pickle11

3 minutes ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Only asking because of a rare mitochondrial disease that impacts energy production and metabolic needs. Just a matter of planning ahead to maintain energy levels and avoid life-threatening seizures. Different needs for different people. 
 

But I understand where you are coming from. I absolutely wish it wasn’t a consideration for our family and we could just go with flow regarding meals and food like most people. 

I understand.  We all have different needs.  I apologize.

2 minutes ago, dcipjr said:

 

 

We really enjoyed the shows on the Joy back in 2020, and they really pack 'em in. From the lines, you'd think NCL had booked the real Beatles!

Just close your eyes and sing along.  Nice to be young again.

On 11/5/2022 at 2:36 PM, CaptainBazz said:

No, not snacks, just drinks. You could probably bring something with you.

Please don't.   How many more places on a cruise ship do you need to eat at?

42 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

the sign in the elevator says it can hold 20+ people.

 

just form 4 rows of 5 people.

i might put markings on the floor for where people should stand then constantly ride that elevator during peak hrs (lunch/dinner) and see what happens. 😛

 

Lifeboat drill 

What good is a cheap cruise if you can't take it?

I laugh all the time when people think they know.  Who cares where the tips go.  Cruise lines like hotels find extra way to increase the price.  So you pay the price.  If the cruise lines want to say the extra charge is DSC so be it.  If they want to tell us how much it is, well that is good.   If you want to think that DSC is the same as tips, you have the right to do so.  And if at the end of the cruise you feel that you already paid tips, that is your right.  And those of you that like to tip additionally, great.

Having spent 25 years in the restaurant business, I know how hard it is to be in the customer service business.   I'm a morning person.  I even tip the deck hands who set up the lounge chairs every morning.  Fantastic conversation watching the sunrise now that is excellent customer service.  Or the same person every morning cleaning the handrails and elevators.  Once again eye contact, a pleasant smile and a good morning.  Great customer service.  Give me great and personal customer service, I will find a way to say thank you.  And then there were cruises I didn't tip extra.  If you never use a service, why tip extra.

I know who and how I tip and could care less how others do.  Nobody knows and nobody cares.  Maybe we can end this silly topic until someone complains again.  

Happy cruising.

8 hours ago, MaggieNY said:

I didn't even notice this was a thing. We usually take the stairs and work off all of the lava cakes we eat on the cruise.

I wish I could use the stairs.  I have bad knees and have to use the elevator.  I remember when my body worked five years ago.  Now I use a cane.  Next it will be a walker and then finally a Mario cart. I will just wait for the next one.  Anybody on a cruise knows that all you do on a cruise is wait in line.

Next, we can discuss how many more people can get into a full elevator when it stops at the next floor.  There always seems to be room for three more people in a full elevator.   Or hold the door to finish a conversation.   Once again, I will wait for the next one.  What else can I do.....complain.

1 hour ago, SeaShark said:

The real funny thing is that this has been discussed since 2014, as this 2016 thread shows: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2233911-breakaway-elevator-questions/

 

 

 

Given his propensity for the trivial, I'm surprised that the OP never noticed this until now.

 

I wonder if he realizes that the layout of the two forward banks is different from the layout of the two aft banks or if we'll be treated to another thread when he figures it out?

And it is fun to watch the confused people.

6 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

I've never thought of first day on any NCL ship as a zoo.  For me, it's a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, including staff, and find new venues to visit during the upcoming cruise. 

I love this part of the cruise experience.  

Grabbing a chilled glass of wine and settling in at a venue for lunch, so nice!

Bring back the lifeboat drill.  

So is this a sale or a deal?

Looks like a free cruise or FCC for those involved.  NCL just can't catch a break.  If it is a sandbar, iceberg or mechanical failure.  Ship happens.

7 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I initially responded to these two comments from you which are both incorrect.

 

1) NCL is not limiting the number of cabins. 

2) NCL is not (on average) charging more the closer to the sailing.

 

If you want to limit yourself to only a certain amount of days, from only the west coast, and on top of that you want to sail to Hawaii (where the pOA is the only ship with permission to do that route without a foreign stop), you limit supply and thus limit demand thus increasing price. I'm sure you know this.

 

Since you asked, my next cruise is a 10 day on Celebrity in January. An extra large balcony cabin for under $900 including all taxes, all gratuity, drinks, and  $250 in OBC to spend. If you back out the drink package ($30 a day), taxes (about $30 day), and gratuity ($16 a day) the adjusted price works out to about $14 a night in a balcony with $250 to spend however I wish. The deals are not just limited to NCL.

 

Again, my initial reply was intended to correct your misconception that NCL is self-limiting the number of cabins in inventory and that they charge more the closer to sailing. None of the major lines are limiting load factors anymore and ALL lines have been reducing cost after final payment. On the vast majority of sailings it's been that way since the dawn of time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A deal is a deal.   And you have to work to find the one that works for you.  A sale may not be a deal.   It is all about value.  Have fun on your cruise.  I know I will.  

