sanger727

You won't get anything additional from NCL. However, different TAs offer different pricing and/or incentives. You can shop around to a few TAs and may find one offering a better deal. As @leaveitallbehind said, pricing will be based on their access to group rates. But you may find one TA offers nothing extra and other offers extra OBC.

The "right" thing in this context also means that Celebrity will have a near empty ship next week. There is no option that is "fair" to everyone.

I know Cuba requires a passport, and there is one other island that frequently is mentioned that requires a passport. I can't recall it off the top of my head.

It's always the traveler's responsibility to know what documentation is required for each country visited. Don't forget that in many countries, you are also responsible for getting a visa. This is completely on you and there is absolutely no reason for why they should refund you. If you want to try and salvage this trip, your only option at this point is to appear in person at a passport center.

I didn't miss the point. Looking through Carnival's drink menus, it appears that most cocktails and glasses of wine range from $10-$13. So, on the high end, 5 drinks is $65, not $75. Which is still less than the cost of cheers with the price increase. Your argument was that a nice bar charges up to $75 for 5 drinks; who cares? That's not what you would pay on Carnival so its irrelevant.

Sure there is an economic reason. It takes a lot less staffing to stock one fridge in the retreat lounge (even if you have to fill more often) than 200 fridges in sky suites.

This argument is irrelevant. Your choice is to pay for cheers or Carnival's drink prices. If Carnival doesn't charge $18 for a martini, then it doesn't matter what you might pay for it in a fancy bar.

It seems pretty clear that their issues were based less around the "food quality going downhill" and more around the service levels. The one thing they didn't complain about was the taste and quality of the food. I also take reviews with a grain of salt when they complain about things that have been true about cruises for a long time - being packed like cattle, extra charges, illnesses spreading. Those are not new cruising issues.

Not having sunlight coming in is one of the benefits of booking an inside room.

Failure to have your passport would not have resulted in any reduction of services. But they would like an identity and address for you to bill you. I am a first responder and a vast majority of people the fire department transports will never pay a bill for it (they will get one, they just won't pay it). So they do try to collect from people who have the means to pay.

If I was your wife, I would only be upset that you seem to think this is your decision to make. This should be a discussion and come to an agreement between the two of you. I would be very unhappy if my husband made a $2,500 decision without us agreeing on it. Did you really think that telling her that strangers on the internet think it's a waste of money would affect her thoughts?

It seems like the spa access is your main sticking point. If you don't want your daughter to feel excluded, why not change your room to one that doesn't have thermal suite access? Use any cost savings to treat her to a spa treatment.

It's standard practice in the US to present identification and proof of insurance upon hospital admission. Fire departments also charge for transportation to a hospital so they often request it as well, but not showing it won't stop them from transporting you. Most locations have a "public" hospital where the fire department will take you if you don't have insurance. So, especially with an out of country tourist, it's helpful for them to know whether or not you have insurance. Technically speaking If you don't present the documents, any hospital will treat you to the point of being stable. But you will be shooed out quickly after that if you don't have proof of identity other means to pay the bill.

Plant based meat doesn't smell much like it's meat based counterparts. The taste is also questionably related. Not hating, I was a vegetarian for 12 years and then started eating meat again. I still have a preference for the texture of most fake meat products over real meat. If someone is used to eating meat and tries a fake meat substitute, they will be disappointed. If someone is used to not eating meat and tries a fake meat substitute, they have much better taste and texture than tofu or other vegan protein sources.

No problem. The original post was about ordering water through room service.

room service is never covered. You can stop at any bar and get a bottle of water for free with cheers.

I've never had an issue with packaged snacks (unopened or opened). The main restriction is taking them off in port, not in bringing them on to the ship. This is what Carnival officially says about it: Due to concerns for food safety and contamination prevention, any food items brought on board must be pre-packaged and unopened. Homemade items or pre-cooked foods are not allowed. We are unable to provide food preparation, refrigeration or storage for personal food or beverage items

but only the parents need to go to the notary. I agree that this shouldn’t be on you to pay for. You are taking their children on a cruise and they should deal w the legal documents needed like passports and consent forms. Also, agree with the other posters that my experience is that a bank that I have an account at will notorize for free.

This presumes that you have neighbors or that your neighbors are not also getting up themselves. I could bring a book but then I'd have to carry it around with me or return to the room.

Uh, no, It won't cost "nothing". A cabin that they could have sold for $2,500 is now sailing empty. If they essentially refund that by crediting it against a new cruise, that's $2,500 out of their pocket.

A dispute with the credit card isn't going to help the OP get their excursions re-booked or ensure that they have a zero balance come final payment time. If anything, it will just get their booking cancelled.

I've heard this before but don't think it's a factor. In the US you are certainly taxed inclusive with your tips. The only reason people say they don't pay taxes on their tips is if they don't report them - which is tax fraud. It's hard to believe that other countries wouldn't tax the full income.

The problem with making multiple trips is if you are by yourself. When the buffet is busy, If you leave a used plate on a table; it will be gone and the table will be taken by the time you get back. As long as you have someone else with you, you can take turns. But I get what the OP is saying, I often have breakfast on my own because I'm an early riser.

you're right. I am definitely not following how this scam works. But that's ok. If it ever happens to me I am sure I will figure it out.

If you pre-book are you eligible for the discount? I've always seen it advertised onboard where if you book multiple treatments then they are discounted.