Travelling2Some

I wasn't speaking to a call center person. It was someone from corporate and I didn't call them, they actually called me. I had worked my way up the "food chain" and been told to send an email. I can't remember the department name as it has been a few years now. So I emailed and got no answer for weeks. Emailed again and waited again. Was expecting an answer via email and was surprised when NCL called me instead. She (never told me her title) said that my request was denied. I was very polite but curious so I asked what the reason was and she suddenly snapped at me saying that NCL is not running a ferry! I suspect she did not actually know the answer and felt defensive. It was shockingly unprofessional.

A couple of years ago (well before covid) we wanted to stay overnight in port and catch up to the ship the next day. (I wanted to do the night tours of the Alhambra and stay in the parador there. It was a bucket list thing.) Both ports were in Spain and it was only a two hour drive to catch up from where we would be staying. Neither were tender ports or ports that were frequently missed and, as added insurance, there were even two Spanish ports after that. NCL was not only completely uncooperative but downright rude about it. When I asked (nicely and just seeking to understand) what the reason was for the refusal the woman on the phone snapped at me saying that "NCL is not running a ferry service!" I was really shocked by her rudeness. I do remember that people used to arrange to jump ship in Florence/Livorno rather than continue to Rome quite a bit. I don't know if it has changed, but Celebrity used to be very nice about it.

You beat me to it, lol.

Exactly what we have always done too.

Following . . . we're on the NYC to Lisbon in November and would also like to hear the same.

Our experience was different since we had two days docked Ashdod before the ship moved on to Haifa. I see the Jade is just staying in Ashdod for the single day. There will be lots of information on the Port of Call CC board that covers Israel and this thread will probably be redirected there soon. Here's the link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/19-africa-amp-middle-east/

I go back and forth all the time on category. Depends mostly on the itinerary. In warm weather balconies are a perk but in cold weather they can be useless. I also like the "cozy cocoon" feeling of an inside, especially for sleeping in northern latitudes where the sun shines 24/7. I suspect it depends on where you live. We live on the coast so I'm not going to pay just to look at the sea. Water is water all over the world - ask anyone who has been in the Navy. BUT, I do understand that some people have an affinity for the ocean and really enjoy it. I book a balcony if there is something special to see - Alaska, Norwegian fjords, Hawaii, etc. Those are places where the scenery is non-stop and you can enjoy sitting on your balcony in your jammies eating breakfast. Definitely worth it then but it can be a waste on some itineraries - double the money for the same cruise is not always good value.

Unless you're a light sleeper and get noisy neighbors. But, if you are fine with deliberately booking near the elevators and (maybe?) under the buffet/lido I have to think you are a sound sleeper. I'm fine anywhere but my husband is a very light sleeper so I'm careful about cabin location to the point that I won't even take a free upgrade. I'd probably book a guarantee if I was solo but I sure don't wish to be solo:)

I can afford it but I'm not high maintenance so it would be a waste of money. All I need is a good book and a drink package so why pay double or triple for more? We were on RCI recently and I noticed that our muster station was 2 decks below the lifeboats. Just to save time arguing in a critical moment, I told my husband that there is no way I am going any lower than the lifeboats. AND our next cruise is the Sun's transatlantic, which did hit an iceberg a few months back.

Totally agree. Seinfeld uses a lot of the trivial stuff that flashes through your mind but then you dismiss it as being too trivial or "I'm probably being a jerk". Larry David takes it all the way into "I AM being a jerk"

Good one! I've been having fun all summer telling people at parties that I'm going on a transatlantic on that ship that hit the iceberg.

My husband loves that show. I was thinking more of parallel parking on the street, actually. You know - where there is room for two cars between two driveways and someone parks smack in the middle instead of pulling up or backing up to leave room. As for taking the big table, I had in mind the numerous times that I'd take the kids into a fast food place that was just about empty. We had/have a big family so it was a bit of a pet peeve. I guess it is just a matter of viewpoint. My habit has been not to take more than I need as a way of not wasting resources. Others think it's better to grab everything they can get and I'm sure there's a third group who are oblivious - nice folks who just don't live in a crowded area. Just a comment - not a huge big deal.

