kylenyc

14 hours ago, renji said:

Now that is a brilliant, if fictional, quarantine policy!  Maybe someone in cruise ship admin will copy you 😊

3rd class passengers should remain below deck behind locked gates. 1st class passengers should be accompanied by a string quartet to the very end.

Sorry... couldn't help it.

2 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

School break for the tri-state area, so there were kids of all ages (6 - 18). We did see a few college students that appeared to be on spring break, but not many. 4/17 was Easter, so mainly families. I'd say the older someone was, the more likely they were to wear a mask. When kids were with their parents it also looked like they had their masks on (the under 12 crowd), but when parents weren't around, masks weren't around. 

 

Masks were required in the terminal upon embarkation - this was not adhered to, nor enforced by anyone, including at the security check. 

 

You mention staying 6 feet from people while in line, however the check-in for Bermuda documentation used the back and forth style of webbing so you would always be within 3 feet (or closer) of someone else. It was simply not possible to social distance in any meaningful way. 

 

We stayed negative on our trip so it can be done through luck and a bit of carefulness. 

Thanks a lot! I'll be more careful with planning around holidays. I narrowly missed your experience with school break. I'll be reading CC experiences with cruises during summer recess too.

On 5/16/2022 at 9:33 AM, cruiseny4life said:

My husband and I sailed on 4/17 from NYC on the Getaway to Bermuda. You know, the one where people waited in line for up to eight hours to embark. I'm sure a few instances of COVID/flu transmission occurred while everyone waited in this line as there was no social distancing and it seemed that only my husband and I wore a mask. We got lucky and embarked in just three hours (feels really weird to say we were lucky). This was one of the first cruises that was at over 100% capacity due to school breaks, so we probably got a glimpse of what full ship cruising will be like. 

 

When we got on the ship we were amongst the masses that pretended COVID didn't exist. 95% of cruisers didn't wear masks. That percentage may be even higher! Masks, on passengers, were virtually non-existent. I will admit to being one of those. At this point, we are both triple vaccinated. At the time I worked in a school and was around COVID every single day as I was the director of the school so went to the nurse's office almost every time we had a student test positive for COVID. 

 

I've taken the position that I'm going to get COVID. I don't know when, where, or how, nor will I ever really know the details of how the transmission occurs. I'm a fat diabetic so am immunocompromised - I'm hoping the vaccines will aid me when I do get COVID! 

 

When we were in Bermuda, masks were required on public transportation, including NCL's free ferry and buses. I wrote a review on this forum where I mentioned that I forgot to put my mask on when getting on one of the Bermuda buses. No one reminded me, but I did hastily put it on when I looked around and realized I was the only one not wearing it. I truly forgot, wasn't trying to be an arrogant American with an attitude. 

 

We feel that we did take some precautions on the ship. We did not attend any shows. We did participate in the CC slot pulls and were unmasked during this time. Also, spent a little extra cash in the casino and were unmasked. We only used the elevators 3 or 4 times the entire week. Twice we were smashed in with a lot of people. I don't believe the ten or so had a mask on (we didn't). 

 

Most days we were in the thermal suite with limited numbers of other guests (except the first day when it was crazy) and spent considerable time in the Haven Courtyard and Restaurant. Honestly, the Haven made this trip feel safer. Also, our meal times were early so Cagney's and Teppanyaki were not full. We then retreated to our balcony or the thermal suite. 

 

There were plenty of occasions for transmission if you spent considerable time in public spaces, waiting in line, participating in trivia, or shows, etc. Thankfully we did not get COVID, however many people reported they got COVID on social after the cruise. There was also some other type of respiratory bug going around (maybe the flu) that was reported. 

 

I say all this just to give you an idea of what it was like on a fully booked cruise. Best wishes as you make the right decision for you. As for my husband and I, it's going to be a year or so until we venture onto a cruise ship again. We'll be going camping, hiking, and fixing up our new house. 

 

To many happy voyages!

>> "there was no social distancing and it seemed that only my husband and I wore a mask. We got lucky and embarked in just three hours (feels really weird to say we were lucky). This was one of the first cruises that was at over 100% capacity due to school breaks, so we probably got a glimpse of what full ship cruising will be like. "

So this was a holiday week? Could you describe the ages of the people not wearing masks? Mostly teens and 20-something spring breakers?

