dumbth

I agree with admiral Farragut's quote which was actually closer to "Damn the torpedoes, four bells, go ahead full speed". It's time to move on and heal the economy, regardless of additional smaller waves and inevitable scare speculations for all following flu seasons. I say this in spite of knowledge the 1918 pandemic very nearly eliminated my branch of the family, but with some personal confidence from taking the pneumococcal vaccine. That very expensive shot addresses the apparent mechanism of death, which is isn't from covid itself but it's complications of pneumonia.

Behind the WSJ.com paywall is new findings article about covid not spreading due to casual encounters or surfaces so much as prolonged close proximity. Worst case is to sing loudly in a tight group, so don't join any spit spraying singalongs in ships theater.

Should I gather that "Offer is for new individual FIT reservations." means no upgrading of existing reservations from nonwindow to window, begetting balcony? That would seem an illogical promotion, but not the first. No agents are currently available on NCL chat feature.

Preparing is a major activity for me and has saved me from mucho indignities, whether it be being stranded in the exact center of the Sahara due to my camel safari cancelled or running out of toilet paper on a shakedown cruise on a refitted ship. I will toss out a few recent thoughts, then will begin laying out stuff in cardboard trays to prioritize:

Digital life: I will load up SDcards with audiobooks, ebooks, videos, and music for insertion into an old wreck of a laptop and tablet. I will bring maps of free wifi hotspots in certain ports, but won't count on connectivity for my many at sea days or any other time.

Clothing: Doesn't onboard laundry cost more than the clothing itself? I am thinking of saving up a bunch of underwear and socks near end of life, and throwing them away after usage. The ports I visit throughout a month aren't known for laundromats, and anyway I hate having anyone else laying hands or eyes on my dirty stuff.

Gobs of toilet paper is sometimes needed in a panic - I am in process of saving the "cores" of industrial coreless toilet paper that I had to resort to in recent months. It is quite remarkable, with the inner inch diameter of roll being a tightly bound stretch of superlong paper, kind of like the endless handkerchiefs that get pulled from a magicians sleeve. They pack into a tiny corner taking no space but serviceable as kleenex or whatever.

On 5/17/2020 at 1:56 PM, EasyGoinGal said:

Norwegian Cruise Line Refund Refusal

I purchased $2,000 of credit for future cruises which expires in a year. I usually cruise extensively and would have used all the coupons during normal times.

I contacted them for a refund, as I am a senior and will not be cruising any time soon, if ever.

They said in a round about way, "too bad". They were not very nice, and dismissive.

At 73 years old, I cannot afford to lose $2,000, especially with the fear of cruising ever again.

I have heard there will be cruise companies who will go out of business. The possibility of NCL going out of business was mentioned.

I have been a very good customer of NCL over many many years.

Has anyone else had this happen? What can I do to get my money back? Is there anyone who can help?

Again, NCL refuses to do anything, including refunding my money.

I heard a bright outlook from NCL's CEO disputing sour media reports. NCL secured $billions from realistic non-govt investors, altho they still have to manage money including credits wisely. Bookings are strong and the credits were a popular choice. The one year deal doesn't mean you have to cruise that year, just apply it to a cruise the following year. NCL never had bad health problem and I think we shouldn't take sensationalist media scares overly seriously.

One question is what if you use new generous cancellation policies on a reservation paid for by credits - do they further extend the expiration date? I ploughed more than needed credits into a down payment in hopes of the expiration getting extended if they cancelled me.

In Hawaii, there are so few sick that doctors and clinics are going broke in the shutdown. Everybody maybe needlessly going broke except for an elite with sweetheart arrangements. Probably many more will emigrate to mainland than last year. Mass releases of prisoners happened for no reason (no sickness there) and they have been murdering and robbing. Very hard to get some foods and supplies except from companies foolish enough to allow free shipping ($78 waived to air freight TP to me for instance).

My cruise consultant added someone called XXXplusone where XXX is my first name. I had only expressed my wishes in general terms to take a certain trip solo, and was surprised to find it precisely set up on my NCL account with credits used as down payment. I gather from this thread this could cost me port fees and some other acronym fee unless I get this phantom person removed.

I am signed up for that same cruise in both directions. One concern is that Hawaii may still not be allowing cruise ships thru the first half of 2021 according to speculation I read from a Hawaii industry group. Hawaii has been ultra restrictive in spite of few virus cases, maybe due to the disease history 200 years ago. So September 2021 would be a more sure departure.

On picking a boat side, the easterly trade winds may be a consideration. I dearly hope they will still be serving buffets, maybe with sneeze shields. I am vegetarian and want heaps of varied side dishes and no waiter-rationed lump of mock meat or tofu.

Can anyone comment on how handy Jewel cabin 110V power plugs are to chairs or bed? I'll bring a laptop with nearly dead battery which will have to be plugged in while using, and wonder if I need an extension cord. I am tentatively assigned a windowless coffin, er I mean cabin, but aspire to bid for window or balcony.