kinesiologynerd

I was also on this sailing. Just got back from a 12 hour drive so I'll post some more comprehensive thoughts and pictures later.

Honestly, we could even understand not wanting to tell us everything while the "situation" was unfolding. But how they handled the aftermath of it was disgraceful and how they are trying to make those who went through the madness jump through hoops to get some sort of response is awful. An hour of free drinks for people who had the UBP already ain't cutting it, nor is $50 credit to be split between THREE people in the cabin with no real apology for the day we lost.

 

I get that these things don't happen often but they practice these drills precisely for when stuff like this DOES happen. Like I said, it could have been worse if this happened in Nassau or a port that did not have local resources to respond like Miami had. Obviously they have to re-examine how they handle and respond to these situations or what is the point of having the plan and going through all the drills and having the procedures in place? That doesn't even involve the customer service aspect.

 

I have said that I don't expect my money back nor do I even want it. I wouldn't even expect a token credit for a future cruise. I want them to just tell us they screwed up and to stop trying to discourage people from passing along knowledge of what they went through to others. After all, people do make decisions to book this ship and line all the time and they should know that things like this could happen AND how NCL reacts when they do.

 

So that is all I want. A form letter with a 25 dollar voucher won't do it, I want them to know that their handling of this entire weekend was poor and to fix it so if it does happen again, they do a better job dealing with it. I also want people who were interested in hearing what happened, be able to hear it firsthand from people who were there.

 

And I know ports get missed, and it was not the end of the world that we missed GSC. But on top of everything else that happened, handing out a few trays of rum punch near the pool didn't cut it either. But if you cannot reliably go to a port due to seasonal weather and you know you stand a 50/50 chance of having to skip it, maybe it would be better to not include this as a port of call when selling the itinerary. Ya know? Some people (not me) may have booked this cruise in part because of a visit to that island, and that could be a huge disappointment for them. I do understand that weather can really screw up a visit to a place and safety is important, but like I said, they should make a good mention of it when you go to book that there is a good chance conditions will not be acceptable to visit. More than the little mention of it that they put in the contract of carriage that nobody actually reads.

I mean... you sure mention monetary/material reimbursement a lot for someone who says he's not after it.

Also, I'd be willing to bet the success rate for reaching GSC or any other Bahamian private island is well over 50% this time of year.

I'm not trying to get personal, I'm honestly curious.

What is your end game? Other than more frequent updates, what else did you expect NCL to do? I doubt they, or any cruise line, practices an "evacuate the entire ship" drill. They're not going to refund your money. They just aren't, and they shouldn't. So what then?

Also this is maybe a little personal: an experienced cruiser should know that tender ports are at the mercy of the seas, and December in the Bahamas isn't the best.

Abolished? No. Mid 20s.

I think if you'd wear it to a play a round at a nice country club it should be fine for the MDR. I'm a grad student in Ohio. I don't see the sun or get to wear shorts much these days. Darn it I want to go to the Caribbean and not have long pants reminding me of the cold hell I have to go back to.

At the end of the day you're on vacation and should stop letting a complete stranger's clothes impact you negatively.

If they really haven't made it clear that the 10PM departure has been in the works for a while that's kind of crappy. Last week Captain Henrik Loy on Indy gave us frequent and very informative updates when we were delayed waiting for a medical evac helicopter for a passenger.

With that said, sounds like some people need to chill :rolleyes:

We had a 5pm departure from Miami and rented a car at FLL. I bid for it on priceline and paid less than the cheapest shuttle (for 2) that I could find. Went to the beach and had a nice lunch on Virginia Key overlooking the bay. It was great.

Completely agree!

 

Our first cruise:

 

Radiance Alaska May 2005 Cat N $1753

Radiance Alaska May 2015 Cat N $1520

 

Our first Transatlantic:

 

Independence Nov 2010 Cat PR $1798

Harmony Oct 2016 Cat C1 $1759 (booked yesterday)

 

I do agree that some prices have become very expensive such as the Allure and Harmony in Europe, but overall cruising can still be very good value.

Accounting for inflation, you're actually coming out (mildly) ahead.

Apparently, he's never booked a cruise through their website. I have yet to find a cruise that you could actually book at the advertised price. When you get through to the part about picking a cabin, the price magically jumps up, and is not what you see on the search screen.

You mean the taxes?

Any ideas on who the cruise director will be on the Independence in a week?

Ricky Matthews is the CD on Indy for another ~month he said.

They had it at Thanksgiving (almost 6 months ago though), I think I have seen reports of people seeing them since then as well but that's my most recent experience to share.

Yep. Had them last week.

The drink of the day is still offered, but it is no longer a good deal as it was years ago.

Seriously. $10 is no deal.

Between Falmouth and Labadee a few days ago on Indy we had 50mph winds and the navigation channel said 9 Beaufort. A quick googling says that corresponds to 20-30ft seas??? I wouldn't have guessed that, but there were quite a few motion sick passengers (including my GF). I thought it made cruising way more fun than a silly hotel!

Side note- seemed like especially after we were south of Cuba every evening got quite windy and choppy. Is that the norm?

How much were they

I had the premium package, so I'm not totally sure. However, day 1 (got the package day 2) a lava flow was $12.

Just did this sailing last week. It was my first RCL cruise (first cruise period actually). Had a blast. Will be interesting to see your take. Be sure to check out "piano man" Dan Davies in the Schooner Bar at night.

Does this mean no more pina coladas. I see only one frozen drink on this menu

What the heck are they doing

I just got off Indy yesterday and I had far more pina coladas than I care to admit.

Unless RC wants to send me somewhere for breakfast they'll be seeing my bright smiling face at 10:30am.

More booze = good deal - then it's a good deal.

tastes good = good deal - then it's a good deal.

+Drinking package = great deal!

I'm spring break-ing on Indy March 8th. It's going to be innnnnnnsane! I might have TWO glasses of wine at dinner! (Medical school has robbed me of my youth. What is "fun"?)

Ok question just to make sure. I have to be up at like 3:30am for my flight. I'm guessing night #1 will be a waste and I'll at least not feel like drinking a lot. So I can get a drinking package on day 2 (a sea day) and pay for only 5 days (it's a 6 night cruise)? Thanks

Anyone have a strong opinion on a good beach in/near Falmouth?

Two for one drinks every day in different bars. Check the Compass for times and bars.

Music to my budget stretched ears

This was a very informative and insightful post. Thank you.

Was going to do a different line for spring break, but $340 for a balcony on a 7 day Western Caribbean? YUP #FirstCruise

PS- I just called them to make sure, and the representative said the bunk bed rooms are separate from the guarantee rooms.... game changer. Now I don't know what cruise to do...