disneywackerdh

These specialty dining price increases, both on the menu prices and the package prices are absolutely ridiculous.  I'm a loyal NCL customer (latitudes platinum) and I have a major problem with this change.  It makes the specialty dining price completely unreasonable.  Pay $70 for Teppanyaki? I did a quick search and found an overpriced Hibachi restaurant in Times Square and if I ordered the most expensive app, entree (twin lobster tails), side, and dessert, I came up with a $77 bill.  Isn't specialty dining supposed to take into account the fact you aren't eating in the MDR for that meal (and that cost would be "deducted")?  So basically, they are saying that Teppanyaki has a value of about $95 per person.  No way!!!  This is a deal breaker for me.  It will very likely mean a drastic change in the way people eat on NCL ships, and will overload the MDRs.  So it will be a very bad thing for NCL.  This has to change or my current NCL reservation (Prima next June) will likely be my last NCL cruise.

On 10/18/2022 at 12:39 PM, JGmf said:

 

I, too, disagree Gary.

 

I may have started this thing on this thread against Haven priority for Syd's.  That's fine, as I truly believe that giving Haven guests (like me, who stays in the Haven) early embarkation, early tenders, early disembarkation, private dining and bar, their own butler, snacks, etc. is great and commensurate with what we pay, but none of those perks prevents the non-Haven passenger from eventually enjoying (later) embarkation, (later) disembarkation, (non-exclusive) sundeck and hot tubs, (non-exclusive) dining and snacks in the buffet, and (general admission to) shows in larger venues.

 

Using the same logic, maybe NCL should rope-off part of the Atrium seating for Haven guests for the game shows they have in there?   That would be interesting.

 

When a venue like Syd's, by its design, is so small that earlier entry for Haven guests would curtail eager, lined-up non-Haven passengers from enjoying the same, then that's a plain fairness issue ...in my own humble opinion. 

 

Before you pile-on, if Haven passengers are offered the perk, go ahead and use it. 

 

I just think NCL shouldn't offer it. 

 

 

 

Well said.  Perfect, in fact.  If it is offered, if I were in a Haven room, of course I would use it and wouldn't (shouldn't) feel bad about doing so.  However, if offering early seating to Haven guests means that the rest of the ship gets the shaft, then no, of course it should NOT be a perk for Haven guests.  

On 8/1/2022 at 1:12 PM, 2cruiseluvrs said:

 

BAC513 - Thanks for this comment. As a matter of fact, just this past week I called MSC Customer Service to bring up this very issue. Basically their YC web page "inclusions" section says you get Premium Internet, unlimited for 2 devices. But then you look through the rest of the general website and the only two internet packages offered for sale are "Browse" and the better "Browse and Stream." I asked Customer Service, "So of those two choices, which would you consider to be the PREMIUM -- wouldn't it be the better of the two?" And the gal contacted management to inquire. She got back on the line and told me to print out the screen shots. She told me that the premium was indeed the better "browse and stream" -- and I asked her to send that to me in writing, and she refused, citing a lack of ability to email me. So I asked for names and took these notes, which I will take on my trip along with the printed screenshots.

 

I called and spoke to Casey D., Customer Service on July 27th at 10:30 a.m. and she says her colleagues confirm that the "Premium Package" is the same as the "Browse and Stream Cruise Package", per Jennifer B. in management.

 

I also sent an email to our previous YC Director and encouraged him to pass it along to the powers that be... to help clear up confusion for guests. 

 

THIS IS WHAT THE YACHT CLUB PAGE SHOWS AS A BENEFIT:

 

 

AND THESE ARE THE ONLY TWO INTERNET PACKAGES FOR SALE TO PASSENGERS:

 

 

So, what YC calls Premium and Unlimited in their marketing, should be the better of the two available packages, right?

My description of YC benefits says "Premium Internet package (Browse -2 devices)."  So I believe they have clarified what "Premium" means, and it is just "browse" not "browse and stream".  I'll manage...

Does anyone have any knowledge of the "All Inclusive Digital" Photo Package.  I see that it is listed for sale online @ $119 "per package".  I would think that I only need to pay this once for all guests in my cabin (just my wife and I).  However, when clicking on the button to purchase I have to select the guest, and I can select BOTH my wife and I and pay it twice.  Do I need to, or would my wife and I both be automatically included if I purchase it for just one of us?

I've always thought, sailing on other ships, that I'd love to see a relatively inexpensive digital package like this.  If it is only $119 total for the room, I think I'd get it, but if it is $119 for each of us, it's still too pricey.  

Any feedback from people that have sailed on MSC and gotten this package would be appreciated!

On 4/12/2022 at 9:08 AM, kaprin02 said:

Do you really think they would take on the liability of sailing with passengers if the ship wasn’t 100% safe? Since Norwegian hasn’t actually detailed the damage, we really have no idea what happened. It’s completely possible that the majority of the repair was on the interior of the ship - why would that need a dry dock? 
 

