TheManitoban

I was sort of unhappy about this at first. But you know what, if I ordered a big breakfast, lunch, dinner etc, I'd probably toss the guy a $5 at least anyway. Now Ill just consider the tip built into the service and be sure to order "extra" food to really make it worth it. ;-)

Andy did actually accept the blame and apologize for not making an announcement about the service charge test on BA/GA for the room service.

 

I didn't hear him say why the different charges on each ship. My best guess is to see which one produces least food waste and brings the most money to the bottom line. Once the accountants figure that out, it will be time I am sure to roll it out across the fleet.

 

Heck the whole late night charge on most cruise lines for room service was adopted in an effort to cut down on food waste. (even outside the financial impact for the cruise line, I am not one who likes to see lots of food wasted because there are so many who don't know where their next meal comes from every day.)

Thats a good point regarding the different fees. I was just thinking while reading this thread that if I did want room service at $7.95 I'd likely be sure to err on the side of ordering way too much then risk ordering too little. They might suspect that $7.95 will produce waste. They are looking for the sweet spot for generating orders without incurring waste

Seems like they are saying the food remains complimentary as always. But to bring it to your door, it's $4.95 or $7.95. Sort of like the pizza has always been.

Or Im wrong

This is a very negative thing. I never used room service before but I always thought it was part of the plan to ease congestion at the MDR's as you'd have a certain percentage of people eating in their rooms.

That's a very high charge too.

Very disappointed.

What I gather is that coke drinkers assume no one likes Pepsi. It amuses me that this is a big enough issue for some people over a week or two cruise but to each his own.

Besides, the answer is Dr Pepper.

My first cruise was a double. Boston-Bermuda-Boston and then Boston-Quebec. The New England/Canadian week was a lot older and low key but I enjoyed the historical aspects of the trip. Have fun!

What jumped out at me was his remarks about wanting to drive revenue and cut spending while specifically mentioning having less people working.

You get the sense he wants to cut everywhere he can.

Im certainly no expert but what I read indicated that the previous CEO made drastic increases in revenue and seemed to have the notion that to increase revenue, you get people on the ship and then give them as many options to spend extra as possible.

Yes that has been my experience. As long as you booked in Canadian funds, not if you booked in US dollars.

I didnt specify Canadian so Im pretty sure I booked in US dollars. Oh well.

Question to the person who said the exchange rate at time of booking stays with you:

I booked several months ago when the exchange was much closer. Are you saying that if I was to buy OBC right now (or even three months from now), it would convert at the same rate as when I booked the cruise months ago?

Also, since I have only paid the deposit, when I go to pay the rest of the cruise fare, it will be at the rate at the time I booked last year? Because if so, thats great.

Im fairly new to NCL. Someone explain to me how Sheehan ended up leaving and if that was considered good or bad. Also, what changes did he make while CEO?

Thanks in advance.

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I find it very interesting how the Credit Card company handled this.

Like the OP, I almost never alerted the Card companies of abnormal use or even "out of country" use.

I was recently in Jamaica, however, where one payment of about $60 went through. A few days later I used it again for about $100 and they declined it and held my card. They immediately contacted me (at home) but i thought it was odd that a small purchase in Jamaica triggered a flag but much larger use at home and in the U.S. never did.

I certainly would not think to alert them if I made an online purchase of a vacation which would obviously be of a higher value amount then my normal day to day usage. CC company should have immediately contacted OP if they flagged the card.

This disappointed me slightly on my Dawn cruise. On night one, I was in the hot tub til 1am -ish. A couple of other times, I was in it til they asked me to leave (around midnight, sometimes earlier sometimes later depending on where they were in the cleaning schedule).

Generally it was either just me or a couple of others that were using them that late but I also wish there was 24 hour hot tubs (or at least until 2am). Not really a big deal but if you're unwinding at midnight and are kicked out, it sucks.

People I met on the Dawn who had this were able to order two drinks at a time I believe (they can correct me if Im wrong).

I didnt have the package and spent less on drinks then the package would have cost. Had I had the package I probably would have drank more but still not enough to make the package worth it for me.

My first cruise was Boston to Bermuda on the Dawn this past September. Great time.

Bermuda is beautiful. I went helmet diving and Parasailing and recommend both. Be sure to go to Horseshoe Bay Beach.

Have fun!

I was worried about them being torn off, but we just stapled the two sides together quite tightly and had no issue.

Ive only sailed on NCL. How do the perks compare to the other major cruise lines?

My parents have been a few times and wanted to take me. Went for the first time on the Dawn this past September. I dont even remember everything I did but there was plenty. I also dont golf. Beach, Parasailing, Helmet Diving, boat tours, beach party, mall, walking around Hamilton.

Loved it so much Im going back for my second ever cruise in September.

You wont be bored.

I booked a few weeks ago and its $300 more expensive now. I received the 10% OBC when I booked. If we were in the market for the UBP this would actually be slightly cheaper but buddy doesnt drink so its not worth it for us

If you received a text you were not in airplane mode as in airplane mode, the radio in your phone is deactivated. Its literally impossible to receive a text. The only other option might have been the text came in at the moment you switched on airplane mode and the next time you turned on your phone, it appeared.

You shouldnt be charged for incoming text messages anyway (my carrier doesnt and I believe this is standard since you cant control who texts you).

You should not get charged for receiving normal text messages, only for sending texts. If your "text" is an iMessage or Whatsapp etc, its using data so if you receive one of those, it means your phone is connected to the internet either via your cellular connection or wi-fi.

Airplane mode only turns off the phones radio meaning there is no signal reaching or leaving the phone. If you do not want to risk any charges whatsoever, Airplane is your best bet.

When i travelled recently, I had my phone on but cellular data turned off. I could use Wi-Fi, make/receive calls (if I chose) and make/receive texts. I bought an international text package from my carrier so I could text unlimited for one rate.

basically, in Airplane mode, your phone is an ipod (minus the wi-fi). Play music, take pictures, use alarm etc, no problem because there is zero signal. Turning off Cellular data is also effective and allows people to reach you in an emergency.

IF they bypass the locked bag, ( which obviously has something of value inside the owner is trying to protect ). Why waste time on my unlocked bag containing no booty when they can hit the jackpot with yours. And if they do rifle mine, then rifle away. In 35 years of flying I have yet to find a thing out of place.

Great point. Im going to start leaving my house, car and garage unlocked. Im sure no one will bother going in to check it out once they find it unsecured. ;)

Oddly negative replies in this thread.

I have done both, no locks and locks. I now use the TSA locks. Why not? As others have said, if Im a thief, Im opening the unlocked bag rather than the locked one.

My buddy once used a non-TSA lock on a flight home from vegas. I had convinced him to have a plaster bust of his head made (ha) and he put it in his carry on. Im convinced thats what made the TSA want to open it. They cut off his lock and left him a note. He was angry but whatever.

TSA locks are so inexpensive, why not do so.

Thats a very good idea.

Potentially off topic (apologies) but I booked the Breakaway for Sept 2015 and I keep an eye on the price. One odd thing: When I originally did a few mock bookings to check out prices, it indicated a $500 deposit was required. When I ended up booking it was only $250.

Several mock bookings have also been $250. Just did another and its now $500 again. Same details for every bookings. What gives on the changing deposit?