I've been on several cruises out of NYC and my experience every time has been nearly 100% mask compliance while waiting on the security and check-in lines. That is nearly 100% wearing masks. I don't mean they are wearing good masks or wearing them properly.  Then over 95% not wearing a mask onboard indoors.

Your experience with check-in during on a holiday week is so drastically different, makes me want to be extra careful not to book during holidays.

On 5/14/2022 at 10:54 AM, KateQ22003 said:

I am on oral chemo as well; my oncologist is against the idea of a cruise but knows it's ultimately my decision how much risk I am willing to take. She is suggesting an antibody infusion for me; not sure I want to go this route as it only has emergency FDA approval. Right now I am leaning towards canceling, but will wait a few more weeks and watch what's going on in the Northeast. I'm really more afraid of the Boston cruiseport than I am of the ship!

I agree here. Waiting in the crowded lines at security and check-in is one of the higher risk situations for those of taking every precaution. I credit N95 masks (not KN95) from protecting me here after several cruises out of NYC. I try to pace myself in line so that I'm not standing next to folks to the left or right who are doing a lot of animated talking or improperly wearing masks (I rarely need to). I stay 6 feet back from the person in front me. I drag a carry on behind me to keep the folks behind me a few feet further away.

When a security, port, or check-in agent pulls down their mask to talk, take a step back. These individuals interact with the most people. Likewise onboard, watch out for guest services personnel doing it. 

2 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

 It's apparent to anyone paying attention that covid is onboard nearly every single cruise ship sailing today, and thus one should expect disruptions to service, itinerary, entertainment, etc... Consumers should know this before stepping onboard. 

 

Not being allowed to disembark in Zeebruges is not "serious long term harm". It's a bummer. But not harmful. 

Do you have any insight into long COVID? Long Covid symptoms such as shortness of breath, brain fog, and chronic fatigue, may be mild to some and "serious" to others.

The US GAO estimates a range of 2% to 7% of the US population have developed long Covid. This is consistent with a February UK ONS report that 2% of people in UK have long Covid. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed in the UK report said long Covid limited their daily activities. In a May report, the likelihood of long Covid actually increased among patients who caught the Omicron BA.2 verses patients who caught the Omicron BA.1 variants.

Re: Comorbidity: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston says the number-one predictor of having a severe case of the disease is age followed by comorbidity and immunocompromised status, Using data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they estimate that even vaccine-boosted people ages 50 to 64 are more than 10 times more likely to die from a severe breakthrough case than 18- to 49-year-olds with the same vaccination status.

5 hours ago, tracylp6178 said:

I am also a current cancer patient on oral "chemo" my onc said as long as I use caution, mask and sanitize she is ok with me going.  I will admit I'm getting a little nervous with the rising cases. I did just get my 2nd booster in hopes this will help. But I am in desperate need of a vacation

I would wear a true N95 mask and wear it properly. The Honeywell DF300 N95 mask is an improvement over the KN95s. They wrap around the back of head instead of tug painfully on the ears. They are much more comfortable and have foam around the nose for an optimal seal. They are less than a dollar a piece on Amazon. They look nearly identical to the typical KN95 mask. They fit more comfortably and are more durable than the common 3M N95 mask with rubber elastic that breaks after a few uses and create an uncomfortable seal around the face (that most people don't wear these days anyway).

I would avoid crowded indoor venues and maintain social distance even when wearing a mask, and be selective of who you let into your bubble.  I don't get into crowded elevators. Although I'm the 1% of people who bother to wear a mask, everyone I encounter is polite and doesn't give me any strange looks. I try to take all possible precautions even thought it may not be everyone's idea of a perfect vacation. Even so, it doesn't eliminate all risk but it does reduce it to a degree I'm almost comfortable with. At least I'll have an almost clear conscience that I've  done everything I can to avoid catching it and spreading it to others in my family.

I've been on a few NCL cruises out of New York in the past year and have not caught COVID. Catching it would mean I would not be able to visit and care for my immuno-compromised mother upon my return. At least 9 out of 10 passenger on Joy out of Bermuda May 1, 2022 do not wear a mask and if they do, most are wearing cloth or surgical masks. While crew member are required to wear a mask, it won't take you long to spot a crew member pull down their mask to talk with a passenger or other crew member.

