FlGoodShips

I think "Ripboy" heard enough. Has not posted for 2 weeks.

He's done.

At the guest services, there is a box to put a letter in to the GM.

Also ask for Food and Bev Directors number.

But as others have said...there are a couple other reviews on Cruise Critic right now with people on the same ship and all is good.

Instead of writing here...write a note/letter to GM while on board..he will contact you.

Good luck. Enjoy.

2 hours ago, pete_coach said:

We were on Bliss and in 15 days, there was no Indian food in either the MDR or Taste or Savour. You had to go to the buffet to get it.

Yes. Thats correct.

Its always in the buffet every day, even for breakfast.

Rodeway Inn on State Rd 84. Free breakfast and free shuttle to port.

42 minutes ago, mmt44 said:

When is the time to get the auto charges reduced or eliminated?  The day before debarking?

 

Does NCL allow you to tell customer service desk the amount you want to pay or do you have to totally eliminate all the charges?

 

 

Please, please DO NOT eliminate these charges.

The crew works sooo hard to make your vacation a dream. 

Like someone else said...if you can afford the cruise, you can afford to help out the crew by NOT eliminating these charges.

Starbucks gift cards

Not a fan of the Central Park balcony. Too noisy as others have said...also don't like the fact that people across courtyard look right into your room/balcony. I like ocean view since I like to sit on balcony with morning coffee in my pj's.

Ocean view balcony so much more relaxed  quiet and private.

On 1/7/2024 at 5:05 PM, codeyell0 said:

I see you are in Oregon.  I sail out of Florida those ships are not down here.  
 

Odyssey sails from Fort Lauderdale.

See post #116. All is ok now. Ready to dock.

Yesterday, Dec 1st, booked mine for Jan 14th sailing on Oasis.

So guessing approx 45 days is the magic number.

3 hours ago, derek005 said:

What ship is the Chocolate Cowboy on?

Last I saw Clarence (Choc Cowboy) was on Prima in April 2023.

NCL does not sail from Fort Lauderdale.

Tampa...yes

Miami...yes

Port Canaveral...yes

Any info on officers on the Encore presently would be appreciated. Thank you.

On 11/13/2023 at 5:53 PM, Ashlynkat said:

I’m on the Encore and just got back from our Panama excursion (Two Oceans by Railroad) and while the port is a mess being under construction, there was absolutely no issue whatsoever with protests, traffic jams or any kind of unrest. The same with Costa Rica and Guatemala earlier this week. I did NCL excursions (San Jose Highlights and Guatemala Gastronomy w/ Antigua) and they all went off without a hitch. My wife and I felt very safe and enjoyed all the excursions immensely. 
 

Missing Acapulco was unfortunate but understandable. Hopefully the region will bounce back soon because tourism is such a vital industry for them. I was thrilled to trade an extra Mexican port (Manzanillo) for a new country on the itinerary Costa Rica.

 

Unfortunately our early canal crossing appointment tomorrow (4am) meant the over night had to be cancel and means an early rising to catch things that will still be dark for a couple hours. But, hey, you deal with the good & the bad. Overall, this has been a great trip so I can’t quibble about things outside NCL’s control. 

Since you are on Encore..

Could you list the officers?

Thank you so much.

16 minutes ago, SPacificbound said:

Long time cruisers, but new to NCL. I booked Prima today for January 2025.

 

We cruise RCCL, Celebrity and Cunard. 

 

NCL cruisers, please share some insight with me. TIA

Love the "freestyle" dining. No need to make any reservations for any of the complimentary restaurants. Go when you want.

Only specialty restaurants need reservations.

4 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi All,

 

I called Royal Caribbean last week to add pre-paid gratuities to our reservation before prices go up.  I was told that my travel agent needs to be the one to add it.  I advised them that my agent was out until today. Both the representative and her manager assured me that as long as the sailing is booked prior to 11/11, the original rates will be honored for prepaid gratuities on or after this day.  The new rate would go into effect for sailings on or after 11/11.

 

I was assured not to worry and to go back Monday for my travel agent to add without there being an issue for the original rates, since my sailing was booked prior to the mentioned date.

 

My travel agent just tried adding them and it is at the higher rate.  Two different Royal Caribbean agents assured us not to worry and that the old rates would be honored beyond 11/10 for sailings booked.  What should I do since we tried to have these added and relied on the RCL-provided info?  Has anyone else had this issue?  Does anyone know if RCL monitors calls.  This isn't about the $2 pp/day, but rather principal of the complete incorrect and relied on info.

 

Thanks so much.

I guess your TA  did not call and give their code to get old rates. My TA called today for me and got old rates. Maybe you need to "discuss" this with your TA or next time use a different TA.

6 hours ago, tmal2 said:

My previous cruise experiences have been with RC or princess and it's been about 10 years since we've cruised so I know a lot has changed. We've booked a 10 day NCL cruise and I'm a little confused on how tipping works.on NCL cruises.

I've already paid for the cruise and $436 ($218 per person) was added and listed as Bev service charge which I assume is the tips pertaining to drinks included in the drink package which was included for "free". Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Also listed on my bill is Din service charge of $35.60 ($17.80 per person) which I'm assuming will be the tips for 2 nights of specialty dining which was also part of the package. Once again, please correct me if I'm wrong.

