phillygwm

Sailed Western Caribbean last week. Time changed according to port. I would have preferred it be constant because I wasn't really looking at onshore clocks while on excursions, but I understand why they choose to do it.

Old thread but an interesting one. There was a similar thread about the "Dinner With the Officers" perk at Sapphire level and above. Personally, I don't like socializing with large groups -- at all. Part of that is social anxiety but I also have difficulty hearing when there's a lot of background noise, so I can't effectively communicate with anyone not next to/across from me. I just got off a cruise with my niece and I sucked it up and took her to Teppanyaki. I hated every minute, between the noise and the annoying drunk girl next to me. At dinner, I prefer to dine with friends and family. I enjoy socializing with people at bars, on excursions, etc. Of course, if we find each other annoying at the bar, we just speak with others or get up and go to another bar. But being stuck for an hour or two with people whom I find insufferable (or vice versa?) No thanks.

Is it me or is it impossible to post reviews to the NCL website? There's a spot to do so and I was going to give (good, bad, and meh) feedback on the excursions I did. The website continually times out when I try. Moreover, there usually aren't more than a few reviews on each option.

I think there many security plans which we're not necessarily privy to. I would be amazed if appropriate people at NCL (and other lines) aren't regularly in contact with law enforcement, if not national intelligence. When you embark/disembark from a port, there's usually a sign indicating the Marsec security level. IIRC, I've cruised when it was Level 2 without incident but the cruise I left yesterday was Level 1 in all ports that I noticed. OP should keep an eye on https://www.uscg.mil/what-is-marsec/ or the State Department website should they have any concerns as the date approaches. And, as an earlier post suggested, always have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place. Terrorism is waaaay down the list of nasty things that could happen on a cruise.

I just finished a cruise and never felt unsafe on the ship. While I might also have concerns over travelling to some parts of the world as an American, Bermuda would not be among them. I was on an excursion and the guy was handling allegators. He said that more people are killed by falling coconuts than by allegators each year. I think it's a good analogy: Some people watch too much news and are fearful of anything. The chances of you being killed in a terrorist attack aren't zero but it's pretty darn small. There are many daily activities which are potentially much more lethal.

Sure, while I don't have experience with them, E-Trade is as good as any brokerage, especially if it's just a small account with 100 shares of NCLH. I don't believe they charge commission. For different reasons, I have accounts with Fidelity and Schwab; I know those are commission free. Both are easy to setup and use. When you book your next cruise, you'll print out the form on the NCL website, send a copy of your brokerage statement showing the NCLH holding (blacking account your account number), and you're on your way.

Is there a period of time after which FAS+ isn't offered as an option? I sail in 3 days. I went in to mock book it for my niece but it's nowhere to be found. Premium Plus, dining packages, Internet upgrade...all there. But no reference to the package.

I would bid but not much. You get a few goodies, in addition to the larger bathroom: Free load of laundry, some candies, etc. You can place a value on that. I'd bid $100 max. If you're larger people, the bathroom may be worth more to you. I'm 6'0 240 and am very cramped in a balcony toilet, to the extent I couldn't close the door while...um...sitting. I'm in a cabin by myself so not a huge deal but the club upgrade is preferable if it isn't a lot of money.

No, 11/11 Joy

I made a note of this. Just got my doc to give me a scrip. My cruise isn't for another few weeks but I'll be prepared!

I know as much about sailing as I do brain surgery. I try not to second-guess the captain (or the neurosurgeon.) I assume they know more than I do. Should there have been a shipwide announcement, as opposed to the captain's daily briefing which some people don't hear? Yeah, probably. But I'm otherwise inclined to give the captain the benefit of the doubt; he's probably choosing from a series of sub-optimal scenarios. If you booked through NCL it would absolutely be refunded. Otherwise, I suppose it would depend on your travel insurance. I've also seen some third party tour operators guarantee refunds if the ship misses the port. I probably wouldn't consider an independent excursion if they didn't.

Glad to hear this. I'm one of those juveniles in his late 50s who asks for towel animals. Hopefully it isn't a dying art.

My only Alaska cruise, about 5 years ago, was the 2nd week in September. As I recall, it was the next to last sailing of the season. I know a number of shops were already closed. Is this the first year NCL is sailing this late? I know someone who booked this week next year...I tried to warn them!

Without question, your itinerary will be changed. This was a situation nobody expected 4 days ago and I'm sure it takes time to rearrange the logistics. Cruiseship berths are not like the Marriott, where you can arrange something on short notice or go to the next town over if one is at capacity. Yes, it sucks that you'll be forced to rearrange your itinerary on short-ish notice. Hopefully you have travel insurance to cover the increase in cost.

You can. I've checked in with friends who were lower status level. As long as they're with you, you won't get a hard time.

Every timeslot with an NFL game will be shown. On Thanksgiving, Sunday, and Monday night, where there are no conflicts, you know the games you'll see. The 1:00 and 4:00 ET games are luck of the draw. I remember watching in my cabin but it's also on in O'Sheehans/Local and possibly in the atrium and by the pool.

For me, personally, the right number is about 100 Euros in small bills. Enough for tips and maybe a taxi from the airport. If I were to run out, I'd hit a nearby ATM. Cards are accepted most places and usually what I'll use.

Maybe they're renumbering the cabins? Remember, since it was originally built for the Chinese market, no cabin number ends in 4 (being homophonous with the word for death.)

I see a couple ways around this: 1) Purchase CFs instead of CNs; 2) Purchase CNs at the end of the cruise, after you've exhausted your NROBC.

But I still saw the pricing on cruises through 3/24. So is the designation removed after that? Any word on what those balconies become (or what happens to pax who already booked them?)

But would you get it back in cash or a credit to your Amex? And if the latter, would they pull back the $200 credit? I've booked a preferred hotel and got the $200(?) credit. I then cancelled the reservation -- not by design -- and the $200 was not pulled back. Obviously, that's a different situation though

Nice. Just found it on my (Schwab) Platinum card. Looking forward to using it 🙂 FWIW, there's also a HAL offer for $300 back with $1000 spend.

After reading the solo balcony thread, I decided to look at an Alaska cruise I was considering on the Bliss for next Summer. Oddly, all Spa cabins show as sold out. I went back in time and they're available through March (there are no April Bliss sailings.) Sorry if I missed this thread somewhere but sounds like a reconfiguration? Anyone aware?

There is. It varies by ship but you can certainly ask the crew as you board.

My last cruise, on the Joy, was about a year ago. At the time, they did NOT have things like Pepcid, pain relievers, etc. I didn't notice whether or not they had sunscreen (we were in Canada!)