19 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

We spent 7 nights on Ovation and 3 nights in Vancouver, then boarded Quantum for a 10 night cruise with a suitcase full of dirty laundry. Talked to the cabin steward on boarding day and he took 2 full bags that night and returned them them late on the second night.  There is a dry clean bag and slip hanging in the closet, ask your steward for the wash and fold bag. 

Unfortunately there was no bag or slip in either of our closets, that’s the first place we looked,

Thanks everyone, yeah the day 1 thing didn’t make any sense. I think they’re confusing the pressing only special with the wash and fold, and even showing them the picture of the slip I found in this forum they were confused as to what it was, made several calls, and came up with what I suspect was an inaccurate answer. 
 

I also can’t get a straight answer as to whether we can do multiple bags, the wording on the RCCL website appears to say so, but I received multiple conflicting answers on the ship. 
 

I’ll see what happens on week two and reply here with it so anyone who has the same questions or issues can maybe make use of my experience.

I’m new to Royal and saw in the threads about being able to do a wash and fold of a bag of laundry for $34.99. I’m currently on Harmony of the Seas and waited all week to see the special appear but never saw it. I asked our room attendant and he said that it’s only on the first day but said he could make an exception and gave it to us on day 5 and did the bag. 

The slip begins “arrive home with a suitcase full of clean, folded, laundry…” which implies it would be used towards the end of the cruise, not day 1.

I went to customer service to find out just when is this to be used as we are doing a back to back and I want to make sure I don’t miss out on it next week.
 

The question seemed to stump them and I got several different answers contradicting each other and ultimately ended with “it’s day 1 only” which makes no sense based on the wording on the slip.

I was wondering if any seasoned Harmony guests might know the reason answer on when the promotion usually is?

In case anyone wants the Getaway staff as of today 1/27

Edit: looks like the image gets compressed when uploaded so everything is blurry, sorry about that.

51 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Tours have not been offered since the pandemic restart. They are still keeping germy passengers out of crew areas. Prior to the pandemic, NCL has not allowed passengers on the bridge since the Paris terrorist attack in 2015. 

On rare occasion they make exceptions, I got a tour of the escape Bridge in 2016. Once in a lifetime event for me, it was incredible.

1/20 - 1/26

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On 1/25/2023 at 2:59 AM, J_RAD said:

We used to be a huge fans of NCL, we've sailed with them at least a half dozen other times and wrote glowing reviews. No more and I strongly recommend avoiding travel with NCL! They are a shell of their former selves.

 

We booked a cruise to Hawaii in late Dec 2022.  Our cruise was selected based on sail dates and itinerary. The entire trip, including airfare was booked through NCL; never again.  We began noticing some small issues with NCL shortly after booking in Sept. – it was merely a precursor of things to come. 

 

First, when booking through the cruise line, you must understand they select flights for you - they select provider, time, etc. This may seem like an "easy button" but it's not. Don't do it. You have no real say in the flight selection (airline, schedule, etc.) and are not notified of the details until approximately 60 days prior to sailing. We attempted to add an extra day with hotel to the front-end and tail-end of our itinerary, but NCL told us there was no availability for arrival on the front-end. Well, this is the date that really matters...and a cruise line should know this as well. We always arrive a day prior to our cruise in an attempt to mitigate any potential flight delays (this turned out to be critical in our case). Adding days to the tail-end of a cruise is mostly moot. So, we were stuck with what the cruise line selected -- and what they selected was arrival on the sail date.

 

Next, the package we purchased included beverages and specialty dining. However, when we went to book reservations at the specialty restaurants, we found that all but 2 were closed; not full from reservations - but temporarily closed! We were not told this prior to booking. Shameful NCL.

Then, we noticed the entertainment was incredibly scaled back -- virtually non-existent. Sure, there were a couple crew-based tribute shows but nothing notable; scaled way back. As others have posted, NCL has cut back entertainment staff and overall staffing is clearly an issue.

