PATRLR

I believe that to be the case because I've heard the crew manning the muster stations say words to the effect of we can't get started until everyone is here. I acknowledge that could be BS on the part of the crew saying it, but, I have heard those words.

Looks like we're learning more about Nov 27-Dec 6. I see now that there is a new cruise listed, Miami-Miami with stops in Key West and GSC Dec 2-6. We were hoping our Dec 6 was to be the US inaugural. Oh well...

It's not even smoke. It's ignorance. NCL call center staff are notoriously ignorant. Call back and you'll get a different answer. Call back a few times and you'll probably get a few different answers. Sorry to say, your friends are out of luck. And no, you can't sneak them in, the staff knows who has access and they will not allow them to stay.

I'll play along, how does NCL save money by keeping the partitions closed?

"Responsible Journalist"? Not The Points Guy. Keep in mind, all of their articles start with this: This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. TPG is all about clicks, nothing more. Which cruise lines allow you to bring a drink to the muster? I've had to dispose of drinks I brought to a muster. Heck, my daughter who needs to drink a lot of water, couldn't bring her Nalgene bottle to the muster and essentially lost it because they also wouldn't let her bring it back to the room.

I don't doubt your statements regarding the crew training and it importance. I agree that the people management is a critical part of an emergency response. So I wonder why the CG is, supposedly, "OK" with other lines doing e-muster?

Of course it's about money, isn't everything NCL about money? I suspect I'm one of the more vocal people around here when it comes to calling out NCL for doing things in the name of saving money or increasing revenue, but, in this case I don't think TPG's reasoning stands up: "Cruise lines that use e-mustering must position crew members at muster stations for several hours on the first day of a cruise so that passengers can visit the stations for a brief orientation — a requirement of e-mustering. The result is that a significant number of crew members are tied up on embarkation day with the e-mustering process." During the in-person muster, everyone must still check-in. If NCL were truly worried about losing staff for an extended period, why couldn't they just say that everyone must report to their muster station at X-o-clock (as they do for the in person muster), check them in and let them go (vs check them in and make them hang around)? I suspect @chengkp75's statements of the muster being just as much for crew training as it for passenger training is accurate and can only assume the other lines have figured out a way to accomplish this crew training without using the passengers. Now, it's quite possible that what the other cruise lines are doing costs money and that's where NCL is saving...

I'm a huge Vibe fan but it's an outdoor venue and I don't think the weather in Alasak lends itself to spending a lot of time outdoors. As much as I love Vibe, I don't think I'd do it.

Actually, this is dependent on the state you are in. I'm pretty sure in CT, for example, 2 for 1 means you can buy 1 for 50% off. I have shopped in other states (out west, maybe Utah?) where you had to buy both to get the deal.

With one sentence you pretty much wave away the definition of the word obfuscate. 🙄 Someone not comprehending written words is as much an indication of obfuscation as anything. When NCL writes in big bold letters: "Receive up to $1000 today!" How exactly should one "comprehend" that statement. Most reasonable people would comprehend that to mean they are going to get $1000, today. The fact that you @MoCruiseFancomprehend that statement differently from the majority does not mean it is not obfuscation. Good for you that you read that statement and comprehend it differently, that doesn't mean NCL isn't obfuscating the whole process. They are, whether you like to admit it or not.

I'd consider that worse case. I suspect most servers will make sure to put everything possible on the FAS credits and just charge the 17 year old for the cheapest items they can.

My parents would call it "learning". I suspect nowadays some parents might call it a tragedy.

That's because you quoted Ken's post. I wish CC wouldn't include attachments in quotes, I know of other boards that strip them out.

What port was that with long lines for no tags? I don't think I recall seeing any lines for porters.

I'll be working outside this weekend in the Northeast. Saturday wind chills expected to be in the -40 to -60 Fahrenheit range. Ice bar on vacation? No thanks.

Agreed it reeks of snake oil. I've said it elsewhere, it's so unnecessary. These things should sell themselves. I assume same CN Manager as we had in November. I agree he was good and I heard him say exactly what you say above. Problem wasn't him, it was his staff. See below. Just because it's clear in your mind doesn't mean NCL doesn't obfuscate it. For example, right on the front page of the Cruise Next brochure they hand out, in big bold letters: "Receive up to $1000 today!". As you know, to get that $1000, you have to give them $2000. That's obfuscation. And then there is the flat out lies. I tried to hand in my form to purchase 2 CNs and the snake oil sales droid responded that I could get two more for free. I cut the droid off before I could hear how that was going to be explained, but, I have no doubt there would be a lot of obfuscation to hide the lies.

Thank you for taking the time to comment, but, I don't think I understand the point. I could see from the post that it was a 5 day cruise and I acknowledged that they need to stop somewhere. I'm not sure anyone would have considered Canada in the dead of winter, but, I guess that could have been an option.

Living a short car ride from Boston, there is something to be said for leaving the house at 8 and being on the ship by 11 and arriving home before noon on the other end.

9:45PM Friday night to 3:45AM Saturday morning. 6 hours total during the dead of night? I'd say "Why bother" but I understand they need to stop somewhere. So, essentially, this is a cruise to nowhere. Considering NCL's track record, I suppose they should be happy they got even 20%, but, c'mon NCL you can do better than that. A Bermuda cruise turns into a cruise to nowhere and that's only worth 20%? OK.

First - let's be clear that cooking for a few thousand is NOT an excuse for low quality meals. Some of the best meals I've had were at a banquet hall that can server up to about 1000 covers in one sitting. It can be done. (And yes, I understand that cruise ships are no longer trying to provide that high quality meal. I get it.) I do agree that when cooking for the masses, they can't get carried with with the spices, if we're talking about "hot" spices. But, that doesn't mean you can't cook meals with good flavors. It seems to me that the dishes in the MDR are getting blander and blander - that's what disappoints me so much.

Really? I wonder if that's a regional thing. I know that when I order prime rib at a good quality restaurant my expectation is they bring horseradish and not horseradish sauce. Some will ask which I prefer. I know of a few good restaurants here in the northeast that don't offer the sauce. Part of my judging of the quality of the restaurant includes the quality of their horseradish.

Interesting. Thanks.

I agree with others who say Specialty Dining is better than MDRs or buffet. But I still wouldn't pay for it. I'll go if I get it with FAS or other promo, but there is no way I would pay for it. I just don't think it's that much better than other free options to justify the extra cost.

Can I ask which one - was it one of the chains or a local restaurant? I am a fan of Brazilian steakhouses and I found the two major chains (Texas de Brazil and Fogo de Chão) to be much better than the Moderno we expereinced on Getaway about 5 years ago. Admittedly, it's probably been 4 years now since I've been to one on land so maybe they too have gone down hill.

@DCGuy64 No doubt about it, what you write is my recollection as well. BUT, I'm not convinced that the cruises have become all that much more affordable. I recall spending about $700 pp for HAL and RCCL for 7 days Caribbean back in the 80s ($100/night was the benchmark). That would be about $1800 today. I'm happy when I get on a similar cruise today for about $2000 pp. That's a balcony and includes drinks neither of which was available back then. So, maybe less but not a whole lot less. I won't hesitate to call out that the food quality isn't good. But I know that going in and expect it and won't let it ruin my vacation.