I wear a true N95 mask and wear it properly whenever I'm indoors except in my own cabin or while drinking and dining. I put it back on when answering the door to speak with the steward or room service. I take nearly every precaution. I do take calculated risks and are selective in who I interact with without a mask on, and mostly at outdoor venues.

Having 100% of crew members and nearly all passengers to be vaccinated, and all passengers to provide proof of a negative Covid test in order to board unfortunately may give some people a false sense of security.
 

A person can catch Covid, get tested on the same day or the next day, and test negative. They are then free to bring the disease on board the ship. I think about how many people might travel to a city like Miami or New York to catch their cruise ship and how they might give themselves many more opportunities to catch Covid that they might not do in their normal daily lives - Traveling in a packed bus, train or plane with other passengers to the port city the night before with their negative Covid test in hand, staying at a hotel and interacting with hotel staff and other guests, riding with others on a tour bus, going to a restaurant, dancing, drinks, or seeing a show, all before arriving at the port... Then interacting with port agents who do not work for the cruise line and pull down their masks when talking to you or wear in on their chin.
 

People may be inadequately informed or prepared. People may put their guard down because they are on vacation and they will fully enjoy themselves after years living in the mental health disaster known as the pandemic (dammit!). They will take what they think are informed risks when all risks aren't fully disclosed. They are not informed of the consequences of catching Covid on the ship -- Being quarantined aka imprisoned in a cabin, possibly not their own expensive cabin they paid for but a smaller one in an isolated section of the ship, perhaps an inside cabin without any windows, one without all the comforts or access to the amenities they expected on their "vacation", possibly served by a team that is understaffed or inadequately prepared, ignored by guest services who are busy with Covid negative revenue generating passengers.
 

Even in a city like New York where mask compliance is high, once on board the ship, 99% of passengers drop their masks because they aren't required. Perhaps think they are safe in the cruise ship's bubble. Add unlimited drink packages to the mix and inhibitions fall further. If the bubble hasn't already popped repeatedly, there is another opportunity to stick a pin init as soon as passengers visit a port of call, giving themselves another opportunity to bring Covid on board.

You can reduce the risks of catching Covid substantially by following well known protocols - Wearing a true N95 mask, social distancing, washing hands. But that is not what most people consider a vacation.

For me a vacation is a necessity and is still a vacation even if I have to wear a mask and be selective in whom i let into my personal bubble. NCL cruises are still the safest vacations so long as they maintain the most important of their protocols.

On 5/10/2022 at 11:02 PM, jfio1021 said:

did they have alternate Irish cream ? mudslides are my fav drink, this is disappointing 

They didn't have a replacement at Spice H2O. When the bar "ran out of mudslides", he substituted kind of regular cream or ice cream mixer. Later he made me something with Kahlua Amaretto cream and vodka. A bit sweet but nice. I eventually settled for white russians (kahlua and vodka).

Armand at the A-List bar still had some Baileys. He might make you a proper mudslide one even though that bar isn't suppose to serve it. He's a nice friendly bartender. They are probably saving what stock they have left so they can serve Irish coffee at Cagney's and Le Bistro.

The bartender at the Atrium bar has more experience and said they'd make it. She told me if you have the beverage plan they will make it for you with Bailey's and charge you the difference of anything over $15. She said it be about one or two dollars.

On 5/9/2022 at 8:22 AM, CastAStone said:

I was on the same cruise and they ran out of a ton of beers as well. They said they were struggling with sourcing. They also appear to be getting rid of Jack Daniels products, they had disappeared from all the menus (but were still at most of the bars).

I meant to put that in the bad section. No mudslides or Jack is certainly not a good thing. 🙃

NCL Joy May 1st NYC - Norfolk, VA - Bermuda. Everything on board open except certain venues closed on port days business as usual.

On 4/29/2022 at 2:23 PM, calmpets said:

Hi! I'm hoping someone who was recently onboard can answer this. I would like to gift my husband a spa treatment, but there is no published pricing. Could anyone tell me the cost for an aroma stone therapy for 50 minutes? Thanks in advance for any help you can give. I just don't want to budget the wrong amount and end up shooting myself in the foot.

