SwissLe

I was in and still am in the same situation where I need to have half way decent wifi when cruising. I am on call 24/7 for a hospital and need to be able to respond or take care of matters. I have been able to successfully process payroll using Remote Desktop on all of my cruises, the last one being on the Breakaway in May. That being said I make sure that my staff knows that my response may not be as quick as if I am at home. I did not want any obstacles to stop me from cruising!!! :D

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:D:D

Polite and respectful people are welcome into the Haven; be it adults, children or somewhere in between. I want to see everyone having a good time too, so understand that to some people is running around or jumping in the pool. Like everything it has to be in moderation though.

I think giving ear plugs out may send the wrong message to some people, and may take it as an offence - even though I understand you mean it as a joke.

We need a decent speed - waiting for 5 minutes for a page to load will not be acceptable.

We need to be able to use it at anytime of day and be able to respond to people in a quick manner if they need something.

When you are in dock, you have the option of going ashore and finding WIFI (ask the staff where to go, they will know for sure) or using the onboard WIFI which is normally OK when stationary - on the newer vessels I'd go as far as saying good.

When you are chugging through the sea expect frequent drop outs, pages not loading and slow speed. Couple that with the sign on to the internet timing out (you have to go through a gateway page again) and then it becomes frustrating.

I would certainly not be using it for share/forex trading or anything other than web surfing. You can forget remote desktop or streaming services in my experience.

Small points;

1. Pre-purchases will show in GBP in your account (tours and packages)

2. Future cruise are held in the currency you paid for the cruise in, so $250 gets converted into GBP. I think some people have had this successfully reversed.

3. Your $80 saving may be swallowed up by foreign currency charges on your card, depending on issuer.

Towel exchange system:

 

I really don't like the way that you have to bring your dirty towels from your stateroom all the way to the pool area to exchange it for a clean one.

 

I would like to wrap myself with a clean towel on the way to the pool.

But you don't get a clean one until you get there.

 

I do understand that NCL would want to make sure everyone returns the towel. Yet, can't they allow the steward to give you a clean pool towel when they find the pool towel on the washroom floor (treating it the same way as the white towel) so that guests can use a clean pool towel?

 

Am I too picky? :confused:

I always dry off and then swap my towel before leaving the pool deck, then carry a clean one back to the cabin. Is that me being a male and not understanding the strife of having damp kids?

EU > US transatlantic voyages will always be part of NCL's future. Ships will always need dry dock time and to reposition for the Caribbean seasons.

As long as the UK remains a popular hub for US air traffic new builds will also probably get their inaugural press events and shakedowns there too.

And YES for getting a Spa Balcony get two perks... and a small OBC

For just a Spa Balcony? I am pretty amazed at the perks just for upgrading from a balcony to a spa balcony. I'd go for it, but make sure you have it in writing before parting with any cash.

1 item for a balcony of any sort normally, all perks for a suite (for example a spa (non-mini) suite).

Second attempt at setting up a Roll Call for this cruise - This will be my first cruise - Would welcome all advice, do 's & don't's - on board & off

You need to post it in this forum, rather than the NCL general one.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=829

received email from NCL suggesting we download this app for our upcoming cruise.

The FAQ link is not working.

How does this app work, what is the cost?

http://www.ncl.com/downloads/iconcierge

App is free to download and to use when onboard (make sure you have data roaming switched off if you are international to avoid carrier charges) and logged onto the free WIFI network.

There is a paid section to enable in app calling and messaging when onboard which is $7.95 per device.

I've had mixed findings, like customer service roulette.

I wanted to add another 11 day cruise onto my current one and stay in the same cabin for the duration. Both cruises had availability in the category but the guy on the phone thought I was asking to part the water. I terminated the call and got through to a lady who processed it all in a couple of clicks, including debiting another few thousand euro from my card.

I can't wait to hear what you thought of your flight from London to Barcelona. BA used to rule the world, sat back and basked in the glory whilst allowing the world to pass them by and offer a far better product. The middle eastern airlines like Qatar, and Etihad are the way to fly now along with Cathay and Singapore. I will not fly BA on a shorthaul flight in Club ever again and look at others for longhaul too.

