Winnigirl

I have allergies & I'm sorry, but if I spot a faker(and they are easy to spot) I will try to get that person booted out of a rest. We had an issue here last year where a person(I'll admit,a vet)had a therapy dog(his statement,not mine)He went into a diner & the owner asked him to put the dog outside. Of course it hit the new & the diner was besieged by protestors. The owner relented(and apologized) & allowed the rather ratty looking dog to be brought in. He should have exposed the hypocracy of this service v/s "Therapy" animals.

Wow. Just exactly how did you know the man was a "faker"? You admit he was a vet. Are you an expert in therapy dogs? Or just "ratty" dogs? Therapy dogs have done wonders for veterans who have returned and are dealing with horrible traumas and PTSD. Are you saying that his traumas aren't as important as your allergies? I have allergies and I'd happily give my seat in a diner to the vet and his dog. I'd just move right over and make room - and then thank him for his service. And pat the dog if he let me. There's a little thing called compassion. Try it. It might make you a happier person.

Actually, that is what she's saying. She said in one of her posts something along the lines of, "They moved me without notice, why can't they just move me back?" (Not a direct quote, but close.) To do that would involve bumping the people who are now assigned to those cabins out of the cabins.

No sense beating a dead horse - but no - she didn't say "I DEMAND that those people be removed!" She just related the circumstances and how it didn't work out. Would it have been nice if the new occupants agreed to change? Of course it would. But it didn't. Personally I don't understand why anyone would refuse a suite over a balcony - but that was their choice. She accepted that. All she did in her first post was ask for any suggestions and state that she was upset. Completely understandable. She also says - emphatically - that she did not cancel and rebook. She simply requested that the drinks option to added to one of the cabins. None of this was unreasonable until someone jumped on the "stop this rant" wagon. I will duck the flames.

Sometimes when you read a lot of posts you get the feeling that you must do what everyone else does or you'll be missing out on something special. Do what's best for you. If you don't drink a lot of water, iced tea, etc. then why cart around a thermos mug? On the other hand, as someone else said, if you do find that it would be handy, buy one onboard. It's a nice souvenir and you can drink from it at home while you're planning your next cruise.;) As other say - the Drinks package only is a deal if you drink about 10 drinks a day - I'd be unconscious after 5, I'm sure. My husband doesn't drink - but he does buy the coffee card. Again - do you drink a lot of coffee? The very best tip I got from reading other posts is the clear, plastic shoe holders. I pack it before I leave home - cosmetics, medicines, etc. Lay it folded on the top of my suitcase and when I unpack I just take it out and hang it up. Instant availability and everything is tucked up neat and tidy. Have a great first cruise!

I have to divide my dreaming time amongst Disney World, cruising and vacations in Salzburg, Austria. It's difficult giving each it's properly allotted attention. But I try.

It's hypocritical because she wants Carnival to do to these people what was done to her. So it's not ok for her to be moved without her permission, but it's ok for it to happen to someone else. I'm at a loss of your lack of understanding of the definition of "hypocritical."

 

And the last time I checked, there are no promises when it comes to cruising. The cruise company ALWAYS reserves the right to move your cabin. In this case it sounds like it was an error on the part of her TA. But you know what, when you book with a TA, you give up all control.

 

I also had a similar thing happen to me. I asked my TA to move us to a cabin in a better location, and rather than just move us, she cancelled the booking and rebooked. No biggie, except for the fact that my excursions got cancelled in the process. Good thing I didn't have FTTF at the time, because I doubt I would have got it back. Anyway, I just think she's making mountains out of mole hills, and needs to concentrate on enjoying her cruise, instead of making herself miserable about it.

I believe she is cruising with NCL, not Carnival, but that is neither here nor there. How is it hypocritical to want the cabins assigned to you? She's not demanding that the new occupants be moved - just that she is annoyed. I would be too. She booked those cabins for a very specific reason - one that didn't have to be explained to anyone - and naturally she is upset. Unfortunately there isn't going to be very much she can do about it - but some of the comments here about her "hypocrisy" are really not appropriate. I do hope that she enjoys the cruise, but voicing her disappointment isn't unreasonable. (personally, if I was sailing with some of my family I'd want the cabin furthest from them - and arrange to meet for dinner occasionally - or not - but that's just me.:rolleyes:)

I'm just happy to be on the ship. We've had both and honestly, I really don't see the difference. (The "looking at the stars" idea is nice, though).

