culinarc

Thanks for the info - the link to the Bermuda attractions is great as is hte Bermuda forum I missed. I do know meals will be pretty expensive - been looking at the list of places at the attractions link.

 

Another question - is transportation arranged for the excursions or do we have to find our way there?

Any RCL booked excursion transportation will be provided. For any other travel on the island I recommend a 2 day transit pass. It is affordable and takes you anywhere you want to go. It is good for both the busses and the ferry. Buy the tickets at the marina to the left after you leave the fenced pier area.

I don't plan on getting dressed to go have my morning coffee & smoke. I'll just throw a robe over my jammies and trot right up to the Lido deck, smoking side. You are welcome to join me even if you haven't brushed your hair yet :p

Positive way to look at it. Don't think doing your morning like that could bother a soul and it seems like you can still be happy with your vacation. Smokers will have to adapt a little in the beginning but I'm sure it will pass.

Now that Carnival has changed the cruise contract due to the smoking policy, what should the compensation be for:

 

A. The contract change

B. The short notice for the contract change

 

Should it be nothing, waiving of the ES change/cancellation fee, some form of OBC, airfare change fees, pre-paid hotel fees, excursion deposits?

 

What if it was a notice that loungers, chairs and tables would no longer be allowed on the balconies. Would you want some form of compensation for booking a balcony over a IS/OV or not being able to cancel and switch to another cruise line?

 

Please keep it to the topic and not on the issue of smoking.

As far as your question goes and I am assuming that by contract you are referring to section 8 part c of your CCl contract. This simply states that you will be compliant with the rules of the vessel during your stay. Rules that they have at the time of your stay. Rules that they have legal right to change at any time for any reason. As far as your first contractual question goes they owe you nothing. They changed their mind on the issue and have given notice of their change in policy. Think about the first time you had your booze taken away. Some of us :) didn't see that coming but it doesn't matter. Second is your compensation. You paid for a cruise that is still on not a smoking retreat. They are holding up their end of the bargain so what are your actual losses? You get compensated by proving financial losses not because they made me mad because I cant smoke. They again owe you nothing. That being said I am a big fan of calling them and letting them know you are angry about this and seeing if they will try to make you a happy customer and retain your business.

:eek:

I am so outraged at Carnival and Royal Caribbean for treating smokers like criminals with no rights. Guess that smoke floating in the air from a balcony is going to kill the people next door, right? I am a courteous smoker and never smoke in public places or my stateroom but being told I cannot smoke on my private balcony or outside is ridiculus. Good for people for not smoking, it is not healthy. Much better to stuff yourself with food at every opportunity and drink yourself into a stupor but God forbid you are exposed to a puff of smoke floating in the air. If you don't like smoking in the casino, don't go! There are lots of other places on the ship. We are avid cruisers but will NOT be going on Carnival or RC in the future to just be treated as unwanted. Will be moving our business to NCL where they actually believe in equal rights it would seem. All you nonsmokers, enjoy all the kids running rampant and your buffets. You win!:mad:

Nothing like feeling sorry for yourself! If you smoke in the USA you are in the vast minority. You are making a conscious decision to be a second class citizen. It's not only some peoples opinion on smoking that hurts your cause, now there is a strong government push for people to quit. Like all smokers like to speak of their right to smoke which is true, public and private places have decided they have the right to tell you where on their property you have the right to pollute. This will continue and likely push smokers into smaller spaces. All the people that come on CC and talk of punishing CCL or RCL for their policies by changing lines are quite amusing. :D In a couple more years you will be out of cruise lines to punish because they will all go that way. Oh and by the way if you think by taking your business elsewhere your going to hurt them the joke is on you again. They will succeed and move forward with or without you. We all will for that matter.

I would not get too worried about this. I think like everything else that NCL tries to do is give you another option should it work out better for you. If you have to eat at peak times, have a large party or you have booked a show this might work out better for you. I have been on a few NCL cruises and have never had to wait more than 10 minutes without a reservation. I don't think anything will change. As for "highly recommended", I would take this with a grain fo salt. Being in the restaurant business I know we sometimes push to get as much info as we can to be prepared for an unforeseen rush that crushes the kitchen and waitstaff. The way it works is when these people are done feeding us dinner they are off work for the day. They want you to be served as fast as possible. This is another of NCL's use it if it helps you otherwise disregard.

Funny, Americans bashing a cuisine which has existed and been refining itself since before our country was born. I love food and cant imagine a world where we cant experience other food cultures. Southeast Asian food in my opinion has flavor explosions like almost nowhere else I have been on earth. If you don't like it don't eat it and stick with your md well steak and a baked potato. How fun.

