cruiseny4life

Thanks for bringing us along on your cruise!

Thank you! I appreciate the reasoning. That does make sense and I suppose perhaps a wine waiter could be helpful for me. I could describe what I like and they could give me an idea of what would be tasty. As it is, I order blindly, figuring I have Free at Sea so if I don't like it, I don't have to drink it. Appreciate you educating me while you're on vacation!

It's just that many posters forget about empathy. Someone might be in the wrong. They may have made a silly decision. Heck, they could have made absolutely every wrong move in the book. 85 isn't far off from my grandma's age. I imagine her in this situation and how this could impact her. I don't think I'd need to tell her she was wrong. Perhaps I could make some suggestions as to what she could do next time...but bottom line, there are a lot of posters lacking empathy about various happenings on these here boards. And, I'll admit, sometimes I spout off before having half a brain to consider the human element.

Not that I would have wanted to miss time on the ship, but gosh what interesting travels those people had! Plus, they have a story to tell for a lifetime. It'll be fodder for dinner parties for years to come. I bet they learned a lot about kind people who would help them half a world away from home too. Agreed! It's not really about how strict NCL is. It's about the circumstances to get to the next port/stay on schedule/get out of the harbor before the next ship, and a myriad of other considerations. I watched all those shows. I really couldn't tolerate the made up drama surrounding late passengers. Based on what you're planning to do, sounds like you'll be in good shape! I just discovered (yes, I'm ignorant) about two weeks ago that Anne Frank was actually captured and died in a concentration camp. My entire life I thought she lived to a ripe old age. Absolutely heartbreaking.

I'm pretty sure you know me enough to know that I can be a smart a$$...I'm not actually trying to be with this question. I am absolutely not a wine connoisseur! My idea of a fine wine is the Shades of Blue Riesling (you should try it - it's yummy to my not refined palate)! So, what exactly does a wine waiter do that a server is unable to do?

Wow! I've never seen such large shrimp on a NCL dish. That looks more like shrimp alfredo than scampi though! I'm sorry it disappointed - it looks terrific with a bit of salt and pepper added, I'm sure.

I hope this brings pride to your face! You warned me not to drink while reading the story about dad's full frontal. What you didn't warn me about was to close my office door. Half my wing heard me dying in here at the antics of your dad - I'm sorry it happened as I know it has to be difficult - but glad you relayed the story to us. I didn't share the source of my laughter with those I disrupted. So consider that a NY office building disrupted by Jewel activities! Thank you, thank you!

Nope! I've never even seen a razor with the style of plug installed on cruise ships. It's always been a typical 110v plug for my razors and now that I'm lazy, for whatever stylist trims up my beard.

Only if we also agree that NCL onboard staff are not telling the truth when they claim NCL monitors Cruise Critic and will sometimes take feedback from Cruise Critic into account when making changes. Personally, I'll stick with the onboard crew are telling the truth which therefore means Cruise Critic (just like Google Reviews, Yelp, etc.) is a legitimate way of letting the cruise line know what you think. But yes, continue filling out the post cruise survey that NCL admits they don't really read/respond to.

I've never rented from Fox. I've considered it several times. Then I read the small print and the directions to get to wherever the rental location is. I know how they save money! But, I'm not willing to take the savings they pass on to me for the rigmarole. I hope embarkation goes smoothly for you today!!

I understand why you would be nervous. Some (myself included, sometimes 😞 ) can be too harsh on some commenters. Gotta think before clicking that "reply" button! You'd think I would remember that. I was totally willing to give @MajSteve the benefit of the doubt. I was hoping for an updated post with more things that went wrong. Not that anything should go wrong! After all, we're all paying thousands of dollars for a cruise vacation. And that money is valuable to all of us. Your review, though, is an example of a great review! You provided some nuance, mentioned a couple of negatives, and positives. Since cruises are primarily based on the people around (crew, guests, port agents, vendors), something is bound to go wrong on every cruise. But, that doesn't mean 95% of the cruise shouldn't be great! If you chose right (i.e. don't choose NCL if you want a formal Cunard experience and vice versa). By reading multiple reviews, yours, the OP's, mine, others, it is easier for a guest that wants to do the research to find the best possible cruise for them where they'll get the most value out of the experience. Thank you for adding to the vast store of experiences here on Cruise Critic - good, bad, ugly, mediocre! Sometimes I do think a few posters just cannot fathom NCL providing a bad experience to guests, based on their past experiences. We do pay thousands for our cruises and expect a great experience. We should continue with that expectation! And, yes, hold NCL accountable (in whatever virtually powerless way we can) when the experience isn't up to our expectations...if those expectations are within the realm of reality.

Ok. That makes more sense and is so much more in line with what I thought your ethos were! I suppose if I think about it, the same happens to us. The servers that get to know us well know that my husband will talk forever, while I'd prefer to just sit there, look grumpy (I'm not grumpy, just look it) and enjoy the peacefulness around me.

