BunnyHutt

What airport did JB say the bag was at in the DR? They don’t fly into La Romana. 4 other airports in the DR, yes, but not La Romana. They *do* however fly to Aruba and Curaçao. If their customer service for lost baggage is anything like their crew services then it’s truly a crapshoot whether you get someone competent on the other end of the line. 
 

Regardless, this is an airline issue as it is their responsibility to ensure baggage is transported and delivered. Just because NCL booked the flight doesn’t mean they’re liable for any airline-specific issues unless you can prove it was NCL’s fault that the bag never left FLL on the date you sailed. 

On 2/14/2024 at 2:35 PM, Acmcho said:

Hi!  Not yet, my sailing is in May but I decided on doing port side after looking at the map and speaking with some representatives from NCL. I will definitely come back here and post my review when I get back 

I look forward to your feedback! Bestie and I are doing this itinerary (or very similar) in late October on Prima. We’ve got a port side balcony booked but now I’m more concerned with paying attention to sunset times when considering excursions… will enjoy lesser crowds, cooler temps and lower prices, but that comes with less daylight. 

1 hour ago, The Traveling Man said:

You can re-book your reservation at the new, lower price at any point up until the date the final payment is due.  This option may not be available to persons who booked their cruise through a foreign office, but it is guaranteed to those booking in the US.  Call your travel agent or NCL's reservations department.

Yep! I’ve been keeping my TA busy. 

Bestie and I are on Prima in late October to Italy/Greece. Booked a Club Balcony back in September for a fare we were comfortable with. 
 

For kicks, I did a mock booking last weekend and found that fares had dropped. I moved us into a family suite w/master (SJ) for what I considered to be a very reasonable up charge from our original fare based on increased size and amenities. Yes, I am aware of balcony/slide issues and chose cabin accordingly. 
 

Was bored this morning and checked prices again. Down $350/pp from last weekend. As of right now, we’re paying $450/pp more for SJ on a 10-night cruise than we were originally planning on for a club room. The ginormous leap in price for Haven, however, still not worth it. 😆

On 12/12/2023 at 9:07 PM, ColdCruise said:

 Sorry, @sbobsbob & @Sammae

We arrived back home last week, kind of crazy.

However I have quite a few photos of the SJ on deck 15 - 15196 in my trip report.

 

I kind of want to keep it a secret as there was so much complaining about Pt1ma’s cabins by the slides … but the room was great and the slide no problem at all. I’d definitely book it again. There were a couple issues with the room, but the butler, steward and concierge quickly addressed them.

Almost Live …. Sailing Aboard the NCL Viva on Her Maiden Trans-Atlantic

[BTW, not my photo … someone unfortunately posted their photo in my thread instead of the Roll Call. I’d planned to post my first sighting of the V!va as the first photo so it’d be the headliner photo. Irksome that I couldn’t delete it or insert the V!va earlier in the thread. Most of the other photos are mine, so please disregard any quality issues like upside down rooms or floating people…]

I’m making an index for the trip report, but here are parts that may be of interest on this thread:

 posts 35-37 for suite 15196 photos and comments 

 post 23 for photos of a temporary inside We used one night 

 posts 45, 147 for the lunch & breakfast menus at Cagney’s

 posts 88, 134, 170 for the food from those menus

 

i am still planning to update more info on that thread, but ask any questions … just make sure you tag me so I get a notice.

 

 Oldish thread, I know, but your post gave me the push to book 15196 on Prima this fall. Thank you! 🙂

7 minutes ago, TheDawg79 said:

This is why you ALWAYS check cabin location before booking. Booking rooms that are not above, below, or next to the theatre is tops on many “do no book” lists. This is what, unfortunately, cruise veterans do. Sorry to hear about your experience. Just chalk it up to a learning experience.

In reading the OP, it sounds like they are cruise veterans and were anticipating noise… at normal performance/practice times. However, this is a unique circumstance in that it’s prepping a new show. 
 

That said, I don’t disagree with the cruise line that an entire production takes precedence over a couple of disgruntled passengers. I know it comes across as heartless, but it’s the big picture. Would you be satisfied if the amount that was offered as FCC was given as a refund instead? I guess that could be your next request. 

2 hours ago, trivimp said:

Tell me you didn't bother to learn the details of the McDonald's coffee lawsuit without saying you didn't bother to learn the details of the McDonald's coffee lawsuit.   

Yup. I don’t think any there’s any intro to law or business law class that *doesn’t* cover this case. 
 

Regarding NCL’s advertising practices, it’s no different than JC Penney’s never ending “biggest sale of the year”, Kay Jeweler’s “MSRP may not have resulted in actual sales” or Kohl’s math saying I saved $300 on a $20 item. 

