Loving My Life

I booked a cruise for Norwegian this past September, they waited til day before to cancel due to hurricanes. They gave me a nice future cruise credit, and told me to feel free to book with whomever I want, and use the credit accordingly. I paid deposit for a cruise next year that included a great onboard credit. Not Norwegian just.called and said if i use Future cruise credit, then the are reducing On Board credit. Thats not cool at all to tell me that after I book!!!!! Bait and switch..

WHO is saying that if you use a future cruise credit, your onboard credit will be reduced, Norwegian or the TA you booked with?? If it’s NCL, I’d keep calling or escalating it. You shouldn’t be penalized for a cruise credit due to a weather cancellation. If it’s the TA, I’d find a new one pronto.

I love traveling with my kids. Must if our land trips have included our kids and we’ve cruised with them and my mother in law too. But every once in a while, we also love to take vacations just the 2 of us. I talked just good self care for me (as a social worker).

It's only two days... no guilt!! You'll be a better mama after relaxing and feeding your soul with a little time being catered to.

Yes indeed. Two years ago, we left our three kids, ages 8, 10, & 12, with grandma and went to Europe for three weeks! 😳 Although I love my boys dearly, it was the best 3 weeks of my life. I didn't feel guilty one little bit. 😉

Oh do I ever. On our second cruise, we left our young kids (ages 1, 3, & 5) with my mother and her husband for the eight days we were gone. We came back to our cabin at one point to a message from a doctor at a hospital near my mother who wanted to talk to us before providing treatment to our 5 year old. I panicked and tried to call the dr back but didn't get through so I called my mother. Long story short, he went to the ER and they thought he needed surgery, but it eventually resolved itself, then they discovered he had pancreatitis and since he also had asthma, they were testing for CF, and needed extra consent for the genetic testing (he does not have CF!!). By the time we talked to my mother, the surgeon, and the pediatrician, we rang up a $200 phone bill. Now, we knew ahead of time the cost per minute, but we really didn't want to rush the doctors, so we accepted the cost. We are, however, very happy that the fees have dropped in the years since this fiasco.

Lost an item - filled out a report

I also reached out to John Heald as I figured he could get in touch with the boat quicker - within 24 hours someone from the boat posted on my message to john that they found my item and they were sending it to miami and from there it would get returned to me

 

So with the storm i understand delays etc ... So but my question is what happens if between then and later they lose the said item do I have any recourse? And before you ask no I don't have travel insurance and please don't lecture me on needing it.

Just a heads up. I lost a $500 camera lens on the Victory 5 years ago. I filed a claim on the ship and checked with lost and found every day. We received a phone call 2 weeks after the cruise that our lens was found and they were mailing it to us. It took 5 weeks, even without hurricanes, for it to arrive. Be patient and give it plenty of time to get to you!

I sailed on the Spirit in Europe 2 years ago and loved it, but if you really like the look and options of the Oasis class ships, you might be disappointed. I am also not a fan of mega ships, nor would I partake in rock climbing, ice skating, flow riding (?), etc so the Spirit worked well for us.

Usually European/Med cruises are very port intensive, with only 1-2 sea days, so for many people, the ship is less important than the itinerary and times in port. If you are off the ship 8-10 hours in ports each day, by the time you get back in board, freshen up, have dinner, and possibly see the show or visit a live music venue, you fall into bed exhausted. If your itinerary has more than 1-2 sea days, or if you are only in port for a few hours each day, the ship becomes more important.

Good luck making your decision!

Absolutely stunning!! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your special day with all of us. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.

I had a massage on my first cruise (Carnival Legend) and I haven't gone to a spa on a ship since. The first half hour was good (not great: the room was HOT and they didn't pipe in nice, quiet "spa music" like I'm used to) but then for the remaining 30 minutes, she talked non-stop about all the products I just had to buy for $300. At one point I asked her to stop talking as I wasn't going to buy anything, but she stated she had to go through the whole shtick. I've avoided the spa ever since but I'd probably try again but make it clear up front that I want it silent during the massage or I will not be tipping.

This kind of response always makes my blood boil. It`s like-It`s OK, all will be fine.

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No I`d be furious with NCL-We sailed that route a couple of years ago and Kotor was our favorite stop as well as the sail in and out-Very sorry that you missed it!

Did NCL know in advance-OF COURSE!!!

I never said all will be fine. Apparently you missed my second post on this thread. As I said in that post, I cruise for the ports so I would be upset too. I've missed a port so I know the disappointment. I also agreed that NCL knew about this ahead of time and should have notified passengers. However, they will just refer back to the cruise contract and the missed port/itinerary change clause. I don't like it, the op doesn't like it, clearly you don't like it, but that's the way it is. What or how do you suggest to change this?

1- embark/disembark ports

2- size of ship (the smaller the better)

3- not a lot of sea days

Nope. $500 extra for the western itinerary wouldn't sway me at all. I love Cozumel, the multiple ruins in Belize, and although I haven't been to Harvest Cay, I hear it's a nice beach. I am not a fan of the Bahamas.

