Gypsygirl100%

Just now, cruisestitch said:

A veranda stateroom will get you 3 extra Captains Club points for Go Green no matter how long the cruise is.  The rep was wrong.

 

 

Thanks, I also just verified with a CC CSR. She said that (conveniently) there were no notes in the system by the previous agent who told me the wrong info. 

I think some others on this thread also have the wrong info. I will probably do the opt-in anyway even just to feel I am doing one little thing. 

Cheers!

I feel there is a lot of confusion about how many points will be earned, particularly when fueled by customer disservice providing faulty information. 

Hello, i was told today by a CC CSR that the extra points for my veranda stateroom would be 3 points per night, so 6 points for each night of the cruise. The way the footnote of the program reads make it sould like it is only 3 total points for the whole cruise. Can others verify that is it X points PER NIGHT please?

On 1/25/2023 at 4:15 PM, ziggyuk said:

 

I booked in July 2022 and my summary says this:

 

Do I get it? It says I do in my current offer.

 

 We did not get it initially, had to visit GS on multiple occasions, got a lot of "no, your reservation does not qualify" and "no, water is excluded." So my husband sent my screenshot and this to a supervisor who had to consult with the home office in Miami:

On 2/14/2023 at 11:46 AM, Jordan61 said:

It's showing under my reservation, too, and I am printing that sucker out and bringing it with me!! 😄

I took a screenshot, had it on my phone, showed them at customer disservice repeatedly and had to fight for 2 days before they provided it for our 15 night cruise. We drank every last drop. I do not see it on the reservation for our March sailing.

On 1/10/2023 at 10:04 AM, New2cruise2022 said:

Does this water bottle feel like the “Great Giveback Of 2023”? 
 

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but this benefit feels like skillful misdirection. It isn’t a mirage, because it is real water that people can touch and drink. But it feels like an inexpensive giveback to try to counterweight rising prices (on sailing, packages, and service charges) and reduced offerings (1-1-1-1 speciality dining restrictions, once a day steward service, shrinking drink selection and availability). 
 

I think for many people, walking in the cabin to find water that didn’t carry an additional cost will be a big win. For many others that prefer tap water or have PPB package, this will not have much impact. But the addition is popping up across consumer’s MyNCL and that is creating a nice positive buzz for NCL. 
 

(I would assume that NCL has a nice relationship with Flow and is procuring this benefit substantially below the price of the offering.)

I have told NCL for years that it is highly irresponsible to provide an alcoholic drink package that does not include water. Most all other lines have water included in their alcohol packages. Maybe they listened??

On 11/6/2022 at 12:54 AM, Host Jazzbeau said:

 ...

So based on the European river experience, AQ is offering you the least worst option.  I realize that this is a huge disappointment to you, but they are offering you the choice to roll your payment forward to a future cruise when there may be water in the river.  Many passengers on the European river cruises did not even have that option.

The option of rolling the payment to another sailing was only offered when I asked to speak with a supervisor after being told there was no option being offered to me or any other passenger (which was a lie - I verified that other passengers were offered the same thing); and, it would have doubled the cost of the cruise. That was not an acceptable offer for me. Not sure if you would mind paying double though. 

Yes, I certainly do not blame the company for the water levels on the river. To my knowledge, the levels were historically low, maybe not seen for the past 100 years, so I thought we would be okay. I have experienced changes in itineraries before, one or a few ports, but not the entire cruise. Normally, if the entire trip would be changed, the cruise company would let us opt for a refund, future cruise credit or change the date at no additional charge; something, anything, maybe a little sympathy? Nothing, nada. The only real objection I have had was the company's response. The ship was great, the staff and service wonderful. I hope the new management takes care of their people and their customers. I have never personally experienced any "bait and switch" by any company I have cruised with, and I don't really think that is what AQV did in this case; their response was simply inappropriate. 

