KevInPitt

2 hours ago, knight2096 said:

 

First they screwed over the people who cancelled with the "peace of mind" March 10 FCC refund now this. The more I read about NCL the more it makes me sick. This company is as slimy as they come.

Just about every mass market cruise line is offering the same kind of incentives concerning cancellations due to the current pandemic.

If these kind of terms under these conditions make you sick and you feel it is demonstrative of slimy business tactics, cancel for 100% refund (if you have a booking) and avoid cruising altogether.  

14 hours ago, mking8288 said:

It should be a simple drop-in replacement, with the old mini-safe already taken out - an easy job.  Put in the new one (should be pre-tested, fresh battery, etc.) and secure the 2 or 4 locking bolts thur the anchor holes to the back/bottom, tightly.  A quick test to confirm proper installation, sign-off their log & move on to the next cabin ... 10 to 20 minutes, at most.  

The Gem alone has 1,200 cabins.  1,200 times 20 minutes each is a total of 24,000 minutes or 400 man-hours.  Working 10 hours a day, it would take 40 straight days to change them all out... and it would require two security personnel as it cannot be done alone.

Something tells me it was a somewhat logical decision to yank 400 old safes (so people wouldn't start using them in the middle of trying to swap them out) and then start installing the new ones.  I personally would have estimated the number that could be done during a single sailing and limit the yank-and-replace quantity to that many but who knows what's in the mind of those managing the ship.   😀

Your boarding time isn't 2:00pm.  Your check-in time is.

If you're concerned about sitting in a parked car waiting, plan to arrive as close to 2:00pm as possible.  Delays and pile-ups in and around the port of Baltimore can change with the wind.  Sometimes its easy-peasy and other times its a clusterf...ooops.    Whether or not the "early/late" line moves along at a good pace is dependent on how on time the Pride is back in port, how smoothly debarkation goes and how many others choose to ignore the staggered check-in times and arrive early too.

If you are travelling when the weather is to the extreme (freezing cold in winter, blazing hot in summer), my recommendation is arrive during your scheduled check-in time window.  You'll move through well without the risk of waiting outside passing out from the heat or succumbing to frostbite.

9 minutes ago, helene109 said:

Thanks and those are worse than the ones under the Lido deck? We were under the arcade 2 weeks ago and we kept hearing pac man and there was no pac man game!!

Yes (in my opinion) avoid Dec 4 first and Deck 8 second. 

Technically there are only 8 premium balcony cabins as those on Deck 4 have no balcony so I may have been a bit misleading (unintentionally, of course).

With Deck 8, there can be noise from above.  Of course, we noticed it most overnight when things are super quiet but it wasn't bang-yakkity-bang.... just a noticeable occasional rumbling that was likely carts rolling in the Pizza Pirate kitchen which is directly above.  If you are super light sleeper or acutely attuned to exterior noise, avoid Deck 8.

3 minutes ago, helene109 said:

I am looking into a Premium for the Pride next year too as we are just off the Valor with a regular balcony.

 

how many premiums are there on this ship? Thanks 

10.  2 each on Decks 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.  Those on Deck 4 should be avoided in my opinion.

and here is 7301 from the Miracle so you can see the difference in configuration:

1 hour ago, pearle1 said:

Thank you for the opinion ~ very helpful.  I just did the math, and it is actually 280$ more (not 300) ~ which I know is only 20$ difference.  I am tempted just for something different to try,  but I am just trying to see if it is really worth it to spend the extra $$.  I do appreciate opinions/advice.  very helpful!

 

 

Just to drive the point home on pricing from a sample sailing with interior / balcony square footage:

Extended Balcony (185 / 60)           $837pp

Premium Balcony (230 / 85)            $984pp ($147pp more than EB for 70sqft more)

Ocean Suite (275 / 85)                    $1,209pp ($225pp more than PB for 45sq ft more)

As long as you avoid (again, in my opinion) Deck 4 (definitely) and Deck 8 (if you can), you can't go wrong.

I am a self-professed fan of the 9A/B/C cabins.  $300 over an extended is, in my opinion, worth it.  The cabin is more spacious and the balcony easily accommodates two chairs, a lounger and small table with room to spare.

The only downside is the location of your choice; being right under the Lido deck, you can occasionally hear some noise from above.  In my opinion, the upside is your choice is my preferred cabin configuration (8235/7299/6277) as their "sisters" next door (8237/7301/6279) are quad capacity and configured (in my opinion) oddly.

My go-to 9B on Spirt class ships is 7299.

Please refer to this post where I shared the Fun Times for a cruise I took over Halloween:

On ‎9‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 2:31 PM, manmachine said:

Carnival is looking for inexperienced cruisers right now... first timers.  Along the way, that means sometimes inexperienced travelers.  And sometimes people who apparently don’t know how to behave while in a public place.

 

Everything  to do with behavior, and nothing to do with what some are implying.  

 

I'm interested in how you arrived at the conclusion Carnival is looking for inexperienced cruisers who apparently don’t know how to behave while in a public place.  If this is somewhere in their promotional materials, I'd appreciate a point-to.

On 9/14/2019 at 11:51 AM, JoeD4 said:

So NCL heads down the same path as RCCL and Celebrity by selling loyalty perks!  This is a big turn off to myself and my wife.  Shortly before we achieved Diamond Level with RCCL they started selling the loyalty.  We noticed a bit of arrogance and snobbishness from these people who bought loyalty rather than earning it. Have not sailed on RCCL or Celebrity since.  Expect the same will happen to NCL if they go forward. 

