graphicguy

Good for you guys. Happy to hear NCL took care of you.

Same. Matter of fact, if I’m looking at a particular cruise, I either call my TA or find an NCL PCC to look at my account. If I’m aware of a FCC, a coupon, a Cruise Next that isn’t in my account visible on my end, they’ve been able to apply it on their end.

Really? Secret Sapphire concierge perks that we don’t know about. But, if disclosed we would all want them? I’ve got quite a few NCL cruises under my belt and have been cruising with them for a while. What perks are you referring to? What do you do prior to cruising where they “grant” you these perks? Going to have to throw the red flag on this. Not buying it.

Email or phoning the concierge will work. I call them and have found them very helpful. Luggage tags…..if you don’t receive them, the porters at the pier will fill out some for you when you give them your cabin number.

Hacks? Not sure what you’re looking for. I buy Cruise Next certs. They double the value of what I pay. You can use one or two of them (depending on cabin type and time of booking). I think Cruise First certs are similar. As you state, their use is pretty straight forward.

And….narcissists strike again. Ship is late dis/embarking……”GIMME SOMETHING!” It was because the harbor was shut down due to a wreckage and loss of life…”don’t care….GIMME SOMETHING” They sent pizzas, cookies and sodas….”don’t care….GIMME MORE!” They offered $25 OBC…”don’t care….GIMME MORE!” SMH!

Anyone have any recent pics of the Epic Haven since they recently refurbished it? Further, anyone have any pics or recommendations on the Haven boarding area in Marseille? TIA!

Probably the wrong terminology on my part. I'm Diamond with Royal, so have sailed them more than a little. Liberty is the smallest ship I've sailed with them...sailed Allure (which at the time was the largest). I'm not a "plan every minute of every day" type of cruiser. I like eating when I'm hungry. Every time my (then) GF and I tried to go to one of the MDRs, there was at least a 30 minute wait without a reservation. Last Royal Cruise I was on the Ovation last year. The Windjammer was "sold out". You read that right. Their buffet had no seating left for those of us trying to get after we were told the MDR had a 30 minute wait. Ended up going to the hot dog booth more than once because of that. I don't whine (except when I'm trying to get a drink at the pool bar at sailaway...j/k). I asked the person at the Windjammer when they expected a table to open up. They acted like I was asking for an Act of Congress to be passed. We would settle in to the 270 venue. We could grab a sandwich at the Solarium Bistro and find a table at 270. Given it was just two of us, we would grab a bite, go sit at the bar or at a 2 top in the first couple of rows, grab a drink and have breakfast or lunch. Not always, but more than once, other passengers would either stand right in front of us to see the shows they had there. We would ask them to move, nicely. Some would. Some wouldn't. Some acted like we were in THEIR way. I could go on, but you get the picture. NCL...I can always tell what is or isn't open as far as dining. The video boards all around the ship tell you what is and isn't busy. this is true of the Specialty Dining venues, too. And, it's a better than 50-50 chance you can just show up and be seated if your party isn't big. They have more than one MDR, too. If you just want casual but don't want to go to the Garden Cafe (NCL's Buffet) there are always openings at O'Sheehans/the Local. Entertainment venues.....Main theaters aren't a problem. But in fairness, Syd Norman's and/or The Cavern Club get packed, quickly. And, there are lines to get in. It's a testament to the excellence of the entertainment in both of those venues. They're kind of stuck, though. The entertainment is more intimate. Putting either of the shows in a larger venue takes away that intimacy, and it probably doesn't play as well. The game shows and trivia in the Atrium can get crowded. But, if you don't insist on sitting in the first few rows of chairs, you can grab a seat at the Atrium Bar or the chairs around the deck above the Atrium and see/hear just as well. I get it. Some people insist on being right on top of the action. Me? Not so much. I've made many more cruise friends on NCL than Royal. Some of that is a function of sailing NCL more than Royal, but I've sailed both quite a bit. Well, that was a long winded answer to a short question. LOL!

Lost me, too. I think they wandered into the wrong thread by mistake.

