graphicguy

Being a proverbial cruise shopper, a little while ago I was cross shopping a Celebrity Cruise to an NCL cruise. “ALL INCLUDED” perks on Celebrity vs FAS on NCL. Similar itineraries…both newer ships! Perks were similar but not identical. The big difference was the fare between the two. The delta was 4 figures…Celebrity being much more expensive. Point being, the Celebrity ALL INCLUDED fare is much higher than the “normal” fare. Celebrity advertises the “unincluded” fare prominently. Only when you try to book the ALL INCLUDED fare do you get the much higher fare!

Even on their WEB site they show the discounts. Just looked….

FAS 2 Specialty Dining Restaurants is ~$20/pp (for 2 Restaurants). I think that’s a good deal.

I’ve sailed Celebrity, too. I like them. But, as mentioned, asking the steward to drop everything just to clean your cabin is probably something a little over the top on either line. That screws up their entire schedule. Getting a “fine wine” in the buffet or at the pool bar isn’t something I’d expect. I haven’t sailed Costa or Princess. But, NCL and Celebrity are pretty close in service. I wouldn’t think your “asks” are something I’d do at either cruise line.

I think the music is licensed (via Fleetwood Mac for Rumors). From what I understand, the show itself was developed by NCL. That makes sense for the “prom” theme. I know the Prima and Viva ships are smaller and can convert the main theaters into a “hall” type atmosphere. That makes sense for the “prom” performances. Have booked the Prima to sail in a couple of months. Looking forward to checking that out.

If you shop the fares, they show what they call “rack rates” or “brochure rates”. Those are the “regular” fares. If someone pays those fares, they aren’t very bright. They are the highest fares that one can book the cruise and cabin type for. Their “sales” are based on the “regular” fares. NCL (and all the other cruise lines) usually don’t change fares within 30 day periods. Once they drop, they don’t go back up. So, their sales are off “brochure rates”. And, if they drop, it’s permanent. They don’t go back up on that particular cruise. Or, they stay reduced until that particular category is sold out. What you’re asking for is some gov’t entity to do your fare shopping for you by dictating the terms to the cruise lines. NO THANKS! I can’t even imagine the bureaucracy that would create (apparently it does in the EU) and, as a result, how much that would add to a cruise fare.

Well….Yeah!!!! 😉

xx% off any fare on any cruise on any ship on any cruise line is off “published rates”. Published rates are nothing more than a fare they use to offer xx% off for their sales. Car sales ads are similar. Invoice pricing suggests a price that the dealership pays for the car from the manufacturer. In truth, it’s not even close. Knowing this makes you a savvy shopper. Only way to know that is to look at the fares, not the ads!

Like putting hot coffee in your lap while in your car and want to blame someone else because it was hot coffee and you burned yourself. Going to be a matter of time before someone sues because tarter sauce dripped on their lap while trying to eat their fish sandwich!

I think we all know how all the cruise lines’ marketing jargon work. Compare pricing on different cruises and see which appeal to you the most. If you’re steered to a Cruiseline by their marketing, then it’s worked. They got you to their site. If you want to sue them, certainly your prerogative. Seems everyone is “sue happy” these days, anyway. They’ll sue for anything it seems. I list this along with the people who sue McDonalds because their coffee was too hot.

Yes…you can do self disembarkation. Just don’t put your luggage out the night before and take them with you when you leave your cabin to disembark per the CD’s announcements.

And here we are…still debating this. If the kid wants to go….GO! If the kid doesn’t want to go, is afraid to go, hand wringing over going, go without him/her and have a good time. No need to justify his/her participation. My son is in his mid-30s. We’ve taken many vacations together, including 3 cruises. He loves and relishes those vacations together. If we were to cruise together again (I hope we do), and he starts worrying and hesitating about any part of it, I don’t want him to go, and will tell him as much. OP…..your child is an adult….capable of making up her or his own mind. Let them be an adult. Trying to “convince” them one way or the other is an insult to their “adulthood”.

NCL’s theater shows tend to be more adult oriented. Rock of Ages was like that. Choir of Man is a tad like that. Personally, I don’t have any issues with it. If you feel the materials is to “risqué” (I don’t) you can always leave the production. I have more of an issue with those who come in late, block the view while they’re traipsing up and down the aisles, looking for their friends (who were on time) or a seat. I’d rather NCL just close the doors to the theater once the show begins and have no seating until a set change, for example.

We need something….not sure what, though!!!! I need to join you on another cruise…that’s what I need!

I concur! But, I was turned away once at LeBistro for no socks. Another guest, who I did not even know, offered me socks of I would wait until he fetched them from his cabin. Few minutes later, he brings me some socks with big marijuana plants on them. I put them on right by the scheduling kiosk. They then let me in. May have been the scheduler’s misunderstanding but I complied. 😉

For two Specialty Dining Restaurants (including Cagney’s) it’s less than $20 tip…that’s not per restaurant…..that’s BOTH combined with FAS. That’s why it makes ZERO sense to go to any of the Specialty Restaurants and order a la carte!

Which airline is this?

You don’t want to do a la carte dining in Cagney’s. It’s VERY expensive. Buy a 2 dinner SDP package. It will be cheaper than a la carte for just Cagney’s.

I do not think there are any nearly 50 year old cruise ships sailing today. Today’s cruise ships have water cannons and other security measures that would make it impossible to board the cruise ship in open waters. Further, it’s next to impossible for unauthorized persons to enter the bridge. I think it would be way easier for someone to hi jack you in your car that it would ever be to hijack a cruise ship! Again, anyone who is afraid to cruise should not be forced or convinced to cruise. They won’t be happy and they’ll likely make those they’re with unhappy!

https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-piracy-marine/18-anti-piracy-weapons-for-ships-to-fight-pirates/

Cool! Thanks! My old one (Eufy) would get stuck in an empty room. I have a Roborock, which is similar….much better! https://us.roborock.com/pages/roborock-q-revo

I see what you did there!!!!!! You kidder, you!!!!!!

Yes....Bless you, my child!!!!!! 😉

If you can't get the same waiter, just ask the waiter assigned to you about your dietary requirements. They'll accommodate. Actually, every time I set down to dine the first thing my wait person asks me is if I have any dietary requirements. So, shouldn't be an issue.

I hate when people try to interrupt my fun by asking me to chase down the cruise management team, or find out how they handle specific dietary requirements, or how many hangars are in my closet, or to tell this or that waitperson or bartender "hi" from some random person the waitstaff forgot as soon as the next cruise started, etc. My cruise....my time. However...you're already in the Haven. I'm sailing Prima in February. No need to make a special trip or stop to ask any questions, just if you're passing the concierge desk, can you get a pic with the concierges, so I know what they look like? And, find out if they're staying on through Feb '24? Well hell....that sounds like a a big ask. Nevermind! 😉