FM

It used to be that little gifts such as a bottle of wine, flowers, shipboard credit were provided to guests celebrating a special occasion on a cruise.

Don't see that happening anymore.  Has anyone experienced anything different?

There is a Special Needs Form that can be filled out which will let NCL know your request for distilled water for your CPAP.  https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/about/accessible-cruising

If as a Haven guest, one  chooses a boarding time of 10-1030 AM, that doesn't mean that your Haven room is ready for occupancy does it?  Thanks.

On 9/17/2022 at 3:19 PM, ggTexasGal said:

Butler and Concierge are not included in the Daily Service Charge.

Therefore, most passengers generally tip with cash.

 

If unfamiliar the Daily Service Charges are:

• $20.00 USD per person, per day, for The Haven and Suites;
• $18.00 USD per person, per day, for Club Balcony Suite;
• $16.00 USD per person, per day, for all other stateroom types

NCL should make it clearer to those who choose to stay in the Haven that the daily service charge that one can prepay does not include the butler and concierge. 

Any recommendations where to get rapid PCR testing before boarding your cruise ship in Seattle?

Glad to see that the Bliss itineraries in October include Glacier Bay cruising instead of Icy Straight Point.

Received one shortly after final payment was made. Didn't seem much of a great deal though. 

NCL will refund whatever amount you will be eligible for to the 'original form of payment.'  For Haven Suite guests and above the cancellation fee schedule is different. 

On 6/3/2022 at 9:53 AM, snorklinbarb said:

Fortunately the SDP is not limited to 1 app, 1 entree and one dessert.  It actually entitles you to unlimited apps, soups, salads, desserts and you are asked to choose an entree.  In fact, mention of only one entree is specifically only pertains to Cagney's and Le Bistro (so technically you could choose more than 1 entree at other venues).   From the t & 😄

• Specialty Dining Packages include one main course per person at Cagney's and Le Bistro

 

On Escape one night in Bayamo by Ocean Blue I had 3 apps and a soup, no entree and 1 dessert.  So have fun with it or as they said in Le Bistro, "Have whatever makes your heart sing."

 

 

Looking forward to a few 'extra' appetizers for sure! 😄 

On 5/28/2022 at 7:11 PM, mking8288 said:

@FM - Two weeks ago on the Joy (and, similarly on the Getaway this March/April) - our average itemized total for Cagney's came close to 85 or $90 only per person using the Platinum/Sapphire free vouchers ... that was zeroed out, just signed for it (unless there were upcharged items like the crab cake lump.)  With the Free At Seas Specialty Dining being more generous, extra choice of starter/soup/salad and extra sides - we ran up the dining total for 2 to $207 with one and $217 on another, excluding an upcharge - just sign, add extra tips as appropriate and say bye.  Porterhouse 20 oz. is $45 and covered, no extra charge.  Prices in Le Bistro are fairly similar, La Cucina is slightly/somewhat low, all being a la carte.

...

Thanks @mking8288 !  Was off for a while so only got to read your reply today.  We decided to purchase the additional 2-meal SDP NCL is offering to give us a total of 4, even though we have the Haven available for dinner also. 

On 5/25/2022 at 8:17 PM, phillygwm said:

Short answer is no.  However, you get two specialty meals included with your FAS package.

 

You may choose to buy additional meals and the discount on those increases with the more meals you purchase.  I'll be buying 5 on my next cruise and it comes out to a bit over $200 pp.

Do you know much on average would a normal meal come in at (appetizer, main, dessert) if one went a la carte instead as trying to determine how much of a savings one would be receiving if purchasing an additional specialty dining package

Aboard the Bliss (or the Encore), it is usually too cold for outdoor dining for dinner when cruising in Alaska? Looking at late Sept, early Oct. 

12 hours ago, MidCitiesMan said:

TheJamesGang, what cruise? We were deck 10 on the Bliss last week when we got Covid. 
 

edit: n/m, I missed you gave the date. 

Alaskan cruise?

On 5/22/2022 at 4:26 PM, Trazz007 said:

@FM, there is no contact person in the hotel. I did get contacted by Health Canada today (over the phone) and got a bit more info on what happens next. No clearance or test is needed to leave the quarantine hotel at the end, it just have to be 10 days after your positive test. I will post an update with details shortly. 

I am quite surprised to see much of an 'honour system' it is now, considering how obsessive the 'authorities' were in the beginning.

With so many now chafing at any type of restrictions it is refreshing to see someone like yourself take the situation seriously.  We are tentatively booked for a SEA Alaskan round-trip but wondering if we should take a look at departing or returning to VAN instead.   

On 5/22/2022 at 1:58 PM, nlcruiser01 said:

Hi FM, you call it "fortuitous" but prior to this cruise, my husband always described my planning as "obsessive".  Not anymore!!   I've been home almost a month and still no sign of the remaining refunds RCL owes us.  I'm still waiting on a call back from 2 weeks ago re: this.  I'm glad I didn't agree to pay up front for the costs RCL ultimately paid as per the contract. 

 

He was given Acetaminophen for his fever, Nyquil and cough drops.  Thankfully he didn't become ill enough to require Remdesivir or any other anti-virals. 

