Maniacal Cruiser

We fit 25 with no problem. It also helps that the winning number is displayed on the digital board where it's easy to see.

Must be mighty small people!

They offered to expedite check in and get us on board quickly. He has epilepsy and sometimes when stuck in large crowds, it can cause him to go into one. Does this mean we get on first?

First maybe maybe not, but they will ensure that you do not have to board with a large crowd. Contact the access desk and make necessary arrangements.

It makes difference for me, as I’m the one who supposedly tips. I’d prefer this.

That makes no sense. You can't have it "make no difference" for you and at the same time "love to have possibility to have part of my DSC autocharged for people behind the scenes, but to be able to give remaining gratuities directly to people who serve us". Those two concepts are are mutually exclusive. :)

It kind of depends on what his "heath concerns" are and what assistance he desires!

I am sure someone has. Remember when you book a Sail Away rate you will booking a general class of cabin (or better) such as Inside, Ocean View, Balcony. You re not booking a specific level of cabin such as Ii, I2, IA, etc. When you book a sail away you can get ANY cabin of that class or higher ANYWHERE on the ship. Window, Portals, and/or balconies may be obstructed view.

I’d would love to have possibility to have part of my DSC autocharged for people behind the scenes, but to be able to give remaining gratuities directly to people who serve us.

 

I’d probably add more ($20-30) to the remaining amount. So total looks solid. I don’t feel comfortable giving just $20-30, but with what is already paid I don’t feel that much more should be paid.

It makes no difference and it fact it makes things more complicated. The money ends up the same place. The portion that goes to cabin stewards goes to them regardless of whether it is funneled through DSC or handed to them directly. You give you steward your portion of the DSC, I give my steward my portion, Bill gives his steward his portion, Mary, Pete, Hank, Chuck, Sally, and Joanne all do the same. In the end, each steward gets the same money either way.

"Q" is the bar b que venue on deck 7. :cool:

Ah, so it is! You learn something new every day I guess. :) Thanks.

Just got back from the Bliss. I appreciate all previous posters reporting back, and I want to do the same. Some things have changed.

 

It was suggested that I try to get there early and make reservations via the app while connected to the ship's wifi. While I could connect to the ship's wifi from outside, I couldn't make reservations via the app. I couldn't do it using the touch screens either (Deck 5's forward screen on the right when facing the elevator's has a broken card scanner; the other side works).

 

Instead, I was directed to Q starting at 11 AM. One line to make reservations for the Go Kart and Laser Tag, another line to make entertainment reservations. Restaurant reservations were in another dining room. Book dining reservations early if you can. Those lines really sucked.

 

Unless you have a big party, on my sailing, you really didn't need reservations for the Go Karts. The weather might have had something to do with it. They do have limited hours. There are only two tandem karts, and one of them doesn't work properly (they said it's been wonky for a couple of trips now). No reservations for the tandems. They just block off a few hours and only run the tandems. With just 2 karts at a time, expect a wait.

 

Location of stairs to Go Karts is in the back by Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Don't go through the sliding doors. There's a lighted and flashing sign, but it's surprisingly hard to see. Going up to the mini golf area is a great spot to take pictures of the karts on the upper deck. The lighting is a lot better and you get way more angles.

 

They have blocks for shorter folks. Friend went that isn't 5 feet (yes, she's an adult). They recommend 54 inches minimum. There's no power steering so it does take a bit of muscle to turn in some corners so skinny kids, even if they're tall enough, might have issues. The other thing is the lack of visible signs. I did see a kid of about 12 just slam full speed into a lady (she looked hurt) because he missed the checkered flag until too late. Those people in that other post weren't kidding about kids being a problem.

 

Kids under about 16 probably shouldn't ride it, unless they've got decent karting or driving experience. However, many adults also lack decent driving skills and awareness and probably shouldn't ride it either.

 

Part of the issue is that there's just no good place to pass. If you've got some drivers who just want a leisurely joy ride and to pose for pictures, it messes things up for those trying to get the best lap times. The workers acknowledge this is an issue.

 

I was stuck behind a guy who insisted on traveling smack in the middle of the lane. Left no room to pass. I was inches from him for two laps and bumped him once accidentally when he randomly slowed for no reason. My guess is that the workers noticed because as he went sort of wide in one of the bigger openings, he suddenly stopped and I was able to squeeze by him. I know he saw me riding his tail and still refused to move over so my guess is the workers slowed him when they got a chance to let me pass. The boost button doesn't appear to do anything.

 

Wear black and waterproof. I got soaked because it was drizzling now and then, plus, condensation seems to collect on the back of the ship. The soot from the stacks also falls down onto the track. I was wearing a white shirt under my partially zipped jacket and my wife had a white fleece on. We came back with big black splatters everywhere. Other riders during clear sky days said they still had problems with condensation and the soot. Aft balcony person told me the soot falls on part of their balcony as well, so they have to just sit waaaaay back to be able to enjoy their balcony.

 

Didn't get to try Laser Tag because it's only open from 5 PM - 10 PM. Was busy with dinners, shows, etc.

 

The water slide that uses the floaties is suitable even for little kids. Yet it's still pretty fun for bigger kids and adults. Lots of colors and lights. Better than Disney's AquaDuck even if it doesn't go as fast as a whole. You can wear a GoPro if you want on this.

 

The drop slide is a little weird. Minimum height is only 48 inches, but you also need to be over 99 pounds. People do get stuck. I'm not sure why. Women seem to get stuck more than men. Weight doesn't seem to have anything to do with it. No jewelry or ANYTHING allowed on your body. They even tell the men to take off rash guards. Apparently, the more skin you have showing, the less likely you'll get stuck. I'm not exactly well padded, but it doesn't hurt at all. It is very intense and there's so much spray and condensation that you really can't see much while you're in it. There is a second opening to get people out who get stuck.

