wdsted

Yet one more thread hijacked by the bottle water-huggers with the same points, arguments, and anguish. The OP's question was asked and answered. We get it: you can't lug cases of water onboard and your lives are now in shambles. Complete devastation.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

We stayed in one on Epic a year ago. Fun room with the round bed and cool bathroom. Don't expect in-room dining though--no room for a table. Also, some folks don't like the vibrations from early morning ship maneuvers when coming into port. You will be shaken awake and not in the gentle way mom used to do it!

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I've never had anything but a good time on any cruise. That includes 3 on the BA, most recently in October. If you look for something to make you unhappy, you'll find it. To each their own but please don't make this a topic of conversation with strangers while on board. This only resonates with others similarly inclined.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I've never heard of Beef Wellington night. Does it happen in the main dining room? If so, I'll look for that night and order 2 for myself. Even a mediocre Beef Wellington is a good thing!

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

My plan is the following : given I am already paying $13.95 in daily service fees and $80.63 in services charges for the "free" UBP promo and $13.95 or so for service charges for the "free" SDP promo, I am simply going to demand good service and if not obtain a refund on my service fees. Trust me. NCL knows who I am.

 

Are these service fees going directly to the employees or Jack Del Rio's revenue numbers? I doubt 100% of it is being passed on to employees, and sorry that is not something I have control over.

 

If the average drink is $8.95 and at 18% the average gratuity is $1.61- then i am under a lot of pressure to consume 50 drinks on my cruise!!!

 

Given I have ordered one drink the last four cruises COMBINED and tipped $2.00 on it they are already getting 8 times the amount from me alcohol wise.

 

If I am not pleased with my service, I will simply fill out a contact card, get a refund on my service fees, and not sail NCL.

 

I have no problem tipping a room steward and always have, but this notion of service charges is going overboard (no pun intended)

 

I think tipping someone you have developed a relationship with is one thing, but to be expected to dole out $1 bills every time you have a drink is absurd especially on vacation.'

 

I am glad though I have this package- someone tried to scam me last cruise and bill me for drinks on GSC that I didn't order- and I had proof I wasn't even on the island at that time. Heck, one time I was double billed for a coffee I didn't drink as well.

 

They were apologetic when they realized who they were trying to scam.

Off topic and kind of weird.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Med cruises are port-intensive so, to us, all the onboard amenities in Epic's favor aren't that big of a deal. Spirit is easier to get on and off of and it feels roomier with more common area per square foot than Epic. Staterooms are similar in size but Spirit has bigger balconies. Some people hate the bathroom setup on Epic. We don't care. That all being said, we've had great times on both of them. OP: are you sure about receiving all 4 perks on Epic with a minisuite--that's news to me.

PS: 3 more days with Spirit gives it extra points.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Cruise Next certificates can only be used as a deposit for future cruises. Sometimes, NCL will run a special where you can use 2 for new reservation.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Your room steward will keep your water bottle filled with ice during their AM and PM servicing. Just ask. We use Hydroflasks and fill with tap water.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

M-ville does have darn good salads and sandwiches. Burgers aren't worth writing home about. And if you like an order of nachos the size of a basketball, go for them too.

It kind of surprises me how lightly used Margaritaville is on both Escape and Breakaway. The foods fine and well priced and it's well located. I can understand a backlash from CC types, but would expect normal people to flock to it. It is a great location for a complementary downsized breakfast buffet though. NCL can't be happy with their customers' lack of enthusiasm for it.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

This is news to me and doesn't jibe with my experience. It's also counterintuitive that early arrivers would have a late boarding number. RU sure about this?

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

No way would we do a 4-day cruise to a place where you can't get off the ship without a pre-approved excursion booked. There are many more Caribbean 7-day options to destinations more interesting to us than Cuba. But, to each their own.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

That cabin is below one of the meeting rooms and should be fine. Those meeting rooms aren't typically used much and are carpeted. The cabin is forward so there shouldn't be a lot of foot traffic from passengers. I've got no clue about what happens in the area across from that stateroom.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

We like to fold a towel into a cute little animal on departure day and leave it on the bed with a thank you note. Much better than just leaving some cash!

