luv2kroooz

Never say never! Had we not had a Florida vacation planned, the Gem NY departures looked very attractive. A back to back to back - there was a 9 day roundtrip New York that left yesterday, interior sailaway, $399, then a 12 day one-way from NYC to Panama leaving on Jan 25 for $419, then an 11 day one way back to NYC from Panama for $399. That's $1,217 for a 32 day cruise! Port charges will probably more than double the fare due to the canal, but still might be the best base fare deal we've ever seen. Throw in a FCC and shareholder credit and we would sail NCL at that price point. NYC is a drive to port for us, too. If only we had the time. 🙂 I guess the "discount to fill" mentality has not been fully abandoned, after all. PS - No single supplements either!!

I believe NCL installed exhaust scrubbers on Getaway (and Breakaway) during the Corona shutdown. I remember seeing pictures post-installation that the height of exhaust stack was shortened. This reduction in height may be causing the toxic exhaust gasses to blow down onto the aft deck - Spice. It is probably not a good idea to be back there breathing in the sulfer and carbon from the exhaust stack.

The reality of the current situation is that NCL is making an above average number of non emergency itinerary changes as you have correctly noted. You have to go in with an " eyes wide open" approach, expecting itinerary changes. Right or wrong, it is happening and will likely continue. If you are open to other cruise lines, I would research them. I think you will discover less itinerary changes in the name of port congestion, safety concerns, and green initiatives. Alternatively, you can roll the dice and hope for the best. Hope it all works out whatever decision you make!

"Is changing itineraries to not call at Taino Bay an "emergency"?" It may have been an emergency a few months ago. It certainly isn't an emergency anymore. If the port can't safely accommodate ships, then it needs to be removed from the itineraries now. It is a known issue. If NCL continues to deceptively market itineraries with Taino Bay with no intention of taking us there, that is unethical. It is also unethical to announce itinerary changes two or three days after final payment due date. The coincidence of this repeated behavior is not lost on most fair minded people. This isn't theory, either. It happens over and again and is well documented in these threads. Lastly, well intentioned environmental initiatives are applauded. However, these initiatives could be implemented on itineraries currently being developed which have zero impact to paying passengers. Leave the published itineraries alone. Classic examples of paying X and then getting something less on NCL for their convenience, not ours.

Could be either. Sometimes they will adjust the cruising speed. If there is an open berth at the next port, they may be able to get in early. I think that happened to us on a cruise. It was too windy/strong currents to tender into great stirrup. Our next scheduled port was Nassau. We left great stirrup around 8 or 9 am due to the winds/currents. Captain was able to get us into Nassau by 8 pm and we stayed there overnight and the following day.

Let the buyer beware!! Ports of call are just suggestions on NCL. There have been more changes in the recent past. They regularly alter itineraries and ports of call in the name of their sail and sustain environmental initiatives, port congestion, etc. Many of the changes l have seen were announced after final payment date when passengers can not cancel without financial penalty. Some announced at embarkation via letter. Itinerary changes due to weather medevac are outside of the control of the cruise lines and are typically made for safety of all in board. These are understandable, expected changes. However, NCL chooses to implement their green initiatives on itineraries that are inside of final payment where there is financial impact to booked guests. Additionally, they could carefully plan their itinerary details prior to opening cruises for booking to ensure there are no port conflicts. Often times, the conflicts are created by other NCL vessels. That reflects poorly on NCL.

Correct. Things have changed. Norwegians night out was the title for the night, usually the first sea day, where guests were encouraged to dress up. You could get pics with the captain and I think it was sponsored by Skyy or Svedka and you could get $1 off drinks. This has been done away with and you are free to dress up or not on any night of your cruise. Have a good July cruise.

It is a fair inquiry. However, the only person with first hand knowledge of this is Norwegian Cruise Lines. None of the cruise lines are transparent about what they actually do with the tips, how much the crew gets, if the crew is penalized if you tip in cash. If they were transparent, then it would be simple for everyone. You simply do what feels right to you in a deliberate and intentional way. There is no need to be in distress about your vacation. Leave what you feel is appropriate. That might be different for you and me, that is quite alright. After that, what does or doesn't happen is outside of your control and what NCL requires him or her to do or not do with tips is an employment matter between the crew and NCL. Have a great cruise!!

Gotta love Don!! For the passenger, it sucks. The cruise lines took on so much debt during the Corona shutdown and in order to repay it, they need cash flow. They continue to raise fares, change itineraries in the name of the environment, and cut costs, (except Frank Del Rio' $20 million compensation package, which he received despite being overwhelmingly rejected by NCLH shareholders back in June 2022). Who knows if what they have done to date will be enough. Time will tell. Furthermore, customer demand has not returned to pre Corona levels and likely isn't going to do so anytime soon. These types of continued reductions to service and onboard experiences coupled with increasing cruise fares will predictably drive educated, fair-minded passengers to other cruise options or a different vacation offering altogether. As with anything, there will always be blind loyalists who will continue to sail with NCL. We leave for a two week land based resort vacation in Florida in three weeks. It is different from what a cruise used to be, but we really don't support what the cruise experience has become anyway. We work hard for our vacation dollars and choose to spend them in a way that gives us the most enjoyment. I hope you have an enjoyable cruise. There is a live from Getaway 1-8-23 thread on these boards. The dailies are posted. In general, the headliner nightly entertainment after 9 days has been three rotating comedians, Burn the Floor, a movie, or a concert tribute to Broadway. I would have a look at the adjusted entertainment experience so you can at least reset your expectations for what is currently being offered and then make a plan to make the best of it.

