12 hours ago, n4w said:

Sorry all, I didn't even notice.  Good catch, eh? 😉

In the end, the people with the CruiseNext certificates did get them extended - even after NCL agents insisted it wasn't possible. Hope it works out for all. Good reason to call and call again.

11 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

Thank you for posting this, however it is off topic.  The OP's question concerned extended expiration dates on Cruise Next Deposits, not Future Cruise Credits.  The Terms & Conditions for these two are significantly different.  To the best of my knowledge, NCL normally does not extend the expiration of CND, although they occasionally have extended FCC, especially on those issued for cruises cancelled during the pandemic.

If you read what the link says, you will see that this does include CruiseNext and CruiseFirst. It is confusing that they added those with the FCC conditions.

7 minutes ago, tomtravel said:

Thank you very much!!  Now have a bargaining chip!

 

12 minutes ago, n4w said:

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/extension-previously-issued-future-cruise-credits

I notice that this looks like a Canadian site. I could not find anything similar on what I think is the non-Canadian site. 

Could you please direct me to the source of the above regarding the extension of FCCs expiring in 2021? I do not see anything about this or extensions of CruiseNext that were due to expire in 2021. Thanks!

Edited to say I did find that on NCL, BUT,  they have told several of us who used CruiseNext that expired on Dec. of 31 and were used on a cruise sailing in May that was cancelled by NCL that they would NOT extend them. Maybe that changed since we tried to get them re-deposited a few weeks ago.

1 hour ago, n4w said:

Extension of Previously Issued Future Cruise Credits

 

To further support our guests, we have extended the "book by" date for previously issued FCCs. Any current and active Future Cruise Credits, CruiseNext certificates and CruiseFirst certificates originally set to expire in 2021 have been extended. The "book by" date for these credits and certificates is now December 31, 2022. Note all certificates will retain their Sail By dates, which is for sailings departing on or before December 31, 2022.

For example: FCCs issued in July 2020 had a book by date of July 2021. The new "book by" date is December 31, 2022.

Active coupon classes that have been extended include:

• Peace of Mind FCCs
• Suspension Payment FCCs
• Discount FCCs from previous suspensions
• CruiseNext
• CruiseFirst
• All FCCs created as a result of ship incidents and goodwill gestures
• Displacements

No clue about Richard. All I know is he is HD on Epic

Thanks for the info. Will he be on Epic for awhile or going on vacation? I enjoyed sailing with him in the past. He's a great HD. Guess the rumor about him coming to Escape was just that.

You mentioned before that Sean would be on vacation sometime in January. Do you know who his replacement will be?

Unrelated question |: I read on another forum that you can rent a cabana in the vibe? What are the benefits and how much is it? Worth it?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Did not see any cabanas in Vibe on Escape. Only one hot tub. Different from Getaway.

Sean is on ship going on vacation January 23

Oh, so is that when Richard will replace him? Is there a place to see the schedules of the officers?

Currently on Escape and heard that Richard Janicki will be replacing Sean as Hotel Director. I know that some people are always in the know about schedules, does this sound accurate or is it just a rumor?

We're on the Jewel in 9 days. Hope Hanno is a better concierge than Florentina - who hasn't exactly earned any praises in the last few reviews.

Never had Florentina as a concierge, so can't compare. Hanno is a great concierge.

I'm sure it will. Don't miss it. *IF* it gets anything but friendly just leave. Most people are not mean and green in person as they can be over a computer screen.

 

Harriet

....wow....I just read this whole thread and my head honestly hurts!! It was kind of like when you are passing a car accident and know you shouldn't rubber neck but, you gotta look!

 

I was on many cruises as a single person and pre CC... once I got married and started raising a family, my love of cruising was put on hold. When our family finally went on a Carnival Valor cruise 2/12 and, my husband and I did attend a sail away party and meet and greet. We had to pay( I think over $20/pp) for the meet and greet which did have an open bar. I don't recall any officers being there. It was a very quiet event with minimal interaction.