On 9/14/2019 at 12:18 PM, RunBikeCruiseDC said:

Ugh - we just earned Platinum. So much for our loyalty. What a disappointment, we were looking forward to priority boarding but now it looks like we have to compete with extra people...

Neither of you earned loyalty.  You paid for it... differently.

So Roz and Jonesbk say you can’t be bumped (or they haven’t been) but the terms and conditions posted by Elaine say it can happen.

Take the conflicting advice for what it’s worth knowing it could happen but likely won’t.

1 hour ago, DirtyDawg said:

 

To call the sparkling wine that is served at these auctions Champagne is like calling what these auctions sell "Art" !

But the two do compliment each other. 😉

.... and there is no shortage of passengers sucking up (or down) both.

7 minutes ago, LadyBerard said:

No, I am  not going to file a claim.  I just figured I would post this here and on the insurance boards for informational purposes to others who may purchase Nationwide's insurance not fully understanding it, as I misunderstood what they would consider a claim.

Thank you for sharing your story about reading and understanding insurance policies. 

52 minutes ago, WestLakeGirl said:

Oh, i understand now.  I went back to their posting history, where i also found that they said they are done with cruising on Celebrity,  and yet, here they are on this board?

It's interesting that on April 1, they state "looks like no more Celebrity for us after 10 years".  Then on April 20, in a  roll call thread for a cruise December 13, 2019, they state "Guess its time to jump in again.".

There are a plethora of other posts finding issue with the direction and management of the Celebrity line - mostly due to a supposed "catering to special interest groups".

Apparently, those issues aren't significant enough to actually stay true to your word when you say "I'm done".  Must sound great to say at the time (because that's how people know you're serious, gosh darn it!) but it comes back to haunt you when your next gripe come up.

17 hours ago, Paul Bogle said:

 

Page failed to load.

 

It shows AidaLuna docking at Heritage Wharf.

Deleted

Those needing assistance boarding are no longer afforded priority check-in and boarding privilege.  Assistance will be provided in a staggered manner consistent with check-in.  

If you all arrive at the same time, you will likely board together given availability of staff to provide assistance.

Threads such as these are exactly the reason the price of FTTF continues to increase.  There is still a burgeoning demand for the product even as the cost rises to levels some find astonishing.

Keep up the good work.  Carnival is paying attention and responding in kind.

1 hour ago, elapel01 said:

Thanks for all the replies!  Definitely not a “good deal” paying service charges  on perks that are suppose to be free.  Celebrity definitely does not do this.  While I know they are more expensive and when they started giving free perks I realized that you are going to be paying for them somehow but I would rather it be hidden.  So now the difference between NCL cruise and Celebrity is around $900 cheaper with NCL not the $1500-$1600 I had originally thought.  $900 probably isn’t enough for me to go to a new cruise line and a ship with a lot more passengers.  I can’t believe NCL would think it’s a good idea to charge s/c on something that’s supposed to be free!

 

Thanks again for all your replies.  

I, for one, am glad it’s not.  

NCL apparently thinks its a great idea because they’ve been doing it for years and have no problem filling their ships.

If you find the practice unsavory, you should stick with Celebrity where the cost (package and service charges) is indeed hidden in their fare.  Simply track prices with and without promos and you’ll see. Ignorance is bliss and you seem to enjoy the familiarity of the Celebrity product so leaping to another line you already think is sneaky and deceptive will taint any experience you have on board.

Just now, jbethel11 said:

Finally, we are getting someplace! This answers my question! 

You're welcome.  Did you also read the part about how you would get "refunded" even if your deal was approved (and understand what non-refundable non-transferrable OBC can be used for)?

2 minutes ago, jbethel11 said:

This right here is vague! What do they mean? Under this, my assumption is that I can use another website to get a better deal?

It's not vague at all.  What it means is you can certainly refer to another web site offer but you have to be sure that offer doesn't promote a fare with any restrictions not offered by Carnival like a group booking qualifier, agent rebate or website discount.

The website fare you are trying to match to almost certainly involves one or more of the the stated exclusions.

Let's cut right to the chase:

LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE

The Lowest Price Guarantee applies to the cruise fare only. The Lowest Price Guarantee protection will not apply to prevailing Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses. Lower rates must be publicly advertised fares available to the general public and exclude group rates, membership programs, charters or other Travel Agent promotions not offered by Carnival to the general public, including but not limited to travel agent rebates. To submit a Lowest Price Guarantee claim, visit carnival.com online and complete all the information required on the Lowest Price Guarantee claim form. You will be asked to provide the lower rate amount and where the rate can be found. Lower rate must: i) be for the same ship, sail date, stateroom category and number of guests; and ii) be available for booking at the time Carnival reviews your completed Lowest Price Guarantee claim form. All Lowest Price Guarantee claim forms must be submitted online within 48 hours of booking your cruise and verified by Carnival in order to qualify for the onboard credit. The onboard credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited. Lowest Price Guarantee program may be discontinued or changed at any time. Offer is not available on Carnival Australia sailings. For cruises visiting Cuba: (1) cost of required visa ($75 per person) is additional and will be applied to the onboard Sail * Sign account; and (2) passports are required.

Just now, jbethel11 said:

Is there any way this topic be shut down? Or perhaps moved to the float away lounge? This has gotten far off topic!

Your questions are being answered, all stemming from your original post. It's all related and helpful to your dilemma.

16 minutes ago, jbethel11 said:

What derogatory comment? I beg of you to please link the ground rules!

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/guidelines/

Just now, jbethel11 said:

Pardon me? If two Carnival Agents directed me to speak to Corporate, then obviously something is wrong.

Then you need to speak to Corporate. No one here can help you (despite all best efforts). Good luck.