A hot stone massage package on NCL Joy May 1 sailing was discounted on port days. $179 for 75 minutes. An 18% gratuity is automatically added ($32.22). It includes a quick exfoliating skin brush, full body massage (your choice of bamboo or hot stone. The massage starts with some kind of aroma therapy that you acclimate to or fades within minutes. The port special amounts to a $30 discount. The lower and higher massage times are full price and are not discounted unless you have a Latitudes discount valid only on port days on full price "signature" treatments. IMO the $179 for 75 minutes is a good deal and a perfect amount of time (not too long or too short).

Budget for two. One isn't enough. 😉

The good: Joy has a lovely crew. My experience with all crew members was nearly perfect. Food was excellent at Cagney's and Food Republic. I found the food at La Cucina to be bland (shrimp lobster ravioli and the soup). I opted for La Cucina over the Smokehouse because I had a craving for carbs. The carbonara was pretty good. Tip: On ships with a La Cucina, the room service pizza I suspect comes from La Cucina because it's crispier with better ingredients. I'm not fond of the layout of the Joy because many of the venues feel smaller and enclosed. Spice H2O felt smaller and the layout cramped.  People will appreciate that there is an enclosed smoking section in the Casino although plenty of smoke creeps out into the hallway but far enough away from main section of the casino. Judging by the many more active gambling on this sailing, I suspect, this is a good thing for NCL's bottom line. I'm a fan of the Jewel-class ships. For more apples to apples comparison, I prefer the original Breakaway class ships where Maltings, Shakers, Ocean Blue, Wasabi Bar, Raw Bar, etc on Decks 7 & 8 are out in the open. It makes Breakaway-class ships feel bigger and the boardwalk more accessible. The bars ran out of mud slides and charge a premium to make anything with Bailey's. They no longer stock Captain Morgan spiced rum. Shocking I say. Shocking!

The bad: Check in time is now even longer and more strenuous than when covid testing was required at the pier. 90 minutes of standing. Here's my experience:

• Arrive at the pier and stand in line for security screening.
• Next EVERYONE except Haven guests are directed to a pre-screening line where port agents check your documentation (Bermuda Travel Authorization, vaccination, covid test, identification). Haven guests skip to the front of this line. Latitudes Gold plus priority embarkation is not respected. Everyone must go from standing in a security line to standing in another line with no place to sit. I observed that most people came prepared with their documentation. This means that all passengers are required to be screened in order to identify the minority of passengers who need additional assistance. This increased  overall standing waiting time for all passengers (except Haven guests).
• Next to the check-in line. The line here is next to non-existent because everyone is backed up on the previous line. Of the five port agents I encountered throughout this process, none recognized Latitudes Gold plus priority embarkation or waiting area as was done for past Bermuda cruises. One was flat out rude. When I escalated to a supervisor I was finally directed to board. Unfortunately, the only opportunity to escalate is after waiting on two very long lines.

NCL should return to the regular check-in process. If a passenger is missing documentation, they should be pulled aside and given additional assistance. This would ensure that all passengers have the fastest check-in experience possible.

For those sailings where masks are still required...

On the NY sailings that required masks (your YMMV depending on port and sailing), if you were sitting at an indoor bar, the bartenders did consistently ask guests to wear masks if you weren't actively drinking probably because of their close proximity to guests, and servers would remind guest when they passed by to take orders.

Mask compliance was 100%. I saw many times people immediately put on their mask at restaurants when they got up from the table. However... Some did not wear the mask properly and 99% wore a cloth or surgical mask, not a KN95/N95.

At locations where there was no crew in sight, no one will chase you down tell you to put your mask on. Passengers wore or didn't wear them in social gatherings depending on their own judgement and comfort.

Outdoors, no one will tell you to wear a mask unless it's at a crowded event or venue where social distance can't be maintained.

15 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

We (party of 4) will be on Joy next month and we will still wear masks as per Bermuda protocols even though we will not be in or near Bermuda. 
 

Why? We need negative Covid test results to be able to fly back to Bermuda. 
 

Off the soap box ….

 

 

Hiya. You're definitely not alone although you may rarely see other mask wearers walking around the ship because we're enjoying our balcony of avoiding crowded venue but we're on board. Those I've met are protecting themselves from bringing Covid back to elderly parent, unvaccinated infants, or vulnerable. At least sailing out of NY when masks were not required even strangers on elevators, were friendly and understanding seeing me in a mask.

