SubSmithy

Chuck, A life time ago I lived nearby in Ridgefield.

I have used InsureMyTrip.com for many years to compare and by trip insurance with good luck.  Though after all the insurance that I bought, I never really looked at the details of "trip interruption" coverage until today.  I realized that insurance that I had bought in the past had a restriction that limited coverage to only instances where the common carrier had a 24 hour interruption in services due to weather.  So a 6 or 12 hour interruption that caused you to miss your ship would not be covered nor would mechanical failure of the plane.

After talking to InsureMyTrip they turned me on to Generali Global Assistance insurance.  From their coverage doc: Covered events include "Common Carrier delays and/or cancellations resulting from adverse weather, mechanical breakdown of the aircraft, ship, boat or motor coach that you were scheduled to travel on, or organized labor strikes that affect public transportation" There is no minimum time for the event.

This sold me, as it addressed my major concern.  The price was very reasonable.  

Todd

The end of January beginning of February we docked at Taino Bay.  All the excursions seemed to be long distance so we hired a local cab, $60 for three people to see the some local sights.  At every stop like the cathedral, there were people who charged  to show you around. $5 seemed sufficient.  One stop was a local chocolate maker.  They called it a factory but it was tiny.  The gift shop sold more Mamajuana than chocolate. (hint, taste the chocolate before you buy it.)  The shopping area near the ship is pretty good.  Prices are more reasonable than other ports.  The pool area there looked very inviting I wish I had brought my bathing suit off of the ship.

I don't remember the name of the concierge.  I never did get an email ahead of the cruise.  But he was amazing.  New reservations, changing reservations, account issues, getting us on and off the ship, he and his team were just super efficient and accommodating.  

As for the bartender, his name was Kai and his underling was Maria.  Kai came off as snooty and arrogant and catered to a very loud and inebriated family group that was regularly dropping $50's.  After the first few days the Haven bar was not the hub that I have known it to be.  We found the bar at the forward observation lounge with a piano player late in the evening was a pretty magic place to hang out.  Also a shout out to the whiskey bar for their Old Fashions and Whiskey Sours.

I heard from someone who was on the Encore, the following week and they said that Maria was the primary bartender and they never met Kai.  So good for Maria!  She is is friendly and competent and fun to be around.  

12 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

........always the chocolate cake, LOL. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

So after spending some time on the phone and the chat it seems to shake out this way:

The upgrade offer both online and then through my TA and NCL had no option to pay the $343 for the third guest only for 1 and 2 with 3 being charged "only" $ 243.  BUT, NCL verified that guest 3 received 2 meals which works out.  1 and 2 have the two original meals, two upgrade meals and two vouchers for a dinner at Cagney's and then the Bistro.  So I think I can parlay that into 4 nights of specialty dining, and a trip to an A la carte  and the Haven for the other nights.  I may be nit picking but its time to put the spending brakes on this trip HAHA!

January cant come soon enough!

Todd

On 10/8/2022 at 12:40 PM, Sthrngary said:

Allow me to provide the approach I have used for the third and forth person.  Since all guest 21 and older in a cabin need to all purchase the Free At Sea Plus Program, your guest will have two meals on that program.  Just buy a package with two additional meals.  On the internet, two devices is enough if everyone in the cable can be a little flexable.  However, the if you purchased the Free At Sea PLUS for the third person, they would have it anyway.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Sthrngary, first I always enjoy reading your posts.

I am in this same boat (pun intended).  I purchased the Free At Sea Plus For three.  NCL charged $343 + $343 + $243.  It was purchased through my TA who was assured that the third person would receive 2 meals with the upgrade.  My trip summary shows all three of us have the upgrade but doesn't detail the meals.  Clicking on the detail link shows the fine print:

The fees listed above cover the following: Guests 1 and 2 who are 21+ receive all Free at Sea Plus offers. Guest 1 and 2 under 21 years of age receive the Soda Package instead of the Premium Plus Beverage Package. Additional guests 21+ receive the Premium Plus Beverage Package only.

So right now it appears that #3 has no dining and I will have to buy more while #1 and 2 have more dining than we need.  (Including Platinum vouchers)  In the past while traveling as two,  a restaurant would deduct 2 meals of of one of our cards one night and then two meals off the other card on another night.  Other times they would deduct a meal from each.  I don't think I can count on this to even out the number of meals for all three.

