genealogyfan

That isn't true. On my sailing on the Epic in April, I was able to reserve multiple days at the Taste, a couple days at the Manhattan and even two separate reservations for Le Bistro - all ahead of time.

I took a paid Behind the Scenes Tour on the Epic last month (April). I booked it the day we boarded. I didn't notice if it had been available online. I would suggest checking with the excursion desk when you board and see if you can book a tour There were at least two paid behind the scenes tours available. The crew told a couple who arrived with open toed sandals they needed to put on closed toe shoes (they whined and complained at first, claiming they weren't told, until both the crew and others pointed out the warning on their ticket), They got back in time to start the tour. They don't make exceptions for those who pay for the tour. Our tour was just over 2 hours, and we saw the engineering room and the bridge along with other stops.

I agree with the poster above, why do you think it's unreasonable for NCL not to extend the FCC by 2 days, but it's not unreasonable for you to book a cruise within the timeframe? If they extend yours by 2 days, then what about the person who asks for an extension by 4 days, 8 days, 12 days, 30 days, 40 days. When does it end? You asked (can't hurt to ask), they said no, so figure out a cruise that leaves within the timeframe.

I was able to make reservations on the Epic before an April sailing.

Don't worry, you had a valid question. I understand the confusion, especially if you have never cruised before. It does look confusing and that you are only allowed to leave during that hour and not later.

Yes, but go right away to the location of dining reservations and make your reservations when you board. I was told by an NCL worker on the phone they only make 20% of dining reservations available before boarding, but I have read on this board others have been given different percentages.

Just make a reservation for 4, they will adjust when you arrive at the restaurant.

I received luggage tags for my cruise in April.

In regards to starting some excursions early, they might have to schedule around other ships in port or other excursion schedules. It also might be so they can schedule the same excursionslater in the day if the morning ones sell out. On a recent beach excursion our group started early in the morning and we were told the next group was coming about 1/2 hour before we were supposed to leave venue.

In the United States, we have Labor day too and most touristy areas and places with alot of tourists open retail stores and restaurants, etc to attract tourists and their money on Labor Day. As I said I think it was extremely poor planning on the city of Sydney, as they lost so much potential money lrom the ship passengers and crew that day. Also poor planning on Norwegian too.

I was amazed at all the passengers who weren't informed and didn't read the fine print. There were alot of complaints on the message boards.

No, don't do it. I remember last year when my friend and I took a cruise to Quebec City, I read most people who booked NCL air were routed in/out of Montreal. Then they had to take the bus to Quebec City. Some took a train. Fortunately we booked our own flight from Quebec City. Alot of people on these message boards didn't read the fine print about an airport within a certain amount of miles away (or something similar) and had no idea they would be routed to/from Montreal and weren't happy. Here's a link after I did a quick search about NCL booked flights to/from Montreal for a cruise in Quebec City. Also if you can avoid Air Canada at all cost, they are a horrible airline, with horrible customer service.

Avoid the excursion "Discover the Fjord Secrets". We took the one with Norwegian. I'm sure other ships have similar one - the description was "Your journey will take you along the shores of Ste. Rose du Nord, the jewel of the Saguenay and one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Quebec. This charming little hamlet is nestled on the shores of the Saguenay River and surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Your cruise ends at the charming village of L’Anse St-Jean where you’ll have some free time to explore this little village. " It as a waste, because the small boat takes you on the exact same direction and scenery in which your ship will arrive and depart. You will see the same scenery for free from the ship. Then it drops you at this town, with one very small place for lunch. With this excursion, half the group took the bus to the small town and then the boat to the pier, and the other half took the boat first and then the bus. Picture both groups arriving in the same small town at the same time. One restaurant (not that large) and one small gift shop and that is pretty much it. There wasn't time for everyone to even get something to eat.

Thank you for being responsible. I'm sure the other passengers and crew appreciate people like you who still take Covid seriously and don't want to risk others. I hope you recover quickly and are able to rebook another trip/cruise in the future.

I know alot of people who test themselves, including me. When you are around high risk people or you have symptoms, many people will take a covid test.

I was just giving the OP the knowledge that the road to Seward is a 2 lane road and there are no other road options to get to Seward. Things happen. I don't see the need to trot out "delays at point of departure, luggage issues, transfer to port, etc."