You and my husband both!!! He'd be devastated if the shrimp scampi left the menu. I just don't like it or, really, anything else on the menu. The salads are good, I suppose. I do order the seafood fritto misto a lot, along with a salad. That is my typical choice. You're an anomaly! 🙂 The service onboard, even in the main dining room, is far too attentive for me. I always hate going to "fine" dining as I'm just not into servers treating me like royalty. Personally, the best servers are those at small town diners that just treat you like their neighbor (even if they've never met you). I much prefer those. I generally wear down a Haven server or two by day three, so that we can just be treated normally, instead fancified! My husband? Yea, he's with you! He wants the "fine" experience with doting servers who expect your every whim. Drives me absolutely banana pants! Ok....maybe I'm the anomaly. 🙂

Thank you for providing some additional examples, though the Great Unpleasantness is certainly an anomaly. I suppose what you described can happen, but it seems rarely so. 3,000 replies to a live is a lot! I'm not so sure I can get through all that, but I'll take a gander after my first meeting of the morning (why do people schedule meetings to make themselves feel important). I agree with others that it's likely to be the Illusionarium. That's cool! Although, I did really enjoy hearing Broadway Unplugged in the Illusionarium. I don't think it really handled the shows NCL wanted well (the dinner theatre type). I do think Q Texas Smokehouse has a place onboard, but I likely wouldn't go there. The meats are ok. I hope no one is expecting fantastic smoked meats while onboard a ship. You have to really tamp down your expectations. A lot! But, if you do, then you might be pleasantly surprised by the banana pudding. Just don't go expecting Joe's of Kansas City quality. Heck, I can't get that anywhere else on land, either. Sounds like exactly what a dry dock would fix. Let's hope it's so! Getaway is my husband and I's first NCL ship, so we have a fondness for her.

@BirdTravels seems to be a great proponent of cruising, and especially NCL. I've seen them be critical of certain NCL policies/features/etc. And others, like moi, are just way more vocal about what we don't like, yet still truly enjoy our experience. Personally, I find @BirdTravels and I agree more than disagree. And, I don't think anyone would call me a cheerleader. I'm agnostic on the menu, unless we're talking the Haven lunch menu. Please shred that thing and start all the way over!! It's boring, uninspired, and just isn't good. Dinner - keep it! And obviously, breakfast is fine. If I want huevos rancheros, I can wander to the main dining room when those are served.

I don't really blame you...but given it's a charter...are you also using NCL transfers?

That's the one!! It really is a perfect cruise and starts at our fav place, Great Stirrup Cay!

If it's a charter flight, NCL likely knows what's happening. I think you'll be fine since every single person on the flight is going to be in the same....uhhh....plane?

If we cared about the port? Yes, it would make a difference. We cancelled a cruise, because the ports were changed. Thankfully, in that instance, it was before final payment - well before. Change the itinerary. We just may cancel. Found a new cruise three or four weeks later and booked it instead. Guess what? After final payment, one of the four ports was cancelled due to port congestion. Of course, I'm sure NCL just had no idea ever that the port might be congested prior to final payment. Nah. No way. Not possible. Nothing to do for us. Instead, we went ahead and had a great cruise - not caring to dwell on the port that was cancelled. Plus, we (read I) enjoy sea days, so for me, an extra sea day was wonderful. Worked out in my favor! But, it's cruising. So don't count on your ports. We know that now. We didn't know that back then. Thanks to Cruise Critic and personal experience, we've learned some tips to keep our sanity when it comes to booking a cruise. Gosh forbid cruise lines keep their (not legally required to) promises.

Golly, all they need to get in that reason is "port congestion" and they'll have the big lies all named! - Fuel optimization - Guest feedback that they want to skip the port originally booked - Maritime regulations - Port congestion (unnamed this time) I just keep saying it...what a trash company. But, a trash company I'm sure I'll book on again. @Travelling2Some I think the customers (including myself) are the idiots as we continue to book NCL, despite their pathetic insistence that itineraries are changed for the above reasons (typically after final payment).

There's a bunch of garages around. Just do a quick Google search. I prefer Gotham Parking at 550 W 45th St. We've been able to successfully negotiate a lower rate with the attendants when we get there.

You're right. Folks should expect last minute changes. I also believe that your Getaway cruise was cut short in 2019. But, you are the only person I've ever heard refer to a cruise being cut short due to a dry dock. Was your situation an anomaly or am I missing a lot of reports regarding cruises cut short?

Thank you for posting these items in a quick to read format. Next time, I need to try the trout, chicken, and raviolo. Then I'll have tried everything on the Haven's dinner menu. Mmmmm....Haven, I need you back in my life! The best? The Pancetta Wrapped Lamb Chops, followed by the Double-cut Pork Chop. Oh, my goodness, some of the best meals I've ever had in entirety of my life. Not every time, mind you...wouldn't say the same when I tried these on Pr1ma, but on Getaway and Joy. Oh yes!

Hot tubs are not whirlpools. The Pr1ma and V!va issues are an actual hot tub. The whirlpool tubs on Getaway are just a larger tub, similar to the bath tub my husband and I have in our home. It's not a hot tub. Also, based on a few reports from this weekend, it seems the V!va hot tubs are now working without the time limits and issues being reported before. Hopefully this is the same for Pr1ma or will be worked on during Pr1ma's Transatlantic this week and next. The HI rooms on Getaway are lovely! We enjoyed our stay in 14130 way back in April, 2022.

It's why, even though I really want to book a 23 day cruise in 2026, I would never book so far in advance! Half the itinerary will probably change by then. Heck, NCL will probably find the Northwest Passage just because passenger surveys asked them to cut out the Panama Canal part of the trip . This is one reason (money is the other) we only book within the final payment period. *don't worry, I'm pretty sure the cruise will still traverse the canal - I'm not quite that dull*