thistimeplease

A thread like this always makes me wonder why people are so concerned with what others do?  I can't imagine spending my vacation taking photos of people other than my family.  Do you really have nothing better to do on vacay then think of what you'll write on FB or CC?  I don't remember any of the things that were bothersome on vacay only the positives. 

1 hour ago, PortFees45 said:

I don't do stupid things in public places. That's kind of the point. 

You think you don't but I wonder what others think?

1 hour ago, KateQ22003 said:

This is just not true. There are many people (myself included) who have compromised immune systems. I have to be very careful about cleanliness and the possibility of picking up something that I don't have the white cells to fight off. Feet don't belong on furniture; neither do open mouths.

Maybe you shouldn't cruise  as there are so many germs on a cruise ship, not just the chairs and loungers.  My dil will not cruise as she has a very compromised immune system and won't take the chance. 

Sorry but I think there are bigger issues to complain about but I guess people will complain about anything.

56 minutes ago, cruisinmeme said:

This is beyond sad but hello shouldn’t grandpa be able to tell the difference in glass and open air. This is how it goes these days, dont watch the kids and blame someone else. Before long people will have to sign wavers that they will not hold the cruise line responsible for what parents should be doing.

again it is awful this poor child died, i get that. 

Please don't make assumptions, we weren't there and really have no idea what happened.  According to the news the whole family has had to sedated so not sure you're going to get a accurate accounting of what actually happened.  Of course they're looking to blame someone their baby died.  I think you should wait before making judgement.

1 hour ago, GA Dave said:

See Ticket Contract, paragraph 6, section (c).

(c) Itinerary Deviation: The Guest agrees that the Carrier has the sole discretion and liberty to direct
the movements of the vessel, including the rights to: proceed without pilots and tow, and assist other
vessels in all situations; deviate from the purchased voyage or the normal course for any purpose,
including, without limitation, in the interest of Guests or of the vessel, or to save life or property; put
in at any unscheduled or unadvertised port; cancel any scheduled call at any port for any reason and at
any time before, during or after sailing of the vessel; omit, advance or delay landing at any scheduled
or advertised port; return to port of embarkation or to any port previously visited if the Carrier deems
it prudent to do so; substitute another vessel or port(s) of call without prior notice and without
incurring any liability to the Guest on account thereof for any loss, damage or delay whatsoever,
whether consequential or otherwise.

Blah, blah, blah, blah.......

mobilegb12 I totally agree with you, hopefully NCL did something to help those stranded.

3 hours ago, newmexicoNita said:

sorry you had such a bad experience with the Breakaway. We did not have that, though I do think some NCL ships have better and more friendly crew members than the Breakaway. That being said, we have run into some pretty rude crew members on other cruise lines as well. 

 

Was this your first NCL cruise? Don't judge an entire line by a few jerks.  

Our experience with rudeness on any ship has more to do with rude passengers, not rude crew members. On our only Breakaway cruise that is exactly what we had: 2254 kids running all over the ship, bad weather and very rude passengers I can understand why there were some crew members that were not very pleasant.  

I agree with you on different ships.  We cruised the GA out of Miami last summer and while the crew did their job and didn't seem rude they weren't what we've come to expect for NCL crew members.  Our steward left a lot to be desired and we ended up not tipping any extra, which is a first for us.  We thought maybe it was a Miami thing.

32 minutes ago, Kharwood said:

Thank you! It looks like something my husband would want to do! He likes the Jeep/4x4 tours and I like the tequila and lunch! As long as he is able to drive he will love it! 

My husband was the same way and he loved driving the trike. The Trikes are pretty new and very well maintained. 

Yes it is Trikes Cozumel.  We did have a guide who was awesome.  It ended up being just hubby and myself but it usually is a group excursion.  The guide toured Cozumel with numerous stops along the way.  We finished with lunch and a tequila tasting and then they brought us back to the ship and dropped us at the port entrance (also where they picked up us).  I would definitely do this excursion again. 

10 minutes ago, ronbe65 said:

Hi Thistimeplease,

I am not sure where you could read that.

Actually it's hard to find ships that are more different than Anthem (3.5*) and Breakaway (4* until the sun deck is closed off).

The Anthem is almost "totally" closed in. I call this a ship of roofs. 

The Breakaway is totally open to the sea.

Whatever you look at (dining model, cabins, pools, sports facilities, spa, entertainment setup, promenade deck, class division) - all is different.

