TexasTraveler18

Just returned from NCL Getaway Aug 8-17/23. We were excited to have 3 stops in Spain - Bilbao, La Coruna and Vigo. We chose Spain Day Tours (SDT) based on reviews here on CC. They did not disappoint!!! We prefer private tours mainly to control size of group - which ultimately means you hear better, see more and almost alway save money. Our only concern was getting enough people to confirm each tour. We simply also booked excursions through NCL that we cancelled as each SDT tour was confirmed so we had no real risk. SDT is a family run business so customer satisfaction makes or breaks them. They were on top of pick up from the ports, had AMAZING guides who were passionate about their cities (our Bilbao guide was the BEST guide we have had in 35 years of cruising and touring) and we never sweated for 1 minute about the ability to get back on time. The transportation was very clean, looked new and very comfortable (reclining seats, foot rests, seatbelts and a microphone that ensured we heard everything easily no matter where we sat.) So from personal experience I can easily recommend this private tour company for port calls in Spain - and I would not hesitate to use them in any city they provide services in. Thank you SDT for making our Spanish ports of call so wonderful!

Thanks so much!

Hi, Can you share where you go to book the entertainment once onboard. TIA

This is great! Please let us know what email address you used. I would LOVE an opportunity to share my feelings with them 😜...over and over until it gets resolved. I also just check and I can upgrade my package for $29/day plus gratuities. When you add it to your basket, it tells you a total which when divided by $29 comes to 9 days of beverage service one for each day of my cruise....so they are still knowingly charging for a service they can't provide as we sail out of Southampton and have 3 days in Spain. It is one thing if something "comes up unexpectedly" - thinking weather and itinerary changes, but can someone tell me how this isn't theft?

I do like this idea but I am in Texas and think local media won't care that much about a foreign registered company.

Please post on this thread if you learn anything. Thanks!

I am getting really frustrated reading all this (eyes are not rolling but steam is coming out of my ears - I bet his wife can't do that😂) I will be so unhappy to get onboard to find out my cruise (embarking in Southampton and then doing the western coast of EU, including 3 stops in Spain) will be dry those days while in port. I also don't think I should have to purchase and bring on wine when I have already paid for this service. Btw, obviously NCL is not only saving on the "taxes" they are not paying to HMRC and other port authorities but also saving on the alcohol/wine/beer they are not serving on those days - a hefty savings I would say and then add back in the money they have already collected in gratuities...so their mistake/oversight/incompetence results in $$$ in their coffers. It should go without saying but they need to weigh that against people who will make other cruise line decisions. Many will - without notice or fanfare. So shortsighted in a customer SERVICE industry. So, does anyone have a brilliant idea for what we can do ahead of time to let NCL know of our advanced knowledge of the situation and disapproval? Social media posts, chat on the NCL site, customer service calls? I feel I need to try to do or say something and maybe if a lot of us do that we can help fix the issue for everyone's upcoming sailings.

Well I am almost afraid to add to this post 😬 but does anyone know if this is a company wide fee (meaning 1 NCL license that has to be paid that covers all ships for every cruise that season) or is it ship specific (each ship has to pay the fee for each cruise of the season?). Asking this because I would assume that since is more than 2 days that NCL has had the "opportunity" to pay and Bazz100 is still experiencing this today I wonder if the ship has decided not to pay the fee for this entire sailing of this ship ....should I be worried about sailing August 8 out of Southhampton on the Getaway? Also mentioned is the possibility of it being a ship in port for the first time that season that causes the issue. As I don't have the time (or desire for that matter) to research if my ship has a sailing in that port before I get there...does anyone have an email address for the finance department where I could warn/remind them to pay the license fee, months in advance, so I am able to enjoy a beverage (for which I've paid the gratuities on already) when I embark? 😇

As a quick reminder, once your chat is complete always save the transcript. I had a "difference of opinion" about a promotion we knew we had. Was told I was absolutely incorrect and nothing could be done....until I produced the chat transcript and immediately our differences melted away and it was resolved.

Hi - interesting review...can I ask if Ocean Blue always has a filet mignon? We have 1 non seafood person and didn't see that on a menu someone else posted. Thanks,

Question for you experienced Vibe pass people. Does getting a cabana help with the wind issue? I know sometimes, on the top deck, nothing helps. Going to be on the Getaway in Northern Europe in August and am a bit concerned it could be too cool/windy. Appreciate any thoughts/experiences you can share. Happy Cruising 😎