 

Finally, we went to book excursions, only to find these too were scaled way back. Fine, we're going to "paradise" we'll find other stuff to do. It was around this time we added travel protection through NCL to our trip.

 

Well, turns out we weren't going to paradise at all. ~12 hours prior to flight departure, we received notice from Delta Airlines, the carrier selected by NCL, that our initial departing flight was cancelled due to weather. We immediately contacted both NCL and Delta. Both providers pointed fingers back to the other for resolution while we spent HOURS looking for alternate flights. Unfortunately, due to weather issues across the country, absolutely no flights were available -- including options for connecting through other cities and arriving to alternate ports even several days later. As a result, and again through no fault of own, NCL was not able to fulfill their commitment to get us to our cruise, which departed 12/24 and the booking was cancelled.

 

Now weather issues happen, that's not a fault of Delta or NCL. How they deal with it, however, is absolutely their issue.

As mentioned, travel protection was purchased through NCL who was responsible for all bookings. We asked the full trip, with airfare and all offers purchased, be rebooked at no additional charge to another Hawaii sailing this year or for NCL to refund the full amount of the trip. They’ve declined to do either. Their travel protection is indicating their coverage doesn't begin until guests are on the ship (not stated anywhere).

 

We will not just be walking away from nearly $20K and are taking up formal legal action against the cruise line for non-performance.  Moreover, NCL lost a loyal customer and we will do our best to warn whomever we can away from NCL going forward.

 

There's what's legally required and there's doing the right thing for your guests. NCL is doing neither.

So sorry to hear about your issues. We too for different reasons are done with NCL as well. I used to be a proponent for them, but recent experiences have us testing the waters with other cruise lines going forward. NCL reeks of death based on all of the current changes. They're offering a diluted version of their cruises for an increased price, and while onboard where I am right now they pretend to care and want to listen to feedback, it's just a ruse and nothing comes of it including a promised call back to discuss the concerns. There might as well be a paper shredder underneath the feedback box at guest relations.

On 1/25/2023 at 6:38 AM, Cruise5life said:

Looks like someone didn’t do there homework.   I would never let a cruise line set up flights for me.   And during pandemic a lot of things changed because of staffing 

and now your gonna go to legal action.   
 

I just came off of a NCL 15 day.   I booked my own flights.   And had an amazing time.   I wouldn’t hesitate to cruise with them again and again.   

You shouldn't have to do "homework", you should be able to trust what you are sold and unfortunately you can't trust NCL. Just because other cruise lines "do the same thing" doesn't make it right, and you shouldn't have to search every piece of minutia to fact check and verify it's being accurately represented and delivered. Will doing so help prevent issues from occurring? Absolutely. Shoukd you have to do it let alone blame the victim? Absolutely not. I'm so tired of hearing the cruise snobs on here victim blame.

I'm currently on the Getaway and we were on it as well about 4 months ago. We're very disappointed on this cruise, the experience is definitely watered down and cost cutting measures are evident everywhere. Food quality is not what it was, the ship is not being maintained cosmetically as well as it used to be, it's the type of experience I've seen at other venues where they can't afford the upkeep and decide this light bulb doesn't need to be changed right now, we'll do it next month.. This rusty metal can go a few more months before we have to fix it, this peeling paint can go another few months before we bother to fix it... And heck, let's close the buffet 4 hours earlier and skip the snacks... And let's get the lower priced comedians on the ship and save a few bucks, no one will notice the difference in quality.

Except we have. I'm very disappointed in this cruise and I'm only a few days in. I've never sailed other cruise lines and sail twice a year on average. I know cost cutting measures are happening in all industries, all cruise lines, and I totally get it... But NCL raised prices and diluted the experience to the point that we are now going to try other cruise lines. It doesn't mean we won't sail NCL again, but we're unsatisfied to the point that I can't in good conscience book another NCL cruise without testing the waters with other cruise lines. Everyone has their own opinions, some fanatics will lose their mind that I'm insulting NCL, but it's just how I feel, and entire family as well.  I can't imagine it's just us, but for us it's time to try other lines now.

