chillyw

1 hour ago, MtnGolf4 said:

Leaving for the Mexican Riviera this November on the Bliss. Looking to get a little better insurance policy than what NCL offers. There are so many companies offering policies. 

Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with the top list companies?

Thanks 

I haven't had to use insurance (except the one time my bag was lost on the way to Alaska, and Chase's insurance partner rejected it for using points, even though that's covered by their terms, and Chase is no freaking help ever... but I digress).

I will say, I've done a lot of shopping for insurance.  I've landed on doing a combination of GeoBlue Medical, and depending on the cost of the trip and whether I want to self-insure it or get CFAR (cancel for any reason), I actually buy NCL's.

My reasoning:

- I do a year long insurance plan with GeoBlue, but you can do a one-trip too.  It's very inexpensive for what you get.  It's a primarily healthcare plan with high limits and is a primary payer, so you don't have to submit to yours first.  Stories I've read indicate really positive experiences with claims.  They do require a medical insurance plan to use them, and don't offer a lot of travel benefits.

- If I want to insure the cost of my trip (for me, I have a threshold amount of $s that make this worth it), I like NCL's platinum.  The limits are low for medical, so I'd never just get it by itself, but I love their CFAR.

Most CFAR coverage is very expensive, and only offers 75% cash on any penalty.  NCL's offers 90% on the penalty as FCC.  If you aren't going to sail NCL again, obviously a bad idea, but my intention usually is to do it again. 🙂 It's also very reasonable for CFAR since it's based on the price of the cabin, and there's no "you need to book within 14 days" type thing for CFAR, you can book up to final payment.

The downside obviously is you get it in FCC and not cash.  NCL self-insures that part and assumes they can re-sell the cabin x% of the time so that's part of the reason it's cheap and actually offers 90% CFAR.

Hope this helps!

8 hours ago, drumming cruisers said:

And when you get to your cabin you have to watch it again on your tv, before you can change the channel. 🤣😁

I wish they'd just lock my TV on that channel to be honest.  Love those 7 short blasts followed by one long blast.

3 hours ago, frayedend said:

@omahabob, thanks!  It was really a lighthearted gripe post.  I wasn't really that upset, just making a point and engaging folks on here because, well, that's why we read message boards.

 

@MoCruiseFan Thanks so much.  I didn't know about that feature. Now to delete the eleventy billion emails in my inbox.  Appreciate it.

Some people in this thread took it way too seriously 😂

4 hours ago, omahabob said:

I had to watch it all the way through to the end. It wouldn't allow me to fast forward. I can't remember if there was some kind of acknowledgement at the end. It kept sending emails to my wife, because she hadn't yet watched it. Don't think either of us got more than three messages. This was part of online check-in, mind you. Watching it outside of check-in won't stop the messages.

I watched it during check in a couple weeks ago and I got more of the emails today. Doesn't stop it for me.

1 minute ago, omahabob said:

7 times in 2 days?

Yep, happened to me back then too. Ever since they started the new safety process.

15 minutes ago, omahabob said:

This is almost certainly related to the web site issues they're experiencing.

Idk, I've gotten lots of emails when checking in ever since they switched, even during times when their website was fine a couple years ago

My Inbox right now:

Important Information: Norwegian Cruise Line Pre-Boarding Safety Video

40 minutes ago, Erekosse said:

We sailed on May 14. We were able to book Choir of Man prior to boarding but not any of the other shows.

I've been able to book Choir of Man for this weekend

55 minutes ago, jackieodonnell said:

You can bring a hair dryer or curling iron or hair straightener. I suggest bringing a surge protector. Usually my own hair dryer pops the circuit and I just give in and use theirs but if you put it in a surge protector it may work. Just weaker than at home. 

Surge protectors are banned on cruises because they're a fire risk. I certainly wouldn't bring one.

A surge protector only is designed to kill circuits with one hot wire in normal wiring, but on a ship both sides are hot, including the normal neutral wire. This can cause them to malfunction and overload / start fires.

8 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Email or phoning the concierge will work.  I call them and have found them very helpful.

 

Luggage tags…..if you don’t receive them, the porters at the pier will fill out some for you when you give them your cabin number.

In addition, can always use the ones from the eDocs

1 hour ago, knscruiser322 said:

Wondering why I haven't received my luggage tags or Haven letter yet. Does it have to do with me upgrading a few weeks ago rather than having Haven in my original booking?

 

My sailing is in July.

I upgraded a little before my sailing once and never got them.

Makes sense, thanks for the clarification!

3 minutes ago, ashkay16 said:

Quick question . Just received luggage tags and Haven letter for 7/30 cruise on the Joy .  Should i call or email concierge with requests ( obviously response time not important since 5 weeks away )  thanks in advance 

Email has worked fine in my experience.

16 minutes ago, SakeDad said:

Odd...the letter I saw posted for this week's cruise leaves at 4 AM, meaning they have a sea day before Reykjavik. 

My mother-in-law is on this week's cruise and said they have an overnight in Akureyri. Definitely weird

@chengkp75 You got me curious and I ended up on a thread about an earth sheet from 10 years ago where you explained how cruise ship electrical systems work. Thanks for the education!

