cruiseny4life

I've never rented from Fox. I've considered it several times. Then I read the small print and the directions to get to wherever the rental location is. I know how they save money! But, I'm not willing to take the savings they pass on to me for the rigmarole. I hope embarkation goes smoothly for you today!!

I understand why you would be nervous. Some (myself included, sometimes 😞 ) can be too harsh on some commenters. Gotta think before clicking that "reply" button! You'd think I would remember that. I was totally willing to give @MajSteve the benefit of the doubt. I was hoping for an updated post with more things that went wrong. Not that anything should go wrong! After all, we're all paying thousands of dollars for a cruise vacation. And that money is valuable to all of us. Your review, though, is an example of a great review! You provided some nuance, mentioned a couple of negatives, and positives. Since cruises are primarily based on the people around (crew, guests, port agents, vendors), something is bound to go wrong on every cruise. But, that doesn't mean 95% of the cruise shouldn't be great! If you chose right (i.e. don't choose NCL if you want a formal Cunard experience and vice versa). By reading multiple reviews, yours, the OP's, mine, others, it is easier for a guest that wants to do the research to find the best possible cruise for them where they'll get the most value out of the experience. Thank you for adding to the vast store of experiences here on Cruise Critic - good, bad, ugly, mediocre! Sometimes I do think a few posters just cannot fathom NCL providing a bad experience to guests, based on their past experiences. We do pay thousands for our cruises and expect a great experience. We should continue with that expectation! And, yes, hold NCL accountable (in whatever virtually powerless way we can) when the experience isn't up to our expectations...if those expectations are within the realm of reality.

Ok. That makes more sense and is so much more in line with what I thought your ethos were! I suppose if I think about it, the same happens to us. The servers that get to know us well know that my husband will talk forever, while I'd prefer to just sit there, look grumpy (I'm not grumpy, just look it) and enjoy the peacefulness around me.

You and my husband both!!! He'd be devastated if the shrimp scampi left the menu. I just don't like it or, really, anything else on the menu. The salads are good, I suppose. I do order the seafood fritto misto a lot, along with a salad. That is my typical choice. You're an anomaly! 🙂 The service onboard, even in the main dining room, is far too attentive for me. I always hate going to "fine" dining as I'm just not into servers treating me like royalty. Personally, the best servers are those at small town diners that just treat you like their neighbor (even if they've never met you). I much prefer those. I generally wear down a Haven server or two by day three, so that we can just be treated normally, instead fancified! My husband? Yea, he's with you! He wants the "fine" experience with doting servers who expect your every whim. Drives me absolutely banana pants! Ok....maybe I'm the anomaly. 🙂

Thank you for providing some additional examples, though the Great Unpleasantness is certainly an anomaly. I suppose what you described can happen, but it seems rarely so. 3,000 replies to a live is a lot! I'm not so sure I can get through all that, but I'll take a gander after my first meeting of the morning (why do people schedule meetings to make themselves feel important). I agree with others that it's likely to be the Illusionarium. That's cool! Although, I did really enjoy hearing Broadway Unplugged in the Illusionarium. I don't think it really handled the shows NCL wanted well (the dinner theatre type). I do think Q Texas Smokehouse has a place onboard, but I likely wouldn't go there. The meats are ok. I hope no one is expecting fantastic smoked meats while onboard a ship. You have to really tamp down your expectations. A lot! But, if you do, then you might be pleasantly surprised by the banana pudding. Just don't go expecting Joe's of Kansas City quality. Heck, I can't get that anywhere else on land, either. Sounds like exactly what a dry dock would fix. Let's hope it's so! Getaway is my husband and I's first NCL ship, so we have a fondness for her.

@BirdTravels seems to be a great proponent of cruising, and especially NCL. I've seen them be critical of certain NCL policies/features/etc. And others, like moi, are just way more vocal about what we don't like, yet still truly enjoy our experience. Personally, I find @BirdTravels and I agree more than disagree. And, I don't think anyone would call me a cheerleader. I'm agnostic on the menu, unless we're talking the Haven lunch menu. Please shred that thing and start all the way over!! It's boring, uninspired, and just isn't good. Dinner - keep it! And obviously, breakfast is fine. If I want huevos rancheros, I can wander to the main dining room when those are served.

I don't really blame you...but given it's a charter...are you also using NCL transfers?

That's the one!! It really is a perfect cruise and starts at our fav place, Great Stirrup Cay!

If it's a charter flight, NCL likely knows what's happening. I think you'll be fine since every single person on the flight is going to be in the same....uhhh....plane?

If we cared about the port? Yes, it would make a difference. We cancelled a cruise, because the ports were changed. Thankfully, in that instance, it was before final payment - well before. Change the itinerary. We just may cancel. Found a new cruise three or four weeks later and booked it instead. Guess what? After final payment, one of the four ports was cancelled due to port congestion. Of course, I'm sure NCL just had no idea ever that the port might be congested prior to final payment. Nah. No way. Not possible. Nothing to do for us. Instead, we went ahead and had a great cruise - not caring to dwell on the port that was cancelled. Plus, we (read I) enjoy sea days, so for me, an extra sea day was wonderful. Worked out in my favor! But, it's cruising. So don't count on your ports. We know that now. We didn't know that back then. Thanks to Cruise Critic and personal experience, we've learned some tips to keep our sanity when it comes to booking a cruise. Gosh forbid cruise lines keep their (not legally required to) promises.

Golly, all they need to get in that reason is "port congestion" and they'll have the big lies all named! - Fuel optimization - Guest feedback that they want to skip the port originally booked - Maritime regulations - Port congestion (unnamed this time) I just keep saying it...what a trash company. But, a trash company I'm sure I'll book on again. @Travelling2Some I think the customers (including myself) are the idiots as we continue to book NCL, despite their pathetic insistence that itineraries are changed for the above reasons (typically after final payment).

