luv2kroooz

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.

It clearly is time to revisit value. Truth be told, we really don't even require the services of a stateroom steward or the excessive fees that come with him or her at this point. We are adults and can keep our stateroom tidy for seven or ten days just like we do at our condo rentals when we do land based vacations. We can invest one minute a day to make our beds each morning. We have the app for show schedules. The only thing we may require is a towel refresh mid week and would be pleased to provide a small gratuity for the towel exchange service. Don't call us; we'll call you approach. I like how this sounds. Plus, it is one less room that the overworked crew on NCL has to deal with.

Agree with above. Half Moon.

I don't disagree with you. In fact, I think it is fair to expect to pay more for anything. But I see a difference with the cruise lines. What we are seeing with the cruise lines is higher prices with reduced/decreased vacation experience. In your example, yes, you will pay more for a large diet coke, unless you go to McDonalds which is still $1, but you still end up with a large diet coke at the end of the day. Or you might pay more for your airfare, but you'll still fly in a 737 to your final destination. I feel like with cruises you are paying more but getting less.....if they want me to pay higher daily service charges due to inflation, I get it, but don't give me less service; if you want me to pay a higher price for a beverage package, cool, but don't simultaneously take certain spirits off of the included offerings, if you want me to pay $9 for a side of zucchini in a specialty restaurant, well, never, but don't give me three slices of zucchini. Give me three zucchinis...lol.

It depends. If you are comparing the per person per day market price, NCL leads the way at $109 per person per day plus a 20% gratuity. I think Celebrity is also $109. If you are looking to bundle, it gets more complicated. RCL doesn't bundle so yes, very expensive compared to NCL. Your best bundle deals are probably going to be MSC which does not charge gratuities on their all in and includes bottled water, sparkling water, specialty coffee. Also, if you can get a VIFP offer from Carnival that includes cheers on us, it also includes the gratuities and a wider selection of choices....milkshakes, coffees, water, drinks up to $20. NCL can be a decent value but you have to figure in the $21.80 per person per day charge and also understand that you don't get unlimited water, specialty coffees, and you'll need to pay more for a decent glass of wine and some spirits. In the end, I think it depends on what you are looking for in a drink package.

NCL wants customers that couldn't care less about what something costs and for good reason. Think this through..... You get a meal included with your base fare which you presumably don't eat when you go to a specialty restaurant, then you pay an additional fee for the privilege to eat at the specialty restaurant, and then you pay a third fee or upcharge when you get to the restaurant. It is fee on top of fee on top of fee for just one meal....not to mention the service charge you paid for the meal you didn't eat in the dining room plus the service charge on your specialty restaurant meal and then the third service charge on the upcharged entree or side. Yikes... This is definitely the customer that Frank wants though....yes, he is calling the shots for NCL, not Harry. Every time I see him in CNBC, he speaks in the first person....My ships, My crew, etc. He wants people with "fresh wallets" ready, able and willing to spend. Time will tell if there are enough people that will buy in to his stated strategy. Happy cruising.

Agree totally. Cruises were always marketed as great value, with included meals, lodging, and the opportunity to see the world. We have cruised from Hawaii to Europe to multiple transatlantic crossings. It is too sad to read and hear about the modern day cruise experience. I am so happy that we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity pre Corona to see places by cruise ship at tremendous value.

LOL!....we "recently committed to pursuing net zero greenhouse gas emissions across our operations and value chain by 2050." so we are changing your itinerary 27 years before 2050. Who writes this stuff over at NCL?

As a backup, take your documents with you. A few years ago, we ended up booking a last minute back to back cruise while onboard for week 1. Either cruise next or guest services (I can't remember which one) worked directly with Miami on our behalf to get the OBC applied for Week 2. If you get onboard and don't have you credit, maybe guest services can reach out to Miami to get your credit posted. Good luck!!

Yes, I remember that. It was San Juan on the Eastern run and Cozumel til midnight on the Western run. We had some crazy, amazing fun late nights in port and then it was back on board for the deck party at midnight. Those were fun times for sure!!

Just when I thought I had seen it all.....shouldn't they be optimizing their carbon footprint on itineraries that have not yet been marketed to the general public? It is the classic example of booking X and getting something less. With the masses lining up to get off the vessel in San Juan at 4pm and an all aboard time of now 9pm, this is effectively a busted port call. 4-1000 wasn't terribly generous, but 4-9 is a quick walk around Old San Juan. Too bad.

All cruise lines are experiencing severe financial strain due to significant debt acquired during and post COVID. Additionally, the public demand for cruising has not yet returned to pre COVID. Cruise lines are reacting by cutting services, entertainment, workforce, and other costs while intentionally raising fees for internet, beverage packages, daily service charges. It is across the board service cuts and material fee increases on a weekly basis by every cruise line. We have zero cruises booked on any cruise line since the overall fares charged are no longer justified by the vacation delivered, in our opinion. We are not against paying more if more is delivered in the experience. Right now, the environment is pay more, get less. Pay more for internet, get crappy speeds; pay more for beverage packages, get less selection; pay more for service charges, get less service; pay more for specialty dining, get fewer meals. NCL makes so many changes to itineraries and onboard product offering that we don't even know what we are booking anymore.

Yes, Crown is showing as included on NCLs website and flyer dated 12.23.22. https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/beverage-packages

Congratulations. Nice upgrade for a nice price!! Enjoy your cruise.

I think it is probably good advice. No one on here is going to be able to predict what may be available on board your sailing. There are lots of threads here about the availability of the premium plus branded liquors. Sometimes they are available, other times they are not and disruption to the supply chain is attributed to the shortage. You will be limited to what is currently in stock, onboard the ship. I believe you can delay purchasing your upgrade until you are onboard and have an opportunity to clearly understand exactly what is available and what you are paying for? Norwegian is changing the rules over and again with multiple revisions per month. Seems wrong to pay for premium only to find out something less than premium is available.

NCL ships have historically repositioned to Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean during summer months. Summer months is low season, hurricane season in the Caribbean.

Anything up in the garden cafe Vitality dispensers is included, such as orange and apple juice from concentrate. Any juices that might be available at a bar that could be used for a mixed drink - for example, cranberry juice, tomato juice, grapefruit juice. etc. You are correct that it does include any fresh squeezed juices.