cruisin07family

We've booked a cruise for April 2022 and our initial confirmation from NCL stated final payment due Dec 10.  The date listed on the NCL site under my cruise summary is Feb 10.  I read the change of final payment to 60 days was for sailings thru 3/31 so I'm guessing the Dec 10 date is correct although it would be nice if it weren't due right before Christmas.

Also, I will call NCL but my experience with them hasn't been exactly consistent.  I have been assured one thing one day and a different story the next day. 

In case anyone has any insight about FCC.  I tried to apply both of my cruise next credits to this sailing and the website won't allow it.  I know I originally did have both applied to my Mediterranean sailing for 2020 but I can't remember if that was because the cruise was over a specific dollar amount or because I booked so far out.  I'm just unfamiliar with the rules of these.

Color me confused.  Everyone was required to have the vaccine.  The couple in question were asymptomatic.  Why were they tested? 

I guess we won't be cruising for a while yet.  This situation is just nuts.

4 hours ago, tallyho8 said:

One person on TV starts this rumor and even though it is denied by many others and yet people persist in trying to spread this rumor to scare others from getting the vaccine.

 

The fact is that no one has been proven to have been killed by the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine yet.

 

You have to be truly ignorant that this is not only possible but likely.  There is no vaccine that hasn't resulted in an anaphalyxis reaction to include death.  It happens with every vaccine.   To deny that is just ridiculous.  It doesn't mean people should not get the Covid vaccines but you can't just write it off.

3 hours ago, coffeebean said:

Clariten, Flonase, Zyrtec anyone? Just a suggestion.

Daily Zyxal and Flonase and still must take Benedryl every 4 hrs in the middle of a serious allergy attack.  Nothing is 100% effective at immediately stopping an allergy attack.  You must've never had one.  Lucky you.

On 4/11/2021 at 7:41 PM, mjkacmom said:

I was at a party last night (outside), a gathering inside the night before, everyone seems to introduce themselves either vaccinated or covid’d. Cases have been super high since the beginning, but now it’s been pretty great getting back to in person interactions due to vaccinations (👍) or infections (😭). I know very few people without immunity.

I am so glad not to be a part of such a community.  Maybe the unvaccinated should be forced to wear a U on our forehead....

4 hours ago, wdsted said:

Why is this even a controversy?  If you're vaccinated, your chances of getting infected are almost nill, as are the chances of you infecting others.  If you're not vaccinated, you can infect others if you board infected or become infected during the cruise.  And, in doing so, you infect others. Other than an all-night rave with drunk and drugged out-people, name one other venue worse than a cruise ship for spreading a virus.  And if you think it's not a big deal to become infected or infect others, kindly keep you opinions to yourself.

Therefore, as an unvaccinated person, I am "almost nil" of a threat to you.  

NCL can make the rules for their cruises and that's that.  Will you also not attend parties, weddings, sporting events, etc. without knowing every person near you is vaccinated?  I don't plan to live like that.

22 hours ago, Xrayest said:

Hello BIG POOCH, 

I can totally understand where you are coming from and in a way, can relate. I have cruised on NCL, and would love to again (we are not "big deals" with fancy gold stars near our names) but have had wonderful trips and would love to cruise again. That being said, I am not able to safely get this new vaccine and do not appreciate others knocking me nor insulting me because of it = YES, this would refer to anyone throwing shade onto others for whatever reason they chose to wait out the storm minus a non-FDA approved (except for emergency use) vaccine. 

 

I am hoping that in time, restrictions will be lifted for ALL people to travel and once again move about the countries. In the meantime, those who have decided to get the vaccine can travel and assume they are safe among their own kind when I know for a fact that immunity from COVID is not guaranteed even after being fully vaccinated. I do not place blame with NCL - businesses have been bled dry during this pandemic. This new policy is until 10/31/21 thus far. I have CruiseNext vouchers that we'd love to use eventually - but may never get that chance if the restrictions continue for years.  

 

Maybe we will cruise again, maybe not. If not, that's okay because we have seen the beauty of other wonderous places and as long as we are together (DH and I), then we are happy. It certainly would not be the end of my world - it's just not that detrimental to our lives and well-being. Just want you to know you are not alone in your feelings and to say ignore those who feel the need to knock you by calling you names, telling you that they are glad you won't be cruising with them, to vacation in the desert with other non-vaccinated people (that's rich. and shameful ), and other assorted condescending words of indignation. Not sure about you but I would not wish to be on a cruise, or any vacation, with those who treat others with such disrespect. I'm happy to sit this one out. Time will tell if we will cruise once again. If we do, I'd be absolutely fine if you were on the same ship.                  

Nicely stated.  I don't get all the animosity toward those who will not get the vaccine.  If you get the vaccine, YOU are protected and I am not.  Why care about what happens to me?  Clearly, with all the name-calling, many of you don't actually care.  On another board, someone actually said they would laugh at my funeral.  Wow.