As I think others have said, they really just need to say that you’re getting half off the cost of the certs. Period. 
 

The rep originally got me and my bestie by saying we could each apply 2 certs on our next cruise (we share(d) a cabin and stated that we were already planning on booking another cruise in a club balcony). When I read the T&C’s and saw that I could only apply 2 per cabin, I immediately when back to the desk. She was like “I said you could

each apply 2 on your own staterooms.” Yeah, no. I had her change my purchase to only 2 certs at a net cost of $250. I don’t cruise enough to want extras just hanging out to be used at some nebulous point in time. 

2 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

Why? I had to do it a couple of times with my kids, I felt it was torture every time (just trying to get appointments, needing my husband there, getting new photos, writing all of the checks - the fact I have 5 didn’t help). Fortunately the youngest are 20, they went on their own for their adult one and all can just mail them in from this point on.

Not the person you asked the question to, but I would guess that maybe because you already know what needs to be done/what documentation is required so it just feels like a smoother process. 
 

Our now 15 and 17 YO’s have had current passports since before they turned 1. I’m bummed that the last ‘youth’ one they got/will be getting were before the age of 16 - at that point they become good for 10 years versus 5. 
 

Now Global Entry, *that* was exponentially easier the second go-round for all of us. Approved/renewed within 48 hours of application with no interview required. 🙌🏻

Here’s what I learned when the price dropped on our cruise about 4 weeks out from sail date - if the promos aren’t the same, it’s not an apples to apples comparison. Now maybe I’m wrong, but that’s the way our TA explained it. I think for us, even though we didn’t use it, the ‘gotcha’ was the airfare deal. 
 

Our TA did ask if there was a cabin we wanted to try to upgrade to based on the listed prices versus what we paid. There was not, so that was as far as I took it. Bottom line, we were happy enough with the price when we booked it. Never hurts to try for credit when/if the price goes down, but there’s no point in getting upset if it doesn’t happen. 

1 hour ago, mjkacmom said:

I’m holding off on real ID, it takes a month to get an appointment, my last appointment to renew my license took 3 hours, my passport and card are good for a while.

You need an appointment to get a real ID?? At our BMV, we just fill out a form

and show the appropriate supporting docs when going in for license issuance/renewal. Either way, it’s mailed to us a couple of weeks later. 

17 hours ago, julig22 said:

Good luck with that, only 5 states have EDL, not the same as Real ID - which is what you will eventually need for domestic flights. Don't think you would qualify, based on the location given in your profile.

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New York
• Vermont
• Washington

When I submitted my application for Global Entry renewal earlier this week, it asked if I had an EDL. When I clicked the little “help” button, the description made me think they were one and the same so I clicked “yes.” I’m in Ohio. Oops. 
 

Clearly CBP didn’t care because I’ve already received my approval, no interview needed. 😆

4 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

What I don’t understand is how a college student can go on a 12 night cruise mid semester, I have 3 in college right now, one has a fall break this weekend so is off on Monday, but that’s it until the Wednesday before thanksgiving.

I’m guessing “college-aged”‘ doesn’t necessarily mean “in college.” He does mention her working 60-hour weeks in advance of this trip. Which is why I think he may think clarifying her age justifies the situation.

3 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

Once you’re 18 you don’t need parents present, most college students are 18 by this time freshman year.

Yep, I was just giving a potential excuse for not having one when she was younger. 

I find it interesting that the OP (who I’m guessing is well into his 30’s) mentioned the fact that his girlfriend is “college-aged” like this gives her a pass. It does not. My HS-aged sons are currently on their 3rd and 4th passports. Both had their first ones before they were 1. I got my first passport at 15 and have had a current one for 30+ years. 

Unless there were some custody issues that prevent on both parents being present for a passport appointment, there’s no reason for the GF not to have one. Especially if she’s been several cruises (as OP also mentions her NCL status).  She’s an adult. Time to do some adulting. 
 

I’m booked on this ship next fall after sailing a Breakaway+ last month (my first cruise on NCL). Good to know what to expect from all of the reviews. I have no doubt that we will enjoy our port-intensive Med cruise - amazing itinerary! -

but some of these customer observations are really a shame. Unfortunately, we were stuck between Epic and Pr1ma for our region of choice and the cabin/bathroom layout of the former was an absolute non-starter for us. 

I think the biggest issue at hand here is that it seems some have confused and/or equated “safety” with “comfort.” And while maybe some communication from the bridge after the fact would have been nice, passengers need to remember that the officers aren’t sitting around and twiddling their thumbs during inclement conditions. 
 

