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We are sailing on the Riviera on January 14th.  We just received an email wherein Oceania announced they are cutting four of the six port stays by one hour.  They say:

"Our company is committed to driving a positive impact on society and the environment. As part of our global sustainability program, Sail & Sustain, we are continually seeking opportunities to reduce our overall carbon footprint, and recently committed to pursuing net zero greenhouse gas emissions across our operations and value chain by 2050.

To support this mission, we have optimized our arrival and departure times. This revision will not impact any shore excursion operations. We appreciate your understanding and support on this important sustainability initiative."

Does anyone have any information concerning whether it is truly an environmental decision or if it is PR to conceal a problem?

Thanks folks!   

We are sailing on Oasis in July and have opted for the UDP.  I understand that Royal makes a courtesy reservation for you for the first night.  When and where do you go to make the reservations for the remaining 6 nights?  

The package also includes lunches on sea days.  When and where do you make those reservations?

Thanks,

Eric

Thank you.  I will check this out.  

I am trying to decide if my wife and I should sign up fo the Unlimited Dining Package on our upcoing Oasis OTS cruise.  The cruise has three sea days.  I reviewed what I could find online and have the following questions?

Are Vintages and sushi at Izumi the only a la carte restaurants? 

Can you have a reasonable dinner at the a la carte restaurants excluding beverages?

Does the $10 surcharge at Teppanyaki/Izumi Hibachi mean that the total cost of a meal excluding beverages with the UDP is $10?

Are the full cost of dinner excluding beverages at Giovanni's Table, 150 Central Park & Chops included in the UDP?

What is the deal with Johnny Rockets on the UDP?

Thank you.

Eric

Thanks everyone.  I appreciate the answers.  

I am 4 weeks out from my cruise and I am having a problem with the Online Check In.  Specifically with Section 7 entitled Health & Safety.  I have uploaded a picture, checked the vaccination box and filled in the requested information yet the section won't get the green check mark.  My phone number and email show as verified so I think there may be some problem with the picture.  I spoke with NCL about a month ago and they told me that Section 7 cannot be completed until there are 31 or fewer days until the cruise but that is not the case for me.  

Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone for all your helpful replies.  We have investigated airfares ourselves and think we will just book our own flights. I liked having transfers included but I think having control over the flights is more important.  

My wife and I  just booked a cruise on Oceania from Haifa to Civitavecchia.  We are currently taking their included airfare.  However we would prefer not to have connections.  Oceania cannot guarantee non-stops.  I would like to hear from Oceania cruisers who have flown between JFK and Europe and/or Israel, if they were given non-stop flights and if the flight times were at reasonable hours.   

Thank you in advance for any advice you can give.  

Eric

On 11/7/2019 at 4:13 PM, The Wanderer_112358 said:

I wish that NCL would build a ship with no water slide, no climbing wall, fewer dining rooms and more lower priced cabins.  I think that people would flock to it.

  They do, it is called the Spirit.  

Soda is not allowed. Period.  However, I have been allowed to bring a single bottle on at times.  Water as well.  It is really up to person checking.  I doubt they would let you bring a six pack or a carton at any time.  

I am definitely in the minority here.  I appreciate everyone's comments.  You all have altered my opinion.  I will enjoy the show on future cruises understanding that this is how the majority of cruisers feel.  However, I am still not paying for my requests! 😉

I just got off the Escape and had a wonderful cruise.  However, I had an issue with the piano players doing the Howl at the Moon Show and wanted to see if I am over reacting or others feel as I do. 

I was very surprised to see guests paying to have their song requests performed next.  I was offended by the multiple times the two pianists solicited the audience to pay them up to $30.00 so that they would immediately play their requested song.  I understand they work hard and I am happy to tip them for their efforts but frankly this "pay for play" soliciting was offensive.  

Do you agree?

Eric

I had asked this very question and was told no by NCL.  It is true you may get a different answer from the airline.  The problem in asking the specific airline is that they currently use three airlines and you won't know for sure until you are booked with a specific airline.  Therefore you must commit before you know if you can upgrade.  