There's a bunch of garages around. Just do a quick Google search. I prefer Gotham Parking at 550 W 45th St. We've been able to successfully negotiate a lower rate with the attendants when we get there.

You're right. Folks should expect last minute changes. I also believe that your Getaway cruise was cut short in 2019. But, you are the only person I've ever heard refer to a cruise being cut short due to a dry dock. Was your situation an anomaly or am I missing a lot of reports regarding cruises cut short?

Thank you for posting these items in a quick to read format. Next time, I need to try the trout, chicken, and raviolo. Then I'll have tried everything on the Haven's dinner menu. Mmmmm....Haven, I need you back in my life! The best? The Pancetta Wrapped Lamb Chops, followed by the Double-cut Pork Chop. Oh, my goodness, some of the best meals I've ever had in entirety of my life. Not every time, mind you...wouldn't say the same when I tried these on Pr1ma, but on Getaway and Joy. Oh yes!

Hot tubs are not whirlpools. The Pr1ma and V!va issues are an actual hot tub. The whirlpool tubs on Getaway are just a larger tub, similar to the bath tub my husband and I have in our home. It's not a hot tub. Also, based on a few reports from this weekend, it seems the V!va hot tubs are now working without the time limits and issues being reported before. Hopefully this is the same for Pr1ma or will be worked on during Pr1ma's Transatlantic this week and next. The HI rooms on Getaway are lovely! We enjoyed our stay in 14130 way back in April, 2022.

It's why, even though I really want to book a 23 day cruise in 2026, I would never book so far in advance! Half the itinerary will probably change by then. Heck, NCL will probably find the Northwest Passage just because passenger surveys asked them to cut out the Panama Canal part of the trip . This is one reason (money is the other) we only book within the final payment period. *don't worry, I'm pretty sure the cruise will still traverse the canal - I'm not quite that dull*

I have a little bit of a love affair with the Lily Tomlin/Jane Fonda pairing of late! I can't say 80 for Brady was...ummm...an award winning movie, but it did keep me awake, unlike Barbie! I had such a nice sleep onboard Pr1ma while my husband watched Barbie. Based on my recollections, it seemed I made it through about 20 minutes of that movie. 🙂 Way back in 2009, we took a Carnival Triumph cruise. We did stop in Halifax. I can confirm it was raining and foggy! My grandma and I strolled through the port building, purchasing a few things, then jumped back onboard. After that cruise, it's a surprise I ever cruised again. It did take 13 years to get me back on, but on a NCL ship, instead of a "fun ship." I'm glad I went! And all you Criticers - I'm so thankful for you sharing your experiences on Pr1ma's Transatlantic. Wish I were there with y'all!

I'd scarf that down! Minus the caviar. Of course there's going to be a mutiny in our room if the chocolate covered strawberries ever go away. I get one. Someone else eats the rest while I'm enjoying my one. Alternatively, a small charcuterie board would be equally as welcome in our room as the quintuplet of canapes you posted! Heads up! To all that do not like/allergic to the chocolate covered strawberries. Please send out an alert if we're on the same ship. We'll order a filet and lobster tail from the Haven menu in exchange for the chocolate covered strawberries!

Well, after this review, I'm most certainly adding Crab House to our next NYC adventure. Thanks for sharing your experience!!

Well, I for one, am here for all the bubbles! Bubbles everywhere!!! I swear I'm going to get one of those auto bubble machines, but that might take away the joy of blowing them. Don't worry, I'm also here for your wit, charm, sarcasm, and grumpiness!

I check in on roll calls here, cuz, well I like Cruise Critic. I don't like Cruise Critic for roll calls. You definitely need to go elsewhere for relevant information on meet and greets, slot pulls, etc. It's 2024 and unfortunately here is...well, no longer the medium.

Do a search for "BOGO"...you'll get results. Lots of results. Here are just a few of the dozens of results. The Bad: Mostly good (including my experiences): Again, mostly good and look at the poll at the top. Lots of people happy! Another thread: Specific to deviations: If you do book NCL BOGO Air, do yourself a huge favor and read (and understand) the details: https://www.ncl.com/air-service-standards

That's their policy. Take this as an educational moment. Always, always read the terms and conditions. Never take an employee of a corporation at their word. Especially if they are a salesperson. Sorry you're dealing with this disappointment, but unfortunately your husband can either 1) accept the FCC, 2) be upset which will ruin his and your cruise, 3) say the heck with it and book a lot more cruises, because cruising is amazing despite what onshore NCL wants to do to customers (gouge them for the most possible money, as all corporations do).

Oooooooo! I know who you are. 🙂 A lot of research really needs to be done by travelers now if they want an experience that is favorable to what them. It took a long time for my husband and I to find Norwegian. We almost booked Royal Caribbean for our first cruise and that would have been a travesty! They have formal night. We aren't formal people...like, at all! Norwegian for the win for being freestyle. It sounds like our OP could have done some research and found a better ship with 1,000 people or less. I bet they would have felt better about their cruise if they had. Oh well - we'll have plenty more OP's who come and go without really finding the type of cruise they were looking for due to a lack of research/too high of expectations.

I'm suspect as all heck! And, NCL knows it!! We all know that even though I'm disillusioned with NCL right now, find me the right deal, and I'll be back. To be fair, I don't think I ever said I'll never cruise NCL before, but I'm sure you've seen my posts berating NCL, whining, moaning, etc...and at the end of the day, I'll go back for more.