dcipjr

We really can argue about anything here at CruiseCritic, can't we?

Looking forward to your review! I think it's awesome that your mom is going with you, and it sounds like you're going to come away with some good stories. Regarding sleeping arrangements, we were in the Haven 2 BR on Escape back in 2018, and were in a Getaway Haven 2 BR last month; that couch in the living definitely only sleeps one. The suite sleeps 6 in the following configuration: 2 in the master bed (which does not separate) 2 in the second bedroom's pull-out couch 1 in the second bedroom's Pullman bed (comes down from the ceiling) 1 in the living room bunk The lower bunk in the second bedroom is a bit cozy for two. When she sees it in real life, your mom might be more amenable to the living room couch bed, since it has the ocean view and is right next to the balcony; she could even sleep with the balcony door open. The rest of the cabin has separate A/C zones, so with the master and second bedroom doors closed, it might work...

Make sure to leave those inflatable kayaks at home, folks.

I've used similar AMEX offers twice in the past, saving myself at least a couple hundred bucks...AMEX now offers me cash off for other cruise lines, but not NCL (anymore). ...I guess they know.

I love Bermuda, but the $40 TA is a cash-grab, pure and simple. I'm looking at it as an increase in the port tax, which hopefully is temporary. I would imagine it's gone by some time in 2023, but I believe it's planned revenue for the government through the end of this year, so I wouldn't expect to see it dispensed with in 2022.

We'll all be thinking of you, @graphicguy...hope it simply leads to a clean bill of health!

Since cannabis is illegal at a federal level in the USA, it's illegal to cross state lines with it, even if it's legal in both states or if you have a medical card. Bring some from NY to NJ? It's legal in both places, right? Drug-smuggling felony if you're caught. Bring some from the US to Canada? Again, very illegal—crossing international borders is even worse. Does this make sense? Absolutely not. Cannabis is useful for legitimate medical purposes, and so far, legal recreational hasn't meant the end of the world places that it's been legalized. The federal laws are outdated. Marijuana is still a Schedule 1 drug in the US, which is defined as "drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse". Is that really the case? Evidence would strongly point to no, but the laws haven't caught up. Given that most people in the US are now in favor of legalization—or at the very least, medical legalization—hopefully the fed law will change to at least decriminalize, deschedule, or legalize. Politicians have proven themselves to not give a rat's behind about what people think, but I still tend to think there will be some legislative action at some point, because there's money to be made. A lot of money is flowing into the burgeoning cannabis industry, and it's legitimate money, unlike the old black market days. Laws tend to follow the money, so I'd imagine U.S. law will change on a federal level sometime in the near future. Either way, it doesn't affect cruises. Trafficking marijuana across an international border is still illegal via international maritime law. And even if it wasn't, do you think NCL would want to competition with the drinks package? I'd love a gummy on a cruise, but it ain't happening for the foreseeable future, and I'm not willing to go to prison for one either.

Still waiting. Did you get a refund?

I was on the September 3rd sailing that missed Bermuda. I haven’t gotten any refund thus far. I checked my final invoice and it wasn’t on there. NCL said that it would be refunded, but I figure if they have to go through the Bermudian government, that it may take a while. I’m not holding my breath.

Wasn’t the Garden Café called the Market Café on the older ships? It changes names every so often. If NCL didn’t change the names, people would be complaining here that they’re bored of eating at the same venues on every ship. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