PATRLR

I find this to be very frustrating because it isn't difficult to cook a steak to the requested doneness. If I can do it on my cheap backyard grill, professional cooks should be able to also. All it really takes is a decent thermometer the first few times, until you are confident in your timings for your grill.

What I was thinking was more of the aperiodic noise of someone going past your balcony. Perhaps most sliders go by quietly, but there are some that don't and the inconsistency makes it more annoying that if everyone went by making noise. And when I say "noise", I get that it might not be actual screams, but, I suspect that you will hear something. I don't think the tubes are sound proof. I agree on both of these points. I think it is very wrong for NCL to not be up front about the fact that these are obstructed views. And if they aren't forthcoming with the fact that they are obstructed views, it makes it kinda hard to "don’t book the location".

Thanks for this. I will be calling in the next couple days myself and will report back.

Preparing and serving thousands of covers is no excuse for poor quality. There are plenty of places that know how to serve stunningly excellent meals to thousands of people in one seating. These past two comments exemplify why the cruise lines have been able to get away with the poor quality meal services they provide. It's pretty much the same reason so many low quality chain restaurants thrive in the US. Oh well, it is what it is... The OP didn't ask what OP should do. OP asked what others do.

I know the concept of prepaying for vibe before embarkation is new, so, probably no first hand experience here. But CC often has good insight. I've pre-purchased Vibe for my November Encore cruise. Upgrade bids are as low as $400 pp for Haven. I know, chances are near zero of getting one of those, but I got nothing to lose by bidding. But it occurs to me that if we get Haven, we won't need or doubtful we'd use Vibe. That's $458 if I could get back, I'd like to. Has anyone heard of pre-paid things that might be similar to pre-paying for Vibe being able to get refunded before the cruise?

I remember you, you performed one night in an NCL comedy club, right? 🙂 I wonder if it's a good idea to encourage him? 😉

When we're discussing cruises, it generally is a bad thing for the customer experience. The topic here, reduced menu options, is no exception.

ah - my eyes skipped right over those.

The picture you included looked like muscles and lobster claws, I didn't see any scallops in the pictures.

The last time I cruised during NFL season, the only place I saw a game on TV was at The Local (or whatever it was called at that time, on that ship). It was on with video only, no sound. We did search around and asked around and that was the only option. That's encouraging. I wonder if the fact that it's embarkation day makes a difference? I could find out when I embark on a Sunday this November, but, Encore doesn't have Spice.

Spent a lot of time on the track and never smelled any exhaust. Maybe you should have tried it instead of dismissing it outright.

I've flown Jet Blue a fair number of times, along with most of the other low cost carriers. They all have similar baggage policies, in my experience. Even the legacy carriers (e.g. United) has their no frills fares (e.g. United Basic Economy) with similar baggage policies. My suggestion is just read up on what their policy is and pack accordingly. Often times it's cheaper (and easier) to pay for your bags before you get to the airport. Jet Blue is superior to many of the low cost carriers in my opinion because the planes are generally newer and Jet Blue offers free Direct TV at all seats.

If you really want a room when you arrive at 5:30, you can book the night before and ask that the room be held for your early morning arrival.

Could be the year of first release, doesn't mean it hasn't been updated since. I know for a fact that at least one of the most common airliner's flight management system has a 1980s date of first release. So 1996 doesn't seem all that unusual to me. Some people might be very surprised at just how old some of the most critical software systems in use today really are.

That statement is wrong. Reservations can be made per this schedule: Suites and Haven 130 days prior to sailing Club Balcony Staterooms 125 days prior to sailing All other staterooms • For sailings that are 6 days or less and are not a holiday sailing, 90 days prior to sailing • For sailings that are 6 days or less and are a holiday sailing, 120 days prior to sailing • For sailings that are 7 days or more, 120 days prior to sailing Reference: https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-faq/when-can-i-book-dining-entertainment

Do you know who gets part of the DSC and how much they get? Answer is "no". So it is obfuscated to everyone whether you want to admit it or not. Nobody asked for an explanation or justification of how people tip. LGinPA was simply looking for some clarity on an otherwise confusing topic. Ah - I get it, it's all about you MoCruiseFan. You don't care, so, no one else should. You don't care. Good for you. I don't really care too much about tipping either. That doesn't change the fact that it is not clear what becomes of the DSC. I think a reasonable person would understand that lack of clarity could lead to questions about gratuities. LGinPA was asking a reasonable question about gratuities that you rudely dismissed, I assume because you don't care about tipping. LGinPA shouldn't get dismissed just because MoCruiseFan doesn't care about the topic. If you really don't care, then what are you doing in a thread about Tipping? How about this: Rather than rudely dismissing peoples questions about topics that you don't care about, you just move along to the next topic and spare us all your careless thoughts?

I have received rejection e-mails. But, I haven't bid since 2018, so that was the last time.

When I've been on an NCL ship during NFL season, the only place I found NFL playing was in The Local (or its predecessors) and then there was no sound available.

Of course you don't have sympathy to offer to the Eagles - you guys are going to need all of it 😉 (says the Patriots season ticket holder who probably won't have a much better season)

I hope you have good travel insurance. If not and its not too late to purchase, I know I would.

You didn't quote anyone, so, I assume you are referring to the OP. So, I have to ask, how do you know what OP's perspective is? OP asked a simple question with no statement of reason for the question or what his perspective is.. For all we know, OP wants the ship filled to max capacity because he loves the excitement of crowds.

Who the hell are you to tell someone to move along? NCL's use of the DSC, without full disclosure, obfuscates the issue resulting in plenty of confusion.

Say what? I'm sorry, I disagree. An obstructed view should not be a risk we take just because it's a new ship. If I am paying for a balcony, I have a right to know that it's obstructed view. NCL has a responsibility to communicate it's an obstructed view balcony. Apparently not and that's a problem, IMO. It's not just Haven rooms affected. This will stop us dead in our tracks from bidding on anything or using Sail Away rates on this ship. The one thing I do care about with my cabin is that it has a balcony and it's unobstructed.

You say you don't have a TA but somehow you know there are no TA added benefits for cruises you book. Hmmm.. Well, I too am a frequent but cheap cruiser and I get something more every single time I book with a TA. One difference might be that I use the telephone to do my bookings after I find what I want online. There is an online agency with "cheap" in their name that claims to have "cheap cruises". Call them and ask about the 2023 cruise you're looking at. There is another based in NH with 6 characters in their name. I've used both and always got more than NCL offers. Sometimes the difference might only be a small amount of OBC. But many times it's quite a bit more.

I don't suppose there is anyway you can communicate what web site you were using to get that view?