How nice to have all the good things to look forward to! I don't usually read and post on Cruise Critic unless we have a cruise booked, so when we do I come here all excited and usually after reading a few threads I'm thinking "oh great - was this a mistake?" Over the years we've had the odd glitch, but sometimes it seems that the complaints just never stop coming. One woman had me convinced that I would be throwing myself overboard over an Oasis cruise a couple of years ago - turned out that it was marvelous. In such a dreary world, it's nice to read some positive comments.

Thanks for the info so far!!

 

Glad to hear it's a great time for weather. I always worry when we get

Out of the summer months that it won't be warm. Is early sept in New York hot?

 

For flights while I try to take Westjet or Aircanada the best option so far is:

 

Delta from Winnipeg to JFK (I think there was a LGA option but I didn't write it down. Not as concerned with timing here as we are going down three days early)

 

Leaving New York for home (cheapest to most expensive):

Delta. LGA. 6:15pm (this is cheapest).

Delta. LGA. 11:30 am

Delta. EWR. 2:30 pm

Air Canada. LGA. 2:30 pm

 

There were others but these are the ones I wrote down as best options. I'm leabing to just going with the 6:15 one. Better to have too much time than not enough time. There are two of us. We would each have one checked bag.

Good morning Manitoban. Isn't this a lovely Victoria Day long weekend?:p We will be taking our first trip to NY next month, sailing on the Summit to Bermuda. If you are planning on choosing the 6:15 flight, you will have quite a long wait. I'm sure the Breakaway will have a last day tour available for you to take. We will be doing this when we get off the Summit. The tour will pick you up at the Port, with your luggage, and will take you on a tour of NYC, then drop you off at your airport in time for your flight. I've heard the tour is not the most exciting, but it beats sitting in an airport all day and you know that you will be delivered in appropriate time to the airport. Just check out the tour options on the Norwegian website. (No fireworks tomorrow, I'm afraid).

Thank you. I will check the East Coast Departures. We have a car booked for 10:30 a.m. - I'm assuming even with construction it will get us to the ship before 4 p.m.!

Can anyone tell me how long it will take to Port Liberty from downtown Manhattan (44th St. W to be exact). We will probably be using a car service.

Don't rule out a mega-ship because of the "crowds". We were on the Oasis a while back and I can honestly say I've never felt less crowded on a ship. It was so huge that people tend to spread out. Very often I'd walk through the "neighbourhoods" and there wouldn't be a soul around. Plus, there are so many more activities and entertainment on a large ship.

I am sure many Canadians have had that happen over the years but why stoop to their level

 

:rolleyes:

I am not "stooping to their level". I would never be so rude. I am pointing out that good manners cost nothing.

My feelings date back to when I made the horrendous mistake of having one Canadian penny in the change I was giving a merchant in Whitefish (not far from the border). He literally threw it at my face and nearly hit me in the eye. If Canadians in the tourist business are willing to take foreign currency as tips, or as payment that's their right.

I agree. I accidently laid down a Canadian nickel one time and it was pushed back to me by the tip of a fingernail, with a nasty retort. You would have thought it was contaminated by bubonic plague germs. If someone wants to take your American dollars - fine, their choice, but is it really so inconvenient to get $100 Canadian to use for tips. Just good manners.

What a great thread. Our cruise is on June 14, on the Summit. We have decided to fly in early and spend a few days in New York. I have two questions: Do you have any information on the Royalton Hotel, on 44th Street, NY and what would be the best way of getting from the hotel to the Port? Is there a good limo service that you can recommend. (I'm sorry I just don't have the time to read every post here, in case this info has been given before). I don't want to take a train. Guess I'm spoiled.

You do have to remember that there are always going to be people who love to make sure everyone knows they are suite, concierge, Aqua, whatever - they are the same people who, when they meet you, say "Hello, I'm Whoever from Where Ever and this is our 1,375 cruise". And then they proceed to tell you about every single one of them - all in suites, of course.

Would you consider a 7 day cruise? I only ask this because 4 and 5 day cruises tend to be "party" cruises and you say that your husband and yourself are not into drinking or partying. There is a LOT of drinking and partying on these short cruises.

