FloaterGirl

Paul,

Thank you for your review. We will be on the Getaway next week and I'm wondering if you have any information you can share regarding "a la carte" pricing in the speciality restaurants and some items (e.g. prime rib) being "a la carte" in the MDR. Did you notice this? Also, we use to love the calamari and popcorn shrimp for lunch in the MDR. Do you know if they still have these items on the menu?

thanks in advance!

I feel very strongly about consumers getting what has been advertised to them as an inducement to part with their money. I've had to fight this battle many times, with many different companies and vendors who have promised me ABC in order to get me to sign a contract and then only want to provide A and B, and feel no obligation to provide C.

 

I wonder if any of these people would feel taken advantage of if they go to board a ship and suddenly the ropes course has a fee, or desserts have a fee, or the DSC is increased with no warning, or studio access is a $15 per day fee, or $1 per tender ride fee, entertainment is an additional $5 per show, etc. I mean technically those are all "choices" but they are fundamental changes to the package they had purchased and the value they bargained for is reduced or eliminated.

 

I too live by a budget. My budget is more than some, less than others, but it is a budget. All of the features and amenities of a particular cruise line or ship are considered in my value proposition when I put my money down on the line.

 

Duped. What I feel is duped by NCL. A lot of people are feeling duped. No gun to my head to pay for add ons, and out of principle I won't pay for them. but I will still feel duped. Our next cruise, on the Escape, includes a large number of family coming from various places, lots of arrangements have been made, flights, hotels, etc. It would be stupid of me as well to throw away a large sum of money or NOT spend time with extended family. If I was traveling solo and had no other considerations, perhaps I'd view things differently. But I sure as hell know when I'm being conned.

Well said. Thank you

Thank you FloaterGirl for your reply and excursion tip. Would you be able to scan your Dailies and email/post them? If not, no worries.

I'm sorry I didn't keep them. By now you are on your cruise and I am hoping you have a wonderful time!!

My tip: Don't miss the BBQ by the pool on the last sea day. It was a highlight of our cruise. The food was amazing and it was a great "vibe" from the all the chefs.

Hi- Does anyone have copies of their Freestyle Daily (daily program) from their recent Alaska trip on the Jewels? If so, please post. THANKS!

Just took the Jewel to Alaska. You'll find the "Dailies" (esp if you are a frequence NCL cruiser) a bit different on this cruise. The front page, which usually provides some level of description of the major activities, lacking and basically just a list. Also, you'll find that some of the game shows overlap with the professional shows (very unusual, indeed).

Re: excursions...we took the best one (Yukon Territory 6hr tour) via Frontier Excursions. Request Tyler...he was amazing!

Just back from the Jewel. Ignacio Garcia is the HD and Armen is the Cruise Director.

If it is Steven from Fiji - he is wonderful! If it is another Steven- then i don't know him.

Thank you! Hoping he's the same!!

I have cruised with Armen on Epic and he just didn't seem like a friendly nor approachable guy at all. I have also chatted with staffers on my most recent cruise who have worked under Armen and they really didn't have anything positive to say about Armen.

Thank you!!

Any thoughts on Cruise Director, Armen, and Cruise Director, Steven? I don't believe we've ever cruised with them before.

Thanks in advance!

Very much enjoyed reading your review from start to finish. Thank you for the time and energy you put into it!!

Sean returns as HD 4/18/15 to June 13

Oh good-we just caught him then! We are cruising his last week then! Thank you!!!

I think Harvey is 100% correct...it's the people that make the difference! Does anyone know where there may be listings of staff (e.g. Hotel Director, Cruise Director, etc)? We're going on the Getaway again in June in hopes we can see again the wonderful staff we met last year (Sean, Errol, Joel). Thanks!

3Shar - Just travelled the Getaway last month and loved it. (see my review). The Getaway has menus posted in your room via the tv so you can plan for your meals that way. Prime rib was offered several times at O'Sheehan's like you noted but in the MDR it was served on the last night of the cruise. Hope this helps!