Smitheroo

On 2/10/2024 at 6:32 PM, RocketMan275 said:

On Prima 2 Feb., I found no cookies.  I looked.  Every day.

The Studio lounge had declicious cookies (as well as some pound cake) on the Getaway Jan 12th. I picked some up every evening.

On 2/17/2024 at 7:01 PM, havoc315 said:

I did exclude them. That’s 3/4ths of adult passengers. Official capacity is just 2 per cabin. That’s why cruises sail above 100% capacity (kids).  
 

And I already have you a source that it’s much more than $1,000 per month.  NCL pays a base pay of $3k-5k per month, and bar tenders earn another $1-2k per month in tips according to Glassdoor. 
 

Another way to look at the math — NCLs drink package is far more expensive than most other cruise lines… even luxury lines. So that would suggest NCL pays their bartenders far more than other cruise lines and/or has a much better staffing ratio. 
 

Again, I have no idea whether the bar staff truly gets all of the “gratuity” charge or not. But the numbers are a bit suspect. 

NCL might be more expensive but at least one other line I know of (Cunard) if you want a drink that costs above their allowable limit (in NCL it is a $15 drink) you cant use the drink package at all, if you want that drink you have to pay 100% of the price of that drink (ie. $18 drink).  I never bothered to find out how many drinks they had that were under the limit.  With NCL, any drink I would want is $15 or less. And if I wanted one that costs $18 I would have to pay $3 for it.

On 2/17/2024 at 6:25 PM, rodndonna said:

 

What I meant was you can't book an FAS and not have the relevant gratuities added, i.e. if you take the beverage package then the gratuities for it are automatically added to the invoice.

Yes, unless you ask them to be removed you will pay them even if you dont drink one alcoholic drink

On 2/17/2024 at 5:33 PM, rodndonna said:

 

I didn't think you could book FAS and not have the gratuities for those added to your invoice. It adds them in automatically on the invoice the same way it adds port charges and taxes. They're not like DSC gratuities that you  can "optionally" choose to add to the invoice. 

You can book "FAS" and have the drinks package (which is really the gratuity charge) removed. I did it once, easy.  At the end of the first day I questioned my decision and went to Guest Services and had it added back on. Also easy.  I've also had specialty dining removed (which are the gratuities removed)  The gratuities for the specialty dining are not much to worry about.

On 2/15/2024 at 9:09 PM, Mrearl said:

I was checking on a 14 day cruise with a drink package included.  They then state we have to pay gratuities which is $690 in  gratuities. It makes the initial price look good until they add the gratuities. This is the first cruise line I have been on that makes you pay gratuities for the drink package.  

You shouldnt have been "mislead" but you have a right to be disappointed.  So in the end the question is do I think it is worth it or not.  If another liner offers a 100% "free" drinks package go for it.  I cant comment on that because I only have experience with one other line and in my opinion, NCL is a much better deal

On 2/16/2024 at 9:18 AM, graphicguy said:

Yeah....but their fares are much higher to make up for it.  

 

It's the total out of pocket that matters.

 

Ask yourself if individually you'll drink $22 in liquor, beer, wine and sodas per day.  That's the cost.  If not, don't include it in your FAS.

 

BTW...that figures out to be 2-3 drinks per day per person.

my thinking is that if you dont drink quite enough (but almost) to make the package worthwhile, it is still worthwhile to me.  It is just easier. But I wouldnt do it for that reason alone if I thought I might only drink 3 drinks on the entire cruise. It has to be close and then I dont worry about it.

On 2/15/2024 at 9:09 PM, Mrearl said:

I was checking on a 14 day cruise with a drink package included.  They then state we have to pay gratuities which is $690 in  gratuities. It makes the initial price look good until they add the gratuities. This is the first cruise line I have been on that makes you pay gratuities for the drink package.  

I cant find the answer I just wrote to you so I will just do a new one. With the Cunard package, at least this was the case in 2013, if the drink you wanted was over the limit (let's use $15 for example, like NCL) you had to pay the *entire* cost of the drink. On NCL you only pay the difference. Note that I said that's how it was on Cunard in 2013 but that's not that long ago.

On 2/15/2024 at 9:12 PM, debenson0723 said:

The package itself is free...you pay the gratuities, which are about $21 p/p per day. So if you drink anywhere between 2-3 drinks a day, it pays for itself.

And you must not have been on an RCL cruise...for their drink package on my cruise, it was $89.99 p/p per day PLUS 18% gratuities. Needless to say, I skipped buying that one.

On 2/15/2024 at 9:09 PM, Mrearl said:

I was checking on a 14 day cruise with a drink package included.  They then state we have to pay gratuities which is $690 in  gratuities. It makes the initial price look good until they add the gratuities. This is the first cruise line I have been on that makes you pay gratuities for the drink package.  

