HuliHuli

8 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Bingo!!  There is a small minority that hopes the "free" wine sucks so that they have a somewhat legitimate complaint about NCL and life in general.

So out of curiosity, I ran a quick search for ratings on four of these wines.  I was somewhat impressed with the tasting notes vs. the prices.  Here are the ones I ran:

• Gérard Bertrand Cabernet Sauvignon “Réserve Spéciale” Languedoc, France: Typically rated 87-88; $9.00
• Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel “Heritage Vines” Dry Creek Valley: Typically rated 89-90; $14.50
• Louis Jadot Gamay Beaujolais-Villages, Beaujolais, France: Typically rated 89-91; $13.00
• Torres Tempranillo “Altos Ibéricos” Crianza Rioja, Spain: Typically rated 90-92; $14.00+

I've only had two previously - the Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel and Louis Jadot Gamay Beaujolais-Villages.  None sound at all bad.

12 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Encore August 2021

So I concur with  @psac, certainly not high-end, but several interesting choices.  I recall having the Spellbound Petite Sirah one evening when the Head Chef and Maître d' happened by our table to chat.  They must have liked our feedback because moments later they comp'd a bottle for us.  We'll have our first Platinum dinner in a couple of weeks - time to start some research on this list.

26 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

It has been quite awhile since we cruised on NCL (August 2012 on the Epic in the Western Mediterranean). Now we have a cruise booked for August 2023 on the not yet built Prima from London (Southampton) to Reykjavik.

 

On the first night of that Epic cruise, we were asked when we checked in at a dining room whether we wanted a table for 2 or to eat with others. We like meeting and interacting with fellow passengers, so we opted for a larger table. And then we waited, and we waited, and we waited. And finally when it became obvious that no one else wanted to meet and dine with others, we said we would go for the table for 2.

 

Now I had always thought that was partly because the Epic was so large. On the whole I would characterize that cruise as the unfriendliest we were ever on. But, I did also remember reading many posts before the cruise on the cc NCL boards where NCL posters basically said "why would I ever want to eat with other passengers?".

 

Through thread drift, the topic of do NCL passengers not want to eat with others came up on a thread in Ask a Cruise Question on the topic of what cruise line would you want to try. There was at least one poster who said she had always found this true on NCL ships. Another who did not find this problem on a smaller NCL ship. And I was not sure if it was just the overly large size of the Epic, or maybe just that particular sailing or maybe it was an overall attitude of NCL cruisers.

 

I thought that the NCL boards would be a good place to ask if NCL cruisers in general want to dine with and meet other passengers or do they in general wish to eat alone. So, please share your opinions.

It's entirely anecdotal @ontheweb, but on our first Windstar cruise (small yachts/ships) in July the vibe was quite different toward people eating together.  You may be on to something regarding ship size or prevailing culture of a given line.

6 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Late response.  Just catching up.  @Sthrngaryposts fantastic posts about all his experiences, including valuable Haven information without insulting those who don't choose the Haven (some due to financial limitations, some due to financial responsibility).   Most of us here highly value his contributions.  @HuliHuli made some very valid observations.  So, I will suggest that SHE, doesn't need to "lighten up."  😎

So @ChiefMateJRK, complainers lecturing post was so long ago, I had already moved on having decided it wasn't worth the electrons to reply.  I concur with you that @Sthrngaryposts some of the more thorough, balanced replies reflective of his experience.  Frankly, he doesn't look all that old in his photo; I'm thinking its lifted from his attorney at law bio. 😉

19 minutes ago, oregonian123 said:

Do you have a link to that chart , please? I want to see what they list for the Sky. Our cruise is late April. Thanks. 

See the related post above.  The PowerPoint presentation is on the NCLH "for investors" page.  The Sky returns to service in February 2022.

