JimR24

2 hours ago, MajSteve said:

From now on I am going to rent a nice cabin in a remote state park and relax on my own terms and my own schedule.

Ned Beatty's character (Bobby) had the same thought in Deliverance.  

16 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

I know, isn't it terrible that I expect to get what I paid for? The horror.... 😉 

I don't know.  If you have the FAS and you're not paying for your drinks, I think you're getting what you pay for.  I just prefer to act like Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber handing our cash while on vacation.  

Tell ya what, if we're ever on the same cruise.  You can sit near me and I'll hook you up with the tipping.  🤑

We took our first NCL cruise on the Epic when our kids we a little younger.  One was a Sophomore in HS and the other in grade school.  As many mentioned, the cabin layout is "different".  Now that they are older (College Grad next weekend and HS Grad), I would get them their own cabin if they were with us.  

As for the ship itself, no issue.  We do prefer smaller ships though but it has nothing to do with the Epic itself.  If the Itinerary and price was right, we would hop back on board and have a good time.  

We will be sailing in 50+ days on the Sky.  One thing I always have on me is a stack of $1s. I’ll tip the bartenders each time I get a drink. These people work their tails off during the trips.  Not sure if it helps but I have seen really good service from the bartenders who serve us. 

We are closing in on our 9 day Caribbean Round Trip.  89 days to go.  Celebrating my son's HS graduation and daughters' college graduation.  There may even be a proposal on the trip.  I know the family trips we have together are winding down so this makes this one even more special. 

I love the ability to disconnect from the world and unwind.  Our rule with the kids always has been they have to try one new food at dinner.  Things they usually turn their noses up to at home.  It's amazing what they like to eat now.  We are booked on some private tours on St Thomas and St Maarten.  We have some first timers in the Caribbean and on a cruise with us so it should be an entertaining trip.   

Our first cruise was over Spring Break a few years back.  We were on the Epic and knew it was going to be crowded but were kind of concerned about it being a "booze cruise" because of it being Spring Break.  

We were totally wrong.  Yes, there was a large Spring Break crowd but they were well behaved and we had no issues.  The ship was large enough where we could find seats on the deck.  I want to say we ran into students from Clemson, Texas A&M and a few other large schools.  

Since my kids were in school at the time, we had to be selective on when we cruised and booked another one the same time the year after.  No issues then either.  

We are normally NCL people.  In the past year we have taken 2 3 days cruises on MSC and had no issues at all.  We are really low maintenance and kind of just go with the flow.  Yes, we expect good customer service but are realists.  Our vacations are our time to get away and destress.  We are not going to go and look for things to complain about.  

I would never cancel a trip based on someone's online opinion.  Everyone is different and you need to see things for yourself.  

I wore shorts and a button down shirt each night at dinner.  Nothing fancy.  Others had jeans and t-shirts.  Super chill is a great description.  We did not go to Nassau on this one.  We did the Keys and Ocean Cay.  Very relaxing overall.  

Yes.  White night was thrown on the 2nd night.  We didn't attend but did see plenty of cruiser dressed in white.  We would definitely cruise the Magnifica again.  Would prefer to go out of Caneveral so we don't have to deal with Miami.  

Overall - no major issues or complaints.  We’re pretty easy going and I just can’t see going on a short vacation and look for things to complain about.  
 

Embarkation - had an 11:30am time.  We arrived at the port at 11:00am, parked across the street and was standing with a beer in my hand waiting for the buffet to open at 11:30am.  
 

Food - Other than a small amount of choices, the food was good.  We had breakfast and dinner in L’Edera each day and night.  Waiters were attentive and friendly.  We did notice a surcharge of $5 for a 2nd entree.  I usually don’t order 2 but I have seen others do it in the past.  Not sure if other lines are doing this but we sailed MSC earlier this year and this case.  
 

Bar service - never really waited for a drink at any bar and there always seemed to be a waiter available at any lounge we were in.  A couple waiters got to know us and we didn’t need to order our first drink and they were brought to us.  
 

