cruiser2015

Well, they certainly used to be in that pool. If they are now, I wonder if they only get a smaller piece compared to, say, the MDR staff. Also, is it likely that the specialty dining 20% gets added to the main tip pool?

Frankly, I have no idea. But it doesn't sound appealing to me. My practice in choosing cabins is to stay away from anything public - not too close to stairs or elevators, not directly below the public areas (pool deck, sports areas, etc.). Surely there must be other choices. Are most cabins sold out? How far out is the cruise? The line does not necessarily show all available cabins online. If that is your situation, try calling and asking a rep for other options.

Right. I said that here over 2 days ago. "Shrimp on steroids" - a new classic.

Ooh - clever

Because it's relevant to this thread's comments about whether or not the check-in process could be tuned up. Now, if you really want to complain about repeat postings (this is not directed to you, Chief), how about that a large number of the posts over the last several hours have repeated the exact some comments that went in, like, a hundred posts back: the OP screwed up, has not taken responsibility, etc. Give it up, people, OP has been beaten to death on here. Nothing more to say at all!

Yes, people need to take responsibility at some point. Check in is 21 days before sailing - MAX. Wait if the rules change? Would you re-check the rules daily for 21 days? Only way to be safe in your example. If there was a rule change within 21 days of a voyage, I sure as hell hope the cruise line would send out a bulletin about it. Maybe folks should be reading the Federal Register regularly. There are points where the PROFESSIONAL business people involved need to be proactive. And there's nothing to prevent final reminder during check-in to review your document requirements (or is there one already?).

Wait... you're checking in and still don't have your passport? That's not a good scenario.

More like aa week away at camp.

Sounds fun. Bon voyage!

Going to Alaska? Hope the weather is good for you.

All good. Maybe I hit that one (not that it helped).

Or, try calling NCL and have then walk you through correcting the issue (maybe the rep can do it for you). Then maybe you can print the docs.

Great article. Covers pretty much every aspect of this issue including why, how and when. Good job posting it here, Ken.

Gee, kids are people too. They even travel. I don't agree with your calculation.

When did the Navaho reservation become an independent country? Guess they have liberal rules - didn't check my passport either.

Is there any possibility that you had more than one account? The instructions for sign up mentioned being logged into the correct account before you start. I think the reps I spoke to also asked me about that (I had no problem setting it up, I spoke to reps because I was post final payment at the time and uncertain as to whether I would get the discount applied. I did, but it took some wrangling).

Certainly possible. But mine (last month) was updated instantly.

Freestyle has been around for many years. Back in the day, there was only one MDR on, I'd say, all ships at that time. The advent of larger and larger vessels opened the door to multiple venues. As to the multiple names, I'll guess they find that nicer than simply calling them "levels 1, 2 and 3" Decors? help to distinguish them from one another along with the names. Also, it gives you a slightly different experience if you switch to the different levels on future days.

Noteworthy point. MY DW made the same comment to me. However, firstly, it depends on the severity. If it's pretty bad (and I don't know if this one qualifies) then I believe it is warranted. Secondly, otherwise, an announcement about the circumstances could be mad the next morning to let passengers know what happened and if the event was completely past.

I realize you've had a lot to catch up on, so I understand you may have missed some details. However, a couple of comments: NCL apparently sent the letter out to a huge population of future cruisers, not just you guys sailing next week. I'd venture it was purely random that it went out yesterday. That's why it was not a callous act of telling passengers about something that was likely too late to do anything about. At this later point of the discussion, I find it interesting that the letter appears to be directed specifically to US citizens even though it does not state that directly. Gee, their systems at least can make that determination. Which brings me to my last observation. After my shorter, late night catch up, on reading the latest posts on why NCL could not have prevented this sad result upon check in, my mind went back to my early lessons on programming. As a poster mentioned "if, then" statements. Others mentioned the too numerous permutations to solve the issue and the legal quicksand for NCL in trying. First observation: you (the programmer) start simple by inputting the cruise type based on destinations. Then, a simple series of yes/no questions (e.g. US citizen; non- US citizen). After, perhaps, a few more questions, they could end any non-definitive outcome with a pop-up advising them to inquire further and/or a link to a travel doc requirements page before completing the check-in. It won't solve 100% of all passenger's status, but should be definitive for a very large portion who would be alerted to a deficiency. By the way, in reference to our OP, the cruise parameters combined with citizenship status would easily be able to drop the birth certificate option off of the doc option list, alerting them to a problem instantly. Lastly, I do see some potential legal issues if NCL were to be too specific for all possibilities like foreign countries with special requirements like visas - those are the ones that I'm suggesting would be looped into a recheck mode for the passenger. While acknowledging those legal pitfalls as a legitimate concern, how is that any different than the pier check-in process? The employees must review all docs before boarding, which means they have to KNOW what docs are required. If those clerks can do it, are you telling me that a computer can't?

Yup. So, why did you leave out the last part of my comment? "As with many things, there's room for improvement" I wrote.

Well stated. Unfortunately, I feel compelled to agree.

Okay with what you said overall. My main complaint here was that I don't think it would take a genius to program the NCL check in process to cross check the requirements for the passenger's cruise against their offered docs. As with many things, there's room for improvement.

However you ended up in this mess, it's a horrible situation. I hope that your companion gets her passport and that you can get on board. I served back in the 1970's, but nothing compared to your record. Thanks so much for your what you have done for America! Assuming you do make it on board, try to enjoy the cruise and hold your hatred for NCL until you disembark. Best of luck!! Please let us folks back here on CC know how things turn out.

I didn't think it was complicated. Just saying that while there's reasons why people, in general, don't have passports, just as you said...not so much for people here on Cruise Critic who are active travelers. Hence your reasons do not apply to pretty much everyone who is reading these posts or asking questions. Therefore your post does not make sense in explaining why the involved parties here don't have passports. As other posters have said, it's surprising that they don't.