I’m on the 4/16, which seems like it might be a go (has not been cancelled as of now, and is still bookable). I have no hesitation about getting on the ship!

The fact that NCL has NOT disclosed the extent of the damage and why the repairs took so much longer than anticipated (see every official press release or communication over the last month...they all say this) would worry me.  I was scheduled on the April 2 sailing and I'm a little relieved it was cancelled now.

20 hours ago, Pitzel said:

All signs are yes. Those of us who are scheduled to sail received emails this morning (with today’s date) encouraging us to rewatch the safety videos to prepare for the cruise. Cabin upgrade notices also went out this morning. 

I got those emails several days AFTER the April 2 cruise was cancelled.  What a joke.

6 hours ago, Btsrcat said:

We sail April 2 as well, but just a reminder that last week people started to get upgrade emails less than half an hour before the cancellation email came out so I wouldn't use that as an indicator! 

Omg, this is so horrible.  I hope they got a refund for the upgrade and not just cruise credit if the took the alternate cruise..

Anyone see any updates on the repairs anywhere?  I'm on the April 2 sailing and am on pins and needles.  Also, has anyone received a "winning bid notification" on an upgrade for April 2 yet?  That would be a good sign the cruise is still on I'd imagine...

Mine took about a week once I finally got it accepted.  I had just made the purchase and didn't have a monthly fidelity statement yet so I'd tried to send them a holdings printout from the web...it wasn't accepted.  Then I sent them a statement of the actual purchase (that had my name/date on it and looked much more official) and it was accepted.  Saw my credit ($50 each for me and wife) on my booking about a week later.

Does anyone know if "The Pour House" on deck 8 of the Escape is the same as "Syd Norman's Pour House" on the Breakaway?  I loved this on my last cruise and would love to hear that it is on the Escape now!   Kind of doubt it is the same thing though.  Of course, this assumes that the Escape actually sails on April 2!!!

I'm booked on the April 2 sailing.  Hoping that they can get everything fixed prior to the March 26th sailing so I can stop worrying!

Still haven't gotten a clear answer to the question from official NCL channels (not without trying!), but thank you to everyone for trying to help so far.  I sent this to NCL customer relations today:

I am booked on the NCL Escape departing April 2, 2022.  My reservation # is 47705549.  I have made multiple attempts to get clarification, in writing, to the instructions on your Parent/Guardian Consent and release form.

My situation is as follows:

One of the passengers on my booking, <name of minor deleted for privacy>, is a minor.  Her father is deceased and her mother is her sole living parent and guardian.  

NCL’s Parent/Guardian Consent & Release form specifically states “Both parents/legal guardians must sign and complete this form and attach a copy of his/her driver’s license or other government issued identification.”

My questions, which I would appreciate receiving a written response from NCL for are:

1. In the event one parent is deceased and there is only one living parent and guardian, what is the correct procedure?  (Do you need to simply write the 2^nd parent’s name and write “deceased” in lieu of the signature?  Would the death certificate be sufficient to prove the second parent cannot sign?)
2. Does the Parent/Guardian Consent & Release form need to be notarized?  If so, does this need to have an embossed notary seal?
3. Would any other documentation be required to prove that the deceased parent was the legal parent (i.e. birth certificate?  Would the birth certificate need to be an “official” sealed document or would a copy be sufficient?)

I have made two calls today, March 9, 2022 to request a written clarification from NCL (informal email would be acceptable) as to what to do in the above situation.  Additionally, several months ago, I sent a request through the NCL website requesting information and received no response to that request.  On the second call, I requested a supervisor and they told me that they could not provide any more guidance than what was on the form.  They “thought” that a death certificate would be sufficient, but again they could not provide any written guidance to verify this.  They said that they would note on my reservation that the call had taken place and document the guidance that was provided.  But again, I have no proof that this happened. 

I’m worried that I will show up at the port and discover that I DO NOT have sufficient documentation to allow embarkation.  At that time, even if I find out what I need, it would be too late to get anything other than electronically transferred documents (email/fax) as the sole living parent of Madison Martin will be 8 hours away.  Additionally, without any written documentation of these questions and guidance I’ve received, I’ll have no recourse other than being denied embarkation and, per NCL’s written policy, I would not receive a refund.

Please understand that my request is very simply, I just want to have clear written guidance on what to do in this situation and would furthermore like to be able to prove to any overzealous port employee that I followed the guidelines as directed in this unusual situation.

21 hours ago, sunrise&amp;set said:

Not sure if I'm replying too late, but we just did this last month.  We brought my son's friend whose father sadly passed just 2 weeks prior to the cruise.  He still very much wanted to go with us.  We only needed the form provided by Norwegian and a copy of his Mom's ID (driver's license, front and back).  In the past, before they provided this form, I would type up a document with all of this info and have it notarized.  That is no longer necessary.

Thank you so much for this information!  This makes me feel better.  I'd love to have something in writing from NCL, but have made repeated attempts at this and failed.  But this at least gives me a little comfort.  Doesn't mean that I won't encounter an overzealous individual at the port when I board though...