7 hours ago, tallnthensome said:

NCL was my go to line for quite a while for its value. Now based on my research and bookings the value, or lack there of, changes, and high pricing makes NCL one of the worst. 

There is substantial value to me to have a vacation experience where I'm assured to be surrounded by all vaccinated guests and staff most of whom are of similar values, beliefs and respect -- Those who vaccinate and nearly all consistently wear masks on board where required. I don't see the cost of an NCL cruise to be prohibitive nor do I know of an alternative vacation experience where I can selectively mingle with strangers or served by waitstaff and be assured they are vaccinated.

There are no guarantees. This is all about managing risk -- Of contracting the disease and potentially bringing it home to vulnerable family members or delaying my ability to care for them should I be quarantined.

I can't blame NCL for running their business. I think the choices they made make good business sense while giving consumers a 100% vaccinated, lower risk (not zero risk) vacation experience.

P.S. I sympathize with the folks whose cruises are cancelled or those whose cruises turn into cruises to nowhere. I guess they have better options and experience than those were are stranded over Christmas/New Years by the over a thousand(s) of cancelled flights. Relatively speaking, a cruise is the best and NCL my first choice not only for the safety and experience, but because they aren't illegally dumping and subsequently violating probation (hello CCL). Note: NCL voluntarily reported an improper discharge in Bahamian waters. CCL prefers to pay their fines rather that adhere to the terms of their probation.

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

NCL really needs to continue testing at the terminal at check-in. No matter how inconvenient. Even if it were an additional direct charge cost to each passenger. 

Agree. With the increase demand and difficulty of getting tests from labs, doing it at the embarkation port may be inconvenient but gives a little bit more piece of mind and safety and a touch more freedom to selectively mingle with fellow guests.

30 minutes ago, julig22 said:

As someone who suggested options/choices regarding the perks, I certainly don't expect NCL to offer anything other than what they offer. But delivering food that isn't going to be eaten, for whatever reason, is a waste of food and resources. It would be sooo much better (IMHO anyway) if they gave you a hang tag for your door or a coupon to use where you could ASK (or decline) the strawberry delivery for example.  I wonder how many others just dump it in the trash?

Fyi, NCL did offer a non-alcoholic alternative to the wine if you asked - but not something I wanted, so I declined. But at least the wine could be given to the next passenger - fresh food goes in the trash.

 

From a consumer perspective, it would be nice to have options - so a discount on the spa OR the go karts or ... And a discount on the dinner-show OR the wine-tasting or.... but from a business perspective those options may cost more than they think they would get back in goodwill, so they offer things that won't cost them much due to low usage.

I agree it's a waste for those who don't eat them. I've been telling the steward ahead of time to it give random guest may appreciate it, to the delivery person if i'm there, put a sticky note outside the door, bring it to the meet and greet or other gathering etc.

The CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order expired making it voluntary for cruise lines. I'm glad NCL announced it will voluntarily opt-in and require passengers and crew to be vaccinated and test negative prior to embarkation.

Full press release here https://finance.yahoo.com/news/norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-reaffirms-210500650.html

MIAMI, Jan. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) (together with NCL Corporation Ltd., “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings”, “Norwegian” or the “Company”) today announced that the Company’s three brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – have opted into the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (“CDC”) COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. Waters (the “Program”), the agency’s voluntary COVID-19 risk mitigation program for foreign-flagged cruise ships operating in U.S. waters. The Program comes into effect after the expiration of the Temporary Extension and Modification of Framework for Conditional Sailing Order on January 15, 2022.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority. We have demonstrated this commitment since our return to service in July of last year, with protocols that exceeded those required by regulatory agencies, including 100% vaccination of guests and crew, universal testing of all guests prior to embarkation and routine testing of all crew,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Furthering our commitment to health and safety, with the expiration of the CDC’s Conditional Sail Order, our three brands have opted into the CDC’s voluntary Program, which provides the cruise industry with a set of operating provisions to protect the health and safety of guests and crew. Our adoption of the voluntary Program provides guests, crew, travel partners and other stakeholders with the assurance that our brands will continue to meet and exceed the provisions laid out by the CDC and provide unparalleled health and safety protocols not found in any other sector of the travel and leisure space.”