It could mean pay more, get less. Actually, if they eliminate shows, it would be pay more, get nothing, Maybe the Broadway shows will return at some point with a general admission fee, say $20 or so. Priority seating for $50. Plus a 20% service charge, for our convenience. The entire cruise industry is being reinvented due to Corona.

I think they are required to be refunded, Now, whether or not that results in a true cash refund to the passengers is explained in the post immediately preceding this one.

Entertainment is in a state of being reimagined on NCL. They have terminated certain cast that performed in the headliners shows. There are likely more layoffs ahead. It has recently been reported by NCL that they are "transition(ing) from operating in a "relaunch" mode to a steadier state of operations." Their words, not mine! I suppose there is no need to pre-book entertainment that may never be offered. It could also lead to disgruntled passengers when their booked entertainment is subsequently cancelled.

I have been following along on the live thread for Getaway 1-8-23. This is a twelve night sailing. I think they are seven or so nights in at the time I am typing this. The posted freestyle dailies shed a lot of insight to current entertainment. They have yet to have one " fly-on" entertainer in the main theater. Maybe the fly on acts have already been eliminated, too. They've had three nights of burn the floor. Three nights of the comedy, which are the same comedians that perform in Headliners comedy club. And a movie. Live lounge entertainment has also been drastically reduced. There is one cover band, a duo or two and a pianist. It looks to me like the band that used to play in the Manhattan room or more formal main dining room has been eliminated. That is now shared among the onboard bands mentioned above. I, too, am wondering about the situation over at NCLH in general and NCL specifically. I guess the 4q results will tell a lot. When Mr. Del Rio spoke to investors a few months ago, he used words like record bookings, record yields, and prices 30% higher than the previous record year of 2019. They had a clear path to profitability he proudly announced. Expectedly, he didn't mention anything about the significantly reduced onboard experiences and pending layoffs of shoreside employees right before Christmas, entertainment staff and crew. Again, 4q results will shed light. This may not impact those who don't care about entertainment. For us, we enjoy entertainment and the live music and these were things that NCL did really well pre-Corona.

My understanding is that certain menu items carry a dining plan supplement or surcharge. The printed menu is in this thread. If you select one of the surcharge items, you will be charged the supplement price as stated on the menu. For your convenience, NCL will also add an additional 20% gratuity or service charge on top of the 20% you've already paid pre-cruise.

Sure, you can take two registered devices anywhere on the ship.

Gem is a great ship and nicely sized. Next sailings currently look to be undersold, which makes for a nicer onboard experience.

We have seen it on Vista class. It seems to present when winds are calm and the ship is moving slowly. The funnel was literally spitting ash all over the jogging track. The crew was trying hard to keep the track clean, but it really was hopeless

Thought I was being cross examined in a court of law...lol!!

Yawn. Happy cruising!!

Hello. I posted the price of a shot of liquor on a comparative basis. I didn't mention anything about operational costs, did you? If I wanted to learn about operating costs, the biggest of which is fuel, I would probably start with the financial statements, not the price of a shot of liquor.

Just back from the Oceania boards. Oceania is NCLs sister cruise line. Oceania: Bailey's $11, Crown Royal $11, Woodford $12. NCL Bailey's $16, Crown Royal $16, Woodford $23 Hmmmmm.

Only on NCL. Their sister company Oceania sells Woodford for $12. Think about that for a minute.

That is a great question! "Feel free" to disregard the chatter from blind loyalists. The reality of the situation is that if they announce changes prior to final payment, then the guest has an opportunity to cancel their cruise, which adversely impacts the financial health of the cruiseline. Better said, the cruiseline is only looking out for one person - hint....it isn't you, the customer. Especially NCL, which over and again, casually makes post-final-payment-date itinerary changes in the name of port congestion, green initiatives, etc. Ports of call are merely a suggestion on NCL. Future bookings for us, if at all, will happen very last minute so we can mitigate some of the uncertainty surrounding the vacation product that NCL offers - is this entree an upcharge? is my cruise going to Puerto Plata or not? does anyone know if we get water with the bev package? is crown royal included in the drink package? Is Syd's band playing this week? Can you get a soup and salad instead of an appetizer with the new dining plan rules? The fact that many families invest thousands of dollars in this vacation experience is not lost on us.

So...after 20 or so replies, is it any more clear to you? I didn't think so. Tipping is a very personal and intentional decision. Do what feels right to you. Then you'll always get it "right"! Have a wonderful cruise!!

Ugh! Getaway Theater entertainment not looking too good so far. First two nights of comedy from the same guys that work the comedy club, burn the floor on night 3, and a movie on night 4. Hopefully it will improve over the next 8 nights.