numberguy

That is how it works out for Filipinos i found out.

Yes, we're either Sir Chad and Sir Michael, or Mr. Chad and Mr. Michael, always by Filipino stewards. Used to throw me for a loop, but I'm used to it now.

--Michael

I think there is a big difference in cancelled ports and port changes. When a cruise line cancel's a port, one gets the port fees returned and sometimes an OBC for the inconvenience, but that doesn't usually happen when a port is changed from one to another.

Agreed. I also included the dollar amount to give an idea of the level of compensation one might receive, in case anyone (not necessarily the OP) was expecting hundreds of dollars of OBC for a cancelled port. Some on the cruise I mentioned were looking for amounts in that range.

--Michael

Two years ago on a 13-day cruise in the Norwegian and North Seas, we had to cancel two ports because of a hurricane. They added a different one later. Everyone received $22.50 pp for refund of port fees. If there's a difference downward of fees, you might get a little recompense, but no guarantee.

And we didn't have to ask it just showed up. Although there were some who were asking about larger amounts before the refund was given. I felt they were just being entitled.

Two years ago on a 13-day cruise in the Norwegian and North Seas, we had to cancel two ports because of a hurricane. They added a different one later. Everyone received $22.50 pp for refund of port fees. If there's a difference downward of fees, you might get a little recompense, but no guarantee.

And be mindful of "Ship Time." I've never encountered it, but I've heard of situations when the time on the ship is not the same as the time of the port. I'm assuming they talk about this a lot at certain ports, but just be aware!

--Michael

I will be going on my first NCL cruise next year. What are Cruisenext Certificates that you mentioned? How did you get them? It seems like a odd amount $305? If you're from Canada, does it get issued in Canadian funds? Thanks for any help.

Cruisenext Certificates are certificates you can buy on the ship (up to four, I believe) for $250 and you get $100 OBC on the cruise you're on. The $250 certificate can then be used as a deposit for most room types up to balcony, I believe, without having to pay the full $500 deposit (rules are different for higher category rooms, but I haven't cruised in those, so I don't know what they are.

They also changed it recently where you get more OBC on your current cruise for the more certificates you buy. I've only bought one at a time, so I don't know those amounts, either. Sorry I can only give you some info.

So, basically, you're buying the option to put down a deposit of $250 on a future cruise when normally $500 would be required and you get back $100 (or more) on your current cruise. Except when there's a promotion running like there appears to be now, you can only use one certificate per stateroom, and you have to book and use it within four years of purchase (again, I might be off on these timeframes). I'm sure someone can correct any mistakes I've made. Just do it nicely, please.

NOTE: All these amounts are in USD. It sounds like CAD amounts are different, but commensurate.

--Michael

Thanks. I didn't know that.

 

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

Nor did I. Thank you!

Interesting that Celebrity does NOT charge taxes. At-least on my May Alaskan cruise, I had a bunch of drinks before sailing out of Seattle and did not have to pay any tax on any of them. Must be another NCL way to nickel and dime ya.

I think it varies by port. They do charge in Miami. They also charge in some European ports; I believe Barcelona is one.

And your last sentence is most likely incorrect and definitely not helpful.

--Michael

So my wife and I are booked on the NCL Escape 8 day sailing on Aug 20-28. We initially paid $1033 CDN for a Balcony cabin each. We had two Cruisenext certificates vaued at 305 dollars each and were able to apply both of them to our cruise... (so minus $610)

 

We called the upsell department today and they offered us a Haven spa suite for an additional $1500 CDN ($750 each)

 

Considering that buying the Spa pass would cost us $292 CDN each anyway, we decided to take the deal.

 

So we ended up paying $1783 CDN each for a Haven Spa Suite. Regular price right now according to Vacations Air Canada and expedia for a Haven Spa Balcony is $3799 CDN each.

Congratulations, but I'm confused by one thing. How were you able to use two CruiseNext certificates for one cabin? I thought they were one per cabin, not one per person. Am I wrong?

--Michael

If you *don't* have the drinks package, and buy drinks one by one, you will be charged the 18% gratuity on the slip you sign. Be careful: there will also be a line for an additional gratuity--fill it out as you see fit, don't just add another 15/18/20% without checking.

Taxes are a totally different thing and varies by port.

--Michael

Yes,

 

We were on the Star in the North Sea avoiding a cat 2 hurricane. For two days we had very rough seas, including waves of 45 feet or larger.

 

About 1/4 of the ship, including staff were ill. DW and I were ok. We take ginger tablets.

 

Walking was such that you had a good grip on the railings.

We too were on this cruise (Hi 4774Papa!). My husband liked walking around and watching everything. I slept through the whole thing (off and on). I don't mind losing a day to sleep on a 14-day cruise; sleeping in a totally dark inside cabin is how I deal with motion sickness.

--Michael

Yes

This would be something to post on your roll call.

Then can you please tell me where I can indicate that the beds are supposed to be separated and that my partner eats vegetarian?

 

I've looked all over the site and can't find that kind of preference area to enter for my upcoming cruise. When I went last fall, I had the agent take the information and yet, the crew had heard nothing about it.

About the beds: Sorry I can't find it to point you to it. And believe me, when I ask that my husband's and my beds be pushed together, they NEVER have been (either because that's the default, or they see two men cruising together and assume they're to be separated). However, once we ask to have them pushed together by the Room Steward, they are by they time we return that first day.

--Michael

I'm at a convention, but I've asked the hubby to record.

Were you in charge of the cruise critic meet and greet? Some who have done that have gotten VIP perks, myself included. Although, I didn't get all of that, but most of it.

There is not.

Two things to point out about suggestions re: refunds by credit card vs check:

Where I work, we have to give back refunds by check if the original charge related to the refund is more than 90 days old. I'm trying to see if that's a company policy, a requirement of our software, a requirement of our credit card processor, or a requirement of the credit card corporations themselves. Others may have information better than what I have, but it could be something other than just NCL corporate policy (regardless of the script the staff have been given to read).

Also, processing a refund also results in a fee, not a negative fee. There's no credit to fees if you process a refund--they'll still incur a fee, albeit possibly a smaller one.

--Michael

I was thinking of taking a Spirit cruise in 2017. These photos put me over the edge. Definitely doing so now.

--Michael

Decorations, not deviations

They stick, but I've heard that sometimes deviations are removed by other cruisers (jerks) or personnel, as I believe there's a request to not decorate doors.

And what is it with people ramming into the elevators before everyone has gotten off?!?!?! :mad:

I know! I ran into (literally) the same thing on the Escape in November 2015. It's like people leave their brains on the dock sometimes.

I'm loving your review, btw.

--Michael

That would make Freestyle really the way passengers want it to be -- it would likely lure me back to NCL

Correction: that would make freestyle really the way SOME passengers want it to be.

Yes, on each cruise I have taken. It is fairly standard.

I've only seen it in the buffet, but I haven't asked for it in a MDR, so I'm not sure where it's available other than buffet.

--Michael

Ship water, coffee, cold and hot tea and maybe lemonade. Breakfast offers orange juice, maybe tomato juice. That's pretty much it for free. Additional beverages are mostly at a cost.

And the fresh squeezed orange juice costs. The reconstituted is free.