Tradewinds4u

1 hour ago, sjacobs11 said:

We just got off Bliss and really liked Ensenada. More than Cabo!

I totally enjoy Ensenada. So much to do and the wine country has really received some recent notariaty. If you're not into wine the fish tacos and beer are amazing. Truly disappointed at the cancellation/itenerary change!

On 12/21/2023 at 2:39 PM, kitkat343 said:

Honestly, I've found the mainstream lines are more alike than different except for the itinerary issues on NCL.   NCL had an itinerary I was interested in last summer, but after the cancellations after final payment on my last cruise I chose not to go.  And it turned out to be a good thing because that itinerary (Prima to Iceland) had a lot of problems too.

 

We're sailing Cunard next (not ideal with 3 small kids but less frustrating than having our itinerary changed by NCL (which is something that I'd totally understand if it was due to weather/ port unrest) but NCL needs to reroute their ships to help the environment prior to final payment.

 

This does seem to be a consistent issue:

 

 

I'm not happy with NCL because I don't think itineraries should be changed after final payment unless there is an emergency but I do believe all the cruise lines estimate port fees, and return very little when ports are cancelled (we got back 10 on our cruise for missing the Dominican Republic and morning of another port). 

It wasn't just the Mexican Riviera canceling Ensenada. NCL is cutting and altering fleet wide with the same blanket statement letter quoting streamlining efficiencies and costs. Just read an article in Cruise Hive.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/powerhouse-typhoon-bolaven-will-impact-alaska-and-have-downstream-impacts-on-us/1586836/amp?fbclid=IwAR1_s93X7B5LkdBSPHlC9kDqI-QzPere-cyF1Ycpjik3GKrGn6LrO1rSk9s

Ok I was on this Cruise and yes it was rough. Having spent 4 years on an Aircraft Carrier in Typhoons and sailing the same waters of Alaska this was a good storm.

The reason they don't dock in strong storms/winds is the ship turns into a wrecking ball as destroys the Pier and the ship. One of the balcony rooms lost their glass door I heard. Many slips/falls including all the dishes in the buffet and Moderno flying. The hatch doors outside the Bliss nightclub couldn't hold out the water flooding the entry way (marble floor) I took one step and down. Anyway that's my story.  October,Bering Sea, not a good idea 💡

6 minutes ago, PurpleKa said:

Yeah, it is hard to really convey how it felt being there on the ship. I also would’ve appreciated some communication from the staff, or at least reassurance that this was normal and/or what was going on and that they had it under control when things got really bad. But when we went out looking for some information, it was really eerily quiet as far as the crew (besides the noise from the ship, storm, etc) and very few people around.

 

We were told the ship had to dock at a different pier because there were repairs being done to the other pier, I thought. But it’s possible that I misunderstood and it was something about repairs to the ship, I suppose? I would not be at all surprised. Even my family members on the fifth floor were awakened in the middle of the night with a huge crash and jolt, and initially thought there had been some sort of accident or damage to the ship. 

By far the worst food on board. I ordered the BBQ combo platter everything was dried out Brisket, sausages so dry you could not even break in half with 2 hands.. When bringing it to the restaurant managers attention he told me they don't cook anything it comes precooked and they reheat it. Uhghh!! He offered a free meal another day and I quickly and politely declined knowing it will never live up to real BBQ.

1 hour ago, greatestvalue said:

Join us on the December 12 out of LA.  Would love to buy you a beer/wine/dinner what ever you want for the great trip report you did!

Ditto I will be on the Bliss for Nov 21st spending Thanksgiving on a Mexico Cruise no cooking bird but would gladly drink with one!!!

Did not know you took this video but I'm told it made it back to NCL and may have contributed to the improvements. Bravo my friend!!!😊

Many Thanks Bird! You were an inspiration to so many of us in these uncertain times! Hope to cross paths one day. Happy Travels 😊

BTW I grew up in Sylmar lived on the corner of Hubbard and Shablow1965-1980

Thanks so much dronfield. ! See you on the 28th!!!

I have high hopes for smoother sailing. Sailing Aug 28th see you there!

14 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

Could you provide a link to that video?

This was for NCL Encore August 7th

Just watched a YouTube video of today's pre boarding Covid testing being held at the Marriott across the street. Lines a quarter of a mile long and then a wait for results and then wait again to embark. Uhghh!!