Michelle19

I thought the same, feel bad for Sam the OP, did not realize the PCL board was like this :( I starting to get ready for our Diamond cruise in October....gives me second thoughts on posting here.

I thought the same as well :(

Hubby and I have done Mexico and Hawaii and Alaska quite a few times & I am here to tell you.. The 1st and Last day are always always rough. For us it is 100% of the time so far. We just did Mexico, got back yesterday, as soon as we turned the corner from Cabo, the water was rough! But it always is, so we were ready for it.. That Potato Patch is a real thing! From SF and from LA! Just be prepared.

Jewel.

 

I just returned from a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise (April 16-23), and aside from a couple of Vacation Hero exceptions, most of the crew were very cold, unsmiling but very efficient. There were very few hellos or thank yous, or how was your days, and very much avoidance of eye-contact and curt exchanges. This extended from my cabin steward to bar servers, MDR hostesses, most wait staff, and most of the shore excursion team.

 

I comment because this was my 15th NCL cruise, and I was really surprised and bummed out by how generally unfriendly the crew was, especially in contrast with all of my previous NCL cruises. Since I mostly sail solo, I have always enjoyed feeling like I was never alone on NCL because its crews have always been so friendly and outgoing, but not this cruise. I hope this was just a one-of-a-kind exception and not a trend.

 

I still had a very nice time. Excellent production shows; the spa was super and not crowded at all; great food; fastest-ever embarkation and disembarkation; no wait for anything ever except in the Sky High Bar, so that efficiency did have its positives. But if this was my first NCL cruise, I don't know if I would have booked another.

 

Is it just Jewel? Was it just that cruise? Are there too many staff cutbacks and remaining staff are being asked to do too much? What do you think?

I was on this cruise with you, with my family of 6. I completely agree with you. The crew was the most unhappy I have ever experienced on any cruise line. 2 of my kids who were with us, (adults) have never cruised before & it left a not so good taste in their mouths. I am not sure what was wrong.. I cannot explain it, but some were even down right rude. Our room steward was amazing, but rarely smiled. Very disappointing. The Sky high Bar staff were the ones who were very rude. I am guessing they were very overwhelmed. However, the eye rolling and the snapping is always uncalled for. :(

They almost always give you the either/or option not both. That's what we found.

We kept the drink package. It was a no brainer. $1500-AIBP versus $300pp price adjustment.

Oh our drink package was 1149. and it was a price adjustment of 670.00 total. Not as big difference as your experience. Thats why we were thinking so hard about what to do. :)

So we are before final payment. I just hung up with them. They did offer the new pricing. Saving us 335.00 pp. However we would loose our drink package. We are thinking about it, but I am leaning to take that price drop. Its pretty darn good to me. I guess it would depend on how much someone drinks to make this decision. We don't drink all that much and I still have a leftover coffee card I can use. So I think our decision is getting easier.. lol

Thanks!

Ok perfect. All these years cruising this is the 1st time something like this has come up for me. I will call, and with some confidence thanks to you all.. Thank you again

You booked a year ago for an upcoming cruise with Sip & Sail promotion and you notice the price has dropped 400. pp.? Goodness, we don't drink that much! Am I missing something here? :o

Thanks so much,

Michelle

Just shut your air conditioning when you leave the door open. Why have a balcony you can't fully enjoy.

Amen.. Bring a battery operated Fan.. I love having that door open :hearteyes:

Ever since we started getting invited to the most traveled passenger lunch or cocktail party I have skipped the pedestrian party.

(maybe 10 years)

 

I constantly read how bad the drinks are, etc. Why do people go? Just to make sure it's still bad?

Honestly, we just ask for a beer and wine and the appetizers are ok. We really enjoy taking a picture with the Captain and seeing everyone all dressed up. It really isnt that bad at all. The line was a little long, but it goes fast.... :)

I was just simply wondering if anyone with cruise experience noticed if that this cruise was basically just mainly families or also mixed in with groups such as ours. Nothing dirty or anything like that so please don't mislead this thread. Thank you

My 3 boys who are your age, Love to cruise and they have been on quite a few, they have Always met young ladies and had a good time.. (I dare not ask how much fun) :o Point is, to this day they still keep in contact with quite a few of them and I do not see why you 4 wouldn't do just the same ! Enjoy it, cruises are a blast..

ALL of the Above!! :o

Price seems to vary widely for this package. A friend paid $49 in December, you paid $99 and when we were on three Regal the first week in February it was $199. Must be selling well and they are going to keep raising the price until people stop buying.

