ColdCruise

I wonder if the proclivity to change ports frequently and often after final payment would be of interest to some Attorneys General or as class action for violating truth in advertising laws or other laws against bait and switch tactics?

people seem to sue over all kinds of stuff most people just shrug off…latest one I read about was a class action suing Reeses because the actual Reese’s bats and pumpkins don’t look like the drawings on the wrappers 

Or the federal government which I recall reading is going to force airlines, hotels,resorts and other travel related businesses to disclose all their fees in the up front pricing rather than lure you in with a low price, then add the fees and taxes at checkout?

On 4/16/2024 at 5:32 PM, Ellis1138 said:

Geez, no. When we were done, the staff were all fine with that.

Honestly, with FAS, I might still choose Moderno for that salad bar and pao de quiejo and just have a few slices of picanha and fraldinha and still consider it a bargain. 

 

I'm worried about being on the Prima and Encore. I'm so used to choosing Moderno that I don't know what to choose when a ship doesn't have one.

 

Recommend Onda and Paladar … and both had filets that were IME better quality and better prepared than the filet or ribeye at Cagneys

1 hour ago, victory2020 said:

I just canceled a Europe cruise because 4 of the ports changed. I'm looking at New England instead but ports may change on that one too.

We just cancelled a much anticipated transatlantic because NCL dropped 1 of the 2 main ports we were looking forward to (St John’s Newfoundland) and has a less than stellar track record making the other port (Punta Delgada)

we also have cruise from Iceland to NY via Greenland,  St John’s & St Pierre/Miquelon …. Success in making those ports will determine new NCL bookings 

but we’re past final payment so if they’ve diabolically planned changes they haven’t shared, that should occur soon. 😳

On 5/17/2024 at 11:37 PM, BirdTravels said:

Tonight’s appetizers seem perfectly acceptable. 

However @BirdTravels there is a noticeable decrease in choices from earlier menus 

2 salad options down from 3 *although happy to see the Brie!)

 2 soups instead of 3 to choose from 

3 appetizers versus 5 

I know you’ve posted tons of reviews with menus, so would have a fairly extensive data set to compare.
 

But perhaps NCL hopes frequent cruisers like yourself wouldn’t have noticed as the removed 1 or 2 items over several months … sort of like the shrink-flation we’ve experienced with or half-gallon once cream cartons ? Brewers and the ilk who had those rounded square cartons went from 2 qt to 1.75 qt and it was hard to notice the difference unless you saw the 2 sizes side-by-side. Then they went to 1.5 qt … the horror if you were trying to make a recipe calling for half a gallon of ice cream 😱

11 hours ago, graphicguy said:

 

That said, on the Prima, I actually had dinner at Indulge.  I ordered a few very disparate dishes that were all quite good and served quickly.

 I think Indulge is a game changer for dining on NCL. Loved it and ate there frequently on Prima. On Viva, the secret was out and unless you were lined up when they “opened the doors” or shortly after, it was nearly impossible to get a seat..inside or out. I also think they shortened the hours of service, ie seemed Viva Indulge was not open as long as it was on Prima. (Sailed both near initial sailings)

On 4/30/2024 at 3:47 PM, cruislovin said:

Is Willem's crowded on Sundays?

I’d go over to Trip Advisor and post the question in the appropriate forum. You’re more likely to get an answer from someone who has observed how busy they are on multiple days. Better chance of accurate info since your question is specific 😊
 

On the cruise forums, most posters are only in the city for their single port day, which has a 1 in 7 chance of being on a Sunday (although some may have made port several times or had a land vacation there, they’re probably in the minority). 

On 5/18/2024 at 8:15 AM, Jezo said:

 

Poffertjes!

Yes those - I was too lazy to be bothered to check the spelling 

2 hours ago, doghog said:

I first downloaded the RC app January 2022. The one and only time I was forced to change my password was just the other day. No issues since. Works also for the website. 

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

Same deal here.

@doghog & @OCSC Mike

reassuring to hear that all the previous posters recent logon issues are anomalous !  Thanks for sharing. In have one account makes you reset password if you don't logon within 38 or 30 days, big 🫓 

OTOH makes me wonder (since its your 1st event in over 2 years) whether Royal had a breech or some other issue and are forcing everyone to reset their passwords. Seems odd to all of a sudden have every one reset their password. Im skeptical… my accounts with government and industry have been hacked too often and I didn’t find out till many weeks ir months later In almost every case.
 

Me? I created a new password thats not been used before on any account (by me). 

I don’t understand (or wish I didn’t) … Royal app frequently forces you to change your password at random times? Not on a schedule like every 3,4 or 6 months? Just Randomly?  Is it after app software upgrades? 
 

That’s just a mind boggling way to do things,

Also seems like incompetence in the programming department with coding and testing.

I was forced to take a software update yesterday and then my account logon and password didn’t work. Sheesh, since I've only had the app and account for less than 60 days thought that very weird.

On 4/14/2024 at 8:15 AM, Rewind said:

We made it to Charleston - have to catch a tour soon but wanted to leave you with this:

 

 

 

Awesome! Ty

1 hour ago, Tina99 said:

I booked an OVB GTY for Navigator only a couple weeks ago for the 5/6 sailing.  I saw a CC thread about a week ago about the bar code trick and cabin assignment using Apple Wallet.  I tried it and it worked!  Great tip. 

