rosey1946

I agree that the Spirit is unique and onto itself. The decor is asian and very beautiful. The Jade is Hawaiian themed. It previously sailed in Hawaii until NCL decided they only wanted one ship sailing there. Both ships have great crews. I've sailed the Jade for 24 days in the Med and then just this past summer the Spirit in the Med. You can't go wrong with either.

Had a mini-suite on the Gem. Got it for free as an upgrade from a balcony. Lots of extra room and a tub. Loved it-but no other perks. We have the services of the concierge but that's because we are platinum. If you book one with 3 or 4 people, well worth the extra money.

Just got off the Gem. Very few lounges on promenade. Mostly a few sit up chairs. Don't remember any on the Star, but that was Alaska. I knew I'd stir things up a bit, as I was also very defensive of NCL and still am when I think it's minor things people are complaining about.

As far as not using the Spinnaker, we couldn't get seats on our last cruise on Gem and the same for the Jewel last year. Guess it's different cruises, different situations.

I'll be more aware on our upcoming cruise on Jewel but I think for a lot of people the loss of the Spinnaker is a disappointment. That's why Star will not sail Alaska this coming season.

The loss of the Spinnaker on the Star and the Dawn is a great loss for a lot of people. I sailed Star this past August to Alaska and all I heard was disappointment with having few places to view the outdoors. NCL has also removed most of their lounges on Promenade deck, so slowly there are less places to enjoy the sea. Epic has virtually none.

I am an avid NCL passenger having just completed my 18 cruise with them. We are very close to looking elsewhere, not just because of the Spinnaker problems but because NCL is too involved with making every dime count. I know it's a business, but for us, it's getting to be too much.

What we are doing is getting a balcony for our upcoming Panama Canal trip and an inside for Canada on the Dawn due to the weather. I hope NCL becomes aware that cruisers spend a lot of money and we do not have to be forced to.

NCL Jewel Cabin 8530-anyone know this cabin? Is it a regular balcony with no obstructions?

Just got back from Alaska on the NCL Star. Great ship, but our cabin 12013 was ridiculous. It was sold to us as ok for four-no way!! If we weren't a sane family we would now all be dead. It was the smallest and least attractive of all the cabins we've ever sailed-30 cruises. It would not be ok for two. So, do not book this cabin or any of the insides on deck 12. NCL redid this deck and I believe the rest of the insides on this deck are the same. Not fit for anyone.

Anyone know anything about NCL Star. Sailing Aug 6 and have an inside room on 12 deck. I have been assured that we'll have two lower beds and two pullmans. I'd appreciate any info on this.

Linda

Has anyone stayed in cabin 12013 on the Star? We are a party of 4 and asked for two pullmans in addition to lower beds. I would appreciate any information on this cabin.

Linda

Was just assigned cabin10630 on NCL Jewel as a guarantee. Anyone know anything about this cabin?

Linda

I agree with greatam. Just be very careful and read all the fine print. As you know, we had a terrible time with HAL air but NCL air was great. We have another trip to Europe on NCL in Nov. and I booked my own flight. We were treated so shabbily by HAL, I'm not willing to take the chance on any cruise air again.

But, again, read the fine print. Maybe it will work out for you.

Linda

I wish I had read all your posts before I booked cruise Air with HAL. We are returning to NY via Minneapolis for a total of 9 hours from start to finish. And were charged a high price for the pleasure. I went with the cruise air because I have a child with me and believed that the cruise line would help if we ran into trouble with the flights. From what I'm reading this isn't true.

Learned a lesson-but the way HAL has handled this is making me very angry with HAL.

Next time, I return to NCL and make my own air arrangements.