 

I have been a member of the Roll Call for the inaugural 11/14 Escape voyage since booking in January. It is a very active roll call with, probably, >150 people signed up for the Meet and Greet. Our roll call has many experienced cruisers with lots of good information. I am a very active "lurker" who, on occasion, will post but, I tend to defer to those who have been there, done that. I disagree with "Sea Shark's" assertion that, because I am not a frequent poster, I am less valuable or less likely to attend the Meet and Greet. After reading this thread, though, I am a bit hesitant to go. I would really hate to see the frequent sniping and negativity which permeates the NCL site, Everything Escape thread and, less so, our Roll Calll affect this event. I am going on this much needed cruise vacation to "escape" all the stress and negativity which I endure during my "real life"

 

I will continue to actively follow my roll call and hope that our Meet and Mingle will be a positive event.

I can guarantee that the Nov. 14 Escape sailing will have an excellent Meet and Greet worth attending. As a late-joiner to roll calls and one who still attends the M&G and as a lurker who still attends the M&G, I think the key is keeping the M&G open to all who wish to participate whether you are active on the roll call or not. Everybody doesn't have the time or motivation to post regularly on the roll call. That doesn't mean that they aren't interested in meeting others on the ship.

Did you see anything about tours to local golf courses at the excursion desk? I do not find anything online on the website in their listed tours? Or did you notice any golf courses near the ship at any of the ports?

There is a staffed golf desk on the ship.

They serve the Brooklyn Brewery Lager, but only in the Uptown Grill.

When we were on in November, that was the only "craft" beer that we found.

Tulum is good because it has such a wonderful setting, which can't be beat - and if you haven't been there in 25 years, you will see how it has changed - no climbing on any of the temples, different entrance, no parking near entrance, but shuttle and or walking. There are tons of people visiting there, so can get crowded.

Chacchoben is in the jungle and has more interesting buildings than Tulum and is from an earlier period.

If you are visiting Tulum from Cozumel, keep in mind that it is a very long day.

Chacchoben is a much shorter drive. If you go, be sure to buy fresh pineapple in Limones on the way.

I have been to many of the Maya sites and think that they are all special.

Have also sailed both Norwegian and Celebrity. Celebrity has more plates and silverware at the dining table, but other than that, I didn't find the food nor the experience better. I enjoyed both lines and as GordonChick put it so well: First, expect there to be differences. Second, decide to roll with the flow. Third, don't try to make this cruise like your others. You should not try to constantly compare, go in with pre-conceived notions or assume. Change and differences are good things and maybe the reason that some of us enjoy sailing with different brands and have great experiences.

The Epic has lots to offer and being a Med cruise, it won't be the same as a 3-day party cruise. Have a good time.

I know some people are shocked at the expense of the Chef’s Table ($99), however I think it’s one of the best bargains on the ship. I’ve partaked of the Chef’s Table on every ship which I sailed which has one and met some wonderful people at each of them.

On the Getaway it’s a 9-course gourmet meal, that’s not served in any of the other restaurants with unlimited wine and VIP service. You also get 2 photographs, one with all the other Chef’s table participants and the Executive Chef, and one individual one of yourself and the Executive Chef.

 

Below is the menu and pictures of each course (apart from the Amuse Bouche as that’s on my other camera and I can’t get the pictures off it as I can’t find the cable!)

 

I booked the Chef’s Table as soon as I boarded the ship – second only to securing my Vibe pass! I was a little surprised that it’s only offered once per cruise, although I appreciate it takes up a lot of the serving staff’s time and the Executive Chef attends throughout the evening. (I’m pretty sure that on RCCL it’s offered more than once, but not every night – though I’m willing to be corrected on this point.) I know I heard several people talking about how they had tried to book it and could not, so there was definitely the demand for it. Also, as I talked to people on the ship, a lot of people had not heard of it at all (obviously not CruiseCritic members!), but were interested once they heard the description.

 

There ended up being 13 people at the table – it’s usually restricted to 12. I’m pretty sure I was the first person to book it, and as I am a solo, and no other solos booked it, I ended up being the “extra”. The result was that I was seated by myself at the head of the table, with 5 people on each long side and 2 people seated at the other end.