The Company advised the CDC of its three brands opting into the program earlier today. As part of its SailSAFE health and safety program, the Company’s SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, chaired by former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, continues to advise the Company on protocols in light of advancements in medicine and technology to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Press Release continues here...

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-reaffirms-210500650.html

27 minutes ago, Babr said:

Not an expert, but I’ve done a lot of reading trying to figure it out for myself. Apparently, the claims process does require that you reveal and document any other sources of compensation and that you have not availed yourself of any. 
 

If I were facing a decision to cancel, I’d consult all guidelines for filing a claim and seek clarification for any step I didn’t understand. That is where working with a good broker is to your advantage because he can walk you through the process and point out any pitfalls.

 

Insurance is complex from start to finish. Most people don’t pay attention to it until they need it and then are dismayed if their claim is denied because they did not understand what was covered or how to get reimbursed.

Well put. Agree. Work with a trusted broker or directly with a reputable insurer.

The confusion isn't help by the fact that NCL's Booksafe page IMO is misleading. They state in bold (bold emphasis theirs, red emphasis mine) "You're covered for trip cancellation, trip interruption and trip delay." They don't explicitly state on this page that the Essentials Plan does not include this. Yet they provide a link to the Essentials plan on this same page implying that it does. There is no mention on the page that the Essentials plan is not a "Booksafe" plan and doesn't cover cancellation, interruption, or delay. Only if you click and read the policy documents carefully do you learn this.

To all, this Essentials plan is the one they offer guests for $35 after final payment and on the Vacation Summary page if you previously declined to purchase the Booksafe Standard and Platinum plans.

4 hours ago, Babr said:

It might be a good idea to talk to your insurance company before you cancel anything so that you understand what is required and that you do it in the proper order.

^This. I'd be pretty surprised if a travel insurance company doesn't request information on and consider all sources of reimbursement that a guest is entitled to in a claim including full or prorated refunds, FCC, other insuring parties like credit cards, duplicate coverage, etc.  I'd expect all benefits from all sources for a claim would be considered.

I'm curious how all parties work this sort of thing out. Any insurance experts out there?

40 minutes ago, kayjay76 said:

Ok I'm going to go out on a limb here and say they pretty much consider a close contact to you with people in your cabin or in your group. Or possibly, maybe, if you were on a ncl tour. Tables are 6 feet apart in the restaurants so i highly doubt that'll matter unless they want to ignore the only consistent thing the damn CDC has stuck to since the beginning of this crap. I highly doubt they are going to chase you down if you rode in an elevator for 21 seconds with someone who tested positive.

I agree with bluesea777's thinking. I'm guessing NCL will get a list of every location where your card was scanned including restaurants, bars, shops, etc, then review the security videos of those locations to see who you were in close contact to. Then gather everyone for testing. I also believe they will be overly aggressive during this process to appease the CDC and media. Even if they have advanced facial recognition, they don't have to rely exclusively on it.

Restaurants are no exception. I've been seated a few of times where I've been less than 6 feet away from another diner and at tables less than 6 feet apart. After reading the horror stories from some CC folks, I began requesting tables where i'm seated at least six feet away from other diners and eating at off peak times.

On 1/7/2022 at 3:06 PM, Cruise Gopher said:

If you cancel due to Covid Positive in advance of the cruise and you get reimbursed from insurance how does NCL know that they don't need to issue you a FCC?  Is it just an honor system thing that you won't use that FCC?

I believe you have it backwards. If you cancel the cruise or are prevented from taking the cruise for a reason that's covered by NCL's cancellation and refund policy, you are reimbursed by NCL for the cruise fare (in whole or in part, as a refund or FCC depending on the circumstances). If you also submit a claim for reimbursement with the travel insurance company for the same loss (whether you purchased the policy through NCL or directly), the insurance company will undoubtedly ask you for information about all reimbursement you are entitled to from NCL and from all other insurance policies including additional travel insurance you may have purchased, travel insurance provided by your credit card company, etc. If you fail to disclose all sources of reimbursement to the travel insurance company, this is fraud and is a crime in many states that "may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties", "may be prosecuted under state law", etc. and "voids the coverage" and any reimbursement you'd otherwise be entitled to. This is spelled out in policy documents.

How would NCL know? More like the insurance company will know whether you're entitled to reimbursement from NCL and simply deduct that amount from your coverage. Attempting to "conceal or misrepresent any material fact or circumstance" while filing the claim would be asking for trouble.

