PATRLR

Sorry, I know nothing of the Hubbard Glacier excursion.

I agree it's getting pricey at $350 (as is everything these days). But, I believe it was so worth it. I was really shocked when I saw just how much closer we were than the Bliss was. And the captain stopping and literally turning the boat to point out bears along the sides, whales, etc. Just so much better than the Bliss could possibly do.

Yes, it was booked through NCL. Bliss was in Juneau in the morning with early afternoon departure to head up the Arm. Just before Bliss left the pier, we boarded the Allen Marine vessel and took off ahead of Bliss up the Arm. We made a few stops and slow downs along the way for various sites and wildlife (bears, whales, etc) and eventually got up close to the glacier. At some point we looked back and there was Bliss, doing it's pirouette. It was waaayyy back there (I'd guess 3/4 or mile or more back). We then headed back down the Arm and met the Bliss where it was pirouetting and transferred onto her there (end of excursion).

The picture above seems to be about as close as Bliss got. If ever there was a testimonial for getting onto the Allen Marine excursion (called "TRACY ARM FJORD & GLACIER EXPLORER" in 2018) it's that picture. This is how close we got to the glacier in 2018:

As I have been expanding out to other cruise lines recently, I find myself spending more time on other line's boards and forums. In my exposure, it seems like this just-after-final-payment port change/drop happens significantly more frequently on NCL than it does on other lines. I find it to be very concerning and it does factor into my future cruise planning.

Thanks for reporting. I don't think the jury is still out, I think your experience is further proof that they don't hold any passes for onboard sales. You managed to get one because they likely had a last minute cancellation of some form and you happened to be there at the right time.

I think you answered your own question. Not sure how much there is to add. If quiet, uncrowded hot tubs are a value to you, then get the Vibe.

Actually, cancelled/delayed flights is "trip delay". "Trip interruption" is when you have to cut a trip short presumably to go home.

Actually, isn't this scenario cancelled/delayed flights considered to be trip "interruption" with insurance policies?

How you know the airline did not make a schedule change? There had to be some reason NCL changed an already ticketed flight. My guess is some schedule changed (either the flight or the ship). Which ever one changed owes him the fees, IMO, but I haven't read the T&Cs for NCL flights (and I don't care to because there is no way in hell I'd ever use them). Another option is NCL found a cheaper set of flights or they realized the flights they booked wouldn't work - in either of those cases NCL owes him the fees, IMO.

Of course you not seeing it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I'm another one who has seen trained dogs walking the halls of a cruise ship. I don't remember exactly when/where, but if I had to guess it was probably Bermuda.

I thought there was international or maritime law that stated weed was illegal to have on a ship. I don't know who or what enforces those laws though or what the risk of breaking those laws is. @chengkp75 - am I misremembering something here or can you elaborate?

If you had a ticketed flight reservation, which you must have had if you bought seats and bags, why was it changed?

Someone/something owns the rights to the song (likely Queen or their record company) and they certainly can sell said rights. I don't think I'd ever seen/heard the Pitbull ad but I'd definitely seen the Queen ad. I must not be part of the demographic the Pitbull ad was targeting.

I don't feel sorry for them. My conversations with the Vibe bartenders leads me to believe Vibe is one of the more desired positions. And on a ship like Bliss where it's easy to be inside while still "at" the bar (vs Viva where the bar is separated from the back room) I'm sure they are all doing just fine.