In the end I am just trying not to leave the cruise with unused meals while at the same time having to buy extra meals.

Todd

Thank you all for the answers.  I kind of thought and was hoping that was the way it would work.  We do have the free at sea meals.  I was just trying to figure out how many extra meals I would have to buy so we are all eating together.

Thanks again

Todd

I'm trying to figure out what extra dining I need to purchase.

S/O and I are cruising on the Encore in January.  We are both platinum. From what I have read here,  we find the Latitudes desk to get our rewards vouchers for 2 dinners for 2. I have also read that these vouchers are per cabin. My sister will be joining us in the cabin and she has no latitude points and no specialty dining package. So can I use a voucher for 2 along with the specialty dining package from one of us to pay for the three of us to have dinner?

We are scheduled to be on Allure Jan 22 2022.  According to the website, pre cruise testing has to be PCR after mid December.  The 2 major testing sites in my area are saying  that PCR test turn around times are 2-4 days and 48 to 72 hours.   Given the RC 2 day testing window I am very concerned about getting tested on a Thursday and then flying to Florida, only to be left standing on the pier on Saturday with no results.  

Please share how you have dealt with this.

That was NOT the case on the Bliss last week

On 1/28/2017 at 7:40 AM, logan25 said:

 Occasionally I see separate queue for Silver and Gold. Question is will they add separate Platinum Plus and Amabassador lines, or combine with Platinum. I'm sure a lot of variables are considered when designing the check-in layout.

 

I have met Platinum passengers who were boarding with Haven guests about one year ago. (Miami) They were waiting in the same area as Haven when I struck up a conversation.  They bragged a little about how they spent about 1/4 the money for a balcony but they were boarding just as early as Haven.

4 hours ago, Sauer-kraut said:

 

That's actually the Posh area and you have to pay $$$ and be the first few people in line as the tickets for that area are extremely limited.

 

Life boat Vibe !!!

On 1/8/2019 at 2:38 PM, JennN said:

Well, I am back 5 years later and I am going to eat my words.
 

My wife wanted to take a cruise for her birthday and one of the only cruises that worked with our time and needs was one that stops in Jamaica. We're in a REALLY nice cabin with a private pool area and have the drink package so we aren't getting off the ship.

I sympathize with your feelings.  I won't spend a nickel for a long vacation in Jamaica.  Things have changed for the better in recent years but not far enough. That said, If I were visiting on a cruise, I would get off the ship and at least test out the vendors close to the ship.  They're humans, some might be "family" but I would hope that not all are staunch anti-lgbt.  

If it doesn't feel right, get back on the ship and enjoy a discounted in-port massage.

Hopefully I can clear up some misinformation here.

If you have TSA Pre Check then you have been assigned a "known traveler number". This number is for ONE person.  When you book your flight, you either tell the agent your number over the phone or enter it in your personal information when buying on line.  Frequent flyer members can store the number with their respective personal info.  You can even give your number when you check in at the airport so it can be printed on your boarding pass.

If you have received Pre-Check in the past without having provided a known traveler number, consider yourself lucky, some algorithm has selected you to get it as a promotion.  If one person has Pre-Check, family is not automatically given  a Pre Check pass unless they also have a known traveler number.

Howl  at the Moon, three weeks ago on the Getaway

Last week on the Getaway, rib eye was on the menu at Cagney's but not available for the week, no explanation.  I thought it odd to serve prime rib but not rib eye that is exactly the same cut.  Pork belly was on the menu at Cagney's and the Haven restaurant, It was delicious. 

Just came off the Getaway aft Haven 12904.  Those back cushions are definitely not attached.  I was wondering myself how that was made into a bed for 2.  Perhaps if they put an egg crate top over the 2 cushions and then a fitted sheet it makes a adequate bed.

But Irish coffees are. So we got those instead of cappuccinos a few times. The first time I forgot and got a surprise when I took a big sip of my really strong boozy coffee.

Genius!!!

We love the thermal suite and have had spa passes for the last several cruises and will have it again this October. One cruise, it rained nearly the entire week and the spa was heaven. I think it helps after a night of over indulging too.