Reposting here in case anyone can help with this.  This is a copy of an email sent to NCL Guest Relations today.

I am booked on the NCL Escape departing April 2, 2022.  My reservation # is 47705549.  I have made multiple attempts to get clarification, in writing, to the instructions on your Parent/Guardian Consent and release form.

My situation is as follows:

One of the passengers on my booking, <name of minor deleted for privacy>, is a minor.  Her father is deceased and her mother is her sole living parent and guardian.  

NCL’s Parent/Guardian Consent & Release form specifically states “Both parents/legal guardians must sign and complete this form and attach a copy of his/her driver’s license or other government issued identification.”

My questions, which I would appreciate receiving a written response from NCL for are:

1. In the event one parent is deceased and there is only one living parent and guardian, what is the correct procedure?  (Do you need to simply write the 2^nd parent’s name and write “deceased” in lieu of the signature?  Would the death certificate be sufficient to prove the second parent cannot sign?)
2. Does the Parent/Guardian Consent & Release form need to be notarized?  If so, does this need to have an embossed notary seal?
3. Would any other documentation be required to prove that the deceased parent was the legal parent (i.e. birth certificate?  Would the birth certificate need to be an “official” sealed document or would a copy be sufficient?)

I have made two calls today, March 9, 2022 to request a written clarification from NCL (informal email would be acceptable) as to what to do in the above situation.  Additionally, several months ago, I sent a request through the NCL website requesting information and received no response to that request.  On the second call, I requested a supervisor and they told me that they could not provide any more guidance than what was on the form.  They “thought” that a death certificate would be sufficient, but again they could not provide any written guidance to verify this.  They said that they would note on my reservation that the call had taken place and document the guidance that was provided.  But again, I have no proof that this happened. 

I’m worried that I will show up at the port and discover that I DO NOT have sufficient documentation to allow embarkation.  At that time, even if I find out what I need, it would be too late to get anything other than electronically transferred documents (email/fax) as the sole living parent of Madison Martin will be 8 hours away.  Additionally, without any written documentation of these questions and guidance I’ve received, I’ll have no recourse other than being denied embarkation and, per NCL’s written policy, I would not receive a refund.

Please understand that my request is very simply, I just want to have clear written guidance on what to do in this situation and would furthermore like to be able to prove to any overzealous port employee that I followed the guidelines as directed in this unusual situation.

I'm scheduled on the Escape in April and I will be taking one of my daughter's friends.  She is 16 and her father is deceased.  I've found a FAQ that includes NCL's parental consent form and states both parents must sign the form.  It doesn't have clear instructions about notarization or what to do in the case of a deceased parent.  Do they require a death certificate (this is kind of morbid, I'd hate to have to ask for this, but I will if I have to...)?  Does anyone have any direct experience with this?  I've already done the research and I've written NCL directly to ask, but don't have a response yet.  Looking for anyone's direct experience with this and not just speculation.  I'm trying to avoid a disaster where we THINK we have everything we need, but end up getting turned away while boarding (this would be unrecoverable, as at least one of us would then have to drive 8 hours to take our guest home...no way we could make the round trip to catch the cruise before departure).  Thanks in advance!

Does anyone know if any of the parking for Port Canaveral has EV chargers or even 120V outlets available?  I'd love to be able to charge my ID.4 while parked for my cruise in April.  

I've been trying to find any information on what the 2018 refurbishment on the Breakaway did.  I've been on both the Getaway and the Escape in the past and one of the things I disliked about those ships was how the smoke from the casino seemed to contaminate the air for the entire 6-7-8 atrium.  Does anyone know if they did anything in the refurbishment to fix this?  I'm cruising on the Breakaway this Christmas and am hoping they fixed this during the ship's 2018 refurbishment...

thanks!

This is a shame. Yes, that is the article I read. Kind of irresponsible of the author not to retract it after it has gone over a year without NCL actually doing what they say. I've been on the Getaway and I don't remember the atrium area being as much as a problem as people claim on here for the Getaway/Breakaway/Escape, but I was hoping that at least the casino would be part smoke-free now.

I've seen a bunch of posts on this, but haven't been able to find anything definitive. Apparently NCL was changing their smoking policy and adding a closed off smoking area inside the casino (with the majority of the casino being non-smoking). Has this been completely implemented and is the main part of the casino now non-smoking? Is the 6-7-8 smoke issue resolved? I'm a non-smoker and I've always hated the smoke, would love to hear that this is changed for the better now!

Thanks, and sorry if this is covered definitively in a thread somewhere already.

Rebel Yell is the best! I did the Jost Van Dyke excursion on the Getaway 2 years ago and am already booked to do it again on the Escape in February...

I've read older reviews that mention the smoke from the casino gets all over the atrium, even into restaurants like Le Bistro. But I've also read that Norwegian had plans to make a walled off area with separate ventilation for a small "smoking" casino. Has that happened? What is the smoke like in the casino and the atrium? I'm booked for February but I am worried I'll hate it because of the smoking issue...