I wanted to provide some context around that “lazy” journalist: Just want to make clear that a reporter doing a story on this (or anything else) is generally not also picking any associated art or, in many cases, writing the headlines, especially with any large publication. That is often a separate editor or designer’s role. Mistakes in photo selection do happen, but it is also quite likely that the photo library to which the editor had access did not contain a better option, with a pic of the Star (recent or otherwise). An image of the Sun, another NCL ship, would be seen as iconic and generally representative of cruising for a story on an NCL cruise matter. 

Ooops. Mrs. Turkelton already made it clear, but here's the notice:

https://wpyr.com/updates/

Cross Border Tours – Service Suspended for 2022 Operating Season

After months of working towards restoring the Carcross and Fraser Train Service Combination, we unfortunately must announce that we are unable to provide these offerings for the 2022 Season.  We have delayed this difficult decision for several months in the hopes that we could find a workable solution for all involved and provide passenger service on these international routes.  The challenges of logistics, restrictions, and uncertainty around wait times would have made it impossible for us to provide a consistent high quality service without delays and would create significant disruption to the passenger experience.

We respect and appreciate the time and efforts of our communities, staff, partners, customers, and governmental agencies at all levels in both Canada and the United States over the last year to try to bring this to fruition.  Though we could not complete the task in time for this season, we will continue to work together towards restoring this service for 2023.

For those booked on Fraser and Carcross train service this summer, our reservation staff will be reaching out to discuss your travel options and provide an alternative service on our White Pass Summit Excursion offering.

I'm in the exact same boat -- literally! -- having just gotten that cancellation notification re the "White Pass Railway & Yukon Expedition" for the June 26 Encore sailing.

It appears to be a railway cancellation, per notice below. And perhaps it's only affecting all of us who booked the longer excursion on the train, versus smaller segments.

I've been on many cruises and understand that things happen -- and I recognize I perhaps should have been cautious by avoiding this train itinerary given some uncertainty around covid and the border crossing.  But all that said, I'm also pretty upset since of course I made decisions about some other excursions based on what we'd be diong here. And most important, there are zero other open options from NCL right now out of Seward; it's tough to be scrambling to find third-party or even in-house options that will fall short just a few weeks out.

Thank you!

I found a promotional description from NCL saying "enjoy unlimited soft drinks, beers, spirits, cocktails and wines by the glass." So even if the punctuation in the terms and conditions confounded me, the promotional copy seems to verify that cocktails are included as long as they are under $15 a pop.

I started getting nervous about the beverage package after trying to figure out how to mesh the UDP (and the NCL copy saying Cagney's and French restaurants are included but restaurants with a la carte pricing are not) with the new a la carte pricing that exists in Cagney's and Le Bistro, among other specialty restaurants. I know this is well covered in the boards (though I haven't found an answer yet); I just need to read more.

Thanks again. I'm looking forward to being on a new ship. I was on Gem early in its life too.

I'm sailing on NCL Escape on Dec. 5 (obviously, my first time on the ship since it just launched).

It's also my first time with the ultimate beverage package. I have searched the board for a definitive answer to this question but haven't found it yet.

The terms and conditions indicate that cocktails are not included or that cocktails over $15 are not included. The relevant line:

"The Ultimate Beverage Package does not include room service, package sales, ship specific promotions or beer buckets, designated Super Premium brands (subject to change), bottled wine, mini bar purchases, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, select Lavazza coffee beverages, energy drinks, vending machines, wine stations or spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15."

Really, NCL should have gone with some semicolons here. Assuming that the last clause is grouped together -- "spirits, cocktails, draft or bottled beer and glasses of wine over $15" -- cocktails are covered as long as they're under that $15 threshold. But the question really is if that "over $15" part of the phrase refers to everything in that clause.

I *think* it does.

And this thread from March certainly suggests it is the case:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2189922

Even if it isn't, it looks like I'll have plenty to enjoy in The District, where I am pretty impressed by the beer selection. But I got last-minute doubts about cocktails when I reread the terms. If anyone wants to indulge me and offer some reassurance, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

Jen.

Thank you all so much for these great insights and for sharing your experiences.

We don't quite know what we'll do yet, but all of this is so tremendously helpful -- especially the tip about the adults-only cruise (now *that* I can get into!)

I also appreciate the advice on making it all about the kid (which can make it all the more fun).

The specific details on the dine and play check-in both in August and February, the advantages and disadvantages of structured, age-separated play for various personality types and other experiences also are so very instructive.

Thanks!

Jen.

Denas, how did your 4 year old handle that open environment with kids aged 3-11? I can see little preschoolers getting shoved around a bit even by lovely older kiddos.

Our son is in a preschool setting one day a week, but only with other 3 year olds, and if he doesn't want to participate in the activity, he can play elsewhere in the room, so he may have some expectation of that freedom, even if (and I) would welcome a little direction too.

And while he's a pretty average kid -- not too shy, not incredibly outgoing, about average -- I can see almost any preschooler getting overwhelmed by a crowd of much, much older kids. Maybe I'm not giving these kiddos enough credit.

Thanks so much for all of these great insights!

I guess we're looking at crowds of kids in the clubs in both cases, but that is something I really hadn't thought through.

Also, denas, thanks for the real-life experience from the dine and dash option. I knew it was only the second seating but probably would have gone for it without your experience, which I think makes clear it won't be a big help for us.

In doing my early research -- even searching the boards here -- I found lots of references to Oceaneer Club still being divided by age, with a few free play times where ages mix, but the Disney site sure doesn't indicate that's the case, so I very much appreciate you flagging that. (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/onboard-activities/youth-clubs/)

3-12 is a very big age group to lump together in a room, particularly when it will be crowded, and particularly when kids aren't overly directed toward activities.

Lahens referenced the closing times during sea day mealtimes, something I did not know. Thank you. In case it helps others and is new, NCL also charges a port meal fee when kids are in the club during mealtimes and the ship is in port.

Anyway, please feel free to keep comments and insights coming. I'm still not sure what works best for us even after all of this great insight.

Thank you,

Jen.

We've been on four NCL cruises and one with Regent Seven Seas as adults, always traveling sans children.

Now that we will have our son (a 3-year-old boy) in tow, we're considering what is the best option for an August sailing, likely just the Caribbean. He'll be 3 3/4 old at the time.

We're big fans of NCL, including for its value. You do, of course, pay a premium to ride on Disney -- in general, fares are about double for what we'd pay on NCL.

The more flexible evening dining is an advantage for NCL. The opportunity for a kid to dine quickly and then head to kids club while parents go at a more leisurely pace is an advantage for Disney.

Money is an object, but ultimately, we want to get on the cruise where our son is going to be SO in love with the kids club he never wants to leave. Truly, that is the objective. Which kids club is going to keep him the happiest, the most engaged, the most eager to return to?

Background: We are not Disney people, per se, and our son hasn't gotten to watch a ton of TV yet so frankly doesn't know any of the Disney characters. He might know Dora, but otherwise, it's the same story with the characters that might be on or part of the theme in the NCL kids club.

Does anyone have any advice or personal experience regarding a head to head matchup of NCL and Disney kids clubs for a 3 (almost 4) year old boy who hasn't gotten a lot of exposure to animated characters?

Thanks,

Jen.