AK Dreaming

As the OP I thought I would let you know how it went.  We were 3 women in a Balcony Suite cabin.  I was told by NCL that they steward would help with the extra bed, but he never did.  It was not a vacation ruining situation, but it did make the cabin much less usable and much less comfortatble during the day.  Overall I would say there is totally less customer sevice than in the past.  On a side note, it was my first cruise on the Bliss and I was not impressed. Much prefer the Getaway ships.

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

It’s crazy that I got notification two days ago that the cruise the OP referenced has already sold out in pre-sale.  It was the Hallmark Channel Christmas Cruise.  When I looked at it on 7/16 the only availability was inside cabins for $1450 pp for a 4 night cruise.  

It sold out very fast. I was fortunate enough to get a balcony cabin but I signed up for the presale as soon as I heard about it. Others could not log into book until their presale time and by then it was sold out. Now they have a waiting list that you could not even sign up for until your designated booking time. 

23 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The NCL kids program is excellent and highly recommended. Make sure that you enroll your niece and nephew on embarkation day. And then have them attend on the first night of the cruise to make friends. 

 

If they are 9 and 12 now, does that mean that they will be 10 and 13 at the time of cruise? The reason I ask is because the nephew may be in the teen group next year. And you will need to make a decision on whether to allow the 10-12 year olds to have self-sign-out privileges. Most parents allow their kids to sign themselves out after a couple of hours... the kids group will want to go wander the ship or grab a snack and without sign-out privs, your kids will be left behind "with the babies". It's perfectly safe and you just need to have an arranged meet-up time. 

 

Attached is the kids program from the Escape in May 2023 below. Pages 1 and 2 are for the kids club, pages 3 and 4 are the program for the teen club (if your nephew is 13), and pages 5 and 6 are rules. 

 

Splash Academy.pdf 1006.74 kB · 54 downloads

 

Thank You!! That is perfect.  If we can go when I want in April they will be 9 and 12.  My nephew turns 13 in May.  I was afraid it would be to childish for him but the schedule looks like he would have plenty to do as long as there are enough kids.  We will be taking them out of school so that is a concern.

Planning to take my niece and nephew on a cruise next year on the Bliss.  They are age 9 and 12.  What age appropriate activities can we expect in the Splash Academy?  Not sure they will attend but I've never had kids with me and want to give them options.

My spouse was a guest entertainer and when I went on a cruise he was working I was given an employee name tag as they are required to be worn in crew areas at all time.  

I always buy cruise insurance and usually by the cruise line because it is simplier.  I have purchaed outside insurance sometimes.  For an upcoming cruise I was searching for insurance as it is a Sixthman cruise and they are all non-refundable once booked.  I usually book with my Cruiseline credit card for points but this was with Sixthman so I used my American Express.  When readinging my coverage it seems like American Express provides many of the same cancellation and delay coverages as the Insurance policies.  Has anyone just used American Express?  How was the service if needed?

On 7/12/2023 at 10:24 AM, laudergayle said:

This looks like an interesting cruise.  I signed up for pre-sale.  I found most of the answer to your questions clicking through the terms and conditions.  On the drink package question, I am thinking that each guest in the cabin has to create a profile and link to yours as Lead…each guest will get the discount based on their level.  Thanks for asking about this cruise…I’m following.  Also are you on the other social media site for this group?

Yes.  Thank you.  I found a lot of info there and on the sixthman site.  Was hoping for actual experience because I've found that to be way more reliable.

Of course it is a personal choice, but if asking for what we do, then yes.  I alway bring cash for tipping at all restaurants. 

13 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said:

Have you tried contacting them directly?

Here's the info for contact, sorry if you've already tried this: 

SIXTHMAN HQ

If you have any questions, please use the LIVE CHAT feature, or call the Sixthman office at 1-877-SIXTHMAN (1-877-749-8462)

Local Phone - call if outside US: 1-404-525-0222

SMS text messaging only: 1-404-600-0026

guestservices@sixthman.net

Normal business hours are:
Monday-Friday 10am-6pm ET

Our mailing address is:
Sixthman
437 Memorial Dr SE
Ste A10
Atlanta, GA 30312
USA

I’m looking for actual experience from cruisers. 