Ports - First time in Key West and walked to the Southern Most point and shopped our way back.  Since I’m a Parrot Head, stopped at Capt. Tony’s to “get out of the heat” to quote the Last Mango in Paris. Cool place to see.  Ocean Cay was really nice.  Spent the day at Bimini Beach.  Water was a little chilly but crystal clear.  No problem finding chairs.  Had a burger from the food truck and a few drinks from the bar.  
 

Ship - yes it is on the smaller size and we read all the negative reviews but went with an open mind.  I mean, we’re headed on a cruise, why look for negatives?  We would definitely sail the Magnifica again.  Overall service was really good.  The only problem we had were the pool deck chairs.  To put it mildly, they suck.  The option to have shade attached to the chair was nice but they just weren’t comfortable.  We booked an inside room and picked deck 10.  Typical small room and the cabin steward was good.  
 

Disembarkation - decided to do the express walkoff.  Was in line at 7:10am and in our vehicle at 7:30am.  
 

We are Floridians and are used to traffic but the Miami traffic is a different animal all together.  Bumper to bumper no matter where we went the day before.  Went and did the Friends exhibit at the Aventura mall and it took us 25 minutes to go 2 1/2 miles.  All in all and good cruise and can’t wait for our next one in June on NCL.  
 

Cruised MSC once on a 3 day out of Canaveral and had issue.  Yes, lines to get a drink were long at times but I knew that going in.  We're going to be on the Magnifica next week for another 3 dayer.  Every cruise line isn't for everyone but I can't say I've had a terrible cruise, ever.  I've heard complaints about the Wifi on just about every lines ships.  Me, I don't want anything to do with my phone or communication once I step foot on the ship.  I cruise to get away from everything.  

I am jealous of the 14 day in Feb though.  We'll have to wait for our 9 day in June with NCL.  

We were on the same cruise.  This was the first trip with MSC and we would cruise them again.  I agree about the private island.  It's beautiful with lots of seating.  We would head to the North Island next time.  We walked the island the morning we were leaving and found it really peaceful.  We did head to the island for the party.  It was total chaos at the bar on the beach.  There is little to no respect for other people when it comes to the bar.  The bartenders do the best they can but it's like herding cats.  One bar for the party didn't seem to be enough.  

The lines to get a drink were long but the bartenders did allow you to get more then 2.  Food was ok in the dining room.  Service was hit and miss.  It felt like they were breaking in a new staff and our waiter seemed to be a little off.  2nd night was better then the first but still slow.  

We had an inside cabin on deck 10.  Exactly what we expected it to be.  Small and just a place to shower, change and sleep.  Longer cruise we would need a balcony but this was fine for us.  

1 minute ago, trummy said:

There are some not very nice people on this thread. People are allowed to disagree, have different opinions and express them. It is unseemly for 3 or 4 people to gang up on someone because they do not like their opinion. There is no rule that one has to like NCL to post in this forum.

And there is no rule that you need to continue to read the thread.  I claim to be one of those "not nice people".  

5 minutes ago, yankees111 said:

Stop trolling the NCL boards. We get it. You do not like NCL. Find a cruise line you like and post on those boards instead of coming here with your nonsense!

Boom, Roasted! - to quote Michael Scott.

Just now, panamatiger said:

Agreed:  Mod's Jenn and Star  --->  Time to take some action

I'm done with him.  He has an agenda and thats to make NCL look bad.  

3 minutes ago, Theboss17 said:

Jim...  it is just facts !!!  

In your eyes, I'm sure it's factual.  But you have no idea of the employment contract they signed.  As others have said, I would have been fired for something similar.  But you can have your selective outrage.  I guess it works for you.  

13 minutes ago, Theboss17 said:

just like I thought.....  So holding them no longer receiving pay and telling them they could have 'prosecution by shoreside authorities" for speaking on a policy is ok to you..  WOW ..  some of you'll need to rethink.. let these people go home if they choses. NCL did not reply .  Oh wait NCL doesn't reply to many other articles .. probably best as they keep digging them self deeper in lies.....    my employer of over 200k  and 90 years in business would never threaten any one of us. Do we have a media posting policy absolutely but would never threaten us.   