Thank you. Was curious how they would 'treat' anyone aboard a cruise with COVID other than with anti-virals.

I would not let up with RCL and keep on them re: the remaining refund.  Good luck.

From following this thread, learned that if the port of disembarkation is in Canada, the government states that the operator is required to organize and pay for your quarantine if you become COVID positive while onboard.  

On 5/20/2022 at 7:17 AM, detwings said:

Just got back from Ncl Breakaway on 5/15 and tested positive for COVID 3 days later. Was in the Haven, didn't get off ship.

Sorry to hear about that.  There goes my dream of just staying in the Haven for the entire duration of the cruise and thus avoid COVID - lol. 

The detail and depth of information you provided @Trazz007 is excellent.  Dismayed to read about how icky (politely speaking) your quarantine conditions were onboard the ship.  It is fortunate that your port of disembarkation was in Canada; as noted on the Gov of Canada website -- 

• If you test positive while on your cruise, and the cruise ends in Canada, you will need to complete your isolation in Canada as organized and paid for by the operator. 

As per our TA, it is up to yourself to arrange and pay for any period of isolation if you disembark at a US port.  Can only imagine the level of concern one may have if one is flying down from Canada to SEA for a 7-day round trip Alaskan cruise and one tests positive while down in the US.

Is there a contact person at your hotel that is monitoring your status and thus able to give or provide clearance for you to return home once quarantine is completed? 

56 minutes ago, sprez33 said:

 

It doesn't seem so.  I can ask.  But I've never seen the restaurant more than say 2/3rds full nor the observation lounge anywhere near capacity.

Was just curious.  We're looking at a Haven Penthouse aboard the Bliss for this fall re: to Alaska so wanted to get a sense of how things are going as people start cursing again.

Noticed that you are from San Diego.  How are things down there in re: to the new COVID variant? Asking as San Diego Comic Con is now back on after having been postponed for the past two years.  SDCC has instituted a mandatory vaccination/mask policy for all attendees and participants in order to present a more safe and enjoyable Con. 

1 hour ago, dman07 said:

Returned from Breakaway May 8-15 sailing and tested positive yesterday. A group of people I met are also testing positive too. 
 

my symptoms are COVID tongue, sore throat, chills, headache 

Sorry to hear about that. Noticed you are from Canada so it is fortunate that you were able to get back home ... and without worrying about being hospitalized in the US if needed.

It is not so simple for international travellers flying into the US to forgo planning for contingencies if one unfortunately gets infected with COVID.  The US still requires anyone flying into the country to provide a negative COVID test within one calendar day of travel (whereas Canada not longer requires it).  If one plans to spend several days before the cruise at the port city such as Seattle, then you have to get tested again prior to boarding the cruise ship.  Never mind what one has to go through in re to quarantine etc if stricken ill before one can fly back into one's country.  

That's why it is so important for cruise lines to be open and transparent so people can make better and informed decisions on whether to cruise or not at this point in time.

Any idea as to whether the Haven is near capacity? Was it busy during dinner in the Haven restaurant?

On 5/11/2022 at 7:29 PM, Ciren219 said:

Like you, we're been strict about mask wearing and not eating out in two years. I felt I caught COVID in Sitka and missed half my cruise. At least you got you see all your ports.

 

The majority of COVID cases on my cruise tested positive the night before disembarkation. I have to wonder how many leave the ship and test positive at the airport before trying to fly home.

 

Even though I'm still recovering from COVID, I'm not afraid to cruise again. In fact, we're booked on another Alaska cruise in July.

Sorry that everyone tested positive. Hoping for a speedy recovery for all.  Which cruise line are you booked with in July if you don't mind me asking. 

For those who have reported testing positive, the question is how mild or severe were the symptoms? It seems that most people report being healthy ... the concern is for those who are approaching their senior years 60's+ or have some other underlying health conditions and whether they should reconsider going on a cruise at this point in time. 

Really appreciate hearing a first-hand account of what occurred with you and your husband during your recent cruise @nlcruiser01

It was quite fortuitous that you had the forethought to acquaint yourself with RCL's policy re: “Refund and Cancellation Policy for COVID-19” ... one would think that the emphasis would be more towards working with passengers who have taken the opportunity to cruise with them instead of staying at home!

You mentioned that your husband 'received medications as required' - were the medications of the anti-viral kind approved for COVID 19 treatment such as Remdesivir?

Here is a link to a recent article re: travel insurance for travel this summer. Food for thought. https://www.cntraveler.com/story/travel-insurance-companies-add-permanent-pandemic-coverage

NCL has a link re: their COVID policy https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/refund-and-cancellation-policy-covid-19 - but if you read the 'fine print' it states that the following information applies to all sailings scheduled during the nationally declared Public Health Emergency involving COVID-19.  It will likely be possible that by Jan of next year there will no longer be a nationally declared Public Health Emergency.  (But then am curious as to how NCL will treat those who have booked a cruise for travel later this year will be reimbursed if one gets COVID but there is no longer a 'public health emergency.' - something to ask our TA.)