I'm looking at booking a Sixthman cruise on the Gem in 2024.  The presale is next week and I've never done a Sixthman cruise before.  I am saphire and I do see that I get some of my benefits, but I have many questions that I cannot find answers to and was hoping someone with experience could fill in some blanks.

1.  I saw that I get a 30% discount on the drink package which I assume is not included in the pricing.  If there are 3 of us in my cabin will the discount be for all 3 of us?

2.  The website gives 3 ways to pay.  All at once, quarterly or monthly.  All starting as soon as you book.  Do they offer the same cancellation policy as NCL normally does.  I don't mind paying in advance, but the cruise is November 2024 and that's a long way off.

3.  The website only shows pricing for the cabins.  Are the drink packages the same as a normal NCL Cruise?

4.  On a typical Sixthman cruise are most of the activities an extra cost? (photos with guest, crafts, panels)

5.  I usually get trip insurance, does Sixthman offer their own or is it NCL insurance.

6.  What is usually included in the Sixthman fare?

Any other information regarding Sixthman will be greatly appreciated.  

I'm planning to book the Gem in 2024 for a Sixthman cruise for my mom.  I am Saphire, will I get any of the benefits of the Laititudes program on a Sixthman cruise?

34 minutes ago, Sinbadssailors said:

They take photos before dinner and then present them in a special Teppanyaki-themed folder before dessert. For purchase of course.

 

It's time consuming and annoying and happened the last two times on two different ships.

On the Bliss on the April 22nd sailing we ate at Teppanyaki, Food Republic, Cagney's, Ocean Blue and American Diner and it only happened at Cagney's.  This time instead of the hard sell at dinner is was just included in our pictures at the photo center.  

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

Yes…I believe so.  

 

I spent a lot of hours at the OL, too.  It was my go to place.  Always parked myself by one of the big windows or at the bar.

 

LOVED the chocolate muffins they had in the a.m.  Added a bowl of fruit, a Bloody, and my day was off to the races.

 

😉

Hi!.  Yes it was the April 22nd cruise and I was at the meet and greet.  I will say the Bar staff in the OL as on the rest of the ship was fantatic!  I think I had set the bar really high for the OL going in as the Escape, Getaway, Breakaway and Epic I usually sail on do not have one and I was really looking forward to enjoying the experience.  For me they kept the temp in there way to hot.  I think the space could be used better IMHO.  I problaby will go back to the other ships in the future but the Go Carts were cool!

13 hours ago, fmrlkr said:

As a professional working in the not for profit industry for the last 35 years, I have spent my fair share of time in both "flop houses" and "homeless camps."  I definately cannot say that the Observation Lounge looked like either of these actual, very real crisis locations.  Was it crowded?  Yes, at times.  Did the people enjoying their time in a location, that provided both shelter and food, which they had paid for, seem to be enjoying themselves, as they had the right to?  Yes, yes they did.  Please consider, rather than throwing around hyperbole, a statement such as..." it was so crowded with people who got there and claimed crairs before I was able to claim my own chair."

If it were just "people who got there before me and got a seat" as you claim but were not there, it would be what I said. It was people who lay with their head to feet on a whold couch sleeping in a public area. 

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

So, you picked the absolute worst time to use the OL?

The whole week I never found a time it didn’t feel like a homeless camp 🤷🏻‍♀️. Maybe if we’d been there at 5:30 am and “reserved “ seats before people came to sleep all over them. But as mentioned previously it was as hot as a sauna in there anyway. 

I've sailed NCL many times, but this was my first time on the Bliss.  It is a very large ship and can get crowded in certain places.  We were able to work our way around this and never really felt the burden of the large ship and almost 100% capacity, but it takes some planning.  The ship is lovely.  The crew is great and the food is amazing.  Alaska never fails to impress and delight.  A couple let downs from the Bliss were the  thermal suite and observation lounge.  I was excited to see both the thermal suite and the observation lounge on this big ship.  I usually get a Thermal Suite pass, especially in Alaska.  But this thermal suite was so small and disappointing.  We went on a tour and I thought maybe me missed part of it.  It felt very small and cramped compared to the Epic, Escape and Breakaway.  By far the biggest let down was the observation lounge.  It is basically a flop house for anyone not wanting to be in their cabin.  People sleeping on chairs and couches.  More chair hogs than the pool deck in the Caribbean.   The food they put out is the same everyday and not at all appetizing.  It really feels like wasted space.  The worst part of the service was the change to once a day room cleanings.   We were three women in one Club Balcony Suite.  I asked NCL before and after booking about the set up and take down of the extra bed each day and was assured it would be done even though there was only one service per day.  This was a lie and it was never done not once.  The couch being a bed basically made the room unusable for anything but sleeping the entire cruise.  