Can you post a link to the thread?

@scubacruiserx2

you may want to repost all your lovely photos from Russia under a separate trip report with a Russian themed subject so people interested can find them. I don’t think people will look in an Antarctic themed report thread for Russia info and your photos are superb and would be well received.

Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely I will ever travel to Russia now, although I would have loved to see St Petersburg and ride the Transiberian railway. Some things are not meant to be.

Want to mention, two of the benefits of breakfast at Cagney is 1) the steak & egg breakfast- the 6 oz strip was better than the ribeye I had for dinner in Cagneys…hands down. The 2nd is eggs Benedict all the time. Even when it wasn’t listed on debating day (used the “port day” menu I think @Sammae pointed out), I saw someone enjoying a final eggs benny as we left the restaurant.

Details in my trip report- check index near end for exact post. Thread post is linked several times in this thread (hate being redundant when the thread is only 3 pages, steady to find info if looking(

@roomba920 (and anyone else wondering) You used to have to provide your DD214 but now NCL uses id.me

sorry for late response- been traveling 🙂

Maybe but not entirely buying throttling. I saw the archaic devices they’re still using 

7 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

That's b/c whatever sale you were looking at has ended.

I realize that, not my first “it’s a sale” rodeo. I also suspect there to be another sale between now and December and am gathering data points on historical& (more germane) current pricing to prepare for that next sale if it occurs

and apparently semi-hijacking @DennysDad‘s  thread 🙂

20 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

Yes that’s how much itbs now.  Insane.  If prices don’t come down and your party is all adults, try the hideaway

It’s all adults except one almost adult (ie teenager), whose Mom is definitely heading to the adult section 😎 we have Hideaway passes but … originally trying to figure out crazy “dynamic pricing “ and what the “good” price ranges are.

Probably should have started to check prices earlier but busy planning other vacations working and getting on with life. Can’t wait till one of those three are less pressing 🤣

Thanks @Cruise a holic

id definitely take Coco Beach Club at $99 and probably pay for traveling companions, but right now my cruise is showing $265 on sale for $245.99 for December cruise.

You’re traveling … it’s best to be prepared. Money options are one of those preparations. But travel to Europe at least no longer requires you to walk around with a few hundred (local currency of the land - not everyone is on the €). 
 

in addition to Caribbean where dollars are apparently preferred (based on 14 days experience) , during recent travels both Ecuadorians & Argentinians also requested payment in USD in the past few years. Ecuador is dollar equivalent and Argentina has crazy inflation.

11 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Book it at that price.  Watch the prices and if it goes down-you can cancel and rebook at the lower price-  Great food (lobster- Steak)  and ambiance- loved the beach club.  We also loved the Hideaway- however they offer "junk food"- but it is wonderful.  Enjoy your cruise.

 
@Cruise a holic I‘ll definitely be keeping an eye on prices. We may be going to Coco Cay in Nov, just traveling as a couple, in which case I definitely would like to try Coco Beach Club…for a decent price!

@rrraydon great deal for you! What were the other prices like?

I also noticed that all the discounts are down to 5% today, or gone altogether… 🤔 

1 hour ago, complawyer said:

removing the donna show? THE HORROR !

@complawyer

you gotta revel in the last solid production shows on Prima & Viva.
 

Just off the Sky a couple weeks ago and the 2 NCL in-house productions were not up to standard - just a string of old songs (mostly 70-80-90, predominantly 80s rock) with a very thin veneer of a story line gluing them together. Not awful but not great either.

I’d fine it acceptable in a 14 day cruise to have those IF  paired with one of NCL’s Broadway -style shows we’ve become accustomed to experiencing. However those 2 WERE the marquee shows, the rest were magic, juggling, comedy and a solo singer. And each of those seconds got 2 nights in the main theatre. They were good but ….

Sky’s Starlink (Feb/Mar 24)  was slower than Viva’s Starlink (Nov 23). They probably upgraded the satellite communications equipment but did not upgrade the ships total IT infrastructure. Speeds in our deck 7 forward OV cabin were noticeably slower than on open decks and public spaces.p; also it also dropped connections in the cabin.
 

I’ll check for the screenshots from both sailings and post.

On 3/27/2024 at 7:19 PM, yoolykeme said:

So here is a definitive answer:

 

Katty Byrd's office called me to say that they approved the downline, and that it's in the system.  I just need to confirm once I get on the ship.  Also, once I leave the ship at my early port, I can't get back on, so make sure that I have everything.  Also, I have to carry my own bags off.  I can also cancel the downline and finish the cruise, should I reconsider before my downline port.
 

Now, I need to read threads on how to get to Paris city from the port lol.

thanks for reporting back on your response from NCL

I have 2 great option … g “back home” or visit my brother. One’s in Ohio, the other in New York and both are less than 5 miles from the dotted line.

@JarsInColorado

Try the chat feature or call. I’ve been very successful doing that when I couldn’t book restaurants or entertainment online.took a couple call sometimes as different people are less than helpful but usually have been able to book on the 2nd attempt