I’ve been in the thermal spa on the breakaway, getaway, and bliss. Each one was different as far as temperature. My past few times on the getaway it was too warm for us to stay long, and the thermal pool was as warm as a hot tub to the point where I couldn’t stay in it too long. On the breakaway it was much cooler, closer to body temperature which is what they originally advertised it to be.  Because of that the room was a little cooler on the breakaway. I can’t speak for it today though. It’s not meant to be an all day chill spot though, technically there is a time limit for the chairs but no one follows it.

On 9/19/2022 at 6:01 AM, Seas2mountains said:

We had something strange happen when we were in the Bliss lounge last night listening to Prelude Duo. Another passenger decided to approach us after he left the dance floor and gestured for us to go dance.  Despite us shaking our heads No and motioning for him to leave, he would not stop. Then he decided to sit at our table and got really close to my husband to ask why we weren’t dancing. My husband told him we wanted to listen to the music. (We had danced to a few songs earlier but we don’t know if that man saw us dance or not.)

 

He then told my husband that he wanted to speak to me alone. My husband said No and asked him to leave. When he refused to leave our table, we got up to leave and that’s when the creepy guy finally left. We did ask the bar tender to call security if the guy came back. The bar tender encouraged us to file a security report. When we walked out of the lounge to use the restroom during the next music set and when we went to leave, we saw creepy guy speaking to two different women who appeared to be sitting alone in the casino. We did go to guest services and did file a report with security. They asked us to contact security if we saw the man again. We were able to describe the clothing the man was wearing and gave the time range when he approached us. 
 

Our big concern was that creepy guy did not respect the word “no” and had no respect for personal space with how close he got to my husband’s face and how he continually wanted to shake his hand.  I hope he is not ruining the cruise for other people. We were feeling like we needed to watch for him so we decided to end our night earlier than planned. The Haven 2 bedroom suite is spacious and very comfortable so it was not horrible but was unfortunate. 

By any chance did this guy have a dark beard and mustache?

I'm on the Getaway right now, they dropped VA from our itinerary but I never received notice of it, when I asked the hotel director his answer was similar to another random employee I asked in that they weren't 100% sure why but suspected an "issue" with the channel handling the ship.

Hash browns made a come back yesterday, we had them with our breakfast yesterday morning so I guess they got a supply of them at Cape Canaveral. 

17 minutes ago, david_sobe said:

I got sunburn once in Nassau.  You have no idea the stress it put me through.  If NCL does not stop porting in the Bahamas, I will no longer sail with them.

Lol ok so I agree dropping the cruise line as a result of Bermuda’s policy is excessive, avoiding a specific cruise that contains Bermuda is obviously the more sensible option, but I do agree with the sentiment about Bermuda as a whole. At this point they should be including the $40 in the port fee and call it a day if they need the money so bad.  The online process contributes nothing to the gatekeeping process of filtering out Covid positive visitors and only adds extra stress and aggravation for all, not exactly a good strategy to make your travel destination appear appealing and inviting; it does the exact opposite.

Despite the flamers who feel it necessary to insult those who don’t agree with them, and there are always many on CC, I agree with you. This is nothing but a money grab for them, especially now since filling out the travel authorization serves no purpose other than to collect a fee. They’re are no longer demanding a copy of a negative test and using it to determine authorized entry, they’re relying on the cruise line to collect that. I was on the very first NCL cruise to Bermuda after the pandemic at the time the application was a two part process requiring a copy of your negative test to be uploaded. They approved my application by mistake without even having the test and when I told them as such on the phone, they didn’t care.. they had my $40.  If they need money due to the lack of tourism, this is not the way to go about it. All it does is make me resent the fact that I have to go through this process in order to board a ship that includes this destination that I really couldn’t care less about; Bermuda is nice but it’s not worth the effort or aggravation. I’m going through it because I’m forced to since I do want to go to the remaining ports on my next cruise and it’s a requirement to board the ship, it just makes me resent the fact that we’re stopping in Bermuda. I’d be just as happy if we went somewhere else. I don’t consider it selfish at all. My entire family has had various health and financial issues related to Covid, I’m not charging my friends $40 to see me when they come over. 

