sjbdtz

This one time, I looked in the mirror....

Stephen

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There was a change last year. You used to only get the benefits of the comped category.

Then last year they changed it so you got the benefits of the upgraded category.

That's currently still in place for my next couple, though it's possible it changed again recently.

Stephen

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Should NCL expect a 9 year old to read their contract ? Mom says "still NCL's fault".

Of course the 9 year old isn't expected to read the Freestyle Daily. Their guardian & protector is, though.

Stephen

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Wow, those are Great Photos.

Thanks! I may have a couple of others somewhere in my 25,000 + album. :)

Stephen

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Yes, you have a great memory. By the by, if you have any photos of NCL Captains you're afraid to post, email them to me and I'll take care of it.

I think posting photos of any of the people we refer to in the "where are they" threads is helpful. I also have no fear. :halo:

Stephen

Executive Casino Host extraordinaire: Rimarie (along with another CC member) (that's me on the left)

Captain Tommy giving me lots of money:

The incomparable Klaus:

Armando, Mirsad, and a captain whose name I've forgotten:

Gone, but not forgotten, Captain Tygve:

Stephen

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Conversely, unless there's something spectacular in the service (or something that's 'extra'), I sign the slip as-is.

NCL's approach is that they take care of the gratuity, so you don't have to.

That said, if you want to recognize somebody in particular, feel free.

Stephen

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Do I detect a touch of sarcasm? "thanks UNIALL!"

Say what? No sarcasm here. Just a genuine thank you to somebody who posted something I appreciated.

The capitalization was in error....I thought his name was in all caps, turns out it's all lower-case. That's on me.

But I was simply being polite, and expressing appreciation. I hope that's still permitted?

Stephen

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Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm pretty sure they stole this design from Bugatchi. I was actually wearing this shirt the first time I went into the Escape theatre.

Is that a live chicken in your pocket, or....

Great thread, thanks for sharing with us!

Stephen

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Whilst I confess to not understanding perhaps you can explain why you posted a picture from Facebook on this site.

 

I am sure those of us who are friends with this truly amazing Captain will have seen FB.

 

Anyway its not a grumble just a question.

Some of us have had the pleasure of sailing with him and chatting with him a few times, but not to the extent that we're Facebook friends - but we do appreciate seeing the good news.

Thanks UNIALL,

Stephen

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Just met our cabin steward Richard... he was studying our Bliss door-bling with another steward who's about to transfer to the Joy...

 

 

 

+1 vote that you do a B2B and stick around for the Bliss TA on May 10th. That intro video was superb.

Stephen

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Thank you for posting. I missed the alert 2 months ago, so this is the first I've heard it's bookable.

I booked 2 land vacations and a cruise this year so not sure I can fit in a trip to China, but might be fun to do next year.

Thanks,

Stephen

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I wish I had gotten a definitive answer from our steward! I went with brontosaurus, whereas Stacy thought it was a large tortoise, the type with really long necks. Maybe her contacts were bothering her that day ;p

I assume it had to be one of these:

There was green alligators and long-necked geese,

Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees,

Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born,

The loveliest of all was the Unicorn.

Stephen

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Shoes should not go on seats, so no rez required.

:loudcry:

It does matter. In US labor and tax law, providing room and board can be taxable income. You figure the income at the rate it would cost you to obtain housing in that location. However, it is not taxable if it is "for the benefit of the employer" (and meets some other minor tests). For NCL employees, the room and board is non-taxable, and I don't know about you, but I pay about 20% of my income for housing costs. I would love my employer to pick that up. Benefits have value.

 

They may have other housing costs, or they may live with family for the three months they are home. That's not unusual for people in their countries (or for 30 year olds in America).

 

 

 

 

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No, I said $10 an hour, USD. That's about $12.90 CAD, and more than the minimum wage in any Canadian province according to Wikipedia

 

If you really feel that they are being exploited how can you be a party to it? I would quit cruising if I thought that.

a) many of the people I've met on ships have families at home. Wives, husbands, partners, children. Those people need to live somewhere during those 9 months.

b) Ontario is in the process of scaling-up minimum wage to $15 / hr.

c) I don't think they're being exploited. I think that they would be, if they had to pay their own room & board, or if people removed the DSC since what I was saying, is that IT makes up the bulk of their income.

Stephen

Have cruised with Messiah twice, on the Epic in 2015 & the Star Dec 2016 with Djamela, Bitch great guys, would be great if either were on the Getaway for the TA on Oct.

This is the first time I've heard of anybody named Bitch (I get called it a lot, but it's not my name). Typo?

Stephen

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Especially when you consider that room and board is included in that rate.

 

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I've seen this brought up many times before, and while it may have been by other posters, you are the one I'm going to ask... :halo:

Why does it matter than room & board are included? Presumably these people have homes they have to maintain, even if they are vacant.

I travel a lot for work, and my hotel rooms are paid for, and my meals are paid for. BUT...I wouldn't have INCURRED those costs BUT for work. So it's not like I was getting a freebie. Work made me incur costs, and then reimbursed them.

It's no different for life at sea: you cannot live at home & shop in your local grocer, so your new costs are reimbursed (in the form of being subsidized 100% at the outset).

It's not a benefit. If they're making the equivalent of minimum wage in the US.... well that sucks, because the US minimum wage is atrocious. However that's not what I'm trying to get at: the WAY they make that, is with their tips.

Their BASE pay is negligible.

Stephen

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Thanks for answer, I was hoping not to have to carry, hubby plans on swimming so I'll be doing the toting and keeping track.

