cruiser2015

This story doesn't track right. There's gotta be something missing. I doubt that the brochure price is made up. There's a discrepancy, as IAcruising mentioned.

I still miss my flip (a little bit) when I feel that great big lump in my pocket.

graphicguy wrote: Specialty dining, alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, Bingo, etc will cost extra, regardless of cruise line. Not true (except for Bingo). Some premium cruise lines include all of those items and more (e.g. free shorex).

I still get a (little) kick out of towel animals. Necessary? Nope. You could open it up and use it in your bathroom (not wasted then). For the record, I'm no kid. First cruise was in 1975 (on my own). No animals on that one (except some of the passengers, LOL).

I would choose a deck down one level to avoid that possible noise form above. Over the years, I also have chosen cabins near the aft elevators for the same reasons. It came as quite a surprise to me that the Bliss's buffet is forward, so we are near the forward elevators this January. I think that having the buffet in the rear makes much more sense design wise. Outside table area is shielded from the winds on sea days. Been that way on every ship I've seen for the last 20+ years.

I have a Miami return in late January. NCL shows no tour options available. Nor on departure day from LA. Other shorex listings seem normal. Personally, I am not seeking a tour as I have an early flight. Just adding a comment here.

Most of the Love Boat cabins were probably just like the one you had. That was a mighty SMALL ship!

Maybe that wasn't the best analogy. Our Canal cruise starts with 4 Mexican ports. And the DW was not thrilled with porting in Acapulco (not cartels per se, but their has been a lot of crime there.

I still get a (little) kick out of towel animals. Necessary? Nope. You could open it up and use it in your bathroom (not wasted then). For the record, I'm no kid. First cruise was in 1975 (on my own). No animals on that one (except some of the passengers, LOL).

It really isn't a great comparison. Obviously, an airline flight is a much simpler product. Their contract is to transport you from point A to point B. Except in the rare situation when, say, a major weather event makes things impossible, they do what they must to get you there. Late? Possibly. Routed through other stops on the way? Could be. Compensation? Sometimes. But if the circumstances prevent them from getting you there, you do get a full refund along with the aggravation. Personally, I don't believe the line should compensate for most deviations that are beyond their control. But there can be some limits that are beyond reason. Not sure if that ever happens.

Unlike like some others on here, I did not viciously attack NCL for their bidding methods. I was just stating the facts as they are.

I suppose in some circumstances they react quickly. Obviously, not in all. And, as I recall, the notices that came with the bid offer specified the open-ended timeline. NCL can do whatever pleases them, especially if they smell the opportunity to jack up their take.

How is it that you now know "immediately"? I thought that it was totally up to NCL to decide when to notify bidders; and, that if the bids did not hit the max amounts designated, bidding could remain open in the manner you mentioned for the old system. For example, I put in a bid a couple of weeks ago - no notice as of yet - not that I was expecting it this soon.

Well, if we're going to be technical, it's not he signal that "cares" (it's all around you) - it's your phone that does or does not get the connection. And if you are truly inside of that big metal box, I wouldn't count on connecting successfully all of the time either.

That is not true for ALL. In fact, most go transpacific in one direction or another (lots of sea days) stopping in Canada or Mexico, or, possibly, a stop somewhere else, like Tahiti. This is because there must be a non-US port stop - with one exception. The POA goes R/T Honolulu. It is the only US flagged vessel there. Hence the only ship that does not have to go to a non-US port. Of course, that's one heck of an air journey for you guys.

You want to get away from home. Interesting ports. Not a huge ship. Not really interested in NY @ New Years. Ever been to Hawaii? How about the Pride of America?

No. No. The secret is you have to pick them up in the ship's gift shop. And you get the latitudes discount!

No doubt true. But here's an interesting point. Every menu I've seen posted lately has followed the exact same menus for up to 7 days (that's the longest number of days I've seen). And on different vessels. This includes your cruise last week.

There's another in NJ for RCCL & Celebrity.

You did not mention when in January you were traveling. Anyway, I didn't think about Canada. I would expect the largest portion of passengers to be Americans. In the New York area, back to school is Jan. 2 for most. A little quick research on open dates: south Florida Jan 5 or 8; Virginia around the 6th; Pennsylvania 3rd. That is a sampling. Definitely some parents will hold kids back for a vacation that they can get for less when not the holiday break. I would not expect many, especially if you're mid month or later.

Quite the contrary regarding the kiddies. Most schools reopen just after the New Year.

I think you'll find that the pattern is the same for all of the cruise lines in the first couple of tiers ( such as Carnival, NCL, MSC, RCCL, Celebrity, Princess). II f you go more upscale, then you will start to see more freebies (water, alcohol, shore excursions, specialty dining, free air fare). Of course your initial fare is going to be LOTS higher.

If someone in Europe books through the U.S, wouldn't they have to del with possible foreign exchange fees or possible poor exchange rates? Since that covers the entire cruise price it could be a tidy sum.

Radio (phone) signals don't care where you are standing (or sitting). Just make sure what network you are connected to, as in not the ship's.

With you on the elevator issue. I'm sailing in January. My cabin is about 5 doors down the corridor from the elevator lobby. Still, why not try for another option? Check the deck plans for cabins in your category of choice, then spot the ones you like. Then call NCL and run the #'s past the agent or ask what they have closest to cabin # X.