Realistically the only serious problem with a hurricane will be if it hits New Jersey on the day you are leaving or hits Bermuda several days before causing serious damage. While at sea or in Bermuda the ship will monitor any hurricanes and adjust the itinerary to provide as safe a voyage as possible.

 

Alternate routes might be coming in behind a storm and could also mean diverting to New England and Canada. This has been done in the past

I agree with you. Whatever happens with the weather you will still be going on vacation somewhere so get on the ship. It would be a bummer though because Bermuda is so amazing. I've sailed there 3 times all during hurricane season and have never had a problem. It is quite rare to have an itinerary change (probably a lot more common in the Caribbean) but it can happen. If it ever does I'll find a way to pull some great fun out of the vacation anyway.

My two daughters have always loved the splash academy. This cruise in Sept. my oldest is 12. I am not sure how she will feel about it this time but I hope she enjoys some time there. If not we will have to deal with it the best we can because one thing I know. That NCL is 100% non negotiable when it comes to the age policies for kids. I've heard this conversation many times over the years and have never seen them bend the rules for anyone. I guess it has to be like that. We all think our kids are special and want them to be able to do what they want. For NCL they just know that every kid in their care is equal with no favoritism. That is most important. That's not to say they couldn't take a look at their policies, listen to parents a little, and make some adjustments that may very well be appropriate.

I have found that costa maya is a port that depends how many ships are in that day. The beautiful pictures are likely taken on a day where there was one ship in port. Three can make things in the port area pretty tight and a little hectic. Just my opinion.

On our honeymoon cruise we took a submarine tour in Barbados. We went down 300 feet and hung out right on the reef. We saw sea turtles, fish of all kinds, rays and sharks. The reef itself was beautiful and alive. I told my wife if I was a fish this is where I would want to live! A walk on the moon wouldn't have been any more interesting. Good times!

For those who have read this far and don't know whats going on...

 

 

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that a brand new Ice Cream Bar concept debuted on board the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway and will also be available on Norwegian Getaway upon her arrival to Miami in February 2014.

 

Guests sailing on board Norwegian Breakaway’s seven-day Bermuda or Bahamas and Florida cruises from New York City or on Norwegian Getaway’s seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami, can indulge in a variety of specialty sundaes, floats, shakes and other ice cream treats during their cruise.

 

Located inside O’Sheehan’s, the ships’ 24-hour neighborhood bars, Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway’s Ice Cream Bars serve up the most delectable classic ice cream parlor creations, from floats, milkshakes and malted shakes, to egg creams and a variety of spectacular ice cream sundaes.

 

The signature item on the Ice Cream Bar menu is the enormously delicious Breakaway or Getaway Sundae. This massive ice cream creation serves from three to four guests, includes a whopping nine scoops of ice cream in up to three different flavors and is topped with “everything but the kitchen sink,” from chocolate fudge, butterscotch and raspberry sauces to chocolate shavings, sprinkles, crumbled Oreos, sliced almonds, marshmallows, gummy bears, whipped cream and cherries.

 

“We’ve recreated a classic ice cream parlor on Norwegian Breakaway adding yet another exciting innovation to our newest ship,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “The launch of the Ice Cream Bar on board has been extremely well received and we look forward to debuting it on Norwegian Getaway in February 2014. Our guests are delighted by the variety of ice cream creations – especially the runaway fan favorite, the Breakaway Sundae.”

 

The over-the-top menu also features an assortment of mouth-watering ice cream sundae creations, including classic Hot Fudge Sundaes, Hot Caramel Sundaes and Banana Splits. The menu also features other sundae favorites such as classic Peach Melba, with peaches, vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce and whipped cream; and Pear William, made with pears, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

I read a review and the poster said their was an additional cost for the ice cream. Does anyone know if this is true and how much it is?

Thanks for the reporting. My parents are on that cruise. If you happen to meet Pat & Jerry Bradley tell them their son says hello. I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise.

oops! 15

16 days!!!

Do everything or just do nothing and admire the beauty. We love it there and will be there on a cruise for the third time in a few weeks. I think it is one of the best places on the earth.

I do know they are having tidal issues there. The larger the ship, the more water that gets displaced. When they have high tides, especially around Fall time, a passing cruise ship is not a good thing.

I'm sure there issues that we dont know about other than just the numerous amounts of tourists these places draw. Sometimes the local people do know what is best for their communities both economically and sustainability of the constant traffic due to the tourism. I believe we should at least listen to all the issues and find out the most effective way to preserve both of these beautiful places for future generations.