 

Both slides are quite warm while in them. It's when you're out and waiting that it gets cold. Especially in Alaska. They do have glass on the sides to help block the wind, but there are big gaps so a little wind still gets through.

 

Dining reservations didn't seem to be a problem unless you wanted one from 6:30 - 8 PM. Parties of 2 have it easiest. I made a reservation in the middle of the week for the next day. Had to eat at 5 PM for Le Bistro (not worth it).

Q? There is no deck Q. Decks are numbered. Is this something new?

We're booked in a group with the same amenities. We did receive an email offering us to bid for an upgrade, and we did participate. If our upgrade bid gets accepted, we will not lose our amenities.

 

Have you logged into your booking on NCL.com recently? If you are invited to bid on an upgrade, it will say so when you view your booking.

https://www.ncl.com/content/upgrade-advantage-faq

You would think NCL would almost be encouraging people smuggling alcohol since most everyone has UBP. Maybe they should change their policy to only guests with UBP are allowed to bring water, soda and alcohol aboard. Would save them money. LOL.��

Kind of bizarre (il)Logic here my friend. That in no way saves NCL any money.

So am I correct in reading that you are not allowed to bring bottled water on board anymore? I was recently on Royal and they didn't seem to have any issue with it. I can understand alcohol but water?

Simple solution, drink the FREE water that you can almost anywhere on the ship!

I had this question too. My wife and I paid for the 3 meal specialty dining package. You would think that means we have 6 paid meals and we could split them up however we want right? We had the idea that we would use two for ourselves, then bring our two kids to the next one to use the remaining 4. But we were told that you can't do that, they can only be used for the names it was purchased for. It seems silly to me. What difference does it make who uses it when we prepaid for it?

No I wouldn't. If I buy three and another person in my group buys three it means we have three each. Nowhere does it even hint that we can share or give our free meals to someone else.

No need to apologize. I'm probably confusing. I bought $500US in credits. NCL had a promotion on that doubled that amount. All I want back from NCL is the original monies I paid them - $500US

You are misunderstanding the promotion. You paid $500 for two $250 certificates. They gave you a credit of $250 on your on board account on that cruise so you only paid $250 net for those two certificates. Bottom line is that you only have $250 into the certificates. Now you may have not noticed the credit but it was there.

no they are for the person who has the package only

The NCLH, the parent company is listed on the US stock exchange and therefore must follow US accounting rules. That means that tips, in order to qualify for tax treatment as tips, must

 

1. Be able to be adjusted by the customer

2. Be fully distributed to employees.

 

So the fact that you can adjust or remove your tip amount is the best indicator that the pool is fully distributed to employees.

 

So removal will negatively impact t but e employees.

Very poor argument, all poodles are dogs but all dogs are not poodles.

Congrats. Enjoy your cruise!

File a claim in small claims court. Did you get some OBC for purchasing it, if so, then you would want the purchase price, less the OBC, correct?

 

BTW, I've seen people sell them on here, you might try that.[/quote

 

No on board credit for the Panama Cruise - if that is what you are asking

 

 

You are now making false statements. When you buy two CN certificates they charge you $500 ($250 face vale x 2) and they give you $250 OBC so you end up getting 2 for 1. Right now you are ahead $250.

Thank you. I'm really telling my story with the hope that other's will not be foolish enough to buy cruise credits. I'll try to speak with someone at NCL who gives a darn about their reputation. If that doesn't I'll sell the certificates and avoid sailing with NCL:halo:

We always but at least two and we will continue to do so. I will not be foolish enough to think that cruise itineraries never change though!

We are going on the NCL Dawn in 2019, a seven day cruise, and are staying in the 3 bedroom garden villa. We will have a butler and I was wonder how much to tip the butler? If anyone has stayed in the room and has an idea that would be great, or if you know how much to tip that would help too.

As with all tipping, tip anyone you want, however much you want, any time you want. There is no right or wrong amount to tip.

Please explain?

All you need to know is if you do that you will be committing fraud.

For me a corporation should stand behind their employees. If said corporation doesn't in my books they use deceitful practices. If you can't trust them for the small things why should you trust them for more important things?

 

Nothing deceitful even slightly here. All you have to do is post here or on facebook that you have CN certificates for sale, then sell them to get your money back.

Sorry. I thought I made that clear. I want them to refund the original purchase price of the certificates

Just sell them yourself. There is no issue at all here.

Did you put it on a credit card? Just charge it back. Simple.

 

It's not really up to NCL whether they refund you or not.

That is FRAUD

I have been a big fan of NCL but not so much right now. On our recent cruise through the Panama we were assure that NCL would cruise from Vancouver to Tokyo in 2019 (and although the cruise was available for booking we were even given a date that the cruise would depart). It turns out that none of it is true and NCL isn't sailing to Tokyo from Vancouver. We purchased credits for the Tokyo cruise (then on to Singapore) based on what we were told. Now NCL is using a clause in the Next Cruise contract and refusing to refund our deposit.To my way of think this is very dishonest. Does anyone have any suggestions?

:mad:

So it is not true that the "assure" you of a certain cruise ("none of that is true")? It is very easily possible that the plans at the time of your discussion were for NCL to sail that cruise and since then things changed. I see nothing at all that indicates any one lied to anyone. Just sell the certificates, no harm no foul. Move on from this non-issue.

Taxis in st Maarten charge per person. It’s $5 per person to get to Divi Little Bay. Ride is no more than 10min.

Chairs and umbrellas $5 each.

 

 

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Thank you