I know people who live in that area. They have told me in the past where if there is an accident, the road could be shut down (like for hours and hours). It has happened in the past. Many people may not realize there is only a 2 late road to Seward from Anchorage. There aren't any alternative roads to get to Seward. I wanted to make the OP aware of the road going to Seward. You never know what could happen. Adding an extra day buffer on the day of departure is just a smart thing to do.

Another reason to convince that you need to arrive in Seward at least the day before, the road from Anchorage to Seward is a 2 lane road. If your option is via car or bus, there is always a chance there might be an accident on that road and it might be shut it down and who knows for how long. There aren't any other roads to Seward. Also a chance that maybe the train might have an issue. I would look into booking your own flights and seeing about booking your own transfer to Seward the day before your cruise departs. You don't want to take the chance and miss your departure.

Before you allow NCL to book your flights, look at all the reviews on this forum. I've read many many horror stories about it. Personally I have tried a couple travel agents on other trips (didn't use them because they had no clue what they were doing and were useless). I also don't need a personal cruise consultant when I can book exactly what I want directly online. Once I specifically called my PCC at the time to book another cruise and he acted like he didn't want to be bothered. Anytime I book a cruise, a different PCC contacts me to follow up. I would rather have the control of booking directly with the airline for my flights, if I mess up it's on me. Now if you aren't good booking travel yourself, then a good travel agent would be the better choice.

Platinum also includes 2 free specialty dining options. It includes more than just free laundry. Here are the benefits you get with each reward level on NCL https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program

Norwegian also has ships that dock at Amber Cove. When I was on the NCL Epic, we docked at Amber Cove. Norwegian had another ship dock at the other location that day.

I would suggest looking at the tour company "We Hate Tourism Tours", I used them for a tour to Sintra and other places and it was great and very interesting. https://www.wehatetourismtours.com/lisbon-tours/

Some of the OP's expectations are just unreasonable for a cruise line with thousands of people, not that their expectations are too low. For example: My cabin should be ready and my bag in my cabin at a decent time, room ready by 1:30 and bags by 2:00pm. **We aren't the only passengers on a cruise ship, and hotels even aren't guaranteed to check in usually before 4pm. The food in specialty restaurants should be top notch. The same with service. The server should be asking if we have plans after dinner that would effect speed of service. If we have a show to get to, that should be kept in mind. On the flip side, if we have no where to go, don't rush us out the door. **The restaurants aren't 5 diamond restaurants, they are cruise ship restaurants on a large institution. Yes, specialty restaurant food can be very good, but don't expect Michelin rated food. Also the wait staff doesn't have time to ask everyone their specific schedule, remember that schedule and serve them accordingly. If a passenger says they need to be out by 7pm, then ok. Where do you expect the wait staff to keep thousand's of people's schedules to service them at a certain speed for a meal? Cabins should be made up as early as possible each day, if I'm still in my cabin, take note and come back, but don't come back at 4:00. **Again you aren't the only passenger. Do you really expect each cabin steward to know every person's schedule and work around their schedule? On sea days, breakfast should be served until 11:00am or better yet, serve brunch in the main dinning rooms until 2:00 pm. I shouldn't have to get up early on a sea day just to eat breakfast. ***Again, you aren't the only passenger on a cruise ship, nobody has the same schedule. Debarkation should be as quick or as slow as I the passenger want it to be. I have an early, flight, let me off earlier upon a showing of proof. **Again you aren't the only passenger on the cruise ship. Cabins have to be stripped down with bedding and replaced, sanitized, cleaned etc before the next set of new passengers who demand their cabins be done by 1:30pm be ready. If you don't want to leave until 2pm, how is that going to be for the passenger who demands their cabin be done by 1:30pm.

Sounds like you should sail on a private ship with just you and your family. Several of your expectations are unreasonable on a large cruise line, large institution with thousands of others on the ship.

Thanks for the review. As I say, everyone will have a different opinion about the same things, same sailing, same ship etc. Doesn't make them wrong or right. Sorry to hear about all your issues. Good you tried Norwegian, but sorry to hear it wasn't great. At least you tried another cruiseline.