When we booked the Royal a few weeks ago, the lady told me that the 99.00 is for Pre-Pay only. She said it would be 199.00 if we bought it on the ship. Flash drives, all photos your in. Sold. We pre paid the 99.00. :D

I just got off the phone with NCL, my son was 17 when he first sailed on the Getaway, he is now 19 and the invoice for our upcoming cruise said, "New Cruiser". So I called and she told me that since he is now over 18, he gets the credit from the cruises he sailed when he was under 18. So now he has 7 points and will get 7 more when we sail in April. I checked on his account and he has already been credited. I literally just got off the phone with them.

JUST AN OPINION:

 

Truly, no need to book an expensive beach day through the cruise line.

All of the Hotels in the Golden Zone, along with other beaches, will welcome you.

No cover charge. Ask a driver at the pier ( best prices are outside the gates of terminal) to take you to the Ramada, or any other hotel that you may do research on. We go toEl Cid.

If you know when you want to be picked up, he will be there waiting for you.

If you are comfortable negotiating, please do so.

The Hotel will have food, drinks, etc. Just ask an attendant for loungers and shade.

So long as you buy from them you are golden.

 

Be forewarned: Beach Vendors are everywhere.

Water sports, jet skis, parasailing, banana boats, anything you can think of is right on the beach.

Again, if you are comfortable, all is negotiable.

 

In our 10 Riviera cruises, we have never had an issue with drivers, beaches or activities.

With Carnival excursion, you are locked in to wherever they take you.

If you want the taxi to get you in 2 hrs to go shop, he will.

If you want a tour of Mazatlan on way to beach or back to ship, he will.

I often offer $75 for the day, and it is accepted.

 

Hope this helps.

This helped a great deal! Thank you so much. I will stop debating over hotels and just get the kids and I over to El Cid. I appreciate your response.. :)

The reviews are fine, but mostly of people who stayed at the hotel. Wondering if anyone has ever booked and done this excursion at the Ramada? IF so, please do tell how it was.. :)

Thanks!

Oh we had him on the Getaway a couple years ago, what a Hoot he was! He always made sure he had the Warriors game on the TV outside each night it was on. Great personality!

We are on the 4/15 Escape sailing booked in a mid-ship mini suite. Received the upgrade email at exactly 80 days out. Minimum bids available were 400pp for forward penthouse or spa balcony, 500pp for haven balcony, 750pp for aft balcony, 1000pp for 2bdrm and 1500pp for owners suite. I did not have the option to low ball below the minimum. I do have the option to review and edit my bids. I'll decline sharing what my bids are/were until after the fact. Fingers crossed for success in the meantime!

 

 

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Fingers and toes all crossed for you! Good Luck!!

Hi

We dont have a specialty dining package as a perk, and dont fancy booking the package of three seeing as we are only on a 7 night cruise- hence the questions

Can we book just one speciality in advance online before we travel?

Or can we reserve one restaurant via their online restaurant bookings and then pay on the day?

Is Cagneys a set price?

Thanks

Yes you can, but you wont see the single option restaurants until about 90 days out of your cruise. :) Than you can book Cagneys or whichever you choose..

It won't matter. They will still leave SF with only Grand Princess. I really wish they would have a different ship there and have more sailings out of SF.

Amen

He was with 2 "adults" in that cabin so there wouldn't be a problem.

 

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Actually it was a problem. NCL agent insisted I put my 18 year old in our room. It wasn't a big deal to us so I didn't ask why, but it did seem to be an issue.

Or maybe I just didn't ask enough questions. :o

We sailed the Getaway with our 3 boys who were 18 . 21 & 25 and the 18 year old was with us on paper. However, they were next door so we sent the luggage over there and explained to our cabin steward that he wants to be with his brothers and he said No problem and that he would fix the extra bed every night. Which he did and it was all perfectly fine. :)

The Jewel:

(1) All the way forward on Deck 11 is a small room with a window that looks into the Bridge area. The window is usually opened from 1/2 hour after sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset. There are certain other times when the curtains are closed to, probably through the Canal.

 

(2) All the way forward on Deck 13 is Spinnaker Lounge- lots of windows and seats for just relaxing. It is used for lots of activities such as Bingo and all the late night dances.

 

(3) The staff is outstanding

There is a deck 13? hmmm.. Will be on the jewel soon, will check that out

We were on her a month ago for 15 days.. She was a dream boat. Please do not worry, she is in Great shape and you will have a fabulous cruise.

I believe it was 2 weeks max. :)

We even had the same credit card and it was valid and still in use and they still issued us checks.. 1 for me and 1 for my husband.