2 hours ago, Middleager said:

Everyone cruising on NCL needs to be vaccinated.  In the Covid vaccines, they implant nanochip, so NSA can track you.  NCL had bought a license at great expense from NSA to track people on their ships. 

 

People who visit their mistresses need to be careful, you've been forewarned.😜

Pffffttt... The stewards are trained to listen for guests who cough and sneeze after which they'll place a variety of vouchers in your bed for free artwork, spa treatments, and bingo cards. When you go redeem at a specific time and place, you'll be greeted with a 50000 volt cattle prod and shuttled into a room with others waiting to be tested during which you'll catch COVID from the one person who's actually positive, then summarily quarantined in a 4' square torture box until you tell them where the runaway handmaids are.

5 hours ago, mvh said:

I know if I test positive before I fly to the port NCL will give me a FCC.  What happens if I have insurance through NCL and I test positive 96 hour prior? Will I get my money back or still a FCC?  

Your insurance "through NCL" depends on which plan you purchase (Essentials, Standard, or Platinum) and your state of residence.

• Carefully read the policy documents on the NCL Booksafe page. Essentials Travel Protection does not include trip interruption or trip cancellation benefits. Standard and Platinum do  https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/booksafe Click the links to the corresponding plan for the plan details
• If you test positive at the embarkation port where testing is being administered by NCL's test partner like Eurofins, NCL's Refund and Cancellation Policy does provide a refund or future cruise credit for your cruise fare. https://www.ncl.com/refund-and-cancellation-policy-covid-19 However, NCL "will assist with expenses related to any mandatory quarantine that are not covered by their travel insurance only if the guest provides proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 96-hours of their travel date".

In other words, NCL will provide refund or credit for your cruise fare if NCL tests you at the pier and you are positive. NCL will only assist you with quarantine related expenses not covered by your travel insurance if you took your own Covid test and tested negative 96 hours before arriving at the pier. If you don't take your own test, then any quarantine related expenses depends on your travel insurance or lack thereof.

Many on CC recommend purchasing good travel insurance that includes not only trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits but also medical coverage and other benefits during your trip.

22 hours ago, CrzN4Info said:

We were thinking of booking a spring cruise but don't to wear a mask.  The current policy reads that a mask is required through Jan 31, 2022.  Has anyone been on a cruise lately and are they strict about the mask policy?  Thanks.

I couldn't find where you're sailing from. I think your departure port makes a difference.

I sailed out of New York over Christmas holiday right after NCL changed to a masked policy. Mask compliance is very high. 95% of passengers wore a mask where required. However, the quality of the masks is poor. 95% of these same passengers do not wear a KN95/N95 quality mask. They wore cloth masks or surgical masks.

In general, the more crowded a venue is and more crew to enforce the policy, the more likely crew will enforce the mask policy at the venue.

If you are concerned about bringing COVID home to someone who's not vaccinated or vulnerable, wear a KN95/N95 mask, isolate and test yourself when you get back, or don't go.

*Disclaimer, this may have all changed since.

Indoors

• Dining in a restaurant - The policy is that masks are required except while eating. However, crew did not ask passengers to wear a mask when seated at the table, whether you are actively eating, drinking, or not. When you enter or exit, go the buffet or restroom etc., you are expected to wear a mask.
• Drinking at a bar - The policy is that masks are required except while actively drinking. However, depending on the bar, the crew may ask you to wear a mask even if you are actively drinking (waiting to order, holding your drink in your hand, talking to other passengers). I presume because you are in closer long term proximity to the bartenders.
• If you are not seated at a restaurant or bar, walking the ship, etc. and crew spot you, you will be asked to wear a mask.
• Everywhere else indoors, if you are spotted by crew not wearing a mask, you will be asked to wear one.
• You don't have to wear a mask inside your own cabin or balcony.

Outdoors

• You will only be asked to wear a mask where social distancing is not possible. Poolside including inside hot tubs, no one was asked to wear a mask except when there was a party where it starts to get crowded and "social distancing is not possible", then crew will announce or ask passengers to wear a mask e.g. pool party, sexy legs contest, etc.
• Some crew may not be clear about the outdoor rule. A quick challenge "I'll confirm with the GM" and they will get it right.