Shellbelle28

It doesn't seem worth the space and effort. -Use the luggage space and weight to bring more clothing -Bring detergent sheets and use the cabin sink to hand wash items. -Use the ship's laundry special to have clothes washed.

I've been in a cabin that was beneath the spa lounging area on one of the older ships, the Star. Very early every morning I could hear furniture being dragged around as they cleaned the floors. So, I'd say if the tables and chairs are above your cabin, there is the potential for that sort of noise, but no one has sailed on the Prima, so there is no way to know.

The fishing boat struck the Pearl.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wcvb.com/amp/article/fishing-boat-strikes-norwegian-pearl-cruise-ship-east-of-nantucket-coast-guard-confirms/40761737

We were on the Bliss in an aft large balcony suite. We saw the butler most days, though we didn't do any all day activities off the ship, so your schedule may impact that. However, when I called or left notes with requests they were quickly fulfilled. He brought treats (more than just the routine ones) and set up our room for a gathering we had and brought a lovely spread of goodies that was far above and beyond what we'd asked for. PS- the balcony is ah-mazing!

We've been fortunate to have responsive butlers on 100% of our cruises. We sail in aft suites all the time, and our butlers have been present and genuinely concerned with doing everything to make our cruise great. The only time we sailed on a larger ship (Bliss) vs. our preferred Jewel class, smaller ships, we did see the butler a little bit less, but knew he was around because notes I left were addressed. I've found the pre-concierge to be a useful addition. I email them with requests that can be managed ahead of time. I typically want a pitcher of ice water in the refrigerator, refreshed daily, and a pitcher of cream for coffee rather than the little plastic tubs, I also I mention our preferences for the daily snacks. It's always been done and the butler doesn't need to wait until we meet to deal with those in-room items. When preparing cash to bring on a cruise I generally plan for $20 per day for the butler, and $10 a day for concierge and room steward given at the end of the cruise and adjust for performance. I've had concierges who were invisible and ones who got worried if we missed a meal, LOL. We also dine daily in the Haven/Suites restaurant on Jewel class ships and usually in Cagney's every evening, so I plan on extra tips to the servers we see daily. I've never presented a full out letter to a butler, just because I know English is not typically their first language and I'm never sure the level of reading skill. Brief and bulleted is the way to go in my opinion. Tipping is completely personal, but based on how hard all cruise ship staff work, it makes me feel good to have the means to tip as generously as I'm able.

OP, you definitely have reason to be unhappy that NCL is not providing what you booked and paid for. If you really want everyone in the same room, it seems as though they should be able to make that happen. But, as others have said, the person who was going to be stuck on the pull out couch might find that having their own balcony cabin for sleeping to actually be a positive. I am pretty sure I would!

My experience of the posters on the "other" platform is that they are like seagulls. They fly in, splatter crap all over the place either in the form of complaints or rudely worded demands for information, and then fly away, never adding anything of value.

I did a cruise activity bingo game at our meet & mingle last fall. It went over really well. Here's a sample card.

Yes, I've tried to be cautious in my choice of words in this post to avoid focusing on other platforms. I've participated in both and have always found the CC group to be better, the people participate and interact vs. just signing up to attend a meet and mingle and disappearing.

For all the past cruises I've been on, I've participated in a roll call. Most have been lively, or at least had three or four active discussion participants and a lot of lurkers. For the last several, I've been the organizer of an on-board meetup. The last cruise, in October of 2021, for the Bliss's first sailing after shutdown, we had a pretty big meet and mingle. I'm on a sailing on the Sun in Alaska next month and there are only about 5 posts in our roll call and half are probably mine! Is it just the sailing I'm on, or are roll calls just not active any more? I know a lot of people are on other social media platforms, has that killed the Cruise Critic roll call?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-travel-during-covid19.html

On the Bliss they have both single and double (but a weight limit on double, so most likely adult and child?).

No, not on Norwegian. Very few cruise lines have top less areas. Virgin is the only one I know of that always has a clothing optional area. Some other lines have specific sailings which are clothing optional.

I think coverage generally is priced based on the cost of the cruise within ranges. Could the transfer cost bumped your total cruise cost up to the next level?

I think many of the issues are a result of the mess the airlines are currently in, which is creating issues for all airline passengers, not just NCL booked flights. If you go into the NCL offering with your eyes open, accepting that you get what you get and you can't make changes, that includes arrivals that seem too tight and long waits for return departures it might be worth the savings. If you're traveling with kids and need seating together, maybe avoid. If it will stress you out, maybe NCL air is not a good idea and most esepecially not a good idea until the airlines are running more smoothly. Honestly, I would NOT do it with an international flight. We did an Australia/New Zealand cruise with NCL and because of the time differences, the different arrival and departure airports and needing to book hotels at either end, I felt MUCH more comfortable using a cruise travel agent for it all. I felt much better knowing I'd have someone to call if things went sideways and that I had someone who understood the ins and outs and could make changes if needed. We spent a LOT more money for the flights, but we had more peace of mind.

I think they do keep a percentage open for on-board booking. And often there are cancelations. No guarantees, but there is a chance.

I wasn't able to book more than two specialty dining reservations online when I tried a few months ago. I did get in touch with NCL and they did the remaining ones for me.

Most fresh foods can't be taken ashore, only prepackaged items, so the ship won't be able make a picnic for you. Best option is to get something once ashore. And eat it all because you can't bring it back on board with you either.

The Spirit's current deck plan lists butler and concierge as included in the description of category SE, but not for SH so you might want to see if you can get confirmation of what's included.

There are many types of rooms called "suites" the only way to tell is by the actual cabin category.

I fixed it! Derp. It was back in the olden times. Volcanoes were everywhere.

LOL, hauled something. As fast as she could. Our trip was only a seven day, ports at Honolulu, Hilo, Maui, Kuai, and Fanning (Kiribati). Don't remember the order. We did a volcano excursion on the big island and the lava was active, so it was memorable there! Fanning was 🔥 HOT.

Yes! We did it in 2002 on the Norwegian Star. Boarded in Honolulu, had port stops at most of the islands but in the middle of the trip she hauled buns out to Fanning Island for half a day for the foreign port. We had an amazing time.

I had concerns about POA and service levels even without the current hiring problems! Fanning Island is looking appealing again.