 

On the Getaway the Chef’s Table is held in the Haven restaurant. A couple of pieces of large artwork are strategically positioned to act as a divider between the Chef’s Table and the rest of the restaurant, where the Haven guests are served.

 

As a non-Haven guest, you are met outside the Haven area entrance and walked through to the Haven lounge area to meet the other Chef’s Table participants and handed your glass of pink sparkling wine (I can’t call it champagne as it’s Italian, but it was very good!) prior to a group photo being taken and then the group is escorted to the Haven restaurant area.

 

Each course is brought out by multiple servers who wait strategically behind you and then present the course to all diners at the same time – very la-de-dah! The chef then comes out and explains the course and how it was prepared and the sommelier comes and explains the accompanying wine. As is usual for when 13 strangers come together, the conversation can be a little awkward at first, but once the wine starts flowing everyone relaxes!

 

A day or so prior to the actual Chef’s Table I received a phone call from the Chef’s Table Manager, who enquired as to any allergies or dietary restrictions. (As a side note, I seemed to be asked that at every meal and restaurant prior to ordering – something I appreciate as I do have an allergy to one particular food (scallops), but usually I just make sure I am aware of what is in whatever I am eating, and avoid anything that is just described as “seafood” or “fruit de mer”.)

 

I mentioned this allergy to the Manager but also confirmed with her that there was nothing like that included on the menu. At this point I also mentioned that I understood there was veal on the menu, and as a “personal choice” I don’t eat veal (I haven’t ate it for 20 years or so) and would prefer something else, if possible – these were the exact words I used. (Let’s not get into an ethical side discussion about veal, as I am aware of the contradiction of not eating that but eating every other meat, and I am also aware, of whether or not I eat it, that same piece of baby cow is still on the ship and still dead – as I say, just my personal choice!)

 

The manager said she would check with the Chef and get back with me. About 5 minutes later she called back and asked what I would like instead and asked again if it was an allergy. I was honest and repeated that it was a “personal choice” and I was flexible for any substitution – beef, chicken, seafood, just not veal.

 

About another 5 minutes later, the manager called back again and said that it was not possible to offer a substitution in this case. I told her I was fine with that, I just thought I would ask – I knew there would be plenty of food over the evening anyway. The manager was very apologetic and offered to send me a plate of chocolate strawberries. I told her that was very nice of her – and the strawberries arrived the night after the Chef’s Table. I guess the moral of this story is if you don’t like something on the Chef’s Table menu, tell them you are allergic rather than just don’t like/want it! (Is there such a thing as allergy to veal, I wonder?)

 

As I say, this was no big deal, there was plenty of food, and by the time the (massive) veal chop arrived my stomach was approaching full anyway! (However, I would point out that on RCCL I have seen them swap out a course for someone who doesn’t like a particular ingredient of that course without any problem or fanfare.)

 

I still give the total meal 15 out of 10 for service, style and quality of food – it is certainly an “experience” – a word that is used frequently by the Chef during the presentation. I would highly recommend it if you can be manage to be one of the lucky twelve (or in our case, thirteen!)

 

Oh, and also included with the Chef’s Table “experience” is a personal guided tour of the galley area just for the Chef’s Table participants – usually held on the morning of the next sea day.

 

[i am having a problem with file size of the pictures, bear with me and I'll add them in once I compressed them...]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great experience

 

The casino was a big disappointment. It is bigger than any other ship I have been on, but they did not have very many cheap slot machines. I like to play penny slots so it takes a little while to lose my twenty dollars. All the penny slots were actually thirty to seventy-five cents for every play. The pay outs were few and far between. I had brought hundred dollars to lose, but when I could only get 5 minutes of play time before I lost my twenty I decided it was not fun and they could not have any more of my money.

I am with you on your slot theory. Of course, the casino always wins, but at least they could make the fun a bit longer than 5 minutes. Like you, I eventually decided that they couldn't have any more of my money.

Loving your review.

