happytotravel

Hi All,

I wonder why people who complain before even getting on their cruise bother to cruise.

 Why do you want to get back your few dollars that you pay for gratuities?  There are so many people who work behind the scenes to make your cruise a joy.  They are galley staff, waiters, stewards even your laundry staff.  Yes, your laundry staff.  The majority of the people who serve you are working on the ship for 8 or 9 months, 7 days a week with little time off.  I doubt that you would be able to handle that.

There maybe some things you may not like on a cruise but does that mean you must punish everyone for an indiscretion?  

If you think NCL, or any cruise line for that matter, is trying to screw you at every turn go elsewhere.  Try going to a resort or just a nice city  and stay at a hotel, buy your own meals and drinks, take your own  transportation to wherever you want to go and see how much you SPEND!

Those of us who are able to go on cruises are very blessed especially when we look at what is happening in many places in the world.

Enjoy your cruises and enjoy your life.

happytotravel

Hi,

Yes, they do.   You'll find the information, time and place, in your daily activity information on your app on where to meet up.

Enjoy your cruise!

happytotravel

Hi,

Although my info is on my smartphone I also print everything out JUST IN CASE something goes wrong with my phone.  I guess I'm from the old school I want to not only see my info but want to feel the paper it's on.

Enjoy your cruise,

happytotravel

I am too!

happytotravel

Hi All,

non-refundable obc is always deducted first on your account for expenses.  When that is used up your refundable obc will be used to pay for your expenses.   Anything left over will be paid out at end of cruise.

Have a great day, happytotravel

8 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

As I've stated many times in the past regarding the new muster drill, what the old muster drill provides is "muscle memory" for the passengers.  Not only for where the muster station is, but also how to handle hundreds or thousands of people all moving (some reluctantly, some clueless) towards their muster station, just as it would be for a real emergency.  The mantra of "train as if your life depended on it" or "train the way you'd respond" holds true for cruise ship passengers just as much as for military and first responders.

 

Secondly, the drill allows the crew to learn how to deal with recalcitrant passengers (which would translate to frightened passengers during an emergency) en masse.  Crowd and crisis management is a skill best taught practically.  Further, the lack of a time when every passenger is in known locations removes the training of those crew who passengers never see during the muster drill, which is the searching, clearing, and marking of every cabin and public space, collapsing down from the upper decks towards the muster locations.  When could this be accomplished without the in person muster drill?

Thank you for sharing  your insight.

My husband and I were crew members with NCL in the 90's so I know exactly where you are coming from.  Unfortunately, many people do not realize the work that goes on behind the scenes when it comes to the safety portion of cruising.

In a real emergency these same people, who are now moaning and groaning, would be very happy to know that the crew members took their safety instructions seriously.

Keep up trying to educate us all.   Thanks, happytotravel

Hi All,

Although edrills might be easier do you really think in an real emergency folks will know where their muster station is?    It might seem like a nuisance to have to go to a "real muster drill"  but you will be grateful if the real need arrives.  Also putting on your life preserver in real time is extremely helpful even if you have done it pre-pandemic.

All this takes very little time and you can then go on to enjoying the rest of your cruise afterwards.

happytotravel

Hi Laura,

I would stay an extra night especially if you are flying to Ireland.  You will be refreshed the next day to "enjoy" your flight back home.

I have always flown back home the same day BUT NO MORE since my last cruise in September.  I only had to fly to Quebec from NYC an hour or so flight.  I was up at 5 AM on the ship, at the airport at 10:30,  with a flight at 3:30 PM and didn't get to my apartment until 9 PM that night.  I have a cruise in May from Miami and will stay the extra night.

Taking the bus tour will kill some time but again it will be a long day!   I would think the latest time one would leave the ship is around 9 AM.

Think about it.  You've enjoyed at least 7 relaxing and fun filled days.  Why not enjoy one more day of down time.

Whatever you decide enjoy your cruise to the fullest.

happytotravel

Hi again,

I didn't realize that this was an old thread, sorry.  But for those you have been on cruises lately do they still use this?

I don't have any photos taken onboard by NCL.  I have enough from past years.

