Cruise Master 55

4 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Let me share a little story.

We used to use a local Chinese restaurant and always left a good cash tip, one day when the owner was not looking a server quietly told us not to ever leave a tip, she explained the owner kept it for themselves!

Over the years we had left a small fortune at that place and all was stolen.

Not at all relevant to the discussion at hand.

3 hours ago, bones774 said:

Does the staff know how much you give? Whether you increase or decrease?

You can't decrease the auto gratuities.  It is a flat 20%.

7 hours ago, DaCruiseBug said:

Not assumption at all. I've spoken to an NCL employee down in South Florida that actually told me this and then if you ever email or chat with NCL and ask them point blank they won't say that the 20% all goes to the workers. So yes, I know for sure this is how it works.

BAL BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH...  You are muddying the waters.  The DSC NCL never says that the DSC goes directly to the employees as cash, nor do they even imply that.  It is part of an employee INCENTIVE PROGRAM (which can be all sorts of things).  In the end it is really of no consequence at all and NCL has no obligation on any level to disclose how specifically the incentives are allocated.  Just smoke and mirrors on the part of some who want an excuse to complain.

The 20% auto gratuity is a different animal.  No employee would know where all of that goes (accounting of course would).  Just because the one employee you talked to did not get all of that 20% does not mean a thing.  As above NCL is under no obligation to disclose to you which employees get what amount.  Still just more reason to when and complain.

1 hour ago, DaCruiseBug said:

 

That's because a majority of that service charge goes directly into NCL profits. Only a small amount actually gets redistributed to the workers. I just wish people would understand it's not like when you leave a tip at a restaurant that the waiter gets all of it.

100% conjecture and assumption.

3 hours ago, Outerdog said:

None of you really know how the DSC is distributed among the crew. It will be an amazing day when everyone stops pretending that they do.

 

Its actually irrelevant since it is NOT a gratuity.

3 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

I *do* have 4 meal dining package and UBP.  I have prepaid DSC, and drink gratuities.  Am I paying 20% on top of all that?  This is confusing. 

The 20% was paid when you got the SDP and UBP.

3 hours ago, zitsky said:

Browsing the NCL app.  Many of the restaurants list 20% gratuity plus service charge.  I've already paid DSC.  Will I be charged twice?  I have no problem paying what is fair.

No, the DSC is not a gratuity.  The 20% is.  You will be charged both of these items but neither will be charged twice.

On 12/5/2018 at 12:35 PM, DZcreature said:

I understand basic economics. A nice place to relax and have excellent drink service is something very basic which should be included in the cruise fare. I wish NCL had an adults only solarium with padded loungers like Royal Caribbean does. It does not have an additional charge. I don't understand wanting to pay extra. 

There are a lot of places all over the ship where you can relax and enjoy whatever drink you desire.  I don't want to pay extra for the Vibe since IMHO it is more hype than anything else.  I have been the very first passenger to board the ship on multiple occasion and I never even consider getting Vibe passe.  Actually we did get them one time and wen there twice during the entire 10-day cruise.  Waste of money.  It is laughable that folks are discussing the "anxiety" of trying to get passes and being "made" to run for them...

13 minutes ago, Keeper420 said:

Any idea if waterslides are heated?
Thanks

NO

In advance of what? 🙂  NO.

What new web site?  There has been no change to the NCL web site here!  How are you "checking out" the packages?  What links are you clicking?  If you go in through?  If you go through the main menu Get Ready For Your Cruise - Gifts And More you may getthe buy a gift link.  Instead go to the vacation summary for your cruise and click Explore and Plan.

On 12/2/2018 at 7:56 PM, OceanBlueWaters said:

Thank you everyone for you responses/insight.

It is ridiculous and I can be puzzled if I want.

I guess NCL will continue to make people RUN for Vibe Pass.

It is out of my control how they do business, but truly a flippin joke how NCL executes.  Perhaps they need do away with Vibe, which is available to the Public, and simply give those passes to people better than me. 

Running to obtain a Pass is truly insane.  Are we on a Game Show? I need to be in the right place at the right time? I will pass.  Such a joke.

JMO

Again no one is making anyone do anything.  If one runs to get a Vibe pass it is that person's choice to do so.  The Vibe is way over hyped in the first place.  The right solution is to sell the passes at an equilibrium price point.

6 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

I find it amazing NCL have not correctly priced this product, demand clearly proves it is underpriced, from history NCL grab every penny they can.

It's a premium product but being offered too cheaply.

+10,000 - FINALLY someone who understands basic economics!

4 hours ago, OceanBlueWaters said:

Comical to make people RUN for passes...

No one is "making" anyone do anything.

4 hours ago, DZcreature said:

I find it amazing that you would suggest NCL should charge more money for an item. They don't need any encouragement in this department 😉. Offering passes on line at a certain number of days ahead of time would be a great idea. 

Actually raising the price is the best solution.  It will drive down the competition better than anything else.  In fact the best pricing model for any commodity is one where supply/demand equilibrium is achieved.  Nothing at all amazing about it even slightly.  Very basic economics.

11 hours ago, pugsammy said:

I just want to rant!  Don't get me wrong....I love the VIBE experience....I HATE having to race for it.  I just find it very demeaning.  

I'd like to know why this can't be booked with your cruise.