The choice has been made for me because NCL canceled my Bermuda cruise in August.  I am not planning to rebook anything until more information is known and cruising has started.  There are plenty of other vacation options available to me without gene therapy.

4 hours ago, roger001 said:

My two neighbors, husband and wife, died two weeks ago after two agonizing and painful weeks in the hospital.  They both had Covid.  Near the end, it triggered a stroke in her and she died the next day.  Her husband who died two days later died from lung and respiratory  failure.  Of course, they both actually died from heart failure.  You can chose how you wish to categorize their deaths, but for me, Covid killed them.  

I don't believe anyone here has denied that people have died from COVID.  What I've read is that there is a distinction between dying from COVID vs dying with COVID.  If you look at the breakdowns by age groups you also see that the vast majority were elderly, in nursing homes and obviously the infirmed.  People with terminal illnesses, like cancer, etc. died quicker maybe due to COVID, but they were already going to die.  When there is a financial benefit for hospitals to list COVID on the death certificates, of course there is reason to be suspicious of the actual numbers.  I doubt the true numbers will ever be known.  

I'm sorry for your loss and that your neighbors suffered.  I know many friends and coworkers that have had COVID, sadly one with diabetes and over age 70, didn't make it.  The rest were either asymptomatic or had very mild symptoms.  Everyone has their personal experiences.

10 hours ago, david_sobe said:

I am surprised at some of the comments here.  Of course NCL is going to require a vaccination prior to sailing.  If you know anything about cruising, they all follow the leader. NCL is not going to be the "vaccine free" cruise line.  Could you imagine what that would be like?  Some islands my not welcome NCL ships.  NCL could get a nightmare scenario and problems with the CDC if just one passenger caught COVID on board.  No doubt NCL like other cruise lines want their business back and will require vaccinations prior to boarding.  This may not last forever but at least for the next 2 years.  

The only way the world gets back to normal is to snuff this out.  It cant be snuffed out without mass vaccinations.  Without mass vaccinations, cruising cannot resume.  Passenger and customer safety is NCL's priority right after service charge fees and auto gratuities for your convenience of course!

"Of course NCL is going to require a vaccination....".

guess I might as well give up cruising for the foreseeable future....

5 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

Conservatives having trying to recall Newsom since he was elected and has nothing to do with handling of the pandemic response. Dissatisfaction with lockdowns is just a handy tool to rile up people to sign the petition so they can finally get it on the ballot.  Which looks likely to happen— we will probably end up wasting lots of taxpayer money for that by the end of the year, but ultimately, I don’t think it will work.  

 

And I would bet, that every family in the state, that had their kids in private school before the pandemic, have continued to do so.  Not sure how that is relevant?  Nor is it in anyway limited to one state.  Really, all you are arguing is a bunch of tired anti-California rhetoric.  It boggles my mind why so many want to try to disparage the state, and yet, everyone seems to move here.  If a few have decided to go back to their home states, or somewhere else, I don’t think the rest of us have a problem with that. I wish them well.
 

Businesses are always complaining about California, and relocating, or threatening to do so, and yet most stay because ultimately it benefits them to do business here.  Also, nothing new about that, specific to the pandemic or lockdown.  Personally, I’m happier having businesses here in the state that care as much about their employees as their bottom line.  It’s a beneficial cycle — when employees feel respected, they feel more committed to their job, tend to be more productive, and turnover is decreased.  Win-win.  

 

 

Californians are their own breed, lol.  Yes, the recall will probably fail and it makes me giggle.  Dems get what they deserve since they keep voting for it.  You can keep him.  I have NO desire to move there; hell, now I no longer am interested in even visiting.  Yikes, the videos of the homeless and drug-infested areas all in the open!  It's a shame because I was interested in Wine Country for a minute a fews years back.

9 hours ago, cruiserssandr said:

One of our favorite stops. Beaches are gorgeous. I don't think we would enjoy spending more than a couple of days there though

We did a 7-night all-inclusive in 2019 in Roatan.  Husband is a diver and they had two to three tank dives daily.  It was a great vacation.  Relaxing and perfect weather! 

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Info is out there.  The reputable sources have all chimed in.  Believe what you want.  Fact remains, if you do not have the vaccine, you ain't cruising....regardless.

 

 

Where is this on the NCL site as a requirement?  

#4 but not really.  I have no intention of getting the vaccine so if that is a requirement of cruising, my cruising days are over.  So be it.

We're booked for Bermuda in August 2021.  Masks are a no.  Excursions are a no.  Vaccinations required is a no.  There are currently 16 states open with no mask mandates and we will visit any of those instead.  

I have not been able to log in at ncl.com for more than 2 weeks.  Anyone else having this issue?  I tried clearing my cache just in case but it made no difference.  We canceled our Mediterranean Aug cruise and I wanted to see if my cruise next certificates have been added back to my account.  