Wow.  Spare us the lecture from your soapbox.  We get it, you don't like NCL.  

1 minute ago, phillyguy31 said:

Try and post something similar about your employer or have an employee post something bad about your company and see how fast your job will continue. They are are stuck there not because of NCL but because of the CDC in at least the US. The Gem so far is the only ship that NCL has so far and most of the other ships have been quarantined well beyond the 14 days required.

The Boss is only trying to start trouble, nothing else.

Take a look at the activity of this poster.  There is obviously some hard feelings towards NCL.  So what do they do, come to their board and hang out.  Sounds like they need a hobby.

We hated to do it but we just pulled back our December cruise.  We have decided to book in cabin the Smokey Mountains with the family.  We wanted a vacation on the books and we had to get something booked in the mountains before we missed the place we wanted.

We are constantly looking at future cruises and will be booking more as soon as we can.  We love cruising.  As someone mention, it's my happy place where I can stick my phone in the safe and not be bothered with work.  We never get WiFi and it's just total peace.    

17 hours ago, iggyc said:

We couldn’t pass up the deal. Balcony for $2600 for the two of us including gratuity. Direct flights from Detroit for $270 per person. Can cancel up to 48 hours before cruise

 

we had $500 CN certificates and used our stimulus money. I’m looking at this as a free cruise. 

Jewel is currently booked at 55%. NCL travel guy said it looks like they will only book to 70%. Not worried about buffet. Never eat there. 
 

What would make you book a cruise in 2020

Very jealous.  My wife was looking at one in August before my daughter is slated to go back to college.  I hope you are able to go and enjoy it.  

We were talking on the way to the store today.  We were wondering what cruising will be like when it returns.  I cannot see deck chairs being stationed 6 feet apart but who knows.  I know Disney has a task force to get them back opened safely.  

3 minutes ago, reveur15 said:

I agree with you and booked 2 cruises this week for 2021and 2022.

I enjoy cruises and i enjoy NCL even if they are not perfect.

I know there is a risk that they can go bankrupt but I support them and I take the risk to lose my 2 deposit.

I miss the happy 'welcome aboard' !!!

 

 

No company is going to do everything perfect.  I travel for work and carry status with American, Marriott and National.  All have disappointed me in the past but for me, they are still the best option.  I will stick with NCL and continue to book (as long as they are in business).  This whole situation with this Virus is unlike any other and companies are doing there best to navigate these waters (see what I did there).  

13 minutes ago, boatseller said:

What!?!?  A calm, rational, personal assessment of the situation?  Don't you understand the NCL is going bankrupt and will scuttle all their ships tomorrow and you'll probably infect 10,000 people after your cruise?

 

At least I don't feel so bad about planning ~5 cruises Aug>Dec.  Happy Sailing!

Can I go with you?  You can stuff me in a checked bag.  Don't worry if you have the drink package, we'll share (I can hear heads exploding on the board as people read that).  

1 hour ago, Trimone said:

It’s not just the passengers cruising, any cruise company will have a responsibility to their employees, it may start next year with a few days gaps between cruises, for time to clean throughout, disinfect and test the crew.

Who knows, who will let you dock and allow 100s of people onshore?

its all down to the scientists 

I wish this was true.  If the leaders were looking at numbers and listening to the Scientists, we would have more things open by now.  

Amen.  I really hope we can go on our cruise in December.  We would actually take one sooner if they open up.  

46 minutes ago, Fartlek said:

Really- you are comparing the flu to this virus? Please!  You are correct there is no vaccine for the flu but there are a “just a few “ more issues with this virus.  In case you have not noticed, the world has shutdown because of this virus and you actually think you will be on a cruise ship in August or December.    

Yes, I am comparing it.  It's amazing how this virus has "'cured" much of the other deaths.  Cancer death numbers are wayyyy down as well as the flu.  I'm sure the empty hospitals are being totally honest with the numbers they are reporting.