I had IPA on Seabourn Legend 2 years ago out of St Thomas. It was the St. John Brewer's Island Hoppin' IPA contracted at Shipyard.

I know that this is not the Seabourn forum, but it used to be if you liked a certain drink, you let them know if advance and they would stock it. I am sure that is still the case.

I am also a porter/stout fan and wish that there were more selections. I will drink Guinness, but more choices would be great. I wish that they would get the the Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout on the Breakaway for the cool weather sailings.

Mishdoyle - which town are you in?

luddite - the Coal Porter sounds great. How did you like it?

I did the diamond Head hike the week following the OP. They are rock stars for both hiking into to the crater and doing the hike in the late morning heat. I was with a group much younger than I am and got overheated trying to keep pace up the first set of stairs. Once you finish the stairs, there is a tunnel which also is on an incline. I was in in no shape to attempt the steep stairs or crawl out of the bunker type thing. After the tunnel, the steep stairs are to your right. Just turn around and go the other way to find the wood stairs that go up to the viewing platform. People call this the easy way, but I stopped several times due to the heat exhaustion. There are a lot of people all over this trail. The second set of stairs was built with the purpose of being the way to exit after the summit and to alleviate the crowding.

 

Have fun and take lots of water.

Thanks for that info. Always prefer to get an early start to avoid the heat and overheating. So - go to the left for the "easy" wooden stairs?

If you're on Breakaway, check the Uptown Grill for a Reuben at lunchtimes.

Don't go looking for a Reuben at Uptown for lunch. They now have a wonderful Build-a-Burger bar there. They service beef, turkey and veggie burgers with a variety of toppings. There is also a salad bar next to it.

Both the beef and veggie burgers that we tried were huge and delicious.

Really enjoying your review. When I saw the Kia Ora and Aotearoa photo, I realized that I could get a taste of NZ at the PCC. (I really wanted to go their on my upcoming POA sailing, but just don't have the time.)

Will definitely be hiking Diamond Head. How did you find the alternate stairs? I don't mind climbing up, but have no interest in doing the steep descent on the first stairs that you should.

Will be anxiously awaiting the rest of your report.

Sailed the Sun in June 2013. An awesome cruise. Yes, it's an older ship but I really liked some of the features. I also feel that I am so fortunate to cruise that something heinous would have to happen for me to complain.

How did you know that the bedding hadn't been changed? If you felt that was the case, you could have simply requested new sheets. As others have stated, the bed linens do not get changed every single day.

Wine machines are not included.

Has anyone done a solo cruise before on any of the NCL ships? If so I'd love to get your thoughts on if you had a great time or if you ended up feeling lonely. Was it easy to make friends or find people to have dinner with?

 

I'm 30 years old from CT and don't have a special someone right now but love to cruise so I don't want to let the lack of someone to go with stop me from doing something I enjoy! I just worry a bit about being trapped for 7 days if I start to regret the decision once onboard. Would love your candid thoughts.

I have traveled solo several times. I went to all the solo gatherings - on the newer ships, there will be gatherings every evening in the Studio Lounge. It's a great place to find people to dine with and attend shows with.

I find that when I travel solo that I actually meet more people than I do when I am traveling with a companion.

Go for it. Life is short.

My wife and I just returned from being stuck on the Breakaway while it was attempting to dock in NYC. We were both shocked at how thoroughly unprepared the staff was for such an event.

 

There was complete chaos, confusion, and overcrowding surrounding points of egress and at one point, tempers flared so much that a fistfight nearly broke out. There were hardly any crew members present to direct passengers and very little meaningful information was being conveyed from the captain.

 

It was clear that the staff was untrained in any safety protocols and that if there had been serious emergency such as fire or flooding, there would likely have been unnecessary injuries and/or mortalities.

 

A little planning would have gone a long way to help with an orderly disembarkation. I'm happy to share more details if anyone is curious.

Don't think that a late docking is a serious emergency. How would you know how the crew would act in the case of a fire or flooding? It's purely conjecture on your part.

It's shameful that fist fights nearly broke out. Perhaps the disorder is caused by the pax.