podgeandrodge

1 minute ago, randompanzy said:

In the grand scheme of things watching it mutuple times isn't the end of the world it's only 90 Seconds long 

Not the end of the world, but would question your sanity!

15 hours ago, FlGoodShips said:

Just watch video, then check in with keycard once you board.

Its soooo much better than in person muster drills. Hope those never return.

Happy cruising.🚢

Oh I agree. But that's not the purpose of this thread, it's was why we are asked to watch it again.  And I've just received another request, similar to another poster, asking me again!

Got an email relating to my upcoming sailing giving me a YouTube link:

"As we return to sail, we are doing everything we can to make your experience truly spectacular. To that end, we are requiring all guests to re-watch the pre-boarding safety video, which you first viewed during online check-in, before you set sail. This will ensure a smooth embarkation process at the pier. "

As YouTube viewing can't be verified, what does NCL gain by asking this, when you already had to watch it for checking in?

No point in blaming Park West on this anyway. They are just a group trying to sell "art" (beauty is in the eye of the beholder 🙂 ), and are going to take the best space they can get that NCL are willing to provide. NCL made the decision to take away a popular public spot, and paid the price.

The best thing here is that NCL have written down that closing off a public space like the observation lounge is something that must be compensated for. Precedence and all that, hopefully. I'm sure people would prefer the access to remain though instead. 

Some strange decisions going on these days with NCL, what with having to make clarifications "on further investigation..." with regard to drinks, and closing off this area without thinking "this won't go down well!"

I wonder do NCL pay active attention to these boards at all or is that somewhat naive to think.

28 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Are the Senseo ones the same size? I did not get them last time as I thought the might be smaller.

Yep. I actually purchased a couple of the same  Hamilton machines for home! All good.

I find these better value than Amazon UK for Europe deliveries.

https://www.kaffee-holland.com/epages/64320518.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/64320518/Products/KP0610

12 hours ago, LGinPA said:

 

  We're in a standard balcony and was going to request a coffee-maker.  Our coffee needs to take strong and bold. (I grind beans each am and French press. )

 

How bad is the coffee from the standard makers? And do they bring half-and-half pods? 

 

If it's bad, what is our best option, the Starbucks package? 

 

Edited to add:  Ship Breakaway

Contrary to some others, I think the coffee from the Hamilton machines is quite good, certainly better than yucky Nespresso!, but their newer pods aren't as strong as they used to be. I bring my own pods "Senseo extra strong" excellent like strong filter coffee. 

Example US website (I am in Europe)

https://bestcoffeeandtea.com/products/senseo-extra-strong-coffee-pods-48-count-pads

46 minutes ago, mexicobob said:

Appreciate all of the replies and information. Would probably prefer a regular coffee maker instead of a Nespresso machine but sure we can make do. Might even learn to prefer it.

The regular coffee machines give better coffee imo.  If staying in an inside, would they give you a coffee machine if you asked?

9 hours ago, graphicguy said:

So, bottom line, the sign should say “No Drinks Served a la carte because of local regulations”.  And, if you want a drink in these ports, just get the drink package.

 

I asked in the Royal Caribbean thread and someone said "We were just in Greece last month and didn’t have any problems getting a drink in the Schooner.  We were also in Greece for 4 stops last year and no issues."

Yep agreed JK805.  Seems to be NCL specific.  But they are being potentially flippant with the truth blaming Greek regulations if they are solvable by NCL.

3 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

We were just in Greece last month and didn’t have any problems getting a drink in the Schooner.  We were also in Greece for 4 stops last year and no issues.

52 minutes ago, icsys said:

No issues last week whilst ported in Piraeus, Argostoli, Corfu or Mykonos? 

Thanks both.  No issues paying for drinks, or using beverage package?  NCL are making a distinction - package you can get a drink, but you can't pay for a drink if you don't have package.

Can you purchase drinks when in Greek ports (or drink them from your beverage package)?