12 hours ago, kylenyc said:

...Then again I can help the begged question of how this thread went sideways from breakfasts to toilets. 🤣

It took everyone a while to digest all of the food choices being discussed. 🤣

On 11/3/2021 at 4:17 PM, srussell12 said:

As we continue to redeploy our fleet around the world, we are focused on providing you with the safest and very best vacation. However, due to ongoing travel restrictions, we’ve had to modify a few sailings, and unfortunately, we must cancel Norwegian Sky with embarkation dates through and including February 11, 2022, Norwegian Spirit with embarkation dates through and including March 15, 2022 and Norwegian Sun with embarkation dates through and including March 18, 2022.

The handwriting was on the wall several weeks ago with continuing issues of closed ports for these cruises.  It became clear in NCLH's earnings call last Wednesday where they provided a chart showing later than originally planned return-to-service dates for these ships.  We'd already cancelled our Sun cruise as a result.  I wish all better success on rebooked cruises.

3 minutes ago, RumRunner2021 said:

Disappointed with a Bloody Mary at breakfast....You're FUNNY! 🤣

 

🐀

Indeed, premium Vodka makes up for a lot of shortcomings in the mixology.  🐀

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The room size will be same between the balcony and club room.

OP: You really should rely on NCL's website for your answers instead of misleading opinions, e.g.,

Club Balcony Suite:
Total Approx. Size: 249-361 sq. ft.
Balcony Size: 42-101 sq. ft.

Balcony Cabin:
Total Approx. Size: 214-367 sq. ft.
Balcony Size: 38-108 sq. ft.

It very much depends upon which cabin you book.

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

The capacity is currently limited by lack of interest.

Actually the available capacity is 100%, but for a whole variety of reasons (not just interest) the bookings are closer to half-capacity, e.g., COVID-19 concerns, CDC rules, port availability, pricing, etc.

21 hours ago, RumRunner2021 said:

I recommend starting with a Bloody Mary.  The food will all taste better and you won't worry about the recipes' details.

I agree with the Bloody Mary, but if they don't make it with Premium Green Sichuan Peppercorns and Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, I'll be disappointed.

32 minutes ago, Domesticgs said:

Good Luck Beer Belly. We are so frustrated with NCL and FCC (scam) that we vow never to cruise with NCL again. We are leaving our money on the table and calling it a day as dealing with NCl is too frustrating. You should be able to apply your FCC money any way you "need" as it's your money.

 

Hope things work out. 

Hmmm...  Very first posting on the CC NCL thread and already you "vow never to cruise with NCL again."  Something is NKR about your post.  If you are leaving behind, why not transfer your FCC to someone still sailing with NCL?

9 hours ago, GottaKnowWhen said:

Like the OP, I am a first-timer on Windstar. I actually have several weeks booked over the next 18 months, the first experience won’t be until August 2022.

I will have a sport jacket with me because shortly after my Windstar week in Iceland I’ll be boarding a Celebrity cruise to get me back to the States. Celebrity no longer requires a jacket, but I have always found that I need the extra layer to combat the overly air conditioned dining areas.

So, does Windstar chill the dining areas and other common areas? I get it that I don’t need a jacket for “formality “, but do I need it for warmth? Can I stash my jacket ashore along with other spare clothes in between my two cruises?

 

Stan

Everyone's body thermometer is different - what you think is cool, others may think is fine or warm.  I've seen lots of passengers in short sleeves in the dining room, but you will need to decide for yourself.

We filed and had our FCC refunded when that was available.  I do not know if that is still possible.

Your answer can be found at NCL's FAQs. 
https://www.ncl.com/cruise-faq/

51 minutes ago, CarnieAddict said:

So my question is,  I am looking at a 14 day cruise in 2023. We normally book balconies,  but we would not be able to afford a balcony on this cruise.  We have an interior booked on an European cruise  August 2022. So if we decide we absolutely hate an interior room can we cancel that cruise and use the deposit for another cruise? Thanks.

It depends.  Where is "PEI?"  Some deposits from outside the U.S. are not refundable.

15 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

We always found a better deal with our cell phone provider to connect with family/friends when we get to port in international travels.