Not sailed Costa, AIDA or TUI. I have sailed NCL and Royal (both quite a bit), MSC, Carnival, Celebrity and HAL. Carnival…trying to wrap my head around how a Carnival Cruise would fit in the Mediterranean. Although, their new Italian themed ships seem to be taking a more European flare. So, maybe that will be better for them in Europe. Carnival’s reputation is well earned. If you like that sort of thing, they have their proponents. I’ve tried them more than once. When I found people passed out in the hallways (literally) and around the outside walkways, I wrote them off. But, if I find a cheap Carnival Cruise, I’ll look at it again. Celebrity would be a great Mediterranean Cruise, except they are the priciest of the bunch. Love their ships, but don’t know why they charge a premium. Their ships and atmosphere would be a good mix for the Mediterranean, and they don’t cater to kids, at all. So, probably more adults on board. HAL was just not my cup of tea….at all! Oldest clientele of them all….and it’s obvious. Probably the most “formal” of them all, too. But, they may work out OK for a Mediterranean Cruise. I would think they would have the highest average age as any of them. Virgin….I’m not sure. I think coming out of the chute, their concept was good, just not very good in practice. I do think they are refining it. But, will probably let them find their “niche” before looking at them to book. NCL and Royal are the most similar. I prefer NCL because their entertainment is better, I like their food and service better, and it’s less “uptight” than Royal’s cruises. But, if I can find a good deal on Royal, I’ll grab it. And, you’re right, some nice fares on NCL’s Mediterranean sailings right now (I snagged the Epic October Med sailing, myself). Median Age, as others have pointed out, is dependent on the dates you choose to cruise. If school is in session, the median age will be significantly higher.

Lemonade out of lemons. Sad situation that is tough to reconcile. One of those “stuff happens” days. Sadly, there was loss of life involved. But, she’s sailing…. https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/details/9677076

Love this review. Been cruising the big ships. This makes me want to book the Spirit! Thanks!

Given what you’re looking for, I’d park my derrière at the Atrium Bar!

Oh no…..!!!! Loss of life, serious injury, missing person….ominous start! Agree, turnaround is super aggressive!

So, Princess forgoes allowing casino to operate because of the hassle of the hassle. So, what are the laws in Italy? This doesn’t sound unique to NCL if Princess GM makes this statement. And, it’s a general observation, not specific to Italy or NCL! I sailed MSC Divina in the Mediterranean. Casino was never open when we were docked or near any of the ports in Italy, Spain or France! They are based in Europe. So, probably have a good handle on casino laws in the area!

OK…it says this…. “Cruise ship casinos have to stop operations when in port because of the laws and regulations that govern gambling. In many countries, it is illegal for a cruise ship casino to operate while docked at a port. This is due to concerns about potential criminal activity associated with gambling on board ships, as well as worries about the impact of such activities on local economies. Additionally, some ports may require additional licensing or permits for cruise ships offering gaming services while in their waters. As such, most cruise lines choose to err on the side of caution and suspend all gaming activities until they are back out at sea again.” So, the cruise lines operating casinos (and on board shops) find it’s illegal to operate in that country’s waters or in port. Some ports need additional licensing, so cruise lines suspend operations to err on the side of caution. Cruise lines make money on their casinos. If they could, they would open. To somehow state that NCL, or any cruise line, can open their casinos in port/countries territorial waters, makes zero sense!

Which local tax/fees are keeping NCL from opening their casino?

How do you get to this? NCL has no input as to the rules, taxes and/or fees in individual localities.

Not familiar with all the rules, but I know whenever I’ve been docked or just sailing in or out of a Port, local regulations keep the casinos on board from operating. I’m sure the laws are different from port to port. But, I would imagine it has more to do with taking revenue away from the ports than anything else. If you’ve cruised a while, this has always been the case.

Got excited for a minute….thought they may be dropping prices and making adjustments on my Oct cruise. Nope……WEB site is slow, but no price drops.

Yeah….there are a lot of questions surrounding this tragedy. Aside from the loss of life and injuries, this is going to take a while. Disembarkation, with all the ships trying to dock, is going to be an issue for all the ships. And, those waiting to embark, it’s going to take a long while, I’m afraid.

Oh no…..so sorry to hear that!

Pray that no one’s hurt. Frankly, surprised this doesn’t happen more often given the amount of traffic in and out of that port.

I have in the past found some bars don’t have ingredients to make whatever I want. For example, the Martini Bar certainly has ingredients for a wealth of martinis. But, if you’re looking for brown liquor drinks, might want to look at Maltings? Mojito Bar, same way. They make some mean mojitos, not sure they’d have the ingredients to make a B52. In short I would probably look elsewhere outside of the Martini bar, if you’re not interested in a Martini! Just a general rule of thumb.

Thought the same...you'll still have to get a coffeemaker in the cabin to heat the water. But, that's what I do with those packets I bring with me.