SpainAlien

FWIW apart from the cleanliness of the room (now resolved) the NCL Dawn is great. She is sailing at full capacity but doesn't feel crowded. The food is generally good, certainly on a par to my previous NCL cruises. My room is an oceanview on deck 4 which is a perfect size and has all the amenities that I need. Located where I am I am one of the first off the ship when we dock and have easy access to the staircases and lifts mid ship. The entertainment is to a good standard, the first couple of days were soul music which isn't really my thing but we are now moving on to rock all of which has been well sung/played. The weather at the ports so far has been incredible: glorious blue skies and sunshine. This morning we are in Dublin. I am not a serial complainer, in fact, being British I hate to complain. This is my first cruise as a Platinum guest and the first time I have had to complain.

My room steward vanished and did not answer the phone, I finally managed to catch up with him at about 3pm on Day 2.

Fyi, I did talk to the steward, then guest services and then finally cleaned the shower myself but don't worry I won't be reducing the tip, I understand that the stewards are struggling. I also did not solicit or receive any obc. I thought Cruise Critic was all about posting experiences both good and bad, but clearly you only want good experiences to appear in your feed.

I know what you are saying but what it means is that my room was not cleaned after the previous guests.

I have just got back onboard at 13.30 and my room still isn't made up and my room service tray is still here.

I boarded yesterday and duly waited for the 3pm announcement that my cabin was ready. Unfortunately mine wasn't actually ready until 5pm and even then there was 1/2 a bottle of water from the last guest in the fridge, all the daily print outs from the last cruise were in the rack with the room service menu, the sink hadn't been cleaned and there was some sort of foam dried on to the shower head. Clearly my steward was running late for some reason and ran out of time before actually finishing the job, hopefully when he makes up the room today he will catch up.

There is a free shuttle from the port to either Portland Castle or Weymouth but the Portland castle doesn't open until 10am, neither does the WWII museum and the first Coastliner bus doesn't leave the castle until 10.12am. If your plan was to just mooch around Portland or get the bus around the island on your own do yourself a favour and stay onboard awhile.

I normally leave a couple of bucks with my laundry when I'm paying for it on the basis that the fee includes a tip anyway but for the platinum award since there is no fee i assumed a bigger tip might be in order.

My upcoming cruise will be my first one as Platinum so I will be sending out my bag of laundry, how much should I tip, is $5 enough?

But it's done this way in the US all the time for example in New York there is a local tax which is applied at the perceived value of the drink you ordered even if you have a drinks package, therefore they have an existing business model for it. Since not all ports on the itinerary (and certainly not time at sea in International waters) incur VAT on the drinks it would make the FAS price different on a per cruise basis which would simply be unworkable.

It just doesn't happen in Spain. Typically a set price menu is say 15€ plus IVA. Of course that maybe because we have three different rates of IVA and eating in or taking away makes a difference on the IVA rate

I'm sorry but you are wrong regarding the EU laws. I live in Spain and most restaurant prices are plus tax. You can also get many things quoted nett and then tax shown separately

So your objection isn't the increased price it's the price shown on the menu? What's the difference, you would still have to pay the tax whether it's included in the price or shown as an extra! You seriously are kicking up a fuss because you want the menus printed for while they are in port then replaced when entering international waters?

I apologise if this has been asked before but this is my first cruise as Platinum. I checked in weeks ago online and got the 9.30-10am slot. This week I won my upgrade bid and my cabin changed but so did my check in status. The app made me check in again only now the earliest slot I can get is 11.30-12 noon. My question is can I just turn up at my first booked check in time or do I have to go for the new slot I have been allocated? This is my first time as Platinum so do I get to just go whenever I like? Many thanks

I have been advised by NCL that once I return from my next cruise I will receive a $500 FCC because if a price drop. Does anyone know what I can use it for? For example can I apply it to an existing booking, can it be used to cover the port fees and taxes or can I use it towards gratuities?

I was talking to my husband and we were taking about it being chartered for a world cruise for some billionaire and 1000 of his closest friends

I've had shellac replaced onboard although you can't book it in advance. Once you are onboard go to the salon and chat with them to see what the nail technician can offer

Regarding the room swap try calling NCL and see if David can be moved to a deck 4 inside cabin. If not ask them if they can swap your cabins on the system. You would both need to be present for the phone call. Regarding the upgrade bid, I always bid on multiple room types, only one offer would be accepted the others would become void but obviously there is a chance that none would be.

If you look at the curves on the wall where the curve goes out near the balcony that is where the bed is, if the curve goes out in the middle of the room then the bed is closer to the shower. According to the deck plan 9078 has the bed by the balcony

I can't find any reference to 180 days in the t&Cs, where is it?

You have to call Casinos at Sea to make the booking. I don't know if you can then transfer it to your travel agent

Oh that's disappointing, I'm booked on a guaranteed category and my price has dropped from $1400 to $600.

There is a local port shuttle which you pay for. It drops you right on the pier opposite the cathedral

Are they starting to charge for shows onboard now. I know the dinner shows were extra but it doesn't look like this is a dinner show

Where does it say about 180 days? I can only find reference to 30days on the reward