TheManitoban

great looking ship. Still a tiny little pool. lol

Those menu prices? Please tell me I'm missing something .....

Pesos, I presume.

I dont think the OP means WiFi on the ship, but WiFi at the dockside area.

I havent been since 2014 BEFORE their improvements. But when I was there, I purchased WiFi (some little store at the dockside area and it worked really well. In fact, it was possible (but not always) to access it from the pool deck if standing on the dock side of the ship. You'd see a lot of crew people sitting outside the ship at the dock using their devices with this WiFi.

Supposedly they improved it though. If its at least as good as it was, it wasnt bad.

Im surprised by the people who seem so offended by the suggestion that smoking is bad for them and others. Or that opposition to smoke is the problem of the non-smoker who should just put up with it or go away.

I read a stat that reported 20 million Americans died of smoking since 1964, 2.5 million from second hand smoke. You'd have to be pretty stubborn to not believe its a deadly, nasty, offensive habit that is harmful to you and everyone around you.

The original question was fair. It wasn't about what you'd do if the hand of God came down and willed all cruise ships to be smoke free. It simply asked if people would consider a smoke-free cruise if so offered and if they'd pay a premium for it. It's a fair question.

And as far as the casino... cruise ship casinos operate like those land based. They cater to gamblers, and many gamblers smoke. If you THINK you're a gambler and the casino cares about your smoking opinion you're wrong unless you:

Happily budget to lose $1000/day for everyday of the cruise on slots

 

Play the tables for 4+ hours per day at a $50/hand minimum.

 

If you play less than the above, you may as well just go to the kids arcade. Oh... and it's non-smoking there! A win for everyone!

 

 

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Actually not all gamblers smoke. Where Im from there is a province-wide indoor smoking ban so the casinos are all smoke free and still packed.

The issue is one cruise line trying to do it because then, yes you risk losing that percentage of your business that smokes. Which would be a diminishing segment but significant all the same.

If it was an across the board ban that all lines had to enforce then the silly comments about empty casinos would disappear.

Bans wont happen though. But what will is pretty getting smarter and not smoking in the first place and in time the smoking population shrinking to the point it makes more sense to alienate that segment to make the larger segment happy.

The seemingly offended remarks from smokers is a bit funny. All the smokers I know fully accept that they are stupid for smoking and wish they had never started in the first place.

They don't make nearly the money they do with smokers.

It seems that it goes hand in hand as a habit.

It was the major reason that ships without a casino don't make it.

It's why NCL pulled 2 ships out of Hawaii.

It's why that one Carnival ship stopped the non-smoking cruising.

This will change. I live in a place with a smoking ban. The casinos have expanded multiple times. Smokers will choose the smoking option but without a smoking option, they will still gamble.

One day, the cruise lines will catch up and ban smoking or create a better way to separate it. I dont mind a smoking area but it can be awful for those of us who do not smoke and live in smoke-free cities.

Unless YOU are ready to spend the amount of money that the Brinks truck picks up from each ship, except Disney, then you better think about how much the ships have improved the smoking situation.

 

They don't have those Brinks trucks to pick up anything but MONEY.

From the Casino's.

Do you think those places where smoking is not allowed, all the casinos have shut down? They haven't.

You can bring your own cups but you are limited to the drinks that are included. The only drinks usually included in cruise fare are coffee, tea, lemonade, and the ship's water (not bottled) you can fill a clean cup then pour that into your cup of any size (helps prevent spread is Norovirus) and in sure if you buy a soda or drink they won't have any issue with you using your own cup. Or if you bring you own drinks a cup may come in handy.

 

 

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If you have the UBP, will they make the drink in your cup? Keep the drink cold that way...

A large plastic cup

When I went to an All Inclusive resort we (and most everyone else) had brought our own "go cups" and the bartenders at the resort we more than happy to fill them right up (rather then using the tiny resort-supplied cups).

Do people do this on cruises too??

If all things were equal, I'd book non-smoking for sure.

The premium should be charged to those that want to smoke, not the non-smokers.

How about a drone? You get some awesome shots if you could take your drone with you.

Interesting that this new class would be a bit smaller rather than going bigger, bigger, bigger. Perhaps feedback over the amount of passengers on current Breakaway Plus class ships? More efficiency in going slightly smaller?

Sorry for offending those easily offended by my "brick" comment. Ofcourse you can use your iPhone in Airplane mode but not as a phone.

Its important people understand that Airplane mode does not JUST turn off your data connection. It turns off your cellular connection. Airplane mode = No Phone Calls, No Texting.

And you have to be sure to turn WiFi back on if you want to use it.

Many people want to keep their phone on as a phone in case of emergency.

Also, you dont get charged for incoming texts (since you cant control if someone sends you 100 texts)..at least no respectable carrier that I know of charges.

So to recap, if you only want Wifi (including iConceriage) and are somewhat smart phone illiterate, just place into Airplane mode.

But if you want to continue to be able to send/receive texts (such as back home) and be able to receive phone calls (perhaps in the event of an emergency back home), then just turn off Data Connections.

Dont be afraid to go into your service provider and ask them to show you, if you're in doubt at all. They will show you how to turn off Cellular Data Connections. And can recommend a package if you want to be able to send text messages back home while on the trip.