Thank you for posting the cruises.  There are some good deals but are they sales?

23 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

The deals are EVERYWHERE. And it is important to note that even with these deals the ships are not sailing full. 

 

NCLH filed with the Unites States Security Exchange Commission on Tuesday stating that they are averaging about 80% occupancy. That means that there are a few cruises sailing at max occupancy, and a few cruises sailing around 60%, but again, the AVERAGE (as admitted by NCL themselves) is right around 80%.

 

Ships are not sailing full because customer demand has not returned. I have no idea where you got the idea that NCL was self-limiting capacity on their ships, but NCL is on record with the SEC stating their load factors are not limited. Meaning, they don't have self-imposed capacity limits. The market dictates occupancy.

 

Let's talk Hawaii. I am fortunate enough to live on Maui 4 months out of the year, and even at the inflated prices of POA, cruising Hawaii is a bargain. I could cruise on NCL for the entire 4 months for cheaper than my condo/car rental. Hawaii prices will never lower due to both supply and demand and the fact that Hawaii is, well, expensive. I paid over $10 for a gallon of milk last year and shudder at what the cost will be in 2023. You simply won't find a POA cruise cheap. 

 

Since you have limited yourself to only sailing from the West coast you have limited the supply (thus increasing the demand and price), but the deals are still there. And remember, even with these deals, the ships are only averaging 80% occupancy.

 

All these sailings depart from Los Angeles:

 

Here's a nice 12 night cruise sailing from Los Angeles on the Jewell:

 

Here's a 15 night on the Bliss for under $600 if you are willing to take an inside; but only $739 in an oceanview. Those are excellent prices for a new ship and a 15 night itinerary.

 

 

If you don't like last minute, here is a 5 night Bliss sailing at the end of January. Just over $400 for a balcony. 

 

 

And keep in mind, this is limiting my search to just departing from California since you only want to sail from the west coast. Cruises from Florida are even cheaper with more options. And these are rack rates. A good TA will discount another 10-15%.

 

Did I mention that even with these prices ships are not sailing full occupancy and NCL has admitted they do not expect them to sail anywhere near full until late spring 2023?  Sadly, the problems aren't limited to NCLH and are pretty similar across all three lines. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Already doing a 15 night LA to Miami Dec 2.  As for the five night cruises, I need seven or more.  The 12 night Jewel to Panama why.  I'm doing the Bliss.  What good is a good deal if you can't use it.  So once again which cruise cheap cruise are you on.  

And as for corporate and finance, you only get the information they want you to know.  It is all over my head.  Just give me a good deal I can use.

10 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

 

 

There's a selection of three. Here's a hint. Go to NCL's website. Click "Find a Cruise," then sort "low to high." You can even filter for cruises of 5 - 8 day duration to more easily find the 7 day cruises.

 

Lots of cheap cruises!

Thank you.  But I prefer the west coast and only one flight.  Those deals just do not work for me.  But at those prices those ships should sail full fast.  Now lets talk Hawaii.  Give us a deal there.

Like I have mention before it is all about value.

So which cruise are you sailing on?

2 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

This is incorrect.

 

 

This is further evidenced by the incredible  last minute discounts being offered. 7 day cruises can be had for $349 Inside and $549 in a balcony. You don’t see those last minute rates when ships are selling well. 
 

 

 

 

Please inform.  I like incredible cheap 7 day cruises. I just cannot find them.  Maybe I will learn something because I am wrong.  Where and when are these incredible cruises?  

4 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

We, the experienced ones, need to frequently inform the new guys that they can reprice the cruise.  That's a new concept for too many.

I'm still learning things on CC. Even with my sarcasm.   I have taken many cruises since the restart   Lots of changes from then until now.  And with the lifting off pretty much all restriction maybe my Bliss cruise the month will be the first back to normal one. 

But the only way I learn is to be wrong.  And I am wrong all the time.....Once 

2 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

Anyone with experience in marketing will tell you the quickest way to make a sale is to convince the customer he's getting something for free.

Duh.  But what about me a Walmart shopper.   We the people making the purchase still have to believe we are getting value.  Most cruisers book and wait till their cruise.  Only the few of us on CC know that you have to keep monitoring prices so to get better value.  A different "sale" happens and the price went down.  The more you cruise, hopefully the more value you get.  Unless you booked the cabin next to you, the people on either side of you paid different prices under the same circumstances.  So for the people who are waiting for the "sale" to purchase a cruise from NCL, you are just fooling yourselves.  Do more research.  So the next time someone says they saved ask them how much they spent.

That is why CC is here for the newbies.  They are just happy to be researching for a cruise at the best value for them.