We are a couple in our early 60s, with 20+ cruises, including 3 European river cruises; this was our first US river cruise. We sailed November 8th, with one night at the hotel in Louisville. The trip was supposed to be Memphis to New Orleans, but due to the low water levels on the Mississippi less than 2 weeks prior to departure, we were told the entire itinerary was changed to be Louisville to Nashville; so Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. The Company gave us no option to change the date or ask for a refund; no consideration was provided. Actually, we could have changed the date, but would have to pay the difference in fare, which would have doubled the cost of the cruise. I asked about upgrading our inside cabin to a veranda but was told the cabins were all full (which was not true). So, we changed our flights and decided to make the best of it. 

Our inside cabin was small, even by river cruise standards, and we struggled somewhat to find storage and hanging space. It was cold on our cruise, and even snowed, so we did not miss the balcony. The ship is beautiful, and very nicely appointed. There is a library, small breakfast/snack area, a back alternative dining area, very nice dining room, beautiful lounge, theater and upper deck (which we didn't really use because of the cold). The food in the dining room was good to very good, with lobster tail available at every dinner. They were very good with my dairy allergy, making substitutions when necessary. Breakfast and lunches were available in the dining room, but mostly we did the buffet in the alternative dining area. The service in all of the venues was excellent, and the staff always friendly. The Historian on board was very informative in his talks and subjects. The shows were nothing like those on the big ships, but good for small ship entertainment. The bartenders in the lounge were fantastic, patient and speedy (it is all self-service, no waitstaff). 

The ports were not what we expected (i.e., not the ones on the Mississippi) but fine really. Madison IN had a very cute downtown area, and some of the friendliest people. We ate at a burger joint, and the owner actually came over, talked to us and thanked us for coming in. The quilt museum in Paducah was surprisingly wonderful. The Bluegrass Museum was good too. Entrance fees at the ports were covered by the ship. The HOHO busses they use in ports for transportation are actually owned by AQV, and the same 3 drivers drove from port to port to drive us around. The drivers were fantastic; one even provided candy, snacks and water for us of her own volition. The Cruise Director was less than satisfactory however. She often left out relevant information (such as which attractions closed early), and provided incorrect information on the weather on one key day - it was ice and snow, but she indicated it was going to be sunny and in the 50s. 

So, to wrap it up, if the ship and the staff hadn't been so stinkin' nice, we would have been super disappointed in this cruise. The Company, as represented by their customer "disservice," could definitely use some work on their honesty and options in dealing with customers. 

I'm sure we all wish Ms. D'Aoust well in her new position. I would personally hope she reads the feedback in reviews and boards regarding cruisers' experience with this line.

Oh, and they are not even bothering to send out revised/new cruise documents with ports and descriptions of the stops. No way that could cause confusion.

I posted this on roll call forum, but for different sailing date since ours was not listed. Maybe a little whiny, but will try to keep it factual:

I was notified of a change for our American Countess Nov 8th Mississippi River cruise less than 2 weeks before departure. It was not just the arrival or departure ports that changed - all ports changed, and it is no longer a Mississippi River cruise at all. No information on cancelling for future cruise credit or change of date, so I contacted AQV.

I inquired about both options in a call and was told there was no provision for either refund or change of date, and if I cancelled, since it was within 14 days, I would lose all of my money. I pointed out the notice was less than 14 days, but this did not make an impact. I asked about an upgraded cabin, onboard credit or complimentary excursion as consideration for the complete change of itinerary. The answer was no, they were not offering anything to me or any other passenger except for change fees for air. 

I asked to speak with a supervisor. After sometime on hold, the agent returned and said the supervisor offered a one time change of date, but I would have to pay for any change in fare. I assured her I got a very good rate when booking and paying in full 18 months ago. She said there were some sales going on currently. However, when I checked, none of the sales included our cabin category, and it would cost twice as much to re-book our same cruise on a date next year, even on the least expensive sailing.

Approximately a week later I called again to inquire whether anything besides what I had been offered had been offered to any other guest,  and was assured emphatically no; no onboard credit, no upgrade, no complimentary premium experience.

So my DH and I have decided to go on this revised itinerary, as the alternatives are not acceptable. All I can say is I hope they do everything they can to make this a darn good cruise. Any thoughts? What would you do? Oh, and if anyone on these revised cruises has been offered any kind of consideration for the changes, please let the rest of us know. Thanks!