So it won't use data as long as airplane mode is on? Free wifi can be connected still? Like I said, I might sound like and idiot but I really have no clue and don't want to be shocked by my phone bill.

Not an idiot at all. It can be very confusing. When in doubt, put into Airplane Mode. But that renders the cell phone aspect of her phone a useless Brick. It will effectively do nothing but act as a paper weight unless you have access to WiFi.

Yes, you can be in Airplane Mode and have WiFi turned on. You must have a usable connection to Wifi (either byu purchasing a Wifi package on the ship or purchasing Wifi in port or finding a free wifi hot spot, like many restaraunts).

If you're in Airplane mode, you cannot send or receive phone calls or text messages.

Some people just use Airplane mode and decide they will turn it on for a few minutes to send texts. But if run the risk of your phone connecting to the internet and running up your bill, if your Cellular Data Connection is not turned off. Many apps connect to the internet without your knowledge (facebook for example).

Im not familar with iConcerciage. But you dont need to be in Airplane mode to avoid data charges.

Go into Settings and turn off your Cellular Data Connection. This means your cell phone will still make and accept phone calls and text messages but will not access the Internet over the Cell Tower (which is what causes the massive phone bills).

You can still connect to WiFi on ship (if you buy a package) and in port and use the internet and iMessage.

The benefit to doing this rather then Airplane Mode (which essentially renders your cell phone a brick) is that should someone need to get a hold of you in an emergency they can call you or text you.

I did this when I cruised. My carrier charged .75 cents per outgoing text message (free for incoming) up to a maximum of $75. I chose a texting plan that cost $35 for unlimited. Thus, I could text everyone back home and they with me, like normal.

I only used Wifi while in port to access the Internet and iMessage. While on ship, I had my Cellular Data Connection turned off.

People need to remember that iMessage is not texting. Texting & Imessage are two very different things.

Perhaps I am missing something. if you dont like using the pool, then it wont matter. But certainly OTHER cruise lines have larger or more pools. Its not just about having one giant pool, but better use of multiple pools and ofcourse, pool-side area.

Pool is important to many and the sardines experience isnt a great one.

Am I correct that the BA pool is basically the same size as the Dawn? Because I enjoyed the Dawn but on the best Sea Day it was CROWDED. Can't imagine adding a couple thousand more people to the same space.

If other lines can manage this better, then it is a failure on the part of NCL. It might not bother you personally, which is great, but its relevant to other passengers.

I stayed in 8622 which is similarly located (other side of Atrium). We could hear the band playing pretty clearly but as I was not an early sleeper, it didnt bother me at all.

Location is excellent if you want to be close to restaurant/bar/atrium. The lifeboat view didnt bother me at all (but I had nothing to compare it to) and we did get light (could see a bit of the ocean as well).

While docked, they did have repairs etc going on so there were workers right outside the window sometimes.

There is plenty of room in the cabins although its true there isnt a couch. I usually sat on a bed when I was in the cabin.

If you're not using iConceriage, just turn off the data on your phone (in settings) and text each other. Call your provider and ask about international texting plans. Everyone is different but mine, for example, is $0.75 per text up to a maximum charge of $75 per month. But I had an unlimited texting plan for $35. Worked perfectly.

In Bermuda, I bought the local wifi which worked very well. It was not meant to work on the ship but sometimes on the pool deck, you could get it.

Turn off data, turn on wifi. Dont use Airplane mode if you want to send or receive texts. Just turn off the data connection via settings.

I haven't been but many of my fellow Canadians have been to Cuba. And they all highly recommend it. Other than the food is bland. That's the only thing most of them say. But its often the first choice of hot destination for Canadians.

Ive read people on here mention that they had a young looking adult with them who was ID'ed when ordering alcohol. So it happens. Inconvenient for that person but for the best really.

Did September 2014. it was the last Boston-Bermuda before they switch to Boston-Quebec (we stayed on the Dawn and did that cruise too).

Day one in Boston was HOT. Very hot. Which was wonderful. It was very hot and sunny the whole week. The most packed I saw the pool deck was sea day coming back from Bermuda. But the group I was with basically moved back and forth between hot tub and pool so werent concerned about loungers.

I did see loungers available higher up on the stadium seating. And they have lots of loungers around, even if they are not exactly pool side.

As for the 18 year old, I cant specifically speak for him as I havent been 18 for awhile. But I went on the cruise with elderly parents so I wasnt with "friends". But I made friends on day 2. Very easy to meet people. I doubt your kid will have any trouble meeting anyone.

Oh and one other thing in the favour of "fall" vs "spring", I suspect the ocean temperature is warmer in "fall". September was still summer to us and the ocean in Bermuda was very warm. I know it's cooler in the spring.

I've seen reference to this "no frills" option at a lower price but I too see it at the exact same price. The only savings would be that you dont pay grats on the free promos. But you also dont get the promos.

Is there a no frills that is "cheaper"?

That Teen Card is an interesting idea. If there is value there, I could see parents biting.

From a corporate perspective, I know people complain about the changes. I dont really get upset about it but I think they could do a better job of communicating changes and grandfathering those changes in. I imagine they have stats that show them the negative responses do not outweigh the positive revenue from the changes, but announcing a change with a 90 day-out start date doesnt seem like much of an issue to me.