People on Norwegian experiencing this problem due to "Greek laws".

Can people confirm if Royal the same?

Thanks.

Ships are floating hotels. Whatever about charging VAT on drinks in port, it's outrageous to prevent 'residents' on the ship from purchasing a drink (be it law or NCL misunderstanding).  

Are the other lines preventing purchases too in Greek ports?

50 minutes ago, steamboats said:

10% is the reduced VAT rate of Spain which applies to beverages or food. For other items like from the shops the rate is 21%. This applies to the whole cruise when it starts in a Spanish port and does not have a non EU port on the itinerary (then it´s just for the Spanish ports). It´s the same for cruises starting in Italy with no non EU port.

 

This is not a new thing but up for years now. While all other cruise line do not charge the VAT on a single beverage when you have bought a package NCL does charge it on every single beverage even when you have a package.  And yes, NCL is doing this for years too. So nothing new...

 

steamboats

What about the Epic (and maybe more) cruises that "start" in Spain, but also Rome?  If you embark in Rome do you avoid the issue, I am guessing not!

33 minutes ago, purplecow15 said:

We were on b2b Greek isle cruise last year in May and June. It was in effect at that time. No alcohol unless you had drinks package.

It seems to be the way they persist in doing it - presumably has something to do with an interpretation that tax can't be imposed on drinks already purchased via a package, but why they can't offer drinks and charge the tax is weird.

1 hour ago, BrianLo said:

I don’t know, NCL certainly seems to be telling guests DSC is in lieu of gratuities for restaurant staff, cabin stewards and back of house. Is that not what they are saying here?

 

 

It seems their position is to still tip your bar tenders and butlers… but not others covered by DSC.

My understanding years ago was that NCL and others suggested this was a simple way of not having to worry about tip envelopes etc. The wording above would have suggested to me that the charges are shared, but these references to incentive programs etc. suggest not shared perhaps that equally?  

6 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

Step 1: Call NCL

Step 2: Find out what Expedited Passports Rules are.

Step 3: Find out the closed Passport Office is and determine if you can make it there reasonably.  

 

Do all the Due Diligence before you roll the dice.  My advice only.

 

Cruise well, Enjoy every moment.

Thanks.  Obviously have already checked the expedited rules, they won't do them quick enough for simply forgetting.  No visiting to passport office either, except for appointments for urgent reasons (not missing cruises).

Step 1 - Call NCL - yep, could do that, but as I'm sure you know, you could get a multitude of different answers from different call centre staff, especially given it's likely they will be US based, and fixate on the 6 month rule for US citizens.    Notwithstanding that, I might email to see if I can get something in writing, just in case!

I do think that the official E-DOCS confirming duration of travel only, are probably as good as anything else I will get in an email to be honest, at least it is black and white and official.

14 hours ago, podgeandrodge said: 

I know that NCL having admitted to screwing up will be upsetting for you, but just try not to think about it for a day, and stay away from this thread. 

2 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

I could just as easily ask you to stay from this thread, but it's not my place to tell people whether or not to post, just as others have no right to tell me to stay away. Social media 101.

Ahh, but come on.  You selectively quoted me as saying "stay away from this thread", without completing my quote, which adopted a different tone which was lost by your omitting the last sentence 🙂 - 

" I know that NCL having admitted to screwing up will be upsetting for you, but just try not to think about it for a day, and stay away from this thread.  You'll feel better for it, promise! 🙂"

To be clear, your presence on here is delightful, and providing much needed diversion!

59 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I get so frustrated when I read these kinds of question on Social Media.  I think there is great advice on CruiseCritic.com.  I am going to try to provide some below.  However, this is a BIG issue that can literally cause huge difficulties.  CALL THE CRUISE BRAND AND BETTER YET, UPDATE YOUR PASSPORT. 