Usually you board, and there will be a lounge or designated room where they'll check your carry-on bag. Then you can both swim and pick up your carry-on when the rooms are ready.

Stephen

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I saw pics of you with Omar on FB, and came over to look for this thread. :) Everybody looks happy!

Stephen

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I just booked a cruise for our family of 5 yesterday and already I am wanting to cancel. I am looking at their web site, just getting a feel for the ship, and I look at the UBP (beverage, right?) - we are not buying that nor using it for our freebie but I see where you can buy a soda drink package and also buy a case of water. If you have to pay extra for a Pepsi, what do they give you to drink if you don't buy the soda package??? I have only been on one cruise 25 years ago (!!!) and you paid for the cruise and your food and beverage (not including alcohol) was included. What in the world?

 

Thank you in advance for explaining this to me.

On your last cruise, you had to buy alcohol if you wanted it. Everything else was included.

On this cruise, alcohol is included if you want it. Water & Pepsi aren't. Though, I'd order a Rum & Pepsi - hold the rum.

Stephen

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It's a bit smaller. Not IN the Haven. Whirlpool that some like, some don't.

On the other hand, it's the only type of cabin which gets access to all the areas of the ship (Haven, Spa) which doesn't require other purchase (like spa access). So I try to book the H9 for this reason. Have had them on EPIC 3 times, on Getaway and on Breakaway, and on Escape, and have one booked on Bliss.

YMMV.

Stephen

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I think Flickr is still around, too.

Great pics. I'd put Cape Horn on your list too, beautiful fjords there also.

Totally jealous. Looks like you had a great time.

Stephen

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seriously? How does seeing someone fat enjoying themselves on their vacation (mind you, the same way my 160lb male partner would on a cruise.) affect you at all? Would it be the worst thing you saw if it was two skinny people? Does it bother you when fat people kiss? Or dance, or maybe just exist? If seeing fat people eat twice is the "worst" thing you ever saw on a cruise ship, i might venture that seeing someone as judgemental as you might be the worst thing someone else saw on their cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iphone using tapatalk

^^^^ +1

The suite perks I've mentioned are worthless. If you want food brought to your room, order it. Why waste your money on a suite that yields perks that are pointless?

 

I understand this is a little different on the newer ships. With the Haven, you have access to a separate pool, which is great because the common area pool is way too small. .

Not spending money = wasting money? I'm not sure you have grasped how money works.

Multi-quote response:

1. Some people don't have children, and the money they have is theirs to spend as they wish. Not spending it = wasting its potential to unlock additional enjoyment.

2. I've sailed in many many suites, and inside cabins, and balconies, and a couple of ocean-views. So to answer the original question yes, it's possible to enjoy it. Our cruise to Cuba is in a balcony cabin (thanks CAS), while our last, and the next after are both in suites. The 4 day Cuba cruise, with overnight in Havana meant not enough time on ship to justify the suite cost. And sometimes one is surprised with VIP status even when not in a suite. :hearteyes:

3. FARTS: here's a hint (and you probably know this, being in Med School) but the best cure for motion sickness (ship or car, or plane) is to fixate on the horizon. The main cause of the nauseated feeling is a disconnect between what your eyes are seeing, and what your inner-ear perceives. You feel like you're moving, but your eyes see everything near you as being stationary. Fix on the horizon & your eyes will SEE the same movement your balance is identifying...and your stomach will mind it's own business.

4. The menu the butler can deliver isn't a menu. It's anything on the ship. The menu you can order from in a regular cabin is limited to selected items. That's why it's not the same as just "paying for what you want".

5. The main benefit (for me), other than the space, the exclusive spaces when there are Havens, and the access to private restaurants, is the idea of not waiting in lines. I will willingly pay a premium to avoid lining up on my vacation. A good concierge marshals their guests via back elevators & stairwells & entrances into venues so they can avoid lines. THAT is the main thing I'd miss if I had to give up the suite life entirely.

Stephen

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As to water - the distilled is not really required. It just means less mineral deposits on your device. You can live fine with it.

 

Device - check or carryon? We have done most over the years,but now that we are always carryon, it is in my rollaboard. No longer use the carry case either. Packs around my clothes just fine.

Two things:

1. If you DO find yourself getting mineral deposits, soak it in diluted vinegar (vinegar added to water) for a couple of hours, then rinse well. Takes the deposits off.

2. I also travel A LOT, and was told at one airport that I should remove my machine without being asked, as the reservoir COULD have liquids in it. But as a medical device, it's ALWAYS carry-on, they cannot force you to put a medical device in checked luggage. So I put it in a duffel bag, along with my DSLR camera & lenses, and then save my regular carry-on for shoes (and clothes).

Stephen

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Color me downright stupid. When I read the post about AMEX vs NCL, I read it backwards. The poster actually indicated that AMEX was less money, for better coverage.

 

So sorry.

 

By the way, it still seemed a little high, but I am not sure of the actual coverage. Insuremytrip.com gives some great comparisons.

 

 

At the $800, it is almost foolish to buy insurance. Especially for those that buy it in case they miss the ship, cancel last minute or worried about travel delays. Just my personal opinion, keeping in mind that the insurance company always wins this bet.

Insurance is intended to cover the "unexpected". So yes, it's a bet with house odds. Most travelers will never cash-in on their insurance policy. But the ONE time they need to, it can be a lifesaver (unless it's life insurance, in which case.... )

Stephen

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