PATRLR

I have no clue if @haolenate is being truthful or not. But I could easily implement what he describes in a rather simple program using rather simple database querys. Let's look a bit closer at what was described:

Thank you. Just booked mine!

I don't understand, is it not possible to know the people it was outsourced to? All of the information described could easily be made available to an outsourced company.

It probably doesn't. Like I said, it was just a tiny bit interesting.

But you (or someone you know) DID pay extra for a good dinner - three by way of FAS (which you did pay for via increased cruise fare over SailAway fares), one by way of someone who paid for Haven and one in port. Good for you that you found ways around the fixed menu for 12 nights. Good for you that you don't care about spending more money. But one shouldn't have to do those things to avoid monotony. And by your own experience, one has to pay extra to do it. You ate there 3 times in 12 nights and you are dismissing those who are not happy about the same menu all week? Really? @styxfire's post was far from "attacking" NCL. It was very reasonable objective criticism of this change and the line in general. If you feel it was attacking NCL, perhaps you are too caught up in NCL to think about them in an objective manner.

Very well said.

It's not just Baileys, it's the fact that something as basic as Baileys isn't include in what is called a "premium" drink package. Agreed, and I will. And I suspect everyone else who enjoys Baileys will too. But the fact that I have to pay NCL a buck ($1.20 actually) each time is annoying when supposedly I have this "premium" beverage package.

A very tiny bit interesting that I haven't read anyone in this thread say they caught Covid on a warm weather cruise. Or a European cruise for that matter. Small sample this thread is, I know.

Q isn't bad and I'd suggest trying it with one huge caveat: If you are a BBQ aficionado and you know and love good BBQ, Q is NOT good BBQ. I love good BBQ, I seek it out in cities I am spending time in, I know good BBQ. Otherwise, many people enjoy it and you probably will too. I ate my whole meal and I might even go again if I have extra meals to use up.

Actually, pot depresses me. It's why I didn't smoke anywhere near as much as many of my friends and it's also why I haven't tried any of the legal varieties.

Not if there was a design flaw.

Blueslily said they would report people smoking on the pool deck. What do drunk (or stoned) people have to do with people smoking on the pool deck? In my opinion, if you want to get stoned on the pool deck, eat some edibles. They don't put smoke in the air that is harmful to me. Just like if you want to get drunk on the pool deck, have a few drinks. Drinks don't put smoke in the air that is harmful to me. If you become an obnoxious drunk (or obnoxious stoner, they do exist although I agree much less so) and you get in my space, I'll deal with that as I deem appropriate at the time.

There is a way to make it even slimmer: Avoid the 3 or 4 night Bahamas cruises. As I recall, at least one of those fights was on a short cruise to the Bahamas. And my personal experience on a 4 night RCCL cruise to the Bahamas was that there was a lot of people doing some very hard partying (i.e. very drunk), much more so than a 7 night (or longer) cruise. I've cruised Carnival a lot. The clientele really isn't all that different from NCL.

I agree, I will also report them just like I would report anyone smoking anything outside of the designated smoking areas. And if crew doesn't take action, I will push the issue and start reporting it up the chain - I won't let that go. We all should report it, or next thing you know it will be like chair hogs where everyone knows that the rule isn't enforced so go ahead and smoke whatever you want, wherever you want. A private house party is much different from a cruise ship pool deck.

Bird answered your questions, I believe. However, to this one point: What might have confused you is that there is, I believe, a Haven Observation Lounge that is exclusive to suite guests. I can't say for certain this place exists because they've never let me out of steerage to see for myself 😉. By the way, Bliss is a beautiful ship. Enjoy your cruise.

Exactly. Thank you for saying this, apparently, much better than I did. Agreed, same experience for me. In fact my Encore cruise in November was more like a 20% discount (but that was extreme to the point where I wonder if they made a mistake)

Asking for other people's experiences is " trying to rally an uprising against" you? How on earth do you get to that conclusion? It must suck to go through life thinking everyone is out to get you. Sorry to have to inform you, but, I suspect you really aren't that important.

I guess the reality is, any part of any ship could be booked out for a private party if the group wields enough influence (i.e. $$). I think I learned this early on when my wife did a cruise on the Carnival Tropicale and the TV show Growing Pains was filming an episode that week. Sections of the boat would be off limits, including the pool decks during prime pool time.

I have never heard of anyone being able to get more discounts from the cruise line than what is advertised. Has anyone else besides MotownVoice been able to do this? Care to share how, what approach, what magic words? It's probably been 10 years or more and a different cruise line but I tried once to get a cruise line to match the TAs discount and was told something along the lines of they couldn't make any adjustments to the price or provide any extra discounts. It was probably around this time that I realized there really is no benefit to dealing direct and definite upside to dealing with a TA. Haven't even tried dealing direct since.

That would be the Senior VP for Nickel and Dime Accumulation. And he actually has assembled a team of such individuals, generally considered to be the best in the business at their craft. NCL is very proud of this VP and his department. 😉

That would piss me off for sure. I also wouldn't be thrilled at the idea of some large group on board, large enough to take over the Vibe. I wonder what else they'll be able to take over? I suppose possible good news is maybe they will be squirreled away in the Vibe most of the time?

Check resortpass.com for a day pass to hotel/beach. That is what we're doing for our 8:30PM flight home. Uber from the port to a hotel, they store our luggage, Uber to airport late in the afternoon.

Thank you for posting. Very pleased to see you can walk outside all the way around, unlike the BA/BA+ ship where you need to cut through the indoors.

Going to be Vibe for me, I think, in November. But, I've not been on the ship so can't say for sure if that's the best place to be.

Obviously not speaking for @SimplyAlbert but I can imagine a scenario where the flight the day before was cancelled and the rebooking was for the next day. Suddenly you find yourself biting your nails hoping all goes right the next day to get you there. We also are now in the habit of going in two days early.