1 minute ago, cruiseny4life said:

Meh, don't compare it to appliances. Stores have price match guarantees for a reason. 

 

You like the price? Book it. Don't like the price? Don't book it. Yea, you're right...but I'm also going to do the absolute best to save some money in the process. You don't mind NCL making money. But you seem to mind people saving money. Saving is the way to wealth. I think I'll keep on that route, but thanks for your non-advice. 

I love it when people think they are saving money when they make a purchase.  Sales never save people money.  They get people to spend.  I have no problem with people playing the lowest price possible.  But the only way you actually "save money" is to not make the purchase.  Keep it in the bank to acquire wealth. You buy something you are out finances.   So you think you may have saved $2000 on that Haven cabin.  But you forget to mention the $7000 out of your pocket. You saved nothing.  You just made a purchase that was reasonable to you.

Good for the people that think they saved.  NCL is just waiting for the them again, again and again.

Why should there be sales?  NCL can saying anything they want when it comes to prices to convince you to think it is a deal.   NCL says sailing at about 80%.  Why would they discount when they limit the number of cabins?  Supply and demand.  NCL will charge more closer to the sailing.  Then NCL will always be willing to squeeze in another two cabins.  Then NCL increases to 85%.  Still no sales.   Cruisers want to try to compare prices prior to covid.  Not so more.  More cruisers are coming back to take that cabin you are interested in.  

If you see a price you like then book it.   Like you would if you were to purchase a new TV or appliance.  You buy it you don't wait.  So people put down that deposit.  If not you will just have to wait and wish for prices to come down.  I have know idea what kind of budget you all have but I bet it is different than mine.  There is always the next cruise at a price that I think is reasonable and of value. 

On 11/7/2022 at 4:54 AM, herbanrenewal said:

I just returned from the Breakaway cruise to New England and Canada. Before that I was on the Prima Copenhagen, Norway, England, then transatlantic via Iceland. As I unpack my cold weather gear I realized  that I am REALLY looking forward to my next adventure - Panama Canal, warm weather cruise. I loved seeing these northern  places, but the thought of sunshine, swimming, relaxing in the sun has a great deal of appeal.

I started my cruising addiction with Caribbean cruises back decades ago when a rare vacation for a week was long anticipated, planned for, memory-making. Now I'm retired, solo, and spending my life savings following dreams.

I don't know what happened.  Apparently my why isn't a popular way for those that are retired.  Most cruisers are willing to wait.  Maybe you should put down a few deposits first.  Not me.  I just go.   Like I have mentioned.....Off to and through the Panama Canal.

Welcome to anytime cruising.  May your journeys be many.

18 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

What's funny, early on we would book 7-11 day cruises with a minimal number of sea days. Then about 4-5 years ago after fulling retiring, we started booking longer 3-5+ week itineraries with more sea days, as the "journey" has become more enjoyable for us than the number of ports we visit.

 

But I have to say, we very much now enjoy going on cruises packed with wildlife destinations. Our favorite cruises so far have been circumnavigating Australia, cruising around the Antarctica Peninsula, going to Alaska, and visiting the Galapagos Islands. But our upcoming Jade B2B cruise from Athens to Dubai then down the east coast of Africa to Cape Town quite likely will wind up close to the top of that list! 😊

The journeys continue.  Happy cruising

I start with VTG.  They will sometimes give singles prices.  Then I go to other web sites, do a mock booking with 1 cruiser.  But there really is no easy way to get all singles prices.

14 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Why would any of us want to "miss the cruise we want?"

Because it is a "want" not a need.  I want a lot of things.  I need only a few.  Itineraries tend to duplicate.  I not a trans Atlantic or a reposition type cruiser.  Keep me in the northern hemisphere.

4 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Tie up money?  Really??  It's $250 per booking.  Chump change.  If I invested it at current rates it would net me seven bucks a year.  That's just plain noise, and extremely cheap insurance for protection against fare increases, room unavailability or that dreaded shift to "guaranteed" where they will stick my steerage room actually down in steerage proper.   Besides, some of us derive great pleasure from the hobby of booking early and often.  It's not like I don't have the time. 😎  But, do whatever works for you.  I was just answering your "WHY?"  YMMV.

If I miss the cruise I think I may want.  Oh well.  There is always the next week.

21 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We started cruising back in 2012, when we were in our late 50s, with our first cruise being on the HAL Ryndam. Since then over time it's become an addiction! 😂 

 

For example, once our next cruise, a 38-day B2B on the Jade finishes, we will have cruised over 173 days on 8 different ships and 3 different cruise lines since cruising started back up. What's that saying, never go shopping when you're hungry. Well, needless to say, after 18 months without stepping on a ship, we were a tad hungry to get back to cruising! 🤣 

I like your style.  You got me beat.  Since October 2021 I have 88 sea days on four different lines.  Next December 2 Panama Canal.  That will put over 100.