mugtech

No one knows.  You can be sure if the itinerary changes it will be after final payment.

21 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

 

Telling tales out of school with no push back or research isn't a "source" for anything unless you gullible. You can make up all the "sources" you want, still doesn't explain the discrepancy in the time line.

 

And, "not really sure why". Seriously? That says far more about your lack of understanding. Maybe you should become "really sure why" before spouting. Some random dude and his 50+ sources...LOL.

Do not give a damn who thought up or inspired go-carts on ships.  Point is I will not be sailing on said ships.

2 hours ago, Missusdubbya said:

I don’t think environmental protection is lame

It is when you sell the cruise for two years, do not change the itinerary until after final payment, what did they discover about the environment since final payment that they did not know previously?  If you believe that, I have some beach front property in Arizona you might be interested in.

7 hours ago, wolfcathorse said:

They're fine by me. Have had itinerary changes due to weather and war. Don't have a problem with being safe. It's disappointing if you have never been to a port, but on the other hand,  I am on vacation from my everyday routine.  And I have experienced itinerary changes with Royal and Celebrity so it's not confined to one cruise line 

NCL changes itineraries after final payment having nothing to do with weather or war.  They just do it because they can.  All kinds of lame excuses like protecting the environment. 

4 hours ago, wolfcathorse said:

high priced milk shakes and $500 for a day bed in Icon's Hideaway. We have a B2B booked this spring then we're going NCL.

Like those itinerary changes on NCL?

18 hours ago, Roses_Are_Red said:

 Starting in Jan 2024, they've also introduced a new $20USD per day fee.  I think they said it was gratuity for those not included in the staff that get the other gratuity.  We called it the "being on the boat fee."  I just wish that they would build all of the fees into the cost of the cruise upfront.  It makes going on a cruise feel like buying a car.  The sticker price is not what you pay in the end.

In addition to the DSC?

      I prefer water when on cruises, here in the Philippines I get great mango shakes for $1.30.  No trouble going on a cruise without a $14 shake.  How other people waste their money is their business.

Went to one let's make a deal on Sky, it was not entertaining, had to pay to play.  My wife said the tv show is much better.

Confirms I will never be sailing Viva or any of her sisters.

Saw him on the Gem often 8, 9 years ago.  My wife loved him, especially since he is a Filipino.

        In Hawaii back in October we went to a takeout shrimp restaurant.  There was a sign hanging there which said "Using a credit card invokes a 3 % service charge"  So I paid cash, but they fooled around for a while, then came back to me and said  "This time of day you must use a card."  It was 3pm and there were two other customers.  Told them we will eat where cash is accepted.  I think they were suspicious of my 50 dollar bill.  People in Pennsylvania told me more and more businesses are charging a credit card user fee, usually 2 or 3 %

           When I made a large purchase at a department store in the Philippines I offered my credit card, and they offered to give me a 2% discount if I paid cash,  I paid cash.

We got an apartment in Baguio City in the mountains of central Luzon for $346/month. Temperature in the 70's during the day and down to 60F at night.  Can get three large spring rolls for $1.40, same price for two tuna pies at Jollibee.  Our rent includes all utilities, smart tv and wifi.  We cancelled a cruise are enjoying the Philippines at a much cheaper rate.  We are frugal.

When we sailed the Mediterranean in 2014 the Euro exchange rate was terrible, plus there was a service charge.  Did better on the streets of Barcelona.

5 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

I brought copies on many cruises and gave free copies to everyone who wanted one.I signed every copy.A Rare Book dealer in NY is currently selling signed copies for $27.00 .I wonder if perhaps the books came from people who I gave copies to.

Of course, to help pay for their cruise.

1 hour ago, Another_Critic said:

 

Used a drink voucher for an "adult" milkshake at JRs in October.

What about nonalcoholic shakes?

7 hours ago, amurray88 said:

I love Oasis class ships... But the sheer price now that we have a family of 3 is too much compared to lines that don't charge for kids/babies.

 

HOWEVER, I've just watched a video of Icon OTS and saw the menu for the milkshake bar. $16.50 for a milkshake, they cannot be serious??? ($14 plus 18%).

 

Wow. 

Can you get a nonalcoholic milkshake using a Diamond drink voucher?  Do not drink alcohol, only way I would even consider a $14 shake.

On 1/12/2024 at 9:18 PM, lenquixote66 said:

Okay ,here is one thing.I wrote a book in 1988 and never found a copy in any ships library.Aside from that there were no negatives.

Perhaps you could have donated a copy to each ship on which you sailed, forgoing the royalties for those books.

7 hours ago, luv2kroooz said:

No. The title of the email is foreign currency exchange service discontinuation. Nothing to do with settling accounts. No.bigbdeal. onboard exchange rates were horrible. Always better to use an in network ATM to get bank exchange rates.

Exactly, one less way to get ripped off.

19 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I’ve always wondered in crew income is taxable at all, given it’s earned mostly in international waters?

Depends on the crew member's country of origin concerning income taxes.  U S is one of the few nations which requires citizens to report all of their world wide income for tax purposes.  Other than POA not too many US citizens working at sea, it is all taxable.  There are certain exclusions allowed on w-2 income while operating out of a foreign address.

       Future department:  The Norwegian Sun just decided to bypass Manta, Ecuador, will be arriving in Peru a day early.

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Restaurants all over the place are paying start up bonuses for signing on.  I know 2 owners personally doing it.

 

Again, ask them if their tips are bribes.  None

of them will think that.  Truth is, if you ask them that question, they’ll be insulted!

According to the IRS tips are earned and reportable income, bribes are not, nor are they a deductible tax expense to the payer.

The coast is where most of the problems are.  If on the Sun I would not get off the ship if it stops in Ecuador.

11 hours ago, cruiser2015 said:

55 pesos to the dollar...what country was that in?

The Philippines,  Laguna Larry's home country.  Always carry pesos, so many great Filipinos working the ships.  Plus I snow bird there October to March.

1 hour ago, island lady said:

 

We have a cooking class tour there...booked with ship tour.  Guess we will find out.  

Good luck, would not stray from the tour.  Have some expat contacts in Ecuador, they are suffering through curfews currently, things are not quite as bad in the Andes, but Quito still has a curfew.

8 hours ago, crzndeb said:

Looks like only Ecuador stop is Manta on Feb 1

The coast of Ecuador is where the drug wars are raging.  Manta not worth getting off the ship