I had this same issue when I booked the Escape in September.  The website says I have the  Ultimate Beverage Package but my Confirmation and Amenities Sheet both say Premium Beverage Package.  You should check your confirmation and Amenities sheet sent to you.  

It is really the little things that add up to make the Haven so enjoyable. The free movies, the snacks in your room, the Restaurant Maitre’d remembering your name, the attentive service in the restaurant and throughout. I had a problem with my   internet minutes and I went to the Internet Cafe to fix it where I was faced with a line of 6 to 8 people ahead of me. Instead of waiting,  I went back to the Haven and asked the Concierge to take care of it and he did.  I remember on one of my non-Haven cruises waiting in hot weather to get back onto the ship. The NCL attendants came by and pulled the Haven people off the line and got them aboard. 

I believe that Norwegian wants their Haven guests to be as stress free a possible and they do a wonderful job of delivering. You can have a wonderful cruise not being in the Haven and I still do, but when I can swing the Haven, I’ll always take it. 

6 hours ago, GA Dave said:

For us, the Haven feels like an exclusive resort within the ship.  The staff is absolutely amazing.  The food in the Haven restaurant is better than all of the specialty restaurants IMHO.  The sense of relaxation and seclusion we feel when we walk through that door into the Haven is well worth it for us.

I absolutely agree with you Dave on all your points.  We bid up to the Haven on a Baltic cruise as a splurge.  We didn't realize what a difference the Haven makes. It felt like an entirely different experience.  It is truly relaxing with none of the hustle and bustle of jockeying around with 4,000 other guests.  I am comfortable spending up to $3,000.00 per person for the Haven.  I see people saying the Haven isn't worth it and I am sure to them it isn't.  We all make our choices of what we want on a cruise.  

Taking this cruise in June on the Star.  Keep the information coming.  Thanks to all.

Wow, very nice review.  Your ability to point out the good and the bad goes a long way in the credibility department.  I am cruising on the Star in June and will keep your review in mind.  Thank you for taking the time to write this.

Eric

3 hours ago, Nola26 said:

You can absolutely upgrade seats with the NCL air. Because airlines charge for seats we get to select our own. Delta is great about Medallion upgrades and that policy will apply. I get complimentary upgrades, even on a miles ticket.

 

OP call Delta if you have specific questions. 

Nola may be right  however I spoke to NCL about upgrading seats on a flight they booked on Wednesday of this week and was told by NCL hat while you can change the seats you will lose the NCL discount and have to pay the full amount for the seat.  I would ask Delta directly because I have been given incorrect answers on several occasions by NCL reps.  

Eric

Are you going to take NCL excursions?  If you do then $50 a port can add up to $250 or $300 in saving which is more than the WiFi package which would cost you $105 for 240 minutes.  If you are doing private excursions or self guided explorations then take the WiFi.  

I have never taken their air fare.  You are restricted to their choice of flight and seats.  You also cannot upgrade the seats.  I would rather pay more and control my flights.  

Regardless of what you choose, you should have a wonderful time on an amazing cruise!

Eric

Congrats on finding a more enjoyable way to cruise that costs you less and allows you to cruise more often. I think it is great that NCL offers so many different ways to enjoy your cruise based upon your own personal tastes.  

Yes but I prefer being in the Haven or an aft balcony.  Being in the Haven, all the Haven amenities are right there and the aft balcony is so large and has a great view.  My least favorite would be the Spa cabins since they are smaller and are not carpeted as far as I can tell.  

I recently got off a cruise with a guest who had specific dietary restrictions. (no butter and no salt)  He was asked to let the dining staff know 24 hours in advance where he would be eating.  He was told the menu for the next night at dinner and he gave his order and how he wanted it cooked.  His dinner would be ready for him the next night.  

I am really enjoying your posts and your great pictures.  You are posting lots of useful information.  My wife and I are in the Bliss Haven at the end of January.  I hope we get Lanie too!   Thanks for taking the time to do this.  I am looking forward to your upcoming posts!

Eric