I see you've traveled on Cunard but not as recently as I have (2013) I forget exactly how they do it because I didnt drink then. I think you buy the drink package but you are *expected* to tip, or else its all included together, I cant remember. But they're not giving out free drinks either. 

48 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

There are "Walk" buttons that pedestrians can push to initiate a traffic signal change that would stop traffic on 12th Ave. That can result in traffic backing up . It's also there to discourage people from crossing against the light.

Again, the main reason for having the footbridge there is for visitors to the Intrepid Museum. The footbridge goes to the museum reception building. 

as long as you dont have luggage the footbridge is fine if someone preferred that for some reason.  Maybe they should warn people before starting out on it that there is no ramp on the other side. There is a sign with a number to call for access at the Intrepid museum building.  It doesnt actually say  "footbridge to the Intrepid ship" (if it does, I missed) so it would be nice for someone to know that there is no ramp on the other side.  The staircase is fine if you have no luggage and for some people, it might be okay with luggage but I wasnt going to take a chance
 

6 hours ago, hallux said:

There are groups on social media sites for exchanging them.  Unless you never plan to sail NCL ever again, just keep them.  There is no longer an expiration date for them.

No, I will sail again but right now I could use the money.  Remember, I fell for that special deal and bought 8 CruiseNext certificates.  I might hold on to the CruiseFirst if its only one I have. If I have 2 I might try to get rid of one.

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

June 2022, so long after 9/11.

That's very interesting.  Our local airport is an international airport but small and only ticketed passengers are allowed past a certain point.

4 hours ago, njhorseman said:

The footbridge is two blocks south at 46th St and is there to ease crossing 12th Ave. for those visiting the Intrepid Museum.

 

You're only going to have a police presence to control traffic at the 48th St crosswalk on days when a ship is in port, while the Intrepid is open virtually every day of the year and by having the footbridge there isn't the continual disruption of traffic on 12th Ave. by pedestrians crossing.

Doesnt the lights still change at 46th street regardless of whether there are passengers crossing or do you mean passengers crossing against the light. I crossed at the footbridge and there was a cop at that crossing. At least I think it was 46th st. I know I came off the footbridge, walked down to 12th ave and waited till I got the green light to cross. There was a cop right there screaming directions at the cars coming out of the pier.   I made a dry run the day before (I didnt notice how the footbridge didnt have a ramp on the water side since I didnt have a suitcase on the dry run) and like you said, no cop that day and also no ship.  The day of the sailing was obvious.  Lots of people and activity

What are some other ways of selling these certificates besides E-Bay?

On 2/16/2024 at 5:24 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

That was my understanding, but I am proof that it depends on the airport. Smaller airports may be less rigorous, as I didn't even ask to escort her, they invited me.

this was before or after 9/11?

On 2/16/2024 at 7:15 PM, cruiseny4life said:

I know I'm too late to the party...I'm still going to throw out Sullivan St. Bakery for breakfast. Get it when you disembark (if disembarking at MCT). You can't go wrong! I know, I know...I'm a broken record about that place.

 

Hope you had a pleasant walk.

 

@Smitheroo I had to laugh at your "too scary" regarding 12th Ave. Not at you, but certainly not a hard highway to cross. There's red lights, y'all! It's Manhattan.

I know!  It wasnt scary at all. But it could have been.  It has a great crosswalk and lights. So what is the purpose of the footbridge? 

1 hour ago, Sailing12Away said:

Corkage fee would be charged at the time you bring it on. Where you choose to drink it is up to you. For us, we like to save our brought on wine for in the room since we can get drinks outside of it with no problem. It's inside the room on our balcony that we can't get it - so we have it ready in the cabin for when we want a late night top off.

It is my understanding that there is no corkage fee  People with the FAS drinks package can bring wine onboard with them. I thought it can only be drank in the cabin (or pay a corkage fee) but I was wrong.  In 2013 anyone could bring wine on board a Cunard liner (you didnt need the drinks package) and if you drank it in your cabin there was no corkage fee. If you chose to drink it at dinner in the dining room there was a corkage fee. That was the source of my confusion since I havent brought wine onto an NCL liner. Like you say, you can get drinks anywhere on the ship, so save the wine you brought on with you for the cabin.

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

It may depend on the airport, as recently as 2022, I was provided a pass to clear security and escort my wife to the gate, waiting with her until she boarded the aircraft. Although it was a domestic flight, it was an international airport.

I'm realize there are situations that deviate from the protocols in place but generally speaking, for people without extenuating circumstances, no one but a passenger with a boarding pass gets past security now. 

On 1/25/2024 at 12:29 PM, sebas030 said:

My point exactly, food waste as per the article in question :

 

" 25 to 30 percent reduction in food waste per person "

 

 

 Now I will be watching people and their trays to see how many waste food. I rarely do. What about in the MDR?  I am a solo traveler and they put baskets of rolls on my table. I usually one. They must dump the others.  