Leggo my Eggo !

I wonder why some waffles are square while others are round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

:')

Have you ever witnessed a cruise leaving without a passenger? Same as airlines, doesn’t happen, just a threat to pay overpriced tours

Here is a video of the NCL Breakaway leaving someone behind. I can personally attest to getting left by an airline. It happens.

https://www.insuremytrip.com/ is my go to for trip insurance. Once you put in your details you will be offered many different plans and prices that you can compare and find the one that suits you. Although I have never had to collect on travel insurance, it is peace of mind knowing that emergency medical expenses would be covered. My Blue Cross won't cover out of network expenses on the ship or hospitals in Mexico should there be a mishap on an excursion.

Do you mean key card? My "car" keys have never stored electronic data on them...

Just speaking for one manufacturer, GM began puting transponder chips in their keys in 1997. Now, nearly all GM cars and trucks have them. That’s why a replacement key and associated programming can cost 50-100 dollars at the dealer.

If you really feel it is maximizing to satisfy share holders, explain stocks being up on all 3 mass marketed lines this year and big time. I guess you must feel all the cruise lines are screwing the clients to satisfy stock holders. The only problem with your thinking, if this is the case, sooner or later people will stop cruising and stock holders will left to holding a bunch of worthless paper.

Nita,

No I don't think the cruise lines are screwing the clients. They are managing giant publicly held companies. They will devise strategies to attract and service a variety of clientele. Part of that strategy is finding a price point and service level that the market will bear. Right now, the market is full of baby boomers who's children have grown and have plenty of disposable income. Hence the existence of the Haven and $799/afternoon cabanas on Harvest Caye.

I think it was totally fair for the OP to lament services that he one got and enjoyed and no longer receives or now come at a premium. I sympathize with him. The bourbons that I once drank with the UBP are no longer available and I am limited to one brand without an upcharge. I found that out last year after I actually paid for the UBP. Perhaps when cruise line management reads such comments and reviews, it may spark a change in service level. For those that respond with "it doesn't bother me" good for you. You have found that balance of service vs cost that is just right for you.

OP,

Your comments are right on the money. NCL is maximizing their profits/earnings to satisfy the shareholders.

Consider, prior to beverage packages,it was key to maximize alcohol sales to maximize profits. Every time you turned around there was someone willing to get/sell you a drink. Now with the packages, the less you drink maximizes profit. It seems rather apparent when you see a huge bar with only 2 bartenders when there could easily be 3 or 4.

Dinner service used to be focused on one or two dining rooms. Now there are multiple venues with up-charges. You don't put your best servers in the free dining room. Maximize profits. The salmon is served in the MDR at breakfast rather than the buffet, maximize profit. Trendy drinks like Dark&Stormy are now premium along with all but 1 bourbon. The extra charges maximize profits. Lobster is available for a 25 dollar up charge and to the Haven guests paying a premium, again maximize profits.

That all being said. I will be boarding the Escape Haven aft cabin next Saturday and will have a fabulous cruise. Sure a couple of things will bug me but this is the way it is now and I won't let it affect my vacation. For those of you that responded to the OP with “it really doesn't affect me”have no doubt that NCL and all the other cruise lines are working overtime to devise ways of separating you from your money and when you say “that really doesn't bother me” or “I don't mind”they have succeeded.

It's truly hard to believe the sanctimonious posts telling the OP to calm down and defending NCLs poor customer service when you're not affected.

What if the propulsion system needed to be repaired and you were told after you were boarded that the gang plank will be pulled up and you can pretend to be at sea for a few days. It is the same, the OP telling us that he wouldn't have booked the cruise if the spa wasn't available, as you saying "I wouldn't have booked if I knew the ship wasn't going to leave the pier.

jeeesh!

Long time lurker here. After a 10 year hiatus we returned to cruising last year on the Getaway in an extended balcony cabin. It was such a blast that we booked for this year on the Escape. This time in the Haven 18714. By this time tomorrow we should be flying out of Boston to Miami.

Many thanks to all who have posted their photos and opinions as well as answered the gazillion questions that sometimes seem to repeat;).

Reading this forum has certainly been a treasure of information and provided an exciting lead-up to our cruise.

Thanks again!!