By design the Anthem is the least suitable ship for the Caribbean. This ship is out of our cruising plans due to lack of adequate open deck space and quality spa. The food is acceptable. Shows are excellent.

We prefer the Breakaway (preferred the Getaway before changes).

 

Happy cruising!

Well I guess I'll be finding out soon enough, numerous people have actually told us they prefer the Anthem to BA/GA and they've cruised both.  We love the BA and it is our favorite ship so far but I love the fact that I am cruising a new itinerary for a lot less money.  We love the NCL product but will cruise a ship that offers a itinerary and price we like.  Keeping fingers crossed we enjoy Anthem as much as we enjoyed BA/GA.

We did Maya Chan in Costa Maya and thought it was great but our favorite excursion to date was Trikes-Bikes in Cozumel.  It was unbelievable and we never felt unsafe at all.  Read the reviews on Trip Advisor they're great.

2 hours ago, PortFees45 said:

Has little to do with the trinkets. I sail out of NYC, and NCL is the only line with year-round cruises.

 

But to contrast, last year I'd been on 6 NCL cruises at this point. This year I've been on 1. And whereas I never paid any attention to the beautiful Anthem of the Seas across the river in New Jersey, I'm now seriously considering booking it this fall instead of NCL. 

We are leaving on the Anthem in August after only cruising NCL up to this point.  I can't wait to see the differences although from everything I read they are more alike than different.  The price on Anthem with the drink package was almost $700 cheaper and we're doing a different itinerary.

21 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

When someone posts "we work hard all year", it is a comment about THEM. It has nothing to do with what others do or don't do.

 

If someone posts "I enjoy riding a motorcycle", it doesn't mean that they feel that those who drive a car don't enjoy riding a motorcycle.

In the context that it has been used on these boards it most definitely has to do with what others do or don't do.  Almost everytime a thread has been made regarding the Haven the statement "we work hard all year" is brought up.  I don't care what room someone chooses for their cruise but I do believe that most cruisers "work hard all year" and choose their rooms based on what they desire not because they didn't work as hard as others. 

26 minutes ago, RickinNYC said:

When we were younger and not making much money, we sailed in inside cabins.  When our income and priorities changed, we started booking ocean view, then followed by balconies.  Now that we're in our 50's and have a much higher income, we now sail in Haven class.  Are we now wealthy?  Not by any stretch.  But my husband and I work damn hard throughout the year, so we intend to spend our time and money in a manner that suits us. We certainly won't apologize, and if the OP wants to view the various cabin levels as class levels, that's on him.

This post illustrates exactly what annoys me, the "we work hard all year" comment stated by most of those who stay in the Haven.  My dh and I also "work hard all year" we just choose to spend our money differently but this comment implies that those who don't stay in the Haven are not hardworking people.  We enjoy our balcony and have a great time in H20, not the Vibe. I honestly believe that most people who cruise "work hard all year".  RichinNYC I didn't mean to single you out but this comment has been made many times in the last few weeks in threads regarding the Haven and I agree you should spend your money the way you want just like the rest of us.

How can you take this review seriously when the OP says that the Horseshoe Bay was underwelding and the sand not so pink.  Lol

37 minutes ago, perditax said:

 

Maybe some of the posts have been deleted, but there is a regularly-occurring burst of posts suggesting that non-Haven customers, having not paid as much money, are 1) lowlifes 2) don’t have as much to lose and therefore 3) will probably use this as a means to gain access to unwitting victims. 

 

Unless this is your first time in this thread, I’m sure you saw some of them.

 

I’m not in favor of this policy (or really, any of the customer-hostile changes NCL has made since I started cruising), but I’m even less in favor of the suggestion that mass-market cruise ship passengers in one section of the ship need protection from those in another section. It’s vile.

 I saw most of them and couldn't agree with you more.

1 minute ago, ziggyuk said:

 

They certainly are not and I never said they were? Good story though!

 

Just stating I can book a cheap inside and enjoy the luxury of the vibe and haven on a budget.

I guess if you think 100 per night for dinner and the Vibe are a bargain you're right. 

I know on the BA and GA people came in after the show had started.  Felt bad for the performers and I thought it might be a distraction. 

28 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

So now you can pick up a cheap inside, spend the day in the vibe and evening in the Haven.

