sweetpee_1993

Some of the news articles....the comments....what is wrong with people???? Does humanity not exist anymore? Jokes, good riddance, etc. Seriously? Pretty sickening.

I agree. You can clearly hear him saying "don't touch me, don't touch me".

I think what you are hearing is a friend on the ship. He says "Don't touch me. Until he's back on the ship I'm not going anywhere".

I agree. It sounds like the guy yelling "Don't touch me" is on the ship still. Likely crew members were trying to get him back away from the rail so they could diffuse the situation and render aid.

We are also on board - we were at Sorrentinos having some late night (early morning) pizza that we didn't really need when the "Oscar-Oscar-Oscar-port side" call came over. I knew immediately what that was and said to my wife let's go upstairs to our cabin on Deck 7 to see what's going on. As we approached the port aft elevators we saw crew members running out the doors to where the lifeboats are. When we got upstairs, there was a ruckus in our hallway about 5 cabins down (we are in 7224 and project the family to be in a cabin between 7212-7216) - it was the family - the wife (we think) wanted to go back outside to watch rescue operations but they wouldn't let them in the cabin. There were some other words said - we thought security accused someone of "pushing" the victim - maybe the father - but it's unclear if they meant a physical push or a fight which emotionally "pushed" the victim to jump over.

 

When we got in our cabin, they were releasing the port side rescue boat just below and left of us. It took them a few minutes to get the boat down and they immediately zoomed over to a beacon (life ring?) out off port side aways. The water was somewhat choppy and it was pretty dark (some cloud cover at times and littl if any moon light). The rescue boat from starboard side was visible to us about 5 minutes later. We stayed up as the ship went slowly back and forth - turning 180 degrees every 10-15 minutes or so.

 

I did see the video this morning. Tough to watch. Tough night. Not a ton of sleep, although I got more than my wife.

 

Alex

Sounds like the end of a domestic disturbance. Whether he was physically or emotionally "pushed"... Wow. Just wow. I would think they don't want the guests in the room(s) involved because they are potential crime scenes.

Regardless, whatever might have transpired isn't worth a man's life. Whether it was his doing or someone else's.

Prayers for a miracle, that this life is spared.

The single biggest problem with cruising to Key West vs. driving there pre/post cruise is you're never there for sunset.

Like this?

;) :cool:

(this was May 2012, Disney Magic)

To the OP, if you do find a sailing to Key West also watch the port times. The sunset is truly something to see. If you can't find a cruise or think the sunset would be something you'd want to see, it's definitely worth a drive down pre-cruise. Good luck! The port day pictured was our celebration of DH's 40th birthday. We chartered a float plane tour. It was an amazing day!

Simply stating my own personal experiences and trying to understand what's different since my last few cruises. [emoji106]🏻🙃Also on the Quantum last November I had a comped beverage package on that cruise and also was not charged any sales taxes on drinks while still docked in Jersey. Actually had no onboard charges on that cruise at all. Maybe I've just been blessed [emoji1]

With so many lines doing the packages now maybe the states kinda woke up to the missed tax income opportunity and cracked down on them. Perhaps some lines have enough margin built into prices that they just cover the tax. I dunno. But, knowing the government, any opportunity to root around in our pockets and all........ LOL!

AND if you order a drink while in a port that requires a tax on your drink (like embarkation ports in the US) you will be charged the small amount on the price of the drink.

No. It is Florida Sales Tax. Not new.

Yes. Additionally, this isn't just an NCL thing. All cruise lines serving drinks have to collect the local sales tax while in ports. In Texas there's limits on what can even be served.

The UBP covers the drink. The prepaid service charge on the package covers the gratuity. The sales tax has not been prepaid. So even though the other 2 elements are covered, the tax has to be paid by someone. I'm not sure there's a way NCL could set a $$ amount that could be pre-designated to cover the tax. It might be unlawful to collect a tax amount if someone didn't drink (so pre-paying or adding a set amount to the cost of the UBP or service charge are out).

wonder if they will bring it back for t-day and black friday

I'm hoping! ;)

In September on Getaway out of Miami we had UBP and did pay tax on the drinks we had prior to sailaway. We each had a few drinks and it amounted to a total of like $2 maybe. Once we set sail the tax wasn't assessed anymore.

