zuke2323

One time I threw a McDonald's bag into a large dumpster that was in the parking lot at my office building. As I got back in my car, a man who was doing maintenance/renovation on the building approached me and told me that the dumpster was private property and that I could not use it. I apologized, told him that I did not realize that (there was a "PRIVATE PROPERTY" sign on the dumpster but I guess I don't make a habit out of reading dumpster signs), and I promised that I would not do it again.

This man proceeded to tell me that he was "going to call the law", whipped out his cell phone, and started making his way to the back of my car to get the license plate. Naturally I sped off and parked my car at another building about a half mile away. I sat in my car flabbergasted at his response to the situation; I doubt I have ever met another person in real life who would find it necessary to handle that situation with anything more than "please don't do it again".

I often feel that there is a higher concentration of "call the law" folks on CC than anywhere else in the world.

I have that dream! Except in mine, I'm getting OFF the ship when I realize I forgot to do anything. I didn't even get to eat. :eek:

/shudders :)

When I was growing up, I would have a dream every night for the first two weeks of summer break that I was already back in school.

These dreams are worse though. Didn't pay $4,000 to go on summer break.

About two weeks out I will start having dreams that I am on the boat but it is already the fifth or sixth day and I haven't done anything I wanted to do.

It is probably the worst dream I have.

I leave on the Breakaway in less than two weeks and I told my dh in addition to my usual mojitos, I cannot wait to have the BBCs again. LOVED THEM.

I would commit crimes for a BBC right now. 45 days Zuke, just 45 days.

Beef Wellington was served in the MDR on Friday night, which was also very good.

When you say Friday, this would have been day 6 of your cruise? Trying to plan our SDP usage around the Beef Wellington night at the MDR.

Thanks for your help.

Or are you just cherry picking the laws you like?

Well yeah, anything else would be un-American.

BTW this thread is everything I hoped it would be (and more) when I opened it.

Yeah, it's interesting -- I think this must be economically advantageous or they wouldn't be doing it this way. I think at $79, they are making an awful lot of money just on the "service charge,"

Of course; what I'm saying is they probably do not expect many (if any at all really) people to go out and purchase the UBP separately now, as $652.54 per person ($79*7 + the 18%) to drink is a prohibitive cost to most cruisers. They most likely keep raising the price of the UBP in order to subsidize the promo.

What I might have done is keep the UBP purchase price at $59 or 64 pp/pd, a price where some people would have actually bought it. Then change the terms of the UBP promo to read something like "selecting the UBP promo enables a guest to purchase the UBP for $100" (or $150, whatever). That way they are still accomplishing what I assume was their goal, which was to get more money out of people who select the promo without making a purchase of the UBP prohibitive in cost.

I guess they then wouldn't be able to advertise as "free UBP", but it isn't free anyways. The way they did it seems much more complicated than just setting a discounted price for people who select the UBP promo.

 

The math looks to work out to 6 dining credits. UBP service charge would be based on $69 because it only just changed recently. So, $69x2x.18 is $24.82 per day. For 14 days it's $347.76. OP paid $385.20, so that means OP paid $37.44 for dining. Six nights under the old promo was $18.72 per person. $18.72x2=37.44.

That sounds right to me then. I think I was using $64 pp/pd for UBP because that's what I paid in December. Completely off-topic but that means UBP has gone up $15 pp/pd in two separate chunks within the span of 3 months.

Seems like it would've been much easier to just keep the UBP at $64 and market the UBP promo as "select this promo and you can purchase the UBP package for a discounted price of xxx". But I'm not in marketing so what do I know.

SDP and UBP for 2 people on a 14 night (plus a child so I dont think that counts):

 

Choice Promotion Service Charge: $385.20

Hmm... I'm not able to make the numbers work perfectly. Do you have the Promo Service Charges broken out between the UBP and SDP? Sorry for the inconvenience.

How do I know what mine is? We booked back in January for 14 night and the NCL website just says:

 

Specialty Dining Package

Dining Package - Promo

 

Nothing about the number of nights included.

Do you know how much you paid in gratuities for it? With that information you could probably work backwards and figure out how many nights the promo is for.

Not sure if this is relevant, but we booked a 7-night in December and got four meals. So I would assume you got at least 8.

I don't drink much at home, but when I'm on a cruise, I put the fun in Functional Alcoholic :)

Thank you! At home it is completely normal for me to go a month without touching alcohol, but on a cruise with UBP I have no problem putting down 8-10 drinks in a day.

I'm not sure where some get the idea that because a person is drinking a lot on a vacation that that person has an alcohol problem. It is completely normal for your behavior on a cruise ship to be significantly different than in every day life.

And further, while I can't speak for every one, 10 drinks over the course of a ~14 hour day does not make me (250 lb. man) "sloppy drunk". It keeps a nice buzz, and I wouldn't drive the ship, but I'm not stumbling over myself and vomiting.

I get the impression that those who are most concerned about "drunks" on cruise ships have never actually been drunk. It is possible to drink quite a bit over the course of many hours and not be black-out stupid drunk.

Thanks, I didn't put it in my cart but they need to change the wording for sure.

Yes they do. The wording makes it sound like the $79 per day is inclusive of the 18% gratuity.

For anyone not finding it, here's a screenshot - hope you can see it.

Wondering if there is something in the small print that says they can alter the T & C's after bookings have been confirmed

I went to the website about a half hour ago and saw the $11 language, and just went back and they have changed it back to $15, so that's good.

I paid for the package when it was $54pp/pd, but there is no way I would do it at $79. Glad they seem to always offer it as a promo.