 

I am looking forward to your review of the Spirit, it is a special ship for me and I have many friends among the crew sailing her. They are a cut above British Airways staff for sure.

I like BA for Club Europe - especially since we have the new lounge in AMS, much as I like KLM for European short haul too. I did the T3 > BCN a few weeks ago and had no issues - a good breakfast and some champagne that isn't going to win awards is better than NCL's sparkling 'with compliments' wine.

I am currently sitting comfortably in my Lufthansa First class suite on my way back to Houston from Frankfurt. I won't spoil all the fun of the flight but I am on my second serving on caviar. :D

Can't wait to see what car you got :)

Thanks for the BA report <nice to be able to say that on these boards without meaning Breakaway>. I fly regularly to the Middle East and we try to avoid BA at all costs, even in F. At least you were treated to New Generation First - significantly better than the old offering but still nothing compared to Qatar, Emirates, Singapore or Etihad. Heck, I much prefer Virgin Atlantic J, especially with their LHR clubhouse.

On your return you shall be treated to the best part of flying F on BA - the million pound door straight to the CCR and a Elemis treatment.

https://www.ncl.com/vacations

Just don't click home, or the NCL logo and you'll always stay in USA.

I like to cruise on different lines, enjoying the small differences between lines. I like big and small ships, I enjoy the variety. I have D+ status on the line you wish to switch from but had a disastrous cruise in January with them - I won't go into specifics. I have yet to find a line that can match the wow factor of RCI and I think that will continue for some time.

I have recently returned to NCL after a break of around 5yrs and found the product both hard and soft much improved since my last cruise. I know some may disagree but the things that matter to me are still there - great staff, great food and clean ships.

When it comes to specialties the food in La Bistro in NCL is better than anything RCI offer, the steakhouse meat I Cagney's is better but the red velvet cake on RCI is bloody incredible. La Cucina needs to up its game to be as good as Giovani's table and is probably on the same pegging as Portofino's was.

Thanks for starting a detailed review, love to see other people's vacations - especially if they have a great attitude like you do!

Just don't let it ruin your vacation, you booked at a price you were happy with and thought was affordable.

I was tempted to book this. But the air fare is not so tempting. Plus the 20 hour trip to get there. Can't do it.

but it's the right way around for you guys, fly long haul - 10 days relax - home. Rather than us, fly short haul - 10 days relax - fly long haul.

I absolutely see your point of view, and it is indeed the simplest, black-and-white rule. But I also can't help thinking that if it's the same as a wedding invitation, who invites only half of a couple to their wedding? Very bad form. The problem is, NCL doesn't have any way to know for sure if the person you are traveling with is your spouse/partner. All they see is two people booked into one cabin. Or if they see 4 adults booked into one cabin, good luck figuring out what's going on there… :p

 

I agree of course that couples don't need to be together 24/7, but this is a social event that is in part built around couples. That's why I think they intend for couples to attend together. You know how they ask who's on their honeymoon, who's celebrating their wedding anniversary? Imagine if someone raised her hand to say it was their 60th wedding anniversary today, but her husband wasn't a Latitudes member so the folks on CC said he couldn't come to the party. :o

I don't really care who goes to these parties, if they are crashing or not. They are welcome to warm punch and a few canapés. I'll be in the buffet eating decent food and a freshly made cocktail of my choice!

Latitude points are never awarded until a cruise is complete. So you won't ever change status levels DURING a cruise...only after it is complete.

I'm going Gold>Plat on my next cruise, but then taking the very next voyage. I wonder if the systems will be updated quick enough to give me platinum on the 2nd cruise. Booked the cruises at different times and show as 2 bookings in MyNCL.

On my booking it has an offer for Internet - Unlimited | Pay one price and be connected throughout the cruise. Has anyone done this?

Yes, what do you want to know?

Yes, there is a shortcut button on the screen that switches it off.

You do realise the ship has been in Europe? The only thing those machines will be collecting is dust :)