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

You can land a helicopter on anything......once. :p

 

 

Funny! :)

Yup, and then their are folks like me that can only book about 6 months out at best because I have to book around my handicapped son's care here at home. I am bronze, and get single points per cruise, and am not worried about it. Honestly these perks are not really that big a deal to most of you, are they?

Not a big deal, but it's nice to get 2 free bags of laundry, 2 free meals @ Le Bistro, and the occasional behind-the-scenes tour. That's it for us.

Because it's relatively easy to achieve Platinum status, every sailing has lots of folks with that status. No big problem with that other than the "harsh" reality to newbies that with this status, they will not receive special treatment available only to a select few. Don't get me wrong, the perks are fine. It would, however, be nice for the top 10% or so of this group to enjoy additional perks. Examples: a concierge they could actually reach, priority for upgrades, insider offers, a helpful cruise consultant designated for only the very top tier, separate service phone number. With only 15 NCL cruises under our belts, we shouldn't get the same perks as those with over 50 or so.

Final thoughts: please restrain yourselves from starting any conversation with "We're Platinum so (insert impractical demand). That ain't how Latitudes currently works.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I booked a June cruise directly through the NCL website and wanted a starboard mini-suite. I thought I was going to be able to choose my cabin, but somehow ended up with a guaranty and it was confirmed 2 days later as port side 8168 :( I called and asked if it could be changed and was told that there would be a $200 upcharge for starboard :confused:

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Thanks

Yes, read the content provided during booking. There's no secret hidden when you book a guarantee cabin. You get what you get.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

We've booked 5 cruises online this year and never had insurance defaulted in. I did once get connected to a cruise consultant to change a booking and that person added the insurance. Did you book via a person?

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

That is correct, no self service laundry service on NCL. I believe mid week they do have a special where you can fill a bag and send it out for launder.

 

I do suggest this though if you are going to do that since I hear alot of complaints about lost skivies, and socks. Pack at least enough undies and socks for however long you are onboard or ones you can just wash in the sink and hang on the line to dry. Send only large items in the bags since they do not seem to label them and put in mixed loads. Perhaps even write your initials on the tags of your items so they know who they are going back to. Otherwise you may loose your items.

 

I personally just pack for the week and as long as I am wearing undies I can wear most pants/slacks/skirts twice. As well sun dresses can 1st be worn to dinner and then a following day that week over my suit as my outfit of the day(I like fresh clothing for dinner after a shower). Helps cut down on the packing

We have sent a good 50 bags of laundry in and never lost as much as one sock. Cram those laundry bags for $20 and enjoy!

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

We're booked on the 13 day Australia/New Zealand cruise next year. I've been to both several times, but my partner hasn't visited NZ. The crossing is only 2 days each way and there are 5 ports in NZ, both North and South islands. If you haven't been in the region before, I'd really recommended doing both countries. Great people, sight seeing, and shore excursions. We prefer cruises with a few sea days, so this cruise will also fulfill our need to do nothing for a portion of our vacation.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

We bring Hydro Flasks on board and ask our steward to fill them with ice every day. And just top them off with water from the faucet. We take them onshore and dump any remaining water before reboarding.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Mini suites are slightly larger than balcony cabins but would provide more "elbow room" with 3 in one cabin. But be sure to read the details on guaranteed cabins. They often don't include the freebies.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

As an experienced CCL, you're probably aware of how different their old ships are from their newer ones. I'd never consider cruising without a balcony which on some CCL ships are practically nonexistent.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Just off BA and left our butler $100, but he unpacked us, set up 2 meals in the room, delivered a couple of desserts we had no capacity to eat directly after our meals, and set up a small gathering in our cabin. If you don't use them for any extras, probably no need to tip that much.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app