 

Why risk the possibility when all you have to do is update your passport.  I am also going to Europe.  One of the ports has confusing information about Visas.  Social media talks out of both sides of their mouth.  My solution, buy the visas.  Problem Solved.  

 

I rarely take this strong a stand but I have also been put in a place where simple decisions can create better outcomes.  Please go save vs. sorry.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

I'm "risking the possibility" because there is no time to renew, cruise in a couple of weeks.  I should have a long time ago obviously, but wasn't aware of this confusing wording - I will have to rely on the fact that European citizens can move within Europe without passport expiry limitations normally.

Here is the wording on my E-DOCS, which only refers to "valid for the duration of travel", which contradicts their website:

Europe only cruise. European. 

I'm still a tad concerned given the wording on the NCL website - as shown below (2 screenshots to give the full page, in case the top piece gives context I haven't noticed to the main bit I am worried about).

https://www.ncl.com/fr/en/freestyle-cruise/cruise-travel-documents

1 minute ago, fastpitchdad said:

 

They used to charge the corkage fee for all bottles prior to embarkation. After that you could drink them anywhere. It is pretty much the same except no corkage fee, I have no idea if they check for FAS/FAS+ or not. 

Yep, that's what I figured, makes sense.  But this new rule that you are exempt if you have FAS makes it a bit of a complicated process (showing them proof etc.?) 

5 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

This letter is not an admission of guilt, it is an apology due to the fact NCL was unable to deliver the drinks as promised. However, that was not NCL's fault, they were given insufficient time to pay a tax owed by the local authorities. IOW they didn't do anything wrong, but because of factors beyond their control, they were unable to honor the drink package and are therefore offering FCC to make up for that. 

5 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

The now-closed thread on this subject stated early on that NCL was given insufficient time to make a payment, and that's the only evidence I've seen.

 

You were shown evidence before by me and others - NCL eventually made a statemenet ""Upon further investigation, we have clarified that the beverage service is permitted aboard while the vessel is in port within the UK".   That "upon further investigation, we have clarified..." means they messed up, by error, and not becuase they didn't pay a tax.

You keep pursuing the long since debunked excuse about lack of notice about taxes, even though NCL themselves have admitted they messed up, and offered refunds.

I know that NCL having admitted to screwing up will be upsetting for you, but just try not to think about it for a day, and stay away from this thread.  You'll feel better for it, promise! 🙂

4 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

It is a somewhat recent change in policy!

Afterall, it probably benefits NCL, since they would quite likely be serving you less of their stock.

2 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

They have allowed passengers to bring wine on board for the past several years.  The recent change is that they no longer are charging a corkage fee to those who have a beverage package.

Makes sense I guess.  No package you'll be drinking yours rather than paying for theirs, package and you will be drinking yours and saving their stock!  I saw in a FAQ that the reason it's wine, and not beer, is that it's easier for the crew to identify or something dubious like that...

How does the crew identify those with/without the package on embarkation to decide whether to charge the corkage fee?  Or am i misunderstanding - but if you are in your cabin, how would there be corkage otherwise.

I recall being on some NCL cruises and they had "English/Irish" bacon i.e. back bacon ("rashers) but haven't seen them on the last 2 cruises I did....

So....my passport expires in September, and i've just read that NCL state 6 months validity required post cruise end.  Will I have an issue?  No problems travelling within Europe on this passport as Europe doesn't have a 6 month rule.  Appreciate hearing if anyone ran into this issue!  

Edit - ok, a bit less worried now, the page I read, written a bit unclearly, appears to be only for US cruises (though it also mentions EU cruises and non US citizens needing 6 months validity, I think it means if in the US).  My EDocs state:

Guests are responsible for ensuring they full all passport and visa requirements for
all countries visited during the cruise and when travelling to and from the port of
embarkation/disembarkation. Please also make sure to comply with current
vaccination requirements. At the check-in, EU citizens need to present a full epassport valid for the duration of travel.