46 minutes ago, romalley99 said:

Onboard Getaway right now…

Thank you very much! 

Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone onboard the Getaway might be able to post a pic of the officer wall? (Not the senior officer contact page that was posted earlier, but the picture wall)

Thanks!

This is not true. The laws of the state where you are creating the recording from govern whether it is legal to record a call or not. If you are in a one party consent state, and you are a party to the call, you can record the call even if the state you are calling is a two party consent state.  Florida has no jurisdiction over someone who lives in NY, so if you live in NY and are party to the call,  you can record a call to FL without any issue. 

8 minutes ago, MarkusToe said:

I've a lot of FCC at NCL.

Is it possible to pay the upgrade bit using these FCC?

When you bid, there is a checkbox that says something towards the effect of "I have a future cruise credit I'd like to use" but it does bill you the full amount to the credit card you provide, so I'm not sure what the point of the checkbox is.

3 hours ago, lkjacobs said:

Getaway senior hotel officers as of today. Plamenko and Bon will leave for vacay on August 20. 
 

Thanks!  If you happen to find yourself by it at some point, would you mind grabbing a pic of the officer wall on the 6th floor behind the cruisenext desk area?

Thank you so much for this. 

So I was in a Haven Spa, placed bids on the Deluxe Owner's Suite, Deluxe Owner's Suite with Large Balcony, and 2 Bedroom Family Villa with balcony for the 9/12 10 day Getaway from NYC.  I saw the Aft facing penthouse with balcony pop up yesterday for a few hundred more than I paid so I called customer service to get it but by the time I got someone there were none available. I checked again this morning and they were available again, so I called and was able to upgrade for $70!  A much larger room, but no spa access. I LOVE the spa but my wife not as much, I guess we'll see how crazy the courtyard is this cruise and depending on how it goes purchase spa passes or not.

So yes, always check the prices! Sometimes straight upgrading is MUCH less expensive than bidding on a higher class room.

11 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

UPGRADE ADVANTAGE FAQ

1. Is the offer amount per person per day or for the entire duration of the cruise?
The offer amount is per person for the entire duration of the cruise. Offers are based on two occupants per stateroom - only the first and second guest will be charged.

2. Does the upgrade include any additional promotions?
The upgrade does not include any additional promotions. However, you get to keep whichever promotions you already have.

Unless something changed, that does not include keeping spa access if you went from a Haven Spa to an alternate Haven room. I had a Haven Spa, bid on the Owner's Suite, and lost my spa access and had to purchase spa passes.

On 8/11/2022 at 6:38 AM, lkjacobs said:

I’m getting onboard Saturday for 2 weeks. I’ll post information after then. 

Great, that would be fabulous! Thank you so much, enjoy the cruise!  We’ll be on for the 10 day on 9/12 and want to see if there’s anyone we know on it from our last Getaway cruise.

thanks again

On 8/11/2022 at 3:41 PM, wolft927 said:

I will make a recommendation, if you are bidding watch the inventory, my 9 night September 29th cruise on the getaway before the press release saying no more tests etc there where 14 haven suites left, Now today none left! I was able to scoop up the last courtyard penthouse this morning for the same as what I was gonna bid. If you really want the haven and can swing it do t rwly on bidding , and this is coming from someone who won my last 2 haven bids as well 

The rooms I bid on we’re showing sold out even before I got the upgrade offer oddly enough

Can anyone post the current officers that are on the Getaway?

Thanks!