Asawi

Thank you very much for your input! Answers at least a little bit of questions the rest of us may have.

Let me see if I understand this right... They book an excursion that NCL doesn't get a cent from. The excursion runs late. Not because of some unforseen happening, but basically from nonchalance. They trust (?) the tour guide when he says he'll contact the ship. Even though he also said he'd get them there in time and that wasn't right. They arrive way too late for the last tender. If their passports have been delivered to port authorities already we're not talking 5-10 minutes. So NCL is the bad guy here????? I'm guessing at this point the tender platform was put away and the life boat back in its position and crew doing their other duties. If that was the case (we don't know if it was), would it really be reasonable to expect all of that being overturned? I don't think so, but that's just my opinion. So the coast guard arrives with these 8 people, a couple of them with mobility issues. How would they get onboard the ship? Pilot style? Fully understandable if the captain wasn't going to risk that! Imagine if something had gone wrong during an operation like that! But yeah, NCL is the bad guy here...

It was NOT an NCL excursion. There is definitely more to the story. There always is.

I was on the cruise before this one. A Swedish captain, but I don't remember the name. Ronny Borg?

I have no experience of Orlando, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. I'd probably put 11-11-30, but not be overly concerned about keeping that time.

I try my best to take advantage of these sales. They do make the FAS well priced. It is however all or nothing for us: We cannot opt out of any part so for a person that drinks as little as I do and don't value the speiciality meals much it really has to be half price to be good value. I really only want the WiFi minutes and excursion discount and had I booked through US that would have been "free" (as in "included in cruise price"). Having said that, it does feel very luxurious to just walk up to a bar, get a Coke or a beer and it's all already paid for, And La Cucina is nice. 😄

This is Cruise Critic. Not the friendliest place on the net. But at least information here usually is pretty reliable. Contrary to what you find on another very popular site whose name should not be mentioned here.

Should not be a problem. That alcohol ban was only for a short time last year.

That actually works in a lot of places nowadays! And more an more getting added to the list! But I do suggest keeping som small denomination notes and/or Euro coins if you're in the habit of using bathrooms while on the go.

I have been booked in the new solo categories. WHen I've been invited to bid it has not been for solo categories.

Definitely other ruiles in Europe. Fee for cancellation from day one for example. So what people tell here really don't apply for us. But even after final pay you can ask for a room upgrade at reduced price.

Correct! I'm in Europe and it's in Terms and conditions for us as well. I don't think CN promos ever are UD only.

Cheaper than free (the 150 minutes)???? No!

What I have done is send an email to cruisenext@ncl.com In the email I include the number of the coupon I want to transfer and name, email and Latitude number of both me and the person recieving it. Sometimes it's super fast (a couple of hours, if that) but I undertsand that 24-72 hours cab also happen (even though it's never been over 24 for me if done during "normal office hours")

Apart from the bar sometimes being crowded I don't recognize much from when I was on Gem just before Christmas. Cookies - Available every day at around 3 pm in The Great Outdoors. Should be listed as "snacks" in the dailies. OP, did you ask anyone if there were cookies somewhere? Or did you just roam around hoping to run into some cookies? Once a day room cleaning - Old "news"! Unless you need assistance with a third bed or something I honestly don't get why anyone would need any turn down service anyway! If you do need assistance I guess you can request it. Towel animals - seriously? Nice, but surely the steward has better things to do! As has been mentioned, you can request them. And of course you should tip accordingly (whatever that is). As for general cleanliness there was no such issues during my cruise. I thought Gem was an amazing ship! Yes, showing her age a little, but in general very nice!

I'm in Spain quite frequently and tip for example the hairdresser. But I do it by adding to the credit card amount before tapping the card. And in restuarants and similar of course. No US type cash tipping except maybe a tour guide when I take guided tours.

Probably not. But handling cash is really a hassle. Cashless is spreading more and more at least in northern Europe. Probably not as much in southern Europe. But do them a favour, use card when possible!

So you just THINK you'll pay tax. The 150 minutes has no retail value. What would you pay tax on?? Wouldn't the tax for 0 be 0?

What??? Ok, I'm in Europe and it's different here so maybe I don't understand US FreeAtSea. But do you really pay anything for the 150 minutes? Isn't it drinks and food you pay taxes on? You can't UPGRADE to plus unless you first have the basic package to upgrade from. Including the 150 minutes. I get so confused reading this question!

I think I read that you are on a last minute booking. If so there might not be possible to book anything else than guarantee. A guy on my TA last year didn't like what he got assigned and even though they could move him, if I recall right they wanted quite a high fee to do so. I would suggest you contact NCL for correct information though and try to get the room you want right away.

Well, if it sails from Southampton instead that's an improvement. I was considering a Portsmouth sailoff cruise as one of a couple of options. When listing pros and cons Portsmouth was a con for me. Not a big one, but still. Southampton is way more convenient for me (easy to get to from Gatwick, budget hotels within walking distance of both train station and cruise terminal). But NCL still lists Portsmouth as departure port for both May 8-18 and May 18-30..

I just came off Dawn. Elements was on my druise. And a nice rock/soul/pop dance and sing show with the production cast. I liked the music show, Dodn't see Elements since I've seen it before.

Yeah... I guess so...

Nope! Well, I actually don't WANT to lose my luggage. But if I do it's no big deal. It can be a hassle, especially if my winter stuff gets lots on the way home to Sweden. Nothing irreplaceable in my checked bag, and I often fly home wearing my boots because those would be the hardest and most essential to replace.

I was thinking along those lines as well. Vancouver is crazy expensive! But also very nice, so maybe worth it. 😄