Because if they did, the passes  would sell out so fast that people would complain about them being sold that way.   Truthfully the Vibe is more hype than anything else.  They just need to raise the price high enough that demand just barely reaches supply.  Equilibrium is great!

23 minutes ago, zqvol said:

 

Assuming that your flight is on time and no ones luggage is lost you should be ready to board by 12:50.  When you get on board will depend on the line in the terminal.

 

Arrive at gate: 11:00

Get checked bags: 11:30

Get on bus: 11:45

Arrive at port: 12:10

Through security: 12:20

Through check in: 12:45

At Taste/Savor 1:00

Done lunch: 2:00

Muster: 3:30

Sailaway: 4:00

 

All based on having 20 people in tow. 

Some of those times are extremely optimistic.  Every item form #3 - #7 could very easily takes 2x the time you list if not more (especially with 20 people in tow).  Is it possible that your times are valid, yes it is.  Then again it is possible that I can climb up on the roof of my two story home, jump off, and land on my feet with no physical damage.

1 hour ago, ziggyuk said:

Does not mean he passed that women though, he hit her.

Combined with the fact that he said the woman emerged 20 minutes later does.

1 hour ago, Chicago Voyager said:

I recently went on a NCL Bliss Eastern Caribbean Cruise departing Miami on November 24, 2018.  Just as the ship was leaving St. Thomas, I was seated at the pool deck closest to the exit of the rapid water tube when an emergency was called over the loudspeaker.  

 

Crew members gradually assembled at the water tube, where an injured young woman was trapped inside.  She suffered a head wound that required 12 stitches, as well as cranial swelling.  Surprisingly, the ship continued to move away from the island as she was being evaluated on board.

 

The young woman was somehow trapped in the tube.  Crew members did not verify she had exited before sending two heavier males, both of whom collided with her.  About 20 minutes later, the woman emerged with her head wrapped in towels and profuse bleeding.

 

I spoke with the first male a couple of days later.  He reported he told a crew member that he had “hit something” while flying through the tube, and was shocked to learn that a second passenger was allowed to proceed.  The first passenger sustained bruising to his arms and legs and felt bad for the woman he had struck.

 

The second male also sought treatment.  He reported that crew members presented him with “legal forms” to sign and asked him to take a blood alcohol test, even though it was four hours after the accident and, more importantly, he did not feel responsible for the woman’s injury.  He had the feeling that NCL was looking to assign blame while protecting its own legal interests.

 

When the ship docked at Nassau some three days later, the woman who sustained the head wound was sent away by ambulance, with sirens wailing, to a local medical provider. 

 

After the cruise, I opened up my passenger contract and studied the fine print related to carrier liability.  As a legal layperson, I got the sense that passengers use all ship facilities, including water rides, at their own risk, without recourse or any expected standard of urgent care for bodily injury.

 

I never spoke with the female, but the reports of the two males were thought-provoking and made me feel reluctant to participate in these types of activities.

1) It would actually be unusual to have a head wound that required 12 stitches and not have some swelling.

2) Not surprising at all, in fact it was prudent.  Had medical personnel deemed it appropriate to delay, the captain would have done so.

3) Of course they do.

Quite a melodramatic and hyped posts here. 

I would personally NEVER book to arrive the same day as embarkation.  Too risky, especially during the winter.  IF everything goes EXACTLY as planned you will be probably OK.  One glitch along the way, any sort of delay, you will be missing the ship.

What happens if you have more than two platinums in a single cabin?  We will have three.

On 12/1/2018 at 3:50 PM, wimsikl said:

Hi, just logged into ncl and it says there is one additional point per night plus 100 OBC. It then says to log in to view applicable sailings. I did all this and chose the Breakaway, departing april 7. It wouldn't populate the promo so I called. After an hour on hold, NCL said it doesn't start till the April 12 sailing. But the website offered up the april 7 sailing to me. It really upsets me that they dont honor their own website offers. It's a 2 bedroom haven suite at full price, which I only booked yesterday and haven't paid a dime on yet. I guess I'm just appalled and venting. But I'd love your thoughts.

Eligible cruise simply gives you the itineraries that at least ONE sailing date is eligible.  You have to go into the actual list of sailing dates to see which date are eligible on each itinerary.

20 hours ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Nothing out of the ordinary - not the surge protecting device the droids are looking for ! LOL !

No obvious circuit breaker - simply an on and off switch - square design - not the usual expected

rectangle.

Take it with you and if challenged (ah er confiscated) demand that the ships electrician check it out.

Probably won't happen best place would be in your carry-on bag - the hired thug rent-a-security agents

are more concerned with beverages - water and alcohol than electronics.

 

I like the compact design - Oh and more power to you !  

Good advice EXCEPT REQUEST that it be check don't DEMAND anything.  No one likes it when a person DEMANDS that they do something.  Then again based on your "thug" comment I see that with your attitude you probably coudl not care less.  Good pun with the last line!

10 hours ago, finoky said:

I have the forum 6 of the mass market cruise lines bookmarked in my favorites. No matter which one I pick I get page reload over and over. The work around for me is to simply click any of the others in my favorites and it loads right away. Each subsequent one will as well.

Same effect as what I posted.  The link I gave is a catch all that will work in case one does not know a specific valid page URL.