Great compromise! I hope it works out. In the spirit of elevating cleanliness & quality of space (per Mr. Del Rio in his recent USA Today interview/article), cleaning up the air we breathe is imperative. Seriously. On the Getaway when we walked past the atrium just as you got by the guest services area the stale smell would pick up. The air carries it so far. Very off-putting.

I'm curious, what are you basing that on?

 

Having sailed on Quantum, it's pretty clear that RCI is also trying to push into premium territory. She's very similar to the Solstice Class ships in their Celebrity brand.

Disney. I've almost exclusively sailed Disney for years but that's rapidly changing. They're not really doing much innovating. Prices soar but I see less and less to justify that. Now they are restricting their carry-on alcohol policy. Even the Disney cheerleaders are having to bite their lips when it comes to the "pay more for no nickel-n-diming" argument because upcharge options are appearing more and more. That climate is only multiplying at a faster rate. There's less and less value for the same-ol' same-ol'. Food quality isn't going up. Ports aren't changing. Service isn't really all that different from other mass lines who charge far less. In an industry with cruise lines pumping out new, exciting, innovating options to more diverse destinations for a fraction of the cost to consumers.....it's like watching a race in opposite directions. Like my dad used to say it was like when he raced his muscle car way back in the day: you could watch the speedometer go in one direction while the gas gauge went the other way. LOL!

So yeah, I see this guy driving for better and to set NCL apart. If price increases come with that, at least you see where your dollars are going and there's a reason, a value for those extra dollars. Not all cruise lines are working in that direction. I've had my fill of paying way too much to get less. Ya know? That's just what I'm feeling. Just me. Probly not very on-topic. My apologies. :)

 

I do have to give him credit for acknowledging the service level in the Haven is not where it should be based on what you pay.

I thought the comments on the Haven were interesting. It hinted that there would be more to come or some sort of stepping up. Veeeery interesting.

I'm pretty new to NCL w/only 1 cruise under my belt with them. I've been on Allure & all of Disney's ships. I don't know much about the various NCL CEOs. Have zero opinion or sway on that. So, from fairly fresh ears and zero emotional attachment in any way, when I read this article I didn't feel like he was being overly arrogant or anything like that. I got confidence and determination from what I read. It felt like here's a guy trying to push the line to a new level, to reset the bar above the competition. If it's a better product than the competition I have no problem paying extra for that. Del Rio is making this push at a very interesting time......as the competition also has been making changes that set them more in-line with industry standards than above. It's interesting. What will people pay a premium for? Hmmmmmm.....

You see quite a lot of people being turned back from the newer 'floor drop' ones due to having jewellery or unsuitable clothing on or did you mean because they were carrying a little too much Christmas weight?

I was turned away for jewelry. We didn't know. A less than 10 second drop wasn't worth the risk or effort to unscrew my diamond studs so I held my hubby's watch while he went. I did the twisty slides which were plenty fun. ;)

We have been diehard Disney fans for a lot of years: cruises & parks. I'll just put that on out there. I've done 12 Disney cruises in 4 years. For me, I've been reading all the excitement with NCL's new ships, the prices are downright bargains compared to Disney, and the promos are generous even after paying the service fees for the UBP. Won't deny I've been getting bored with Disney's offerings. The menus, the activities, the shows, itineraries....it's grown repetitive. I'm not paying the obscene prices for the interesting itineraries. I'm not paying premiums for Star Wars or Halloween theming because I don't really care for either. And if I have to have Frozen garbage shoved in front of me one more time I think my head will explode. So there's that.

NCL was a breath of fresh air for me. We booked our first NCL cruise on the Getaway about a month of so prior to sailing. We took the "free" UBP promo. I knew going in that I had to pay the service charge for it. I knew we'd get our money's worth. (We did. Saved receipts. Bar drinks came up to over $800. I didn't pay that much in fees so we did fine.) I have no problem paying the service fees/gratuities. I prepaid mine so it was done and I didn't have to think about it again. And Freestyle dining! I LOVE this! I am sick to death of eating at an assigned time & place. I love having choices. Lots of choices. We had a fabulous time for 7 glorious nights as opposed to the 3 nights the same money would've gotten us on Disney.