Thanks one more time, happytotravel

Hi,

Can you purchase just the USB stick?  It's a great souvenir.

thanks, happytotravel

22 minutes ago, mom says said:

Well, it applies to 59 different countries. But since this is the board for travel info for Canadians.....

I mentioned it because I live in Canada although I have an American passport.  I'm sure there are others like me so I wrote in the event some might have thought it was only for Canadians.

Have a nice day.

happytotravel

HI,

This is not only for Canadians as US citizens, like myself, will need to apply as well.

happytotravel

I love all you guys!!!!!!

happytotravel

Thanks for everyone's comments.  I presume there must be back orders as supply chains for many items are hard to get these days.

happytravel

2 minutes ago, shof515 said:

noticed the same thing when was on the Joy last month. The amount of NCL branded items was almost gone too. No ship model, no ship magnets, no ornaments

I wonder why that was the case?  Is this now the norm?

Would like to hear from others who cruised on other NCL ships recently what they noticed.

Thanks, happytotravel

3 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

What kind of high-end merchandise?

Hi Cole,

Gem jewelery,  Rolex type watches etc.  The expensive stuff that you pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for.  I'm not interested in that type of stuff whether I'm cruising or not.

I'm asking because in all the years I've cruised with NCL they had a variety of items for sale  for every size of wallet.  Some very cute items geared to the destination.

Did you cruise this year and what was onboard at that time?

Thanks, happytotravel

Hi All,

I was on the JOY's September 06th cruise and noticed the stores were selling only high end merchandise.  They did have $20.00 watches and sold Canada t shirts one day.  Is it now similar on the other ships?

Previously there were cute little souvenir items to buy also.

Thanks,  happytotravel

HI,

As mentioned no need for MDR reservations.   Just give yourself the liberty of choosing when you want to dine at the MDR.  Don't block yourself into a schedule as you're on vacation!

Also, enjoy the ambiance of the dining room by eating there.  I go solo all the time and enjoy going to there and sitting at the table and dining well with service as well as watching the other people.

I don't think they permit takeout....that's not the purpose of the MDR.  Bottom line don't be afraid to sit alone.

Take care and enjoy your cruise.

happytotravel

4 hours ago, Chaz212 said:

Somehow i think they did not buy the insurance.  We usually don’t either.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

I would prefer to win.  It's very foolish not to purchase travel insurance.  Anything can happen while traveling...hospital stay, and even death and then the problem of getting the body home.  All this could cost a bundle.

happytotravel

Hi,

I was on the Joy earlier this month and my pet peeve with Starbuck's is that they would not serve a Cappuccino in a "real" cup.  They would only serve it in a paper cup so I went elsewhere to order one.

I can't see any of the fancier type coffees being served in paper.  It's not the same.

Take care, happytotravel

Hi All,

If people have a problem because we have a mask on just tell them "to take it to the Lord in prayer".

Everyone, no matter who you are, just enjoy your cruise.  It's been a long time coming!

happytotravel

Hi,

Just as Spanishguy1970 and SimplyAlbert stated I too plan to wear my mask while onboard and while on the plane even though I've had my boosters (5 shots in total). At least if by chance I get Covid I know that I did what I could to prevent myself from getting it.

Again, as mentioned, it is a choice that everyone should have.  Hopefully, we can all enjoy our various cruises no matter.

happytotravel

HI,

I would phone NCL Air Arrangements and tell them about your email.  Just to be sure that they are really aware of this especially for your peace of mind.

Take care, happytotravel

Hi  shof515,

Just printed out my Edocs today and the first port is Charlottetown, then Sydney, Halifax, St. John, New Brunswick, then Portland and Boston.

Take care, happytotravel

Hi,

I started to fill out Arrivecan for my Norwegian Joy's September 06 cruise so as not to have any surprises when it is really time to complete it.  Where it asks what is the first port entry in Canada only Charlottetown Yacht Club came up for Charlottetown PEI.

I phoned "Arrivecan" customer service and was told that was okay to use that when filling out the form.  I'm sure I'm not the only one that has that similar question.

Can't wait for that cruise to come up!

happytotravel