ontheweb

But could you get a hot fudge sundae like I did at the Local (specializing in comfort food) on the Prima? 😊🤣

All I said was you cannot believe everything you read on the internet. And it was basically aimed at the OP who through his reading KNOWS that none of the DSC goes to the crew.

And not only perfect, but complex problems like finding a new port at the last moment must be done immediately!

One should add that NCL is not alone among cruise lines in treating before and after final payment differently.

They are not selling cruises to Israel this month! If an Israeli port is showing, it only means they have not yet either cancelled the cruise or finalized the alternative port or sea day.

That's what I did, and then double checked by asking at guest services.

And that's what these boards should be about, helping people figure things out. 😊

Many of us like them because you no longer have to have to have all the bills you need to put in the envelopes. You either pay them in advance or they add it on every day.

You never heard "I read it on the internet, it must be true."? 🤣

It is unfortunate, but common sense seems to be becoming less common.

I am not PhillyTravelBug, but DW and I did sail on the Prima this past August. And although Geiranger was listed as a tender port, we just walked off. There is a temporary floating dock that they use.

Yes, you can get it for all those cruises, though some may be too far in the future to get at this moment. You can do it though your TA, but do not need to. Make sure when you send in your brokerage statement as proof of ownership that you cross out your identifying customer number for the brokerage house. You must include your names, the ship and sailing date, and your booking number.

Of all the first world problems, having to stand up for rock and roll might be the most ridiculous. And Syds is geared to a small venue experience. The interaction the singers have with the audience would just not work the same in a large theater venue.

And none of them are good excuses for cancelling the tips. None of them are in the control of the crew. More and more it sounds like you are just looking for an excuse to cancel the gratuities. And they are not "begging" for them. It is the way things are done, even if it is not the way and culture of your native country. If you went to the US, or basically any other country but the UK, and rented a car, would you drive in the left lane?

Yeah, take it out on the crew. It was obviously your room steward who denied you getting a price drop. Oh wait, maybe it was one of the waiters. Are you going to let them know the reason you took off their tips was because you are mad at management?

Did not wait in line for the Syd Norman shows on our Prima cruise. Only got a seat once, but even that time I decided to stand as one should move their old body to Rock and Roll. In fact, for the first show we got there after they started and still got in. And BTW, after the last show, I got to talk to 2 of them telling them some of my experiences at the original Woodstock festival.

He's just either ranting or looking for an excuse to stiff the hard working crew. There---help provided.

From reading these boards, I have learned that different countries have different laws. If you were in the US, you probably would have received something. OTOH, by being in the UK, you have consumer protection laws that provide compensation for missed ports that we in the US do not have. And what exactly has the crew done for you to stiff them because you can "play silly games"?

I have in front of me the NCL Worldwide Cruising Guide International 2023-2025 (which we received at a cruise next presentation on the Prima.) I see cruises going with ports in Israel or originating from Israel this month and next month. I think we can agree that they are not happening. I also see cruises with Israel for 2024. My DW says there is one that she would like to do that has two ports in Israel and starts and ends in Greece. I went to the NCL website and tried to see about that cruise. When I put in Piraeus as the port, October for next year would not open. And when I tried October for next year, the ship for that cruise was not listed. I think it is safe to say they are scrambling as to what to do for 2024 after they figure out what to do for the more immediate cruises. As for 2025, I refuse to speculate.

I think it is more than speculation that no cruise is going to any Israeli port any time soon.

You really think any cruise is going to or starting from Israel any time soon? You do realize, I hope, that it will take time for alternative plans to be made and that there will be no announcements until those plans are finalized.

We lost one cruise, Norwegian fjords cruise on Princess due to Covid. We did get all our money (deposit and one excursion booked in advance) back. We even got our private insurance back as our TA knew that NY state required this. Before that we lost one river cruise, and have never since found one that worked for us. DW was an elementary art teacher (now retired), and we found a river cruise round trip from Amsterdam that fit in the Christmas/New Year's vacation. It was chartered out from under us after final payment. We were offered other European cruises and with upgraded cabins, but we wanted to go to Amsterdam. We ended up taking a land trip there. And BTW, it is much easier to pay a cruise line than to get your money refunded.

I stand by my statement that every cruise line stopped using St. Petersburg as a port after Russia invaded the Ukraine. They may have taken some time to officially cancel the port as they had to find alternative ports that could make the cruises feasible. Do you really think that NCL or any other cruise line is going to Israel in the near future? They may be working on seeing what they can do to salvage itineraries, or they may have to cancel some entirely, but they are not going there. No official announcement just means that alternatives have not yet been worked out.

Yes, it sounds like employees lacking training was the issue.

Just to add to that, non-refundable OBC will be used up first. Also, it has been posted that if you have refundable OBC at the end of the cruise, NCL will page you to go to customer service to get it refunded before you are allowed to disembark.