ChiCruzr

No, it's really not the same thing.  It's not like the kitchen staff is throwing half eaten or uneaten lobsters, steaks, and french fries off the back of the ship.

2 hours ago, roddy good boy said:

Are you serious? They really throw the excess food overboard into the sea?

No, they don't just throw it overboard.  It gets processed into a liquid slurry that is discharged at sea, away from coastlines.

1 hour ago, UKstages said:

 

regardless of how many photos of trays of cookies are placed in posts on cruise critic for all to see, it doesn't change the fundamental truth of widespread reports of cookie scarcity. those reports were true/are true, just as the reports of upcharges for additional lobster tails in the haven were true.

There's a difference between a perceived scarcity of cookies, and "Cookies are no longer available on NCL per a crew member", which was the initial claim.

I personally don't get why people post rumors as if they were facts. 

The lobster situation was true, at least for a while, because people posted photos of the Haven menu stating the extra charge.

The Cookie situation was a whole 'nother thing.  Someone posted that "cookies are no longer available on NCL", "according to a crew member."  Within a day or two, others posted photographic evidence of cookies being available, in areas both restricted and public.  There's further confirmation in this very thread.

The original post about cookies simply wasn't true.

1 hour ago, DCGuy64 said:

Lots of "if's" in there. Let's stick to the facts, shall we? The facts are that the bartender attempted to serve a 15 year old alcohol and she refused. No crime committed, no reason to get someone fired.

I don't know if it rises to the level of a crime, but I don't think that servers are even supposed to offer alcohol to minors.

2 hours ago, Ellis1138 said:

I am allergic to tobacco smoke, so avoided the 7th deck, and couldn't eat at O'Sheehans except for breakfast.

I'm sure you're sensitive to smoke, lots of people are, but there's no such thing as an allergy to smoke, medically-speaking.

Tobacco Allergy: Can You Be Allergic to Cigarette Smoke? (healthline.com)

Allergic Sensitization, Rhinitis and Tobacco Smoke Exposure in US Adults - PMC (nih.gov)

4 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

Whether or not the guy was a cancer patient is totally irrelevant. It is against the law (cancer or not) and against the cruise line rules (cancer or not). The guy was fined and should have been thrown off the ship and should have been deported from the country. 

Agreed. That was my point, if I wasn't clear.

1 hour ago, Laszlo said:

Tell that to the cancer patient going thru chemo and that is the only relief they get from the constant nausea.... I've been there and seen it first hand. Sometimes its not always about you

Nothing in the linked article says the guy was a cancer patient using it for medicinal purposes.  Not that it would excuse breaking the host country's laws or NCL's rules.  Maybe he just had it for funsies.

Trying again.

There was a post less than 48 hours prior to mine showing the availability of cookies in the Great Outdoors.  There have also been reports of cookies in the Casino.  Neither of those areas are "limited access".

Here's what I don't get about this entire kerfuffle.  People having been saying that cookies are no longer available on NCL, per crew and even Officers.  On the other hand, others are posting current photographic evidence that cookies ARE available in the Solo Lounge, Haven, Great Outdoors, et al.

Both can't be true simultaneously.  I trust the folks with evidence, rather than those relying upon what others (even crew) have told them.  YMMV.

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

It is possible that the room stewards are told not to remove or dispose of personal items left in a room, but to clean around them, report them to their supervisor and let the appropriate staff take care of them.

It's possible someone left their pet unicorn tethered to the bed, as well.  There's a difference between personal items such as razors or sponges, and valuables like gold watches, diamond rings, or wallets. The latter they might "report them to their supervisor", the rest, no.

What I wonder is how a lack of towel animals constitutes a "reduction in service"?  Towel animals are not a service.

5 minutes ago, brad0576 said:

First timer on NCL has an orange key card

 Ah, thanks.

36 minutes ago, brad0576 said:

Currently on the Epic - hello from Amber Cove 

 

on a side note the crowd on this cruise seems off to me - I have never seen more orange cards on a cruise.

Forgive me, but is an orange card?

7 hours ago, ConcettaBonetta said:

Thank you. Others have said there are only certain days the desk is open and that the lines are very long. 

 Certain days? Huh?  Guest Services is open 24/7.  Confirmed from a Daily dated 1/7/2024.

12 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

We (accidentally) opened the partition from our balcony to another balcony of a stateroom that was empty on Joy.

How does one accidentally open the partition? 🙂

Does anyone have actual documentation of NCL's policy, rather than personal stories?

On 11/20/2023 at 7:26 AM, DCGuy64 said:

I wasn't talking about the hockey puck style. You seem to have misunderstood what I wrote.

You're right, I misunderstood your post.  My apologies. 

7 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. All of the breakfast places I go to like Denny's and IHOP serve hash browns that look exactly like that.

Not according to the picture on Denny's website:

Sirloin Steak & Eggs | Denny's (dennys.com)

Definitely not the hockey puck style.

23 minutes ago, ColdCruise said:

Will also put a pitch in AGAINST the Epic due bathroom situation in cabin. Husband refuses to sail her again, no matter if the cruise is free. If you do book Epic, look for a room close to public restrooms (eg rear stairwell) so you have a bathroom option,and make sure you’r bed is on the balcony side. 

I've been on the Epic and know the bathroom set-up.  How is using a public bathroom a better option than the one in the cabin with someone you know?

1 hour ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

Of course, many (not me) detest the chandelier on the Encore as it gives them instant sea sickness, nausea for days and expensive medical bills.

Wait, what?

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

All other rooms, including Haven rooms not in the Haven proper, were not accessable since the doors to the passage ways to the rest of the cabins were locked.  

Those doors were closed, sure, but not locked, as that would be a major fire hazard.

1 hour ago, fastpitchdad said:

 

 

Around here a Dennys build your own omelette is $18, $20 if you add avocado.    

Around here, a Denny's build your own omelette is $13, plus $1.29 for avocado.

3 hours ago, chobo2 said:

I am thinking of getting a cash refund. Do me and my wife have to send in a refund request in separately? 

It's one request per reservation number and applies to all people on that reservation.  The method to "send in" the refund request is a simple online form accessed from a link within their suspended sailings page (https://www.ncl.com/suspended-sailings).  Just to note, if you paid by credit card that is where the refund will be sent, so you'll need to ask for the cash from your card company after the credit goes there if you ultimately want the cash back in your hand.

According to NCL’s suspended sailings information page, I need to submit a request for refund before April 27 which is only a couple weeks away if I decide to not rebook.  I’d like to rebook as I’m told by my travel insurance company that if I have not filed a claim, I can likely transfer my coverage to a revised itinerary, and the insurance coverage includes insolvency (bankruptcy) of the travel supplier.  I also in the category of having 150% FCC based on the date my cancelled embarkation date fit into.

Trouble is, the prices have miraculously skyrocketed as mentioned by others here and no way the 150% FCC covers a similar future booking.  My cancelled booking of March 15, 2020 Mexican Riviera in Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse with Large Balcony was purchased for $3649 per person with 2 of us booked.  The identical suite category on same ship class departing March 14, 2021 is currently listed at a full price of $8069 per person, about 220% higher than I paid, but “on sale” for $5648 per person, “only” 155% higher than my original price.  What gives on the current fares?  Anyone think they might decrease before the refund window closes?  I’ll lose my insurance option to transfer coverage without a firm booking in place, and also not certain if a new purchase of insurance would cover a trip paid for with credits instead of cash (if anyone know about this that would help my decision too).