graphicguy

Here...here! Amen! Ethical issues? Cruise lines? Most of the responses are akin to overly dramatic knee jerk reactions.

There are very nice BnBs near the port. Many people like the Tremont House to stay before a cruise. I personally have stayed at and loved the George Manor near the pier. You can stroll the seawall area by the water, which is nice. I used Galveston Saltwater Moms (who only advertise on that forbidden social media site) for transport. They are wonderful.

Absolutely!

Agree with all of this! Lots of hand wringing regarding policy. If you find one cruise line not to your liking, try another. They all have their warts. They all have their quirks. They all have their specific advantages. I’ve never found ethics on any of them to be even remotely an issue with them.

from about 6 months ago...

I peruse a lot of threads at Cruise Critic. I've been a member here for a while (well over a decade). I'm very fortunate. I have cruised a lot, on many different cruise lines. So I get to have a "wide field of view" on a good number of cruise lines and ships. Regardless of the cruise line, as long as I've been here, there has been something "Janky" about one thing or another with all these brands, in all of these cruise line threads. If you're unhappy with any cruise line, there are others...lots of others out there. What one person loves about a cruise line, another person does not. The constant with all these threads is you can find the FUD for every cruise line. Not minimizing anyone's feelings, but if you have ethical issues with NCL, sail Carnival. If you have ethical issues with Carnival, sail Royal. If you have ethical issues with Royal........you get the drift. OR, you can vacation another way....

I have a theory and an opinion. We all know how much either of them are worth. I think with NCL sailing at capacity on every sailing, the contracts for excursions may not include as many participants as they anticipated. In an excursion can't accommodate, a change needs to be made. As far as itinerary changes, I got nothing. Again, those contracts and arrangements are made months in advance. I would imagine it's a huge PITA (and costly) for the cruise lines when they have to make those changes. And, it trickles down to the guest, who only sees their excursion and/or itinerary change.

Not quite following the "ethical" argument. But, having sailed all the other lines you referenced, while I like both Royal and Carnival (for very different reasons), one of them is not their implementation of "free at sea" type of dining. NCL originated it and still does it way better, as you know since you've sailed them previously. You see what restaurants are open, you show up, you get seated. No making reservations. No planning around a dining time. As far as the rest, I don't know the itinerary on your Getaway cruise as the NCL WEB site is doing funky things. You want to be irritated, be irritated about that. So, my guess is there is some sort of issue with excursion booking related to that. Unethical? Ummmmmm....just can't go there. But, if it's something you feel is a large enough issue, you should indeed find another cruise line (or at least one that has their WEB site operating correctly). Loyalty is always a 2 way street. Given you've also sailed Carnival, I'm not getting the vibe you're feeling particularly loyal. Nothing wrong with that. Just an observation. If you're looking for a reason to book something else, sounds like you're looking for reasons. Don't need them. Just do it.

Met Capt Kate twice (Edge and Apex). She is Celebrity's best asset. First, she probably offered the best interactions with guests I've seen with any Capt on any cruise line. Plus, she's just a genuinely nice person. I'd sail any ship that she's the Capt of for her presence, alone. Now, you're making me look at Virgin, again. I probably won't book anything for a month, or so, though....maybe even later. Most likely, it will be an NCL cruise, as I've been able to find good deals, and there's a gaggle of us CC friends who are looking to cruise together on NCL.

That sounds fun. I've sailed the Solstice. That's the only "S Class" I've been on. It's been a while. I remember the Bocce courts and glass blowing demos.

@JamieLogical..glad you found something you like. I like Celebrity, too! Not familiar with the Silhouette. Number of days? Itinerary?

I was booked on that cruise, until some oft postponed surgery got in the way. Good fares on that one. That said, regarding fares, I don't book cruises...on any cruise line, that doesn't fit in my cruise budget. I do SHOP cruises, And, the ones that fit my time frame, my budget and an itinerary I like, are booked. It just so happens those cruises happen to be on NCL. If you limit yourself to a certain week, a certain ship, a certain itinerary, you really limit your ability to get a "cruise deal". Plus, if you add in the Free at Sea perks, the deals become even better compared to other cruise lines. Speaking of Starbucks coffee...No way I'd buy that on board, or drink it even if it's included in a drink package. Sail a ship with an Observation Lounge with NCL, or in the Diamond Lounge on Royal. They have coffee machines that are way better than the coffee from Starbucks (unless you're a "foo-foo" drink from Starbucks). And, they're free. Truth is, I take those instant coffee packets from Starbucks you can buy by the bundle that work as well as the regular Starbucks on board.