3 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Anyone have any recent pics of the Epic Haven since they recently refurbished it?  Further, anyone have any pics or recommendations on the Haven boarding area in Marseille?

 

TIA!

There's some YouTube videos with walkthroughs of the refurb Haven area.  I stayed in a 2-BR about 9 months ago and it was accurate.

18 minutes ago, Phzx90 said:

Just looked at the Isafjordur port schedule site

 

Yesterday, the calendar view still showed Prima in port, on the 4th and 7th.  Don’t see any dates until late July now. Interestingly, the table below the calendar hasn’t been updated yet. 

That's the next time Prima would attempt it right? 10-day reverse, it'll take a while to get back there. Let's hope it's successful this time!

1 minute ago, ontheweb said:

I hope you are right as we are on the August 6th sailing with this port near the end and do have what we hope will be a fine private excursion booked.

I'm on the sailing right after you out of Reykjavik, let's hope it opens this month and we get word before our trips!

I do think there's a possibility now that construction is close to done and they're in a wait and see mode, but agree with everyone on the sailings before this.

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@Daniel A

Yet there is another alternative that is available.  But with all changes there is pro/cons.  The "Haven on Steroids" concept. This is the more premium-plus to luxury brands where once you leave your cabin, everyone is treated the same.  Access to all aspects of the ship, amenities outside the cabin, specialty restaurants, sauna/steam rooms/thermal spa.  Little to know difference outside the cabin.  Much less children onboard. What you give up is that the mega ship.  The ships tend to be smaller with much less guests.  No go-carts on these ships.  The entertainment is much more basic with no Broadway reviews.  The nature of this kind of cruising is an older crowd with a much more port intensive itinerary.  Let's say on day two of this cruise, these is no "Mr. Sexy Legs" competition by the pool. Dining and personalized service is a key to these kind of cruises. Yet everyone is treated like a Haven guest. 

I've been considering doing an Oceania trip, especially because some of the itineraries go to more interesting places then the Haven, and it can end up cheaper.

I want good food and drinks, service, interesting ports, and a friendly group on ship. I don't really care about age difference, so I'm thinking it might be a good fit!

I asked Google Bard (Google's generative AI) about the Prima, and it looks like the crowding complaints have it's attention 😆

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

So, Princess forgoes allowing casino to operate because of the hassle of the hassle.  So, what are the laws in Italy?  This doesn’t sound unique to NCL if Princess GM makes this statement.  And, it’s a general observation, not specific to Italy or NCL!

 

I sailed MSC Divina in the Mediterranean.  Casino was never open when we were docked or near any of the ports in Italy, Spain or France!  They are based in Europe.  So, probably have a good handle on casino laws in the area!

Glad you understand!

You're exactly right that is not unique to NCL. I never said it was. I also was replying in generalities instead of specifically about Italy.  And the post I replied to was talking in generalities as well, referring to Bermuda and other countries.

As a reminder, in the post you replied to originally, I said this:

"Typically this is due to taxes / fees in the locality they're in. That to me means it is an NCL decision."

This is no different then Princess looking at regulations and taxes and deciding it's not worth it for them. Each cruise line controls if they want to deal with it or not, and then makes their own choice.

Princess and MSC get to decide if they want to deal with taxes and regulations or just close too. One of them could make a different decision if it made sense for them. It's not God or the King forcing them all to behave the same way.

24 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

OK…it says this….

 

 

“Cruise ship casinos have to stop operations when in port because of the laws and regulations that govern gambling.

In many countries, it is illegal for a cruise ship casino to operate while docked at a port.

This is due to concerns about potential criminal activity associated with gambling on board ships, as well as worries about the impact of such activities on local economies.

Additionally, some ports may require additional licensing or permits for cruise ships offering gaming services while in their waters.

As such, most cruise lines choose to err on the side of caution and suspend all gaming activities until they are back out at sea again.”

 

So, the cruise lines operating casinos (and on board shops) find it’s illegal to operate in that country’s waters or in port.  Some ports need additional licensing, so cruise lines suspend operations to err on the side of caution.

 

Cruise lines make money on their casinos.  If they could, they would open.  To somehow state that NCL, or any cruise line, can open their casinos in port/countries territorial waters,  makes zero sense!

That wasn't the answer by the GM on Princess, that was a random person. 

The post you wanted was this one:

There certainly are countries that don't permit it (like the Cayman islands, or Hawaii with a Hawaiian flagged ship like the Pride of America), but that's usually not the case.  It's a matter of the taxes, fees, and/or timing causing them to make a business decision not to open.

48 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Which local tax/fees are keeping NCL from opening their casino?  

They generally have to pay a gaming tax based on whatever territory they're in to that country or locale.

If you don't believe me, check out the answer on Quora from a GM on Princess Cruises:

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-cruise-ship-casinos-have-to-stop-operations-when-in-port

It's true. My Mediterranean on the Epic last year had casino only in USD. I had gotten a bunch of euros out and had to exchange them at the cashier.