On 1/31/2024 at 11:52 AM, scottca075 said:

 

I am a born and bred beach boy, raised on the beaches of Hawaii and So Cal. I hate wearing suits, which I do every day for work, and I am not all that fond of socks, let alone shoes. When i am not working, I am in shorts every day, even in Winter, such as it is here in So Cal. I like being casual, but I do like to dress, when appropriate.

 

I raised three boys at the beach in So Cal and now have five grandsons being raised at the beach. Seeing them in something besides a wetsuit and bathing suits is a more joyous event then I ever imagined. More important, having them understand that there is a time and place to abandon wetsuits and bathing suits and dress-up is a lesson well learned. My DW was very happy none of our boys got married in bathing suits, but chose traditional.

 

If you've never done a transatlantic with seven days at sea, dressing up is something great to break-up the day and seeing everyone in their finest is nice.

and it isnt even very hard, at least not for females.  I agree that packing suits must be a pain.

3 hours ago, stinkyharriet said:

The muster drills are online now.  When you check in on the app, or on the NCL site, you watch a video.  When you check in on embarkation day they will give you your room key card that had a letter on for your muster station.  You should go there immediately upon boarding and they will scan your card.  That’s it, no mass muster drill.

I think I remember  watching something before I left home.  I dont remember going anywhere to have my card scanned  Maybe they did when I wasnt aware. Sure dont think I learned anything  When I sailed in 1966 the muster drills were out on deck lol 

On 2/5/2024 at 11:48 AM, cruisewisely said:

Glow party was night 6 on the Epic two weeks ago. It was quite different from my previous 4 cruises (2 NCL, 2 MSC) where a majority of passengers of all ages wore white and at least dropped by the deck party even if they didn't dance or stay long. The attitude was it was the biggest party of the week. Wearing white wasn't mandatory, but it did look cool under the lights. 

 

On my January Epic cruise, only about 20% of passengers dressed in white, and I got some blank looks on the elevator when I asked who was excited about going. The glow now seems to mean you are given glow sticks to wave around, similar to Carnival's Rock n Glow party. The crowd was pretty young and seemed to be having a good time but we didn't stick around. 

I have been on 3 NCL liners, including the Joy and the Encore, and have never heard of this?  Soon to go on the Bliss to Alaska and a person new to cruising asked me about the White Party she heard about. I was clueless. But anything comparing it to Carnival might have caused me to ignore it.

3 minutes ago, tmal2 said:

We walked across that earlier today. Since we are staying on 48th that would a tally be out of our way since we can cross right there.

Some people might think that crossing 12 th ave would be scary and or dangerous. It wasnt. The footbridge, in my opinion, was not worth the effort.  That's why I wrote to not bother with it. 

On 8/21/2015 at 3:23 PM, flatcircle said:

kitten3008

I'm an OT who works with kids on the autism spectrum. So, the first thing that I would suggest is if your child is see by an OT, discuss the upcoming cruise with her/him. You probably also need to consider how you are going to handle the muster drill.

Concerning check-in: One suggestion that I give my parents is to consider boarding after you know you will be able to access your cabin. No matter how well you plan the check-in, the noises/decorations/people can be overwhelming sensory-wise. This would give you private space as soon as you board (if needed) & buffet food could be carried back to the room.

Also, consider having your child wear a backpack while going through the check-in process. The increased weight can be calming (kind of like a walking hug). Your OT can help you determine the ideal weight for the pack.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

You mention the muster drill.  I know what it is meant for but.... On the Joy we went to an auditorium and I think there someone demonstrating on the stage.  On the Encore and Getaway I was not aware of any muster drill. I was told my number, or area of whatever they called it but I never had to go anywhere to do anything about it.  I do remember what I think you saying would be difficult. On a Cunard liner in 2013, masses of people had to crowd into an area and listen.  UGH.

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Here are some photos from the MCT Pier 88 area, should help ... very easy with traffic lights to safely cross wide 12th Ave. Looking at the corner of W.48th St & 12th Ave. from different angles - giant elevators & escalators will going up & down to level 2 for embarkation.  You can't possibly miss seeing the GA walking toward the Hudson River and Pier 90 is right next berth over.

 

 

 

 

Happy cruising ... Bonus generic info-guide 

 

 

I would like to add to not bother trying to take the footbridge over 12th avenue.  There is a staircase at the ship end but no ramp (there is a ramp at the other end) which is a problem if you have luggage. Maybe not for someone young but it was a problem for me.  There was a sign at the door to the Intrepid museum to call a certain number for access.  Its easier just to cross the street on foot. There is a well marked crosswalk, lights and also a cop there directly traffic.  Plenty of people and activity around

5 minutes ago, Smitheroo said:

Many people do believe that you must wear a tux. As you point out, not true.  You wouldnt see your hairy legs with a black velvet skirt on! Didnt I say "long?"

and you *would* see your hairy legs with a kilt on  (and I would love to see the men wearing kilts)