What's the problem with someone getting passes to the Vibe?  Are they off limits for people not in the Haven?   As for the dinner at the Haven it's at the discretion of the Concierge and I highly doubt someone will pay 100 per night to eat there.  I doubt they let many reserve as they know the battle they're in for from the Haven guest.

2 minutes ago, littlelulu01 said:

It’s not about being a snob or the right to complain only if you paid full fare vs upgrade advantage. It’s about a product advertised as quiet, tranquil, dedicated... 

 

a person booked in a spa balcony often pays considerably more than the same balcony next door without spa access. They paid more because they were sold spa access with the assumption they had access to a tranquil low crowd area of the ship.  In reality the spa will sell enough passes to potentially make the spa as crowded as the pool deck.  Everyone who holds a spa pass no matter how it was purchased, has the assumption they’ll get a tranquil spa experience.  I’ve had this type of typical experience but have also been in the spa when they had zero lockers available, the hot tubs were more packed than the outside free ones and they had zero place to sit.  At those times I thought what a waste of $249 for a week of tranquil spa time but at least it was not a 10k + mistake. 

 

If I’d paid thousands more for an upgrade advantage I’d be just as upset as the passengers paying 10’s of thousands more for the Haven stateroom from the get go. Both would rightfully be a bit upset to have paid that money for the dedicated service, venues, low crowds, intimate experience only to receive something very different once onboard. That’s not being a snob. It’s more being a little too gullible when being sold a product that isn’t delivering what they sold. 

 

Ncl’s Haven stands out in the crowd.  It’s a great product that folks are willing to try at really high prices. It’s up to ncl to protect that product but looks more like they have decided to forgo the brand for the sake of a few extra bucks per sailing. Seems short sighted but to each their own. 

As I said in my last post I agree but I don't agree with those complaining who only got to the Haven by winning a bid.  If it weren't for their winning the bid they'd be in steerage with the rest of us. Instead of looking down their noses at us maybe they should realize they just got lucky.

3 minutes ago, Shoppie124 said:

As long as the person has paid for their Haven room (full price, discount deals or bidding for an upgrade) they belong in the Haven Restaurant.

 

Allowing guests who are not Paid for the Haven experience, and pay an up charge is unacceptable.  The Haven Restaurant should be for Haven guests only and not become a specialty restaurant for the whole ship.  It has nothing to do with being snobby.  It has to do with being sold exclusivity and then they change their policy after you’ve paid thousands extra.

I agree with you but some of the posters here have certainly put out the opinion that because they are in the Haven they are superior to all others.  This is entirely untrue.  We don't bid or look for a room in the Haven because we feel it is a waste of our hard earned dollars.  We enjoy ourselves with our balcony room and have seen and met many wonderful people who weren't in the Haven.  I still don't agree with those who only got into the Haven by a bid complaining like they are and for a while that was a subject that many on these boards voiced. I have no desire to eat in the Haven restaurant and wouldn't pay this upcharge for it. 

I hope everyone who is upset realizes how snobby you all sound.  From this thread I think I am going to try and avoid anyone who is staying in the Haven as I don't think I want my kids exposed to your behavior.  I think that the only people who have a beef with this should be those who paid for the Haven from the start, not those that are going to be there because they won a bid.

From some of the comments regarding the Haven, and what people are going to do once onboard, people might want to read about the man who was asked to leave the ship after being rude and obnoxious to the crew.

We've sailed the BA, GA and the Jewel and have to say for us the BA is our favorite.  Since the GA is almost identical I have to say it was probably the itinerary that made us fall in love with the BA.  Thank goodness we gave cruising another try after our Jewel cruise because we didn't like that ship at all.  I guess what it comes down to is you, do you like the mega ships or a small ship.  We loved the BA and never found it crowded and that's with sailing in July. 

I've sailed on both and I agree with sid_9169.  We sailed BA out of NY twice and it was wonderful both times.  Of course going to Bermuda was a great port for us also.  We sailed GA out of Miami and did the Western Caribbean and the cruise was very quiet compared to the BA.  The ships were identical but I think the difference was that there were 4 ports on the GA and people were exhausted at the end of the day.  We also felt the staff and people were much friendlier on the BA. I really believe that the itinerary and embarking city have a lot to do with how you will view the ships.

We've done both itineraries but on the BA and GA.  Both cruises were great but I would probably pick the Encore with the Bermuda itinerary if they are comparable in price.  We loved both itineraries but there is something about a new ship that really entices me.  Either way the cruise will be wonderful.  If you have any questions regarding ports just ask away.