Ditto!

Our last M&G on Gem was in La Cucina.

Fair point @ChiefMateJRK.  However to save some hassle, my CC App alerts me to ANY charges on my card within seconds of the charge being registered.  Thus, when Carnival tried to charge me for two pool towels that I had not taken from the ship (just as I was in line to disembark), I simply went back to my cabin, retrieved the towels and took them to Guest Services and demanded they remove the charge.  Faster than a phone call and there could be no dispute.

9 minutes ago, DinaS said:

We reserved a Club Balcony for our upcoming 10 day Caribbean cruise from NY in March.  We've never done a cabin all the way forward, but we were trying to avoid the noise from the pool deck.  Looking at the outside of the ship, it looks like an enclosed balcony or hull balcony.  We spend a lot of time on our balcony so we're concerned.  Does anyone have any actual photos of the cabin/balcony?  We're in 11004, but it looks like there are several of those balconies at the front of the ship.  I've checked all the photos, videos, reviews, etc, and I couldn't come up with an actual photo.  Thanks in advance.

So, here is the deck plan showing your cabin 11004.  Note the distance between the end of the bridge and first cabin:

And here is the side of the ship:

Counting 5 openings and 1 balcony back from the bridge, it looks like a regular balcony to me.  Can't say I've ever heard of a "hull balcony."

4 hours ago, Langham1865 said:

Why even respond if you are not able to assist in pointing the OP in a direction to try to resolve the matter?

Interesting comment.  And how did your post "assist in pointing the OP in a direction to try to resolve the matter?"

@kenzie: Contact the cruise line to dispute the charge.

In addition to reviewing Norwegians Sail Safe Policy
https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe#t4m1

and selected postings
https://www.ncl.com/sail-safe#faq2-1-answer

You might want to call NCL and get the answer directly from them.

14 minutes ago, RocketMan275 said:

There really isn't a way to get the information you're looking for.

Doing fake bookings doesn't work.  All it will do is show the rooms that are currently, emphasis currently, available.  

In fact, a fake booking does NOT show all the rooms that are currently available.  Indeed, as @The Traveling Mansaid, it shows "up to 15 available staterooms in that category."  But from multiple booking experiences, working with an NCL PCC, I've learned that they can tell you which cabins are available - my last three bookings have been in cabins that showed as unavailable online.  So there you go.

1 hour ago, LTCOP said:

@HuliHuli - We are booked on the Wind Star for March RT Barbados.  Really nice itinerary with a couple of ports that are new to us.  Also booked for June on the Star Pride - a BTB out of Barcelona and ending in Dublin.  We will see if and how it works out.  Very cool that you have one coming up this month now!!!  Keep me posted on your cruise so I can follow vicariously!!!  I could really use a cruise:-)

 

Pam

@LTCOPGreat - 3/5 or 3/12?  We'll be hitting a couple of new ports as well on ours.

Thanks @LTCOP for the 💚.  If you check my signature, you'll see we have two NCL sailings booked, but I'm continuing to look for a good opportunity on WS in French Polynesia?  What have you two got booked?

On 10/29/2021 at 5:50 PM, q45lover said:

My wife and I just got off the Wind Surf after 9 days Rome to Venice October 9th - 17th.  We first hand experienced the mandatory cruise ship organized cruise tour restrictions of Italy but also were able to tour on our own in Croatia.  A couple of the Italy ship tours were nice and gave passengers an hour of free time at the end for a little "On Your Own shopping and dining" before returning the the ship.  I was looking at booking the Wind Star or Star Legend again in December out of St Maarten. I was curious from any recent Windstar Caribbean guests if they encountered the same leniency during their cruise.  I know St Maarten is opening back up with fewer restrictions.  Just looking for first hand experience in other islands Windstar frequents.  Any and all intel is greatly appreciated!!!

We sailed Star Breeze July 31st.  Once past the entry rules, Sint Maarten was completely open and even the WS excursions were flexible enough to do some shopping.  No regrets!