krittykat

Travel insurance was a blessing for us. My dad actually got sick and went into hospice 2 days before we were supposed to go on our cruise. Got the majority of everything back. Took some time and paperwork but didn't lose all my money.

Just booked a Christmas cruise for 25/26 for Se Asia. Bucket list trip....yay!

sorry - error post

Well, it was going to be the Holy Lands Oct '24 however...plans change. Sailing on the Rotterdam The Jewels of the Baltic 9/28/24 -10/12/24

Love all these tips. We sailed on Holland for our 1st cruise (Alaska) on the Oosterdam, nearly 20 years ago. We will be sailing again in a year. This time, the Jewel of Baltics, on the Rotterdam. I have sailed on NCL and Royal Caribbean, along with a river cruise on Viking. Nothing can beat that 1st cruise.

So much valuable information. This is why I love this site. It will a long wait for this trip but we'll worth it.

Just that makes it worthwhile...always hate the chaos of disembarkation

My daughter loves gummy bears and would love to have peppermint tea available. Me - coffee for the win. All your information is helpful regarding the butler and I will file away for our trip. Thanks!

Great advice! Thank you. I have lots of time to plan. This group is fantastic for information.

Just have to post and share my excitement. Back in the old days (pre pandemic), my hubby, daughter and I had booked a cruise of the Western Caribbean on the Getaway out of New Orleans - a 2 bedroom cabin in the Haven. Due to the pandemic and a series of other untimely events, we never got to take that cruise and ended up sailing around Spain instead. A lovely cruise, however, not in the Haven, no basking in the Caribbean sun. Now we are back, still have my heart set on a warm cruise .... winters are so gray and damp in the Pacific NW. Vacations have been planned out through 2024 (Ireland - road trip driving around the country - a great way to see the country) and a Greek cruise in 2024. So, it has to wait until 2025 but just couldn't wait to push planning off. We are now booked in the Haven, a 2 bedroom for the 3 of us. A totally new experience - looking forward to the quieter aspect as we have never sailed on that large of ship and I don't do crowds well. The butler kind of intimidates me, not sure how much we will truly use them. However, all other aspects are definitely exciting. Nothing except relaxing, eating some good food, enjoying some tasty drinks...venturing out to explore a little. Yes, I might have gotten a better deal if I had waited... but 50% off for the first 2 of us (or in NCL sale language - 2nd person sails free) and my daughter is essentially free - I didn't want to wait to lock in our cabin. So, I had to share my excitement.

Personally, if I can't see it myself, I truly wonder if it exists. Or it is just NCL trying to get me to book another cruise by the end of October. I was considering booking another cruise for 2025 but don't like being pressured to use something before 6 months is up. Just don't plan vacations that way

I have previously seen FCC there, prior to booking my last cruise but absolutely nothing now. Made me question the validity of the unsolicited call.

I am sure there is an answer here somewhere but I can't find it for the life of me. We cruised on NCL last October. I just received an unsolicited call from someone who said they are from NCL who said I have FCC credit still available. I see nothing on my account. Where would this be visible or is this something that NCL keeps to themselves?

Great video. We are looking at cruising on the Riviera in 2024 Athens to Venice. Our 1st Oceania cruise.

The thing I miss most whenever I travel is my adjustable air bed. Having inflammatory arthritis, it is great for the joints. But I love to travel and I can survive for awhile without it.

Yes and an increase for insurance, if you have that the NCL

Definitely, would get my own, none cruise line insurance next time. But will get insurance, whenever I travel

Might try it for fun. Bringing a couple Cuban Romeo y Juliets to enjoy with whatever I choose. 😊

I don't think "they decided not to go" is going to cut it for cancelling and expecting reimbursement back from the insurance. We had a cruise scheduled for last December and had to cancel 5 days before embarkation due to my dad *not cruising* sudden illness and going into hospice. It took me 5 months of going in circles with the insurance company and did finally get reimbursed but it was like pulling teeth. So, considering the difficulties we had with that, I am not sure just deciding not to go will be accepted.

It is getting easier to traveling - less obstacles. When I booked our cruise (Spain/Portugal/Italy) that we are going on in less than 2 weeks, I worried about the logistics of testing prior (timing) for COVID and before flying home - and possibly randomly testing positive on the cruise. Each of those anxieties have gone by the wayside. Still will use caution, masking on planes, possibly on tours/tour buses etc. Follow regs of countries - but the big fears are gone. Now just the standard worries of catching planes, making connections, luggage arriving with us - etc.

Looking forward to our cruise in 11 days. Daughter is currently in an IA inside cabin and has put in a bid for a Club balcony. We are keeping our fingers crossed for her. Likely this will go down to the wire but checking the inventory (I know, not accurate) there are quite a few of these still open. Maybe this will be a nice little boarding surprise for her. If not, still will be a great cruise.

Sadly, the bar does not carry a nice Islay scotch (Ardgeg, Bruichladdich, etc)..... Give me something smoky, peaty and a taste of seaweed = nectar of the gods. I will have to suffer in the the Cigar bar with something less than ideal.

We are just a little over a week out (Sat will be 7 days) from our cruise. Daughter has her own cabin, currently inside, across the hall from ours. She put in a bid for a club balcony. I know it is a long shot but it appears there are plenty available still. It is nice to have dreams.

I called about 2 weeks ago for our cabin and my daughter's cabin. She got an email about hers in about a week but I have yet to hear about ours. However, a lot of their offices are based out of Florida and figure with the weather catastrophe that has occurred, things might be delayed for awhile.

We are sailing on the Dawn 2 weeks from today. From what I can tell, there are still plenty of cabin availability left. I certainly do not mind if we are sailing at lower capacity since I am not big on large crowds (one of the reasons I wanted to sail on the Dawn).