Yes and that has been my take-away lesson here. I had always made the final payment on the day it was due but going forward I will leave time to straighten out any accounting errors. I also think we need to keep watch on our accounts too. One of my cruises was paid in full (and I have the paperwork showing a zero balance) several months ago. Yet, suddenly two days ago there was a balance due of $9.00 ??? If I had not happened to log into my account to check on shore excursions I never would have noticed it. I had purchased non-refundable airfare to Europe for this trip the day before so I was very alarmed.

Just thinking that this reminds me of times I would go into a fast food place with my children and find that some lone person had parked themselves at the only table large enough for our family. They might have got there first but just a tad inconsiderate??? And we've all seen those folks who park in the center of 2 parking spaces when they should only be taking one. Is it really that hard to be nice?

For sure. Social skills seem to be in decline generally and I have seen posts on other travel sites indicating that some folks on CC are remarkably rude and they will not post here for that reason.

Well, better off than me. I've been getting letters threatening to cancel two of my upcoming cruises because I (suddenly and mysteriously) owe small balances (under $10 on them). Good grief! I made final payments on these cruises back in July and September and have paperwork showing zero balances. Was able to immediately straighten it out with the PCC but disturbing. Someone on one of our roll calls said he was being harassed for 1 cent.

Ha ha, good one. Personally (and stuff like this is very subjective) I like the new names. They seem a bit more contemporary. I don't see anything negative or "inane" in the OP bringing up a topic for light, pleasant conversation. Even here on CC there is no need for every thread to turn into an obnoxious controversy.

This thread surprised me since I've always been (super?) picky about choosing a cabin. I never imagined that so many people let the cruise line or travel agent pick it. That would just be a hard no for me, mostly because my husband is a very light sleeper. I never bid on upgrades for the same reason. I have always avoided connecting cabins unless we were traveling with our kids back in the day, in which case we really needed 3 cabins in a row with at least 2 connecting for our youngest kids so I can sympathize with the OP on that.

We have ports in Spain on our November cruise. They had been requiring vaccination plus a booster last I saw (pretty recently). No problem anyway because we have the booster and they were not asking vaccinated people to test. However they seem to have dropped their requirements too.

Hmmm . . . in that case, have you noticed how many children we seem to have posting on Cruise Critic, LOL??? 🙂

Well, for one thing it is quite rude when you are a guest in someone's home to get into a confrontation with another guest. I did actually tell her not to bring her instrument (or her kids or her pets, etc.) when it was my turn to host.

Uh oh! You are describing the very places those of us who like to read deliberately seek out for quiet. Many types of music, especially vocalists, are pretty disturbing to people wanting to read in peace.

I can totally relate. We have a woman in our social circle who is becoming a nuisance. She has taken up an instrument and now turns us into a captive audience at gatherings. Many of us prefer to have interesting conversation instead but polite hints do not deter her. As far as there being lots of music all over the ship, that is true but your attendance is voluntary. Generally you pass by and sit down to listen because you like what you hear and you are interested. I think a lot depends on her being sensible as to time and place (and duration!)

This sounds correct except that I would still be required to purchase the Booksafe policy which is exactly what the wording advises I don't have to do. Here is the exact wording: "Please note: Residents of the state of New York are not required to purchase the BookSafe Travel Protection Plan in order to purchase the Cancel For Any Reason Credit Feature. Please contact 1-888-722-2195 for details." Seems to say pretty clearly that the "credit feature" can be purchased (their word) without buying the insurance. It's a bit of a mystery. There is also a sub-heading at the top of the page that reads: "The following Cancel For Any Reason Credit Feature is provided by Norwegian Cruise Line and is not an insurance benefit." So they are definitely getting around NYS law by saying it is NOT an insurance product but a "credit feature" offered by NCL.