Lol, thanks! Got an inquiry sent out tonight.

You're welcome! Good luck!

another option is a certain motor vehicle service that you can find as the first entry of any dictionary. booked our first cruise through them. between the military free upgrade to the highest category Balcony and their personal one of being a member, we did very well.

:D Why, whatever do you mean?

another option is a certain motor vehicle service that you can find as the first entry of any dictionary. booked our first cruise through them. between the military free upgrade to the highest category Balcony and their personal one of being a member, we did very well.

:D There is a very good option if you like Vacations. Sometimes you have to

look very hard to find one that you would like to go

on. Sometimes you have to (dot) all the "i's" and cross all the tees. com'on. You can do it.

Reading all these replies is making me sleepy. Seriously - I'm yawning as I type. Nothing nicer than a late afternoon nap.

So, I've been on one cruise, but it was years ago for a honeymoon. We now have 3 kids, 2, 7, and 10. My dh is on deployment and left me to plan the trip for his return. We really, really want to do a cruise (and everyone has a passport!). Problem is, his leave period is over the 4th of July. Plus the aforementioned three kids. And a budget of about 5k. I've spent some serious time searching cruise sites, but I feel really lost. Is this even sort of possible? We don't care much about destination as long as it's outside the US, and the departure port can be pretty much anywhere along the East Coast as we live in the middle and will drive to save some money.

 

Tips? Hints? Can you even fit three kids in a room? I really want to make this work, but I'm really discouraged...

When is the earliest you can cruise? The Independence of the Seas has a cruise leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on June 21 with stops in San Juan, St. Maarten & (I believe) St. Thomas. I only visit Cruise Critic when we have a cruise coming up, so I'm not familiar with the rules about recommending companies - but we have used one certain company for years and have never been disappointed. They are showing a good selection of cruises for your time and your budget. Unfortunately there are no "private messages" on this site...I could send you the list. We're booked on Celebrity Summit out of Bayonne for a 7 night cruise to Bermuda on June 14 - don't know if that interests you, but there is still availability within your budget.

You've really answered the question yourself - your kids aren't Disney fanatics. There is no doubt that a Disney cruise is something special - but if your kids aren't that into Disney why waste the money?

I think your kids would love one of the RCCL mega-ships like Allure or Oasis - there is so much for kids of their age to do. Flow riders, zipline, ice rink, rock climbing wall - the list is endless.

That still no reason to get upset or outraged. You can still get it for $8. It's free on other cruise lines, yes. You can choose not to cruise NCL for a whole host of reasons: value, enjoyment, family fit, etc. Making such fuss about $8 room service fee is simply without merit.

I'm neither outraged nor upset, although I have to wonder at NCL's line of reasoning. You are absolutely correct; although I can certainly afford $8.00 - even 50 bucks", I will take my cruise dollars to other lines. Although it's a well-used maxim - it still stands "it is the principle of the thing".

I honestly cannot tell whether people are portraying fake outrage or if it's real. It seems so odd to me that people are making such a _huge_ deal about this. There's just so much food -- more than anyone can muster, and several venues to eat food at and, in fact, you can still eat in your stateroom, for a small fee. We not wealthy, in fact we're usually number crunching to make ends meet and save for the kids' education and our retirement and so forth. $8 makes such a minuscule difference in the overall cost of a cruise to make it almost trivial. Let's say you order room service once per day, that's $49 for the length of a 7-night cruise. 50 freaking bucks. Much ado about absolutely nothing.

"50 freaking bucks" is not a great deal. That is not the point. The point is that there are many scenarios where people enjoy eating in their stateroom (morning breakfast, late night dessert) and there are many scenarios where people might ask a spouse to "bring them something from the buffet" - (a bad headache, sunburn, twisted ankle - noro isn't the only reason to stay in your room). I am not about to pay more money to Norwegian for a simple pleasure that I can have for free on other cruise lines. That's just stupid. Fortunately, after a totally "unepic" Epic cruise at Christmas we have taken Norwegian off our cruise list. Between this new rule and their corkage fee for wine brought aboard, I'd have no desire to sail with them again (and it's not because I want to stuff my mouth 24/7). I'm curious to see how long this new policy lasts.