Trevor Fountain

I tried to cancel a few weeks ago. I booked direct with NCL in USA. My original agent left NCL, and when I tried to cancel I was told I need to speak to the original agent, which obviously I couldn't. Eventually I did get a call from another agent who said he was taking over as my cruise consultant. He offered to transfer the deposit to another cruise, but I told him I didn't think anything next year was suitable. He said he was sure he could find something and would call me back before final payment was due. Well here we are a few weeks later and 3 days from final payment date, and no contact. I don't feel like chasing around, as I cannot see anything I want to book next year with NCL. Hence my question.

I have a non-refundable deposit. Can I just miss the final payment (with the loss of deposit) or do I need to physically cancel the booking? I am assuming there are no further cancellation fees for just letting the booking lapse. Is this correct?

Nope, you are having Lunch, a derivative of Luncheon.

What is the definition of dining? The true definition is to eat the main meal of the day, usually the evening meal. The clue is dining as a derivative of dinner. I know some dictionaries do include breakfast lunch and dinner, but the true answer is dinner. Shout too loud and they will get rid of the sea day perk.

US dollars

I didn't dispute that.

Sunset Veranda cabins are the same dimension as the IV's, so you would find them too tight as well.

How do you know in advance how the room is configured?

Back in the day all ships had creaking and quirky noises. I miss that. I am amazed that they can build such mammoth vessels that are almost silent. Then again, fifty odd years since my first cruise, it's more likely my hearing has gone!

The guy has been a cc member since 2005 and has 53 posts. I can't find anything he has wrote that could be helpful to other members, or anything positive about his on board experiences. After 19 years he comes up with this. If I was so bothered about a situation on board a ship, like some have said, I would go and report it on board. One thing we do know is no alcoholic drink was poured into the glass, and I really would have to cast doubt on there not being a non-alcoholic alternative available. Unfortunately we only have one side of the story here, I'd love to here the Sommeliers version.

As the guy said, it was just for the toast. You didn't have to drink it, and after the toast you could have offered it to someone who'd have appreciated a little extra. Way over the top reaction by some on here.

Casino is smoke free, now the only thing that will make you choke is the pathetic odds.

Nope, just you.

Thanks Jelayne. The only choice available on booking was late seating. I'm sure I read on here that when folks arrive on board there is a note in their cabin which tells them there is no fixed dining and it is all anytime. Is this not on all ships/sailings?

I received a email today inviting me to watch a "before you go" seminar with Lois Charters, which I think is aimed solely at UK guests, She stated that we will be allocated a MDR, and those wishing to visit either of the four MDR's, must have booked "select". I did not see an option to book select, only all inclusive, which I did not book as I neither want a drinks package or wifi. Every online video I have watched shows cruisers visiting all four MDR's with no mention of a select fare having been purchased. Can anyone shed any light on this, as surely one of the main attractions is being able to choose where you want to dine on any given evening.

Got You.

Thanks for the interesting comparison. I am a little confused with your choosing between Arvia Suite and Britannia or Britannia club staterooms. As these are balcony cabins and not suites, you obviously cannot dine in either the Princess or Queens Grill. Are you comparing these purely on cost? There is a massive difference between Britannia Club and Queen's grill, which is what I thought you were comparing with a Arvia suite.

Back in the day the P&O and Cunard were not part of Carnival Corp., and prior to balconies being the norm, there were two choice of cabin (stateroom). Inside or Outside. Outside basically was the same as Oceanview, being they had portholes.

Yes, we are on the August 27 sailing, which is what prompted me to check it out.

This link should confirm. https://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/

That's just what the Italians said on Costa Concordia.

P&O are a million miles away from my first cruise with them in 1992, however it is an unfair comparison as I can book a balcony cabin today for less than I was paying for an outside cabin back then.

There are many things that have now gone from P&O, however I am not at liberty to name them, for "operational reasons".

FWIW I think as a gesture of good will FOCL should give you a fair cash refund. However I am not sure why you think you have "contracted ports". Have you read your contract? Here's what the relevant section states; 7.1 Published Holiday details and those details notified to you at the time of Booking may be subject to changes by FOCL after the Booking has been concluded, as a result of changes in circumstances that have occurred since the Holiday was originally planned. Such changes may include omitting, substituting or adding ports of call; we may re-route the cruise vessel or flights or change a port of embarkation and disembarkation, flight class, cruise vessel or other arrangements that form part of the Holiday, including restricting the availability of any onboard facilities and services. Such changes may be made in the interests of promoting the health, safety, comfort or enjoyment of Passengers or the operational efficiency of the Holiday. Wherever possible, details of such changes will be communicated to you in writing. As I said, I do think you should be fairly compensated, but for the benefit of other cruisers, particularly new cruises, I think it is important not to mis-lead folk that ports are part of the contract and thus guaranteed. They are not. So if it is so important that Madeira is not a suitable alternative to the Canaries,say, then a cruise is not a suitable holiday.

Are you sure your Son isn't just looking for an excuse not to go on the cruise? Maybe he doesn't want another vacation with his parents but doesn't want to hurt your feelings.