I mentioned earlier that we are an aviation family. One of sons and I were on one of my husband’s flights earlier this year. We had to divert due to weather over the approach and insufficient fuel to keep circling and waiting for it to clear. We ended up having to sit at the wrong airport, unable to deplane, for 3 hours. My husband provided updates every 20 min or so, even though most were “non-updates” since flight ops had no clue ***** was going on. However, we were sitting on the ground. You best bet that not a peep came out of the cockpit while they were in the thick of things. And, yes, passengers clapped when we landed at both the diverted location and our final destination. 😆

2 hours ago, Smitheroo said:

I think that they wouldnt agree to a credit and that is the point of the post. And she is anticipating difficulty finding new flights if NCL reroutes.  I dont think she is complaining that her travel plans are ruined  while so much suffering is going on. But now it sounds like NCL is giving refunds so....      If the OP hasnt purchased travel insurance (many people dont) let this be a lesson learned for the future.  We've all had to learn uncomfortable lessons at some point in our lives.   

I realize the point may very well be moot, but why wouldn’t they agree to a credit? I thought for any cruise, while you may not be entitled to a *refund* if you cancel outside parameters of T&C, you have a balance sitting with the cruise line as a future credit. Same with non-refundable airfare. 

1 hour ago, paradyne64 said:

Was on the 24 Sept Encore sailing.  Seas were so rough the first morning at sea, the hot tubs on deck 19 were spilling over the sides.  Staff placed barf bags at all stair wells.  Saw more than once stairs roped off from people getting sick. Seas calmed down for rest of cruise.  Was told on previous cruise seas were very rough 3 of the 7 days and Skagway port call was cancelled.

I was on the previous cruise. Definitely rough for a good 18 hours. Yep, Skagway canceled. 😢 I guess things were a little rocky heading back down to Victoria but *nothing* like they were Sunday overnight through Monday afternoon. So I’m not sure where the 3 days came from. 🤪

2 hours ago, duck_keeper said:

Was it because NCL didn't want to pay the extra port fees to then put people and the ship in harms way? 

 

Yeah… no. A Captain is not going to make a decision because of money. That ship and its passengers are *their* responsibility and they are not about to put their career or their life on the line if they feel that something is dangerous. Period. 
 

No, I don’t work for NCL. But I am married to a captain for a major airline and, at the end of the day, he makes the final decisions regardless of what operations or the number crunchers say. 

7 hours ago, durberville said:

😳 I’ve been on ships in really rough seas and I actually love to be rocked to sleep,  but I’ve never been slammed out of my bed! Yikes! That would have shaken me up also!

 

Leaving on the Encore to Alaska this weekend. Now I’m nervous. 😬 

You may want to keep an eye on the weather forecasts… there’s a major storm brewing. 😬

We were on Encore 4 weeks ago and hit some rough seas after Seattle while in the open Atlantic. Bad enough that my dreams Sunday night included sensations of getting lifted completely out of bed - can’t say that actually happened as I was semi-conscious. But a good chunk of the ship was not feeling well on Monday… enough that the staff kept commenting, but also mentioned that it was the beginning of the winter season. Things improved greatly by 4 or 5pm Monday. 

It sounds like first priority was dealing with cruises out of Israel. Slow your roll and you’ll get your answer. Sorrynotsorry it’s not on your personal timeline. 
 

Norwegian is offering refunds to all customers who booked a cruise from Israel until the end of 2023. “We share in your sorrow in the light of the tragic situation that befell you in Israel and our hearts go out to all the citizens of Israel in this difficult time,” the company said. 

https://www.travelawaits.com/2952191/cruises-canceled-following-israel-attack/?amp

I was just reading an article written yesterday by The Points Guy. This is not just an NCL issue. 
 

The situation is awful and, if I were in this predicament (let’s face it, it’s a first world problem given all that is going on), I would cancel the cruise and the flights. Use credit on both for a vacation at a later date or another destination altogether. 

1 hour ago, Jaworskym said:

I got the same email for 22 Oct. Did a little digging on Facebook and saw the cast of COM gave their last performance on the Encore 4 days ago. 

Like, ever? Or just for the current Alaskan season?

FWIW, my friend and I were just on the Encore out of Seattle last month. We flew in the day before and had 11:30am-12pm check-in slot. Had a leisurely morning, Uber dropped us curbside at 11:45am where a porter came over and took our bags as soon as we removed them from the vehicle. We stepped on the ship at 12:05pm and were sitting and enjoying a drink and watching NFL outside the Cavern Club by 12:15. Rooms were ready around 2pm, IIRC. 
 

No standing in lines, no waiting around the terminal, it was glorious!