So for us, we jumped over because of price & value. The promos are lagniappe!

i wonder if anyone who doesn't like pitbulls music has bothered to look beyond and see who he is besides his music? he is very much into charity work and very very big on community. he has been awarded the key to miami for sharing a positive message. does any of that count or is he just the man with the music?

don't discount him. his music is no worse than many other artists but what he gives back is a lot more than some.

 

disclaimer--i'm a grandmother who loves his music. its very upbeat and i have found myself singing timber in public……clutch the pearls

Clutch the pearls! ROFL!!!!

((like)) Right back atcha!

All we need is for the weather to work out, there appears to be a system that's going to storm on us while docked. Of course, the worst of it is predicted to be on the 2 days I prepaid for a moped (Tues+Wed) and we've NEVER seen open sun in Bermuda on 2 trips so far! A Tropical storm made us leave a full day early last time and we were really bummed...my wife especially, who absolutely lives for tropical beaches.

 

Hopefully the forecast will change as we've got about a week to go till we're there.

The one thing I count on with the weather is its unpredictability. Bad weather on vacation still beats good weather at home for me.

Drum roll please............

 

BB Balcony Room 8762! Mid-Ship!

 

All things considered, for $100 I'm VERY pleased.

 

Our room is 10 spots down from where this picture was taken: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iAuscDziEXlBJpzXT8eDPwMSLYp6wjaH02-FSxCCPSU/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=5000&slide=id.ge0d8fe37_2_9

 

We're basically looking out over that crane, not much going on the deck below us either. We're used to Wildwood motels and the like so we're not snobby about people being about to look at us, which probably won't be much.

 

The location is central to just about everything - it's nice knowing the room is never going to feel like a mile away.

 

We could've been screwed being placed near the Waterfront but luck was on my side for once.

 

This feels like a big win, especially since this room typically hovers around $1100/pp!

 

This is a big boost of excitement as we're just 5 days away!

Congrats! In terms or room space alone I think you made out well. Enjoy your cruise!

PS. We paid $400 for an IX to BX upgrade and felt we got a great deal as well.

Sorry, but I am not impressed with this choice!!! This is just my opinion!!! Everyone has a right to their own opinion! ;)

Absolutely.

It's more a publicity thing anyway. In no time at all most people won't know or even care who the Godparent is.

What if it had been Vanilla Ice?!?! LOL! I would've geeked-out completely. I even think my 17 & 19 yro's would've thought that was cool!

But would you pick 2 Live Crew to represent your brand? Would you say they have the energy you want your ships to embody? I can just turn off the songs I don't want to hear on the radio, but to me it's different when NCL is giving an endorsement of a man who calls women "ho" and "B----" as well as uses the "n-word" in songs he writes as the face and energy that NCL wants.

It's not unusual for cruise lines to select popular musical artists as godparents. Pitbull is very relavent today. Compared to his peers he is classy. The lyrics don't burn my ears personally. None of it is unusual in any way. I think NCL is choosing someone that is active within his community, relavent artistically, presents himself well, and in many ways is a popular/hip representation of the city they have featured all over the ship. The choice makes perfect sense. Their ship. Their company. Their choice.

I wasn't thrilled with Disney's choice of Mariah Carey when the Fantasy debuted but I still sailed the ship and enjoyed it. ((I don't care for her music, can't stand her voice, at the time she didn't have the best reputation in her personal life, and didn't even have any hit songs to make her relative to that specific time. She was in no way relative to the company, the theme of the ship, nothing. Zip. Zero. Nadda. But whatever. Their ship. Their choice.))

Exactly! 1976 Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight... that wasn't about dessert after lunch. ;)

Let's make a list of Dr. Hook songs.... LOL!

I'm sorry to ask, but what does this mean?

It's tradition for new ships to have a Godmother or Godfather named when they are brought into service (or built/birthed). The Escape will have the musical artist, Pitbull, as its Godfather.

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((((thumbs up)))))

<3 Pitbull!

I'm excited about the Godfather being Pitbull. My sons will be even more psyched for the Escape. They both enjoy his music. So do I!

As to how "classy" or not his lyrics may be, c'mon....my generation listened to worse. Helloooooooo.....2 Live Crew???? Once upon a time my teenagers teased that we couldn't deal with the risqué new-fangled music they listen to. Sure. Had 'em look up some of what we listened to. Risqué lyrics are not new. Pitbull & the artists of this generation didn't pioneer that. ;):p