PATRLR

I think you missed the most important thing: The crew is properly trained for emergencies.

Post 10 in this very thread?

@Calicoskies1234 - I second everything @BirdTravels wrote. ESPECIALLY the section quoted above. The Glacier Explorer was worth every penny. We consider it to the best excursion we've ever been on, for any cruise, anywhere. I think it sells out, so, you'll want to be sure to book it as soon as you can. Someone mentioned this, but, I also recommend spending time in the Alaska Forum here on CC to learn more about the various ports and excursions and activities in each.

You are right, NCL isn't going to hold off on releasing the deployment schedule because NCL, as a corporate culture, doesn't give a damn about the passengers. Its why they don't communicate, it's why they decide to sell cruises even though they know approximately when they need to do a dry dock. They apparently knew enough when OP wrote this to stop selling new cruises in Jan 2025. Why jerk the passengers around and not tell them right away what's going on? Answer is because they really don't give a damn.

Hmmm, calling @chengkp75

Calling the posts moronic doesn't allow you to skate on the reasonable implication that the moronic post was written by a moron.

I must have missed this, who is this "credible source"? (Please don't point me to The Points Guy. TPG is about as credible as his current advertisers)

The Getaway buffet is quite large with multiple stations. It's never been an issue for us to find an uncrowded seating or service area. In November on Encore, we found that sitting outside in the area between the GC and the pool was always uncrowded and comfortable, even at prime breakfast hours. Strongly recommend Vibe (or spa if you prefer to be inside). Waterfront will also be appealing to you.

Isn't that what the silent disco is for? Music so bad that you don't want anyone to know what you are listening too 😉

But, I am pretty sure you were reporting something significant. I'll admit, I'm not sure exactly what that is, but, there is or was something there. I've been telling myself that I think what's happened is the bartenders have been given the "OK" to say no to mixed shots. My expectation is this permission would be used in times when they are very busy (e.g pool deck on sea days). I'd also expect places like the Vibe to be unaffected.

Agree 100%. Now get ready for the contract police to come along and point out that the contract says NCL can do whatever the heck they want, passengers be damned.

How was the Polynesian these days?

Haven't heard recently, please try to remember to report back your experience. On a selfish note, could you check availability of Captain Morgan too? Have a great cruise.

thanks for the correction. (Note to self, don't book Epic 😉 )

If you really want to avoid crowds, book the Vibe. If crowds bother you, it will be money well spent.

I assume you've got your reservations for Disney (assuming they are still doing that? Are they?). I don't know if you've seen the Cirque show at Disney, we saw it many years ago. Assuming it's basically the same I still think it was one of the best we've seen. Last March, during a very hectic time for our families for multiple reasons, we went to Disney to see a nephew who was marching in a parade. We had very little time to plan anything more than flights, car, and a place to stay (no planning is unusual for me). We arrive and are having dinner at the bar in, I think, Rainforest Cafe and start talking about which parks to go to and when. Looking at phones for ticket pricing ad such a couple of us realize at nearly the same moment that reservations are required, we have none, and there are none available (it's a school break week)! You've got to be kidding me - we came all this way and won't even be able to get into the parks???? Shortening the story, we ultimately "finagled" our way to getting reservations and tickets and had a great vacation. But boy that first night at dinner was one of those moments we won't forget and talk about to this day ;). I've enjoyed you last couple reviews and really looking forward to this one.

We've done short 4 day cruises out of Florida in the past and have decided never again. The clientele and the vibe is much different than a full week cruise. It's less expensive to get on, less days off from work, especially for Floridians who don't have to travel. In our opinion it's predominately a party crowd on a cheap getaway and it tends to make everything seem much more crowded and hectic. Just our observation. I wonder if this 5 day out of New York was a similar clientele and vibe? That could be part of the reason for the negative reviews, particularly the comments about crowds and such.

But your position is, it's still the passengers fault. Got it. I understand loud and clear where you are coming from.

Musters I've been too I have been far more packed in with people than any other venue, anywhere (land or sea). And unlike the theatre, I can't leave the muster if I have someone coughing and sneezing show up behind me. And I wish @ChiefMateJRKdidn't mention Covid. It's not just Covid, it's flu and whatever other virus or bacteria you've brought with you from your side of the world. As was stated, some people need to be concerned about these things. Generally on cruise ships you can avoid the crowds (we did on a rather full Encore in November). The in person muster, especially if they are doing the lineup on deck means you can't avoid it.

NCL definitely has a reputation for poor communication to its passengers. NCL apologists probably don't like me saying it, but that has been my experience and it seems to come up in NCL reviews much more than other mass market lines. I can only assume this is a corporate culture thing. Not sure if the culture is "Don't say anything so it can't be held against us" or perhaps just no one setting the tone at the top that communication to their guests is important. But I consider it a problem and seems to be pervasive throughout the company.

So the passengers are supposed to do their homework and know that Bermuda in winter is a bad idea. And when they don't do that homework, shame on them for not taking their personal responsibility seriously. Meanwhile, NCL who presumably can do the same homework, gets a free pass for scheduling a cruise to Bermuda in winter which is a bad idea? Fine example of saying "NCL can do no wrong" without actually saying "NCL can do no wrong". "The" omelet station? Away class ships I've been on always had multiple omelet stations and seems like when one had a line just take a short walk to find one without a line. Is this a case of they really only had one station open? I have no doubt that is EXACTLY what NCL wanted. Having people fully understand what NR-OBC is and how/where it can be used is NOT to NCL's advantage. I'm sure they have a darn good idea just how much of the NR-OBC they give out will actually be spent and they count on that percentage being low. My assumption is that they don't have the right connection back to the banking systems from on board to be able to issue the credits properly. A secondary benefit to NCL is that the corporate office never (or, perhpas minimally) has to get involved with onboard accounting. Everything is settled before you leave the ship.

He has a track record but not sure what is "proven". I've been following him for years and over that time I've come to trust his analysis less and less and I believe these words at the top of his pages explains why: "This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. "

My mistake. I forgot that Cruise Critic is NOT for asking questions. I will now go write on the blackboard "I will never ever ever again ask a question on Cruise Critic" 100 times.

AIS?

Great idea, I'd love to do it, but we're not quite at that point in our lives where that's practical for us.