Must depend on the port. I've never had a separate security line for Haven in any of the ports I've sailed out of on NCL. I always had to go through security BEFORE getting to the check in for Haven guests.

I've been vacillating on booking a Virgin cruise. Perks work (like the bar tab credit). I'm curious, for certain. But, I get this suspicion I'll either be the oldest guy on board, or the "outsider" compared to the rest of the guests for varying reasons.

You're right. Those options are not ideal. Hope things work out for your Husband. Job in tech is crazy right now. Interestingly, when you and I sailed together a couple of years ago, the tech industry was crying for people. Now, I'm retired but still getting resumes sent to me in the hopes of me putting them on "top of the pile" for the few job openings my former company has. Can't help them as I've been gone for a while. Even former colleagues are all nervous....many of whom have been there for many years. Best wishes for your Husband's search. I hope it all works out and you're sailing again soon!

Good plan. I like Celebrity. I sailed them when they had cheap(er) fares. Haven't sailed them in a while. It you sail Celebrity enough, you hit ELITE status. During the restart, their fares were really cheap, and included EVERYTHING. And, they were doing double-up points. So, I got to Elite Quickly. That maps to Diamond on Royal. But, I last sailed Royal a couple of years ago...on Anthem of the Seas. I've never had a bad cruise, but if one came close, it was that one. So, I've punted them to the back burner. Plus, as you point out, you never know how much the drink package is going to be until you book. Celebrity? More sedate than NCL, but the ships are quite nice and enjoyed sailing them. I peak at their fares pretty regularly, but they are quite high. I think Royal and their sister brands have made a conscious decision to raise fares across the board. Add in the "extras" and I've stayed away.

Good points. You have to get through security before you can cue up in the Haven waiting area. There is NOT a separate line for anyone to get through security. The previous guests all have to be disembarked before anyone can embark. Once through security, you can go to the Haven waiting area. I agree with Bird....probably 11:00-ish!

I like sailing out of Galveston in general. That's a good port and it's easy to get in and out of. Plus, there are some really cool places to stay the night before.

Thanks. Didn't know that. I got the packages when I sailed MSC. But, I always get the packages on any cruise line, except for the previously mentioned Royal Cruises. But, you have to be Diamond to get the 4 drinks/day. And, their drinks packages are WAY expensive by comparison.

Just a general observation, I believe NCL had published (don't ask me where, I don't remember as I was trying to find the stat) that most of their adult cruisers want the drinks, use internet, etc. So, the Free At Sea package is probably booked with the vast majority of adult cruisers. Don't know how many "Sail-Away" cabins NCL has available, never really looked as I like including the cheap drinks package. But, for those who look for the "no frill" cruise experience (which is probably the least profitable for any cruise line), you can find those on other cruise lines more readily. I know Carnival and Royal actually don't have anything comparable to an "inclusive" package unless you actually "add it" to your booked fare. That said, as has been mentioned here, those others aren't budget friendly in the least. I think I got drink packages with my MSC Cruises but don't remember their cost. It took me a while to get to Diamond status on Royal. But, as such, they give 4 drinks of any type as a "perk" per day. I use those and pay for any extra drinks if I go over the 4. But, a couple of drinks over and above those included 4, and you're paying the same as you would for NCL's FAS per day.

Welcome! Personally? I have no issue with the Free at Sea drink package. Up to you whether the Plus package offers something you can’t live without. Extra specialty dinners? That’s really a personal decision. If there’s more specialty restaurants you want to try other than the one Free at Sea will cover, give it a try. Cost to upgrade? Contact NCL or your travel agent to get the pricing, as I don’t know your ship or how long you’re sailing!

I’ve done Alaska itinerary in October. Found it to be an amazing experience! Would do it again in a heart beat given the lower fares that time of year! Have always preached, it’s the total out of pocket that’s important. DSC is only one part of that equation. Looking at the total invoice with all the components included is apples to apples!

Love that itinerary and love the Joy! I like Juneau! Would go there again if/when I sail to Alaska, again! If Ketchikan was on the Alaskan itineraries I would not even get off the ship for that port!

Ketchikan isn’t all that interesting. Been there twice. I do like Juneau, though! Haven’t dug deep enough on either port to see what they’re doing! I know I took the bus from the Ketchikan port area and ended up coming back to the ship fairly quickly! The Joy is a cool ship. Sailed it last month and enjoyed it immensely!

Didn't mention the 10% Veterans Discount because not everyone qualifies. But, it's a great perk. MSC status matched me to Diamond (I think), which they keep renewing even though it's been years since I sailed with them. Still can't find anything with them that makes me want to book. That said, if you enjoy MSC (or Princess) no judgement here. I like NCL. Won't judge those who don't.