#2!

I'll second the slamming doors. Please just don't do it.

I'll add:

Please don't leave trays full of plates and half eaten food in the hallways. Not only is it unpleasant to see and smell, it makes it difficult to walk down the hall and it makes it especially hard for drunk people to walk down the hall. It's really not fun to be woken up in the middle of the night to the sounds of breaking dishes, bodies hitting the wall on the way down to the floor, and then laughing or crying.

Please don't bring your diaper clad baby or toddler into a pool, hot tub, or splash area unless it is a dedicated diaper area. The rule is in place to prevent the spread of illnesses. Similarly, if you are an adult, please don't wear an adult diaper/liner in the pools or hot tub, and if you are drink and need to pee, get out and use a bathroom. Don't pee in the pool/hot tub.

Just got back from our amazing fantastic 11 day cruise on the Spirit. We went to specialty restaurants for 5 nights and to MDR/Shogun for the rest. While the specialty dining food was excellent, we frequently had problems with the quality of the food in the complimentary dining.

 

This is in stark contrast with my last cruise on the Jade in 2012 where the complimentary dining was excellent. Is the food going downhill on NCL in general or is this just the Spirit or was this a fluke? My family is discussing another cruise and we are all worried this will be a trend.

We cruised on the Spirit 2 years ago and found the same thing. Food in the specialty restaurants was very good (except for 1 lunch entree) but the 2 meals we had in the main dining rooms were awful, nearly inedible. We LOVED our cruise, but will only sail NCL with a dining package from now on.

We don't generally visit the buffet but did find some good snacks there and also enjoyed some of the other free venues that were very good.

How hard is this enforced?

Why do so many people think that they are the exception to every rule?!?!

We took our son on his first cruise when he was 18 months old and were in a similar situation. No swim diapers is a rule and we followed it. However, he had plenty of time in the water at the beach while we were in port, and we took a small inflatable bathtub and filled it up on our balcony to let him have some extra time to splash around. We had no trouble keeping him out of the pool. There are plenty of other things to do on board. Please, as a fellow parent of a toddler, don't try to get around the rule or disregard it. So many people already have a bad opinion of children onboard because of this type of situation. Please don't add more fuel to the fire.

+1 👍

Thanks for being a responsible parent, following the rules, and still enjoying your cruise vacation.

Does anyone know how many different single table "tops" there are.

I know there are 2 person, 4 person, and 10 person tables. Just wondering what other options they use.

I am not real keen on being seating with strangers so I will try to plan the travel party number accordingly. We are looking at either 5, 6, or 7 folks right now.

The times my husband and I have cruised just the two of us, we have always been assigned a table with others, many of whom have become good friends. When we have cruised as a party of 5-6, we have been assigned our own table.

Actually, I do feel slighted a bit by the fact that they're offering a free cruise to those who didn't pay, while offering a "cruise credit" rather than a refund for those who did pay, but did not cruise...

Just when I think I've read the most selfish post ever....🙄

You are actually NOT guaranteed a spot on the excursion. Twice we have paid in advance and the excursion has been a no go. The first was because Carnival no longer considered the tour provider as reliable, and the second was because not enough others had signed up for that excursion.

True. I don't usually book cruise line but excursions, but I've had table mates who have had excursions cancelled because not enough people booked. I also read a thread on another cc board today about a family booking and paying for an Atlantis dolphin excursion weeks before they sailed, traveled from the ship to Atlantis in the cruise line provided bus, only to be told at Atlantis that they were at capacity for dolphin encounters. Despite escalating the issue, Atlantis did not budge and they had to fight with the cruise line for a credit for the excursion. So, definitely, you are never guaranteed, but you do cut down on the odds of it selling out by the time you board.

Op you are correct they knew well in advance and while I know all the stuff about itin changes etc...they still should have told you in advance...

 

Us on cc may not like some of the stuff they do but please don't confuse this to mean that ncl is not a savvy profitable company.

 

 

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I agree. They knew well in advance and it would have been nice or fair for them to notify all passengers ahead of time so they could make any changes they needed. However, with the way cruise contracts are worded, passengers have little to no recourse in such situations. We may not like it, but that's the way it is.

If I lived in the area that was going to be hit by a hurricane and needed to prepare my house (boarding up windows, moving lawn/deck furniture, etc), I would get off and do that. Otherwise I'd gladly stay on the ship to nowhere and wait out the storm.

The advantage is that you get a guaranteed spot on the excursion and don't run the risk of it being fully booked when you get on board.

For those of us who cruise for the itinerary rather than the ship, missing planned ports is always disappointing. However, cruise contracts clearly state that the cruise line can change or cancel ports at any time and for any reason. That is the risk we all take when cruising and one that we have to accept can happen any time we step on board a ship. I don't think calling the cruise line will result in anything other than wasted time. They will just refer you back to the contract you agreed to when you booked. On the bright side, you now have a reason to book another cruise that hits the ports you missed.