I know there is an addition charge of $20 per person per day which I have not paid yet but have been told it will be added to my account once we are onboard. Does that $20 per person per day cover both cabin staff, dining room staff and anyone else onboard that would be tipped with the exception of specialty services like the spa?

On the last cruise we went on envelopes were left in our cabin with the names of everyone that had provided service to us. We put cash in those envelopes and handed them to each person directly. It the $20 per person per day the modern day version of that or am I missing something? Just looking to make sure I'm not forgetting anyone.

Also, i understand cash tips can also be given to staff that go above and beyond. I'm just looking to make sure I've got all the basics covered first.

 

Thanks

You've got it all correct...

Happy cruising🛳🥳

p.s. We always pay ahead of time for the daily service charge...that way its done. Don't have to worry about it on my final bill at the end of the cruise.🛳🥳

1 hour ago, Mizzori said:

Dies anyone have the current encore dailies leaving out of Miami to st Thomas Tortola, gsc, Bahamas. 

Also would like to see current ones. Anybody on Encore now?  Looking to see current officers.

Thank you.

10 hours ago, Drock20J said:

 

Harmony and Oasis are BASICALLY the same ship. You will notice that OTS is starting to show her age, but still beautiful! There are a few dinning differences, such as the BBQ restaurant on OTS. 

 

I prefer the Ice Show on OTS and I prefer Cats over Grease. I think the Aqua show on Harmony is better. 

 

Just know when you see CATS, that it is in fact a 90-minute musical about dancing cats. As you can see from other people, most people skip it. Either you hate it or love it. I am one that LOVES it. 

Thank you so much for all the info and to all the others that chimed in.

We appreciate any info.

Thank you all.

Also, any pictures of ship would be helpful.

Thank you

15 minutes ago, Drock20J said:

It has been a while since I have posted, but if you might remember, I LOVE the musical CATS! I selected this cruise for my 40th birthday and specifically selected to see Cats again. I have seen Cats 11 times now, and of those times, 4 of them have been on OTS. 

 

When we checked in at our Safety section, we were met by Hakim. I noticed that his badge said entertainment. After a brief discussion, he told us that he is Old Deuteronomy. He invited us to stay after the Saturday night show and meet the cast for pictures. On the way up to the top deck, we ran into Gabbi (and her mom) who plays Syllabub, she too invited us for pictures. Finally, up on the top deck we ran into Charlotte who plays Bombalarunia, she too invited us for the after-show experience. 

 

On my previous sailing on OTS in 2019, our ship made global news with a breakout of the Norovirus. Two of the cats on this last sailing were ALSO on that norocruise; Charlotte and Jacky (Jellylorum.) The ship's staff was also hit with the bug which meant many members of the entertainment staff we tasked with other jobs. For instance, the CATS cast worked in the Windjammer serving food. 

 

Back to last week's cruise. I saw both performances of CATS from the 2nd and 3rd row aisle. I was warned beforehand that they made cuts to the show and dropped the intermission. Meaning this show was only 90 minutes. This was not a bad thing. The songs that were cut were not missed and honestly, I was glad they were gone. The show moved much more quickly and was much more enjoyable. 

 

The cast itself was STELLAR! The talent the actors have is so immense. Not only do they perform a VERY difficult production such as CATS but they also perform another show as well. 

 

After the Saturday show, my wife and I got to go on stage after the theater had cleared and got to meet the whole cast and get some pictures. It is something I will never forget. 

 

 

Only have cruised one other time...it was on Harmony.

We are going on Oasis Dec 3rd. Will see Cats.

Can you give me any ideas of things not to miss. 

Any info would be great. Thank you so much. 

Like someone else stated...was helped by my cabin steward to decorate door on hall side and inside cabin for my husbands birthday.

Go to cruise next desk to schedule wine tasting and behind the scenes tour. Vouchers for dinners will be in your cabin.

Enjoy

Tour and wine event are free, but do it as soon as you board as tours get booked quickly.

The behind the scenes tour is excellent. 

You also get free bag of laundry done.

15 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Half the comments on here over complicate things more than the Cruise Next staff do 😵

 

At the end of the day, forget the spin, forget the OBC, forget the free money, for 2 and above certificates you are invoiced half the face value, it's that simple.

Thank you.  Thank you.

Done and done. Nothing more to discuss.

Hope this thread is done.

42 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

So...I pay $500...get $500 worth of CN certificates...and at the end of the cruise, my credit card is only charged $250. Correct?

 

EDIT: I see @stinkyharriet answered my question, above.

Exactly. Yes.

5 hours ago, cruisin73 said:

I have always taken Bonine with no problem however someone introduced 

Me to this patch.  Has anyone tried it?  I’m a little skeptical but open to trying something new.  

My husband used to get seasick until he tried "sea bands". They use a pressure point on your wrist. No medicine. Get them at Walmart. They are wonderful. He even showers with them, goes in pool.

We keep a couple pairs with us on a cruise. Have even given some away to strangers and thanked days later for saving their vacation. Try them. Good luck.