Embarkation was organized and fast.  Debarkation was a mess.  Luckily I went down to ask and realized what was going on.  We got of quickly after.  I don't think the big ships are right for Alaska.  I did the Jewel in Alaska last time and I will return to that size ship for all future Alaska cruises.

Another vote for Alaska!  Spain and Italy were beautiful also. Finland, Sweden and Copenhagen were all disappointing imo

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Chicken Salad Lunch…it’s VERY GOOD!

Glad you made it!!  See you tomorrow!!

Yes. I alway bring snacks. 

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

You know what day it is?  Well…do ‘ya?

 

It’s the day before SAILAWAY.

 

Because of a prior commitment this evening to my darling sister, I can not fly out until tomorrow.

 

I know….I know….doom and gloom posts can begin here.

 

But, just got word that Delta upgraded me to first class.  Weather looks clear.  So, something is going right.

 

What that also means is double and triple checking my packing and lists.

 

 

-DL2061 from CVG to DTW-6:05 a.m. departure

-DL0857 from DTW to SEA-8:30 a.m. arrive SEA 10:37 a.m.

 

Pre booked transport to the pier.  All carry on so no waiting for luggage.  Everything looks on time

We have a direct flight from Fort Lauderdal tonight and I'm freaking out about delays.  You my new friend are BRAVE.  Hope to see you at the Meet and Greet!!

8 hours ago, pc_load_letter said:

Six put me to sleep.

After a day of drinking on the ship I fell asleep in Burn the Floor (which I loved).  So sleeping is not always a sign of a bad show.  LOL

18 hours ago, Hutcha said:

  

NCL is a publicly traded company. It would be considered fraud, and a scandal, if they misdirected the money to something else.

 

Not sure why you're so passionate about it, if you've only had to do it twice. If you know it goes somewhere else, why do you leave it on? 

 

I can't believe I'm acutually getting into this conversation but just because it is a publicly traded company does not mean the money you pay for your cruise gratuities goes to the people that serve you.  They can pool all the money from all the ships and award people based on time on ships, level of job and from what I've "been told" Comment cards goes into the calculation.  That being said before Covid I was sailing about 4 times a year and have never considered removing fees "my choice".  However, based on what I've been reading on these boards lately about the service and my personal experiece last September on the Getaway I can understand.  It may possbily be the only way to get NCL to pay attention to the lack of care passengers are getting.  

13 minutes ago, depplep said:

I've noticed a lot of you cruise Alaska frequently. What do you do in port after you've been there a couple of times? I feel like this is a once or twice in a lifetime destination for us. 

Hi there!  I'm also a Steeler fan living in Florida.  This is my fourth time to Alaska.  My first time was going to be a once in a lifetime trip.  Once there, that changes for many.  I've been to a lot of places but Alaska is by far the most beautiful.  I"ve done my share of Whale watching.  But every time we find something new depending on what month we go.  Helicopter to a Glacier, Float plane to see Bears, wild life viewing trips and of course shopping.  This time we are trying the Train in Skagway, mushers camp and kayaking.  Already planning my next trip in my head.  

6 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I get it.  If I had a cabin with more than 2 people staying in it, I may view it differently.  As of right now, no harm-no foul!

 

It's good to read that others are off to a grand start to the Alaska season on the Bliss.

 

I just pulled out my roll aboard.  That means laundry and packing come next.

I packed on Sunday.  Woke up this morning realizing everything I forgot.  Plan to repack tonight after work.  Flying out on Friday.

17 hours ago, graphicguy said:

I don't have a traditional drink once I'm on board and settled in.  I'm a beer and bourbon kind of guy.  Thinking of getting something "foo-foo" as a new tradition.  Have to ponder, and am open for suggestions.

I'm a simple Jack and Diet Coke kind a girl.  But in Alaska I've been know to have a Hot Chocolate with Baileys.  The Carribean is aways a Margaritta.  Let your festive mood dictate you beverage.