wrmiles

NCL Star our first cruise and most cruises (3). Wife was impressed by the rescue it did in the Pacific quite a few years ago.

My wife likes a small fan. No problem on most cruises, but it got confiscated on one NCL cruise. We were in a suite, so we asked the concierge, who got it back for us.

Clicked on an article expecting to read about Alaska cruises:

NCL Gem East to West Transatlantic a number of years ago.

About a day out of New York, we awoke to cabinet doors in our aft suite coming open and contents spilling out.

Wave heights trough to crest seemed to be about equal to our deck 9 balcony. Winds 60-70 mph.

They made some special arrangements for meals, but I don't remember details. 

Some of the article links on the home page take one to a completely different article. For example, the link on choosing a cabin takes one to an article on excursions.

When we took a float  plane tour in Alaska and a helicopter tour in Hawaii, we tipped the pilot because they didn't crash.

For me, they were both independent tours on a Hawaii cruise:

Helicopter flight over a live volcano on the big island, could look down into the fissures and see the glowing lava. Some good "sacrificing a virgin" jokes too.

Scuba diving in Honolulu. We got two dives and special attention from the divemaster because we were beginners.

Seattle, San Pedro, San Diego, Miami, Tampa, NYC (arrival only). Don't really hav a favorite.

Who did you book with? The cruise lines aren't allowed to do it, bet some agencies will try to charge the non-commissionable fare separately, usually when quoting some sort of package, and when questioned, will call it something like port charges.

$1,000 pp, NCL Star, 8 day Mexican Riveria, balcony cabin, early 2006.

We had our two teenage boys, my wife's elderly mother, and my wife's sister, so it had the potential for a disaster, but it wasn't.

We were notified in writing that we could stay in our cabin until disembarkation time. The cabin attendents were quite obnoxious in trying to get us out earlier. I almost pulled all tips. I understand why they do this, however it appeared contrary to ship's policy. This was on Oosterdam about sever years ago.

Watch out or do some googling. Sometimes when using timeshare points, they will try to charge extra for the non-commissionable fare, sometimes called port charges (different than the port fees and taxes everybody pays.)

Had a different disembarkation on the Oosterdam four or five years ago.

The flyer from the evening before said we could stay in our cabin until our colors were called.

The cabin stewards, however, were persistent in their requests for us to get out earlier. They finally brought their supervisor.

i understand why they do this, however they should follow their own guidance and not be so annoying about it. i regretted that I had already filled out and turned in the survey card.

last HAL cruise, also on Oosterdam, last December we just left earlier on our own so as to not have to go through that again.

We've gone on 2 westbound transAtlantic cruises, one from Venice and the other from Copenhagen. I haven't looked at your itinerary, but I'd warn anyone doing a TA in the northern Atlantic due to the threat of a Nor'Easter. Done that and don't want to do it again! We were on the Gem during a horrible storm, coming in to NYC in November.

 

We loved the long sea days. Never a dull moment. Lots of reading, playing trivia, arts and crafts (I think all ships are doing a painting class which is loads of fun), casino, etc. We enjoyed lunches in the dining room; it's way too easy to overeat when there is a buffet. The gym will be busy but no busier than any other day/evening.

 

Spa might offer a special or two during the crossing.

 

You'll be platinum after your crossing. If you talk to the Cruise Next person, they might give you some of the platinum perks, otherwise you'll get them on the next cruise.

 

Oh, we like the westbound cruises; much less jet lag coming back home! Enjoy!

I was going to mention the possibility of poor weather/rough seas, but you beat me to it. As a matter of fact, I think we were on the same cruise, Gem from Venice to NYC. It was quite an adventure (once),

The thing to watch out for is that sometimes things like packages or timeshare points charge the customer for the NCF. May be called pass-thru fees or port charges, and is very easy to confuse with port taxes and fees, which are always extra. Usually involves fast alking sales people.

I was on the Oosterdam in Nov/Dec and it is in the starboard side aft of the Crows nest as stated.

Size and selection was pretty pathetic. Get there as early as you can before it is cleaned out.

On my recent Oosterdam cruise, I was able to get cash from the customer service desk on my onboard account for a 3% fee.

I was on the same cruise and had a good time. A few comments:

We actually got tired of the Christmas music and were glad when they played something else.

Food was good to excellent.

No problems with the Nation group.

The library corner in the Explorations cafe was pretty pathetic.

Light on balcony didn't work, got excuse that bridge turns it off (no, it was broken), finally fixed after a week, then fine.

Wife got bronchitis, visited the Dr and was mostly in the cabin for four or five days. Good thing our room came with a butler (me).

Yes, missing the ship at point of embarkation is a risk one takes when not having a passport but the instances where one can catch up with the ship at a future port are extremely limited and in most cases is not allowed by the cruise line (even if a carrier agrees to provide the transportation). This is a stronger argument for good cruise insurance. As I have said repeatedly everyone's travel needs are different. Every traveler isn't as fortunate as you are to travel so frequently. If they can only travel by closed loop cruise once every year or two then it's up to them to examine their individual risks and to determine if the cost of a passport is warranted.

Could you expand upon or provide references to catching up at a future port being extremely limited and not allowed by the cruise lines?

We always fly in a day early and have passpoers, but figured that this would be an option if things really turn sour.

If you want an oceanview, either would be fine.

On the smaller HAL ships, the only balcony rooms are suites at a significantly greater cost. We avoid them since we love our balcony.

There have been discussions and complaints for many years on this subject (search Carnival Vacation Club on the Carnival Boarf), associated with the sales and business practices of sellers of Vacation Packages, Vacation Clubs, Timeshare Points, etc.

Why does not CC do an article on the subject?

Sort of like my home ski area, Sun Valley, which is known for a mature clientel and does not offer a senior rate on a season pass.

The saying is that if they offered a senior discount they would go broke.

On a different subject, anybody know why the CC message board reply function does not have speecheck?

Never been in a HAL Neptune suite, but have been in NCL suites and they are hard to beat.

There are a wide variety of suites, some with separate and/or multiple bedrooms. Butler service is also included. Other perks include dedicated dining areas for breakfast and lunch on all ships and dinner on some ships, as well as a dedicated sundeck and small pool for haven suites.

Check out details on NCL.com.

HAL told me in writing it was "Port Charges" but wouldn't say what the difference was from "Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses."

At least you are only loosing the discount. There are some agencies that add it on as an extra charge, usually in a confusing manner associated with a cruise certificate or vacation club type package.

Not sure I agree about fares being the only income source.

I have read and heard that they would lose money without the onboard extras.