I was curious where he found the gratuities included also so I went and explored. Logged into NCL, went to explore and plan and clicked beverage packages. Here is what it states when I select the UBP:

 

Ultimate Beverage Package

 

Details

 

 

$79.00 USD per person per day (adults age 21 and older).

This package includes all cocktails, spirits, glasses of wine and beer (under $15), unlimited fountain soda and juices at all bars, lounges, restaurants (including while at Great Stirrup Cay)

Children and teens staying in the same stateroom will be required to purchase the Soda Package.

Read the full Terms & Conditions of the Ultimate Beverage Package for more information.

 

Need To Know

 

Applicable beverage packages must be purchased for all guests staying within the same stateroom for the entire length of the cruise.

Price includes an 18% gratuity and beverage service charge.

 

So, which is it? Because according to my ncl, when logged in, it says gratuities are included. I copied and pasted this, I did highlight the gratuities part in red and made print bigger.

 

Of course when I click the terms and conditions it states there is an added 18% gratuity.

They still charge you the 18%. I went and put it in my cart, and it says $652.54 per person. $79*7*1.18 = $652.54.

Also, They have removed the $11 language and put the $15 back, so it is still $15 limit. But that price increase is insane, and this is coming from someone who paid for the package when it was $54pp/pd. No way I would pay for it now. Will still pay the 18% gratuity on a promo though, as I blow that out of the water after day 3 lol.

I call Bull****tery, just another way to grab more money.

 

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Yes, for-profit corporations are trying to make money.

I was told by the NCL rewards redemption representative that the OBC I got by redeeming my rewards points could not be used for the DSC service charges.

Thank you very much!

I'm sure this has been answered in this thread but I was unable to find it in my searches:

If I use my points to get OBC before my cruise, is that OBC refundable or non-refundable? In other words, can I use that OBC to pay the DSC?

Trying to determine whether I should pre-pay the DSC to get the extra points or use the points to get OBC to pay the DSC.

Thank you in advance, and I apologize for what I'm sure is a common question.

If NCL gave you the OBC, then no, you most likely can't use it for the DSC / daily gratuities. Further, it is probably not refundable so you have to use it for something else while on board or it expires. If you purchased the OBC or your travel agent gave you refundable OBC you can use it for the DSC.

I have a question based on this information: If the OBC you have is the result of cashing in points on the Norwegian WorldRewards MasterCard, is that considered purchased OBC or promo OBC? In other words, can you use the OBC from the MasterCard points to pay the DSC?

Trying to figure out if I should pre-pay the DSC to get the double points or use the OBC from the points to pay the DSC :)

It is tradition. Quite simply a headcover is to protect the head. If you are wearing one indoors, you are imply you are not safe from the elements in the building. It is the same with a coat. A coat would be removed upon entering, otherwise you are implying your host cannot keep the building warm or you don't plan on staying long. A jacket is different than a coat and would continue to be worn, a dinner jacket, suit coat (which is really a jacket), uniform jacket, etc.

Interesting. Thank you!

With few exceptions, you should always remove headgear when indoors.

Can someone explain this to me? I have seen so many people here on CC and in other places online mention that they consider it improper to wear a hat in certain locations, and I can't for the life of me understand why.

I'm not looking for just "well, it's disrespectful". I understand some people feel that way and that's perfectly fine; I'm just wondering if there is any logic or reasoning behind this sentiment. Is there something specific about a hat that offends people?

Not picking on the person I quoted or anyone else who said wearing hats indoors was disrespectful. I'm legitimately curious what some folks find rude about a person wearing a hat indoors.

Hmm, that point where you realise that someone really isn't worth discussing with.

Lol I thought the same thing. Was interested in the discussion and then that pops up and it's just time to go.

We've had this goldfish for over a year. He was won at a carnival and was barely an inch long. Fast forward a year and Gilbert is around 8 inches long and living in a 10 gallon tank. The carnival fish outlived 3 other store bought goldfish.

That's so funny, the same thing happened to my brother and I growing up. He won a goldfish at the carnival, and I believe that thing lasted 2 1/2 years and even managed to dodge the algae eater that we discovered was eating the other fish. Little thing had quite the will to live, much like you :)

Excursions for Harvest Caye for September 11 are also gone, so looks like the November prediction could be correct.

I assume most if not all sailings will be moved to Belize City, which is fine with me.

Great suggestions. Thank you. DH plays piano, so Howl at the Moon is a must for us.

 

As for lunch the first day, I thought I read somewhere on CC that Cagney's serves lunch that day. Is that correct?

 

Hmmm, I am not sure on that one.

I get to do all of the research and then sit down with DH to figure out what we will do each day. I'm the planner, he just wants me to tell him what do to. It's the perfect marriage. :D

Sounds exactly like the DW and I :) I don't want to make decisions on vacation, just tell me where you'd like to go next, honey.

Was on Getaway with DW in September. Here's a few things I learned/experienced:

- When you first get on the ship, don't run to the buffet with the hordes. It is going to be very crowded for the first couple hours. Head over to O'Sheehans, it was almost empty for us around 12 - 12:30 the first day.

- If you do the Illusionarium, pay for the premium seating. I didn't, and even though I enjoyed the show, I wish I would've.

- THE GRILLED PINEAPPLE AT MODERNO. SWEET BABY JESUS IS IT GOOD

- Crepes in the Garden Cafe. I believe they are available during any dinner serving (6-9 or thereabouts). Go there. Get them. In case you can't tell we ate a lot :)

- Go to Howl at the Moon. The most fun onboard.

She is a beautiful ship with so much to offer. Enjoy!!