Great job NCL! It's heartening to see the good that people and corporations can do in times of crisis. Keep it up.

Here it is:

Here then is the latest news.

 

PLEASE SHARE WITH ONE PERSON WHO YOU MAY KNOW IS SAILING OVER THIS PERIOD.

 

Hurricane Irma

 

Weather Update – 09/07/17 – 1:00PM (EDT)

 

We have been closely monitoring Hurricane Irma, a category 5 storm in the Caribbean. Given the projected path of the storm, the following cruises have been cancelled:

 

Carnival Liberty – September 7

Carnival Victory – September 8

Carnival Splendor – September 9

Carnival Liberty – September 10

 

A full refund will be automatically processed, including Fly2Fun reservations, pre-purchased Carnival Adventures, Fun Shop purchases and beverage packages. The refund will be processed to your original form of payment within three weeks.

 

While it is difficult to predict the storm’s path with complete certainty, at this point, it is expected that the storm will impact South and Central Florida in the next several days. The safety and security of our guests and crew are our first priority and our ships will remain a safe distance away from the storm at all times.

 

We remain in constant contact with port officials regarding potential port closures. Given the uncertainty of the storm’s impact, we expect that we may have to shorten the duration of certain cruises scheduled to depart this weekend.

 

Carnival Paradise – September 7

Will depart from Tampa today. Guests will be informed of our itinerary this afternoon.

 

Carnival Sensation – September 7

Will depart Miami today, as scheduled. Our call to Key West is canceled and guests will enjoy an extended stay in Cozumel.

 

Carnival Conquest – September 9

Now scheduled to depart Miami on September 12 on a 4 day cruise to Cozumel.

 

Carnival Glory – September 9

Now scheduled to depart Miami on September 12 on a 4 day cruise to Cozumel.

 

Carnival Magic – September 9

Now scheduled to depart Port Canaveral on September 13 on a 3 day cruise to Nassau (pending port confirmation).

 

Carnival Vista – September 9

Now scheduled to depart Miami on September 12 on a 5 day two port Western Caribbean cruise to Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

 

Carnival Freedom – September 9

Will depart Galveston on September 9 on a three port Western Caribbean cruise to Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel.

 

Carnival Ecstasy – September 9

We will depart Charleston on September 9 to operate a two port cruise to the Bahamas. We are hopeful that we will be able to offer a two Bahamian port itinerary (Freeport, Nassau or Half Moon Cay). Since we are unable to confirm the itinerary at this time, guests may elect to cancel and receive a future cruise credit. Guests wishing to sail will receive a 25% future cruise credit based on the fare paid for this cruise.

 

Carnival Dream – September 10

Will depart New Orleans on September 10 to operate a three port Western Caribbean cruise to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

 

Carnival Pride – September 10

We will depart Baltimore on September 10 on a cruise to Canada/New England. Itinerary details will be confirmed today at 6:00 PM. Given the significant itinerary deviation, guests may elect to cancel and receive a future cruise credit. Guests wishing to sail will receive a 25% future cruise credit based on the fare paid for this cruise.

 

Carnival Fascination – September 10

We will confirm our plans for this cruise on Friday at 1:00 PM.

 

Carnival Sensation – September 11

Will now depart on September 13 for a 3 day cruise to Nassau.

 

Carnival Victory – September 11

Will now depart on September 12 for a 3 day cruise to Nassau.

 

Carnival Paradise – September 11

Will depart on Monday, as scheduled; itinerary remains unchanged.

 

Guests who sail on shortened cruises will receive a pro-rated refund of their cruise fare. Additionally, anyone who pre-purchased our beverage packages will also receive a pro-rated adjustment. These refunds will be to the original form of payment within three weeks. Pre-purchased Carnival Adventures for cancelled ports, as well as any taxes, fees and port expenses will be refunded to your onboard Sail & Sign account. Gratuities will also be adjusted to reflect the shortened duration.

 

Unless specifically noted above, there is no compensation for itinerary modifications for cruises that maintained the same duration. Guests who decide to cancel because their cruise duration has changed, will receive a future cruise credit in the amount paid. Please call 1-800 CARNIVAL, your Personal Vacation Planner or your travel professional.

 

I know lots of you have been waiting for this news and obviously it has taken a lot of planning. I will be here should you have any comments and questions and lets hope that everyone in the path of the storm are safe.

 

Best wishes to you all

THIS is what Carnival has been doing. Trying to make the safest decisions for those currently on ships near the hurricane. Trying to contact alternate ports for upcoming itineraries. Trying to put together amended itineraries so that some people can have some sort of a vacation. Trying to create policies that allow people booked on impacted sailings that allow them to cancel for a future cruise credit if they are either unable to make it to FL or who don't want the shortened cruises. People have the very real risk of losing their homes, everything they own, and even their lives, but people are sitting around bickering about how slowly cruise lines are notifying them of changes, how cruise lines' only interest is their bottom line, and how they, in their infinite wisdom, could have handled the situation better.