On 4/20/2020 at 5:55 PM, redfantum said:

I cancelled my August Western Med cruise today. It broke my heart.  My PCC was a doll though.  I'm still on the hook for my flights.  If the world opens up by then we can do a land vacay or rebook but, in reality, I think we are done for this year at least. I just always feel that we don't have enough time......

Same here.  We canceled our Aug Med cruise but spent $2K on flights to Barcelona in early February.  Currently, United is only offering travel vouchers for 12 mos from original booking date.  I have no idea if we can fly before Feb 2021..... 

I'm not necessarily worried about the virus but I will be very disappointed if we're rerouted as this is a bucket list cruise for us.  We cruise in August so hopefully, this will have peaked and not really affect us, but trying to think ahead.  I know I can cancel my cruise but my airfare is another story.

9 hours ago, Ptroxx said:

Supposably  the bartenders don’t get dsc.  And yes. So many unanswered questions. 
 

I feel the cruise line isn’t being fare when it comes to those charges.    
 

 

Yes, I am being a grammatical *****..... Supposably is NOT a word!!!!!!  It is a huge pet peeve.

Supposedly, OTOH, is what you mean, I will pay any tip as they work hard and I do not.

We like to book early.  We booked our summer 2020 Epic cruise a while ago so we have plenty of time to cancel now that the total cruise for the same large balcony cabin is $700 less.  We used two cruise next vouchers for the deposit when we booked online directly thru NCL.  Is there any downside to cancelling and rebooking?  How can I accomplish this and hopefully get the same cabin I initially chose?  Will calling NCL be the best option?  I don't have an agent to my knowledge.  I usually book everything online.  Looking for opinions since many of you cruise way more often and have much more knowledge than me.  Thanks.

Hubby and I traveled with two other couples. We had been to Bermuda via Breakaway in 2014. That was a trip we knew we wouldn't be able to duplicate because our oldest son worked on the ship in the tech crew so we were able to meet the main actors in Rock of Ages, Wine Lovers and Cirque as well as hang out with him in Howl at the Moon. It was truly fantastic.

We enjoyed Escape and still loved Howl. As a surprise we even had the same two pianists in Howl this trip as last trip. The one additional pianist was a delightful addition as he also played drums, harmonica, violin and guitar. His name was Sean but he only had a two-week contract so he was leaving when we got off. Sorry for those cruisers who will miss Sean because WOW!!

The Escape differs from Breakaway a bit. I will say that although it was pointed out beforehand, we really missed Shakers martini bar. I had thought perhaps District Brewhouse would become our replacement hangout but that was not meant to be. There was live music which was so unbelievably loud that it was impossible to talk or even sit in there for long. I didn't find that the numerous bars onboard offered the selection of martinis that Shakers did and found that only in the Atrium could I get more than the standard Cosmopolitan. The martini tasting enjoyed over several cruises seems to be a thing of the past. The Mondavi wine bar was nearly always empty.

One of my initial draws to NCL was the commercials a few years back about freestyle cruising and how you weren't on someone else's clock. I think that system is all but forgotten now. I did book our three specialty dinings two months before sailing but I didn't book any of the comedy shows. What that translated to onboard was that the shows were sold out. I suppose I should've picked something on our first night but I thought some seats were held for stand-by. They are not. Just my opinion here but with a ship the size of the Escape, I think the main theatre would be the better option for comedians.

We watched about half of the two main shows in the theatre but we didn't particularly like Brat Pack and After Midnight was just not my cup of tea. I cannot emphasize enough how thoroughly wonderful Choir of Man was. If I'd known how terrific it was, regardless of the mediocre food, I would've booked it every night available. If harmonies are your thing, be sure to buy a CD afterward. The show is going on tour and I'm definitely going to see them when they're in DC.

The weekly spa pass was relaxing and never too crowded. I didn't use the spa as much as I imagined I would but the outside areas of the ship called as the weather was pretty.

We had a balcony bump out cabin on deck 13 Aft and we asked for and received a lounger for the balcony. There isn't much floor space in the cabins but it's workable. I did like the shower on this ship as it seemed bigger than on the Breakaway and Dawn class of ships.

We spent quite a bit of time in Spice H2O and we did see the attendants placing stickers on chairs that had towels without people. I have read that people always seem to ask about this issue so I figured I'd mention it.

We never saw anything but they did repeatedly call for the same three men to report in so I'm assuming they were late. I did wonder how long they will inconvenience a shipful for three people.

When can I book the weekly spa pass on Escape? I'm sailing in August so still over 100 days out right now.

Every time we've cruised from NYC, we have gone up the day before and stayed at a Holiday Inn in Seacaucus NJ. Pretty sure the last time, it was literally across the street from the Jets/Giants stadium. We haven't done the cruise & park though as we drive to port and leave the car there although it is crazy expensive to park in NYC.

Are the Escape large balconies "alcove" balconies? Similar I suppose to the Epic's enclosed balconies. I do not want to feel like I'm in a cave but I would like a larger balcony. I'm also looking at the cabins that seem to be on the bump out because while angled they are usually bigger.