Does anyone know if I can make reservations ahead of time so we get the dates and times we want for the meals covered by the coupons, then present the coupons at the venues?

My husband is retired Marine Corps, and every time he walks onto a ship on embarkation, he "requests permission to come aboard." It is totally cute, and absolutely traditional for the Corps, though I'm not sure all of those he requests permission from understand it;-)

On 6/17/2021 at 9:05 PM, tuolumne couple said:

We are happy with whatever, however, in 2012, when this pic was taken, we felt like smugglers. On a 16 night Caribbean, and we celebrated like pirates and generously. Now of course we do not need to carry on that much any longer, but then, it was so worth it to have wine on our balcony pre- dinner. Anyone else carry on more than a case of wine back in the day?

In 2010 we were on the Eurodam, 7 day, had my two sisters and mom together in a large balcony cabin. We brought 3 cases of wine on board. No corkage fee at the pier (tipped the luggage guys excessively) or even when we brought them to the dining room or the cabana - no pictures!!! 🤣

We did, however, have a couple extra bottles we ended up passing on to people coming onto the ship or at the airport before going through security. I guess they didn't think 3 cases for the cabin was excessive then - haha!

23 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Seriously, why all the hand wringing about Cagney’s?  In all honesty, just go to one of the other specialty restaurants like LeBistro, Tepanyaki, LaCucina, etc.  They were excellent on my last cruise on the Breakaway.  Didn’t miss dining in Cagney’s at all.  And, you won’t have to worry about upcharges, if your lobster is big enough, the size of your shrimp, etc.  If you’re sailing one of the newer ships, try something like the Food Republic....also, excellent.  

 

Problem solved!

The problem may not be solved; what if they get away with these extra charges at Cagney's and decide to do the same with La Cucina, Tepanyaki and Le Bistro? Seems to me if customers continue to pay the extra charges without giving them feedback, they will continue in other venues. Just sayin'.

7 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

Wow, first I've heard.  Most have said the Cabin Steward just brings it.  Maybe too many started asking for it.

IMHO, I just think it's insane for them to give people all the alcohol they can drink, and then make it difficult to get water.

I spoke to a customer service rep today. She denied there were any up-charges to the dining package at any specialty restaurant. When I assured her there was, she said that I would have to talk to the people on the ship, despite the fact that it appears to be fleet-wide. Of course it would do no good to talk to anyone on the ship if it is rolled out fleet-wide, it is corporate. Of course this CSR also said that there was no new drink package, that the super plus plus package (sorry, whatever it is called) had been around as long as the UBP. I really dislike speaking with reps that have no idea what their company is doing. Just to take it one step further, when I said that I would appreciate it if she passed along that I did not like my amenities being erroded after I bought the cruise under certain terms and conditions, she retorted that I was getting all of these benes for free, so I shouldn't complain. Silly girl.

47 minutes ago, NLH Arizona said:

Did you ask your Cabin Steward for it?  If you order from room service, it would incur the room service charge.

When I asked my room stewards, they said I would have to order from room service.

On 10/23/2019 at 6:15 PM, BirdTravels said:

You can have your butler bring you pitchers of water and tea. 

Whenever I have requested pitchers of ice water for my cabin from my stewards, they told me to call room service. Room service then told me (on several NCL ships), that it would be a $7.95 charge for each pitcher. I even talked to a room service manager, and they said the same thing. I do not sail in a suite. I gave up the fight and get a glass of ice water to take back with me to the cabin at night.

I have requested a pitcher of ice water for my cabin on several NCL ships and was told by room service and manager that I would be charged $7.95 for it. However, since then I have simply taken a glass of ice water from the closest bar to my room.

Where did you book the lower price? I reached out to Melia via email and just got a response with info for day pass at $51/pp, not all-inclusive. Very confusing to get conflicting info. Thanks.

I just called Melia today, and they are no longer doing the day pass discussed. They do have an all-inclusive day pass, at $139/pp adult, $60 child.

I just looked on the bookatour site and it shows the day pass for Melia as $139/ppadult, $60/pp child, and is not AI. Anyone know why that is? I expected around $45/pp. Thx

Sounds like we should probably just drive in and do a stay/park or park at the pier.