lov2sun

FYI…even with travel insurance and my own personal insurance , we were required to settle the outrageous $5k bill for 6 hrs observationin ships hospital before I could be transferred to hospital upon arrival in port. 

So please be cautioned to have some extra cash or credit available to you in case of emergency, as they were not going to let my husband off ship to join me at hospital without settling the bill. 
insurance reimbursed after the fact, but the ship wanted payment up front. 
 

Is there a late night snack place on Eclipse?

On 10/16/2018 at 1:51 PM, LincolnLog said:

 

* Room steward - I still can’t figure this one out. She didn’t exactly do anything bad, but she was so different from every other one we’ve had. It just seemed like she didn’t like her job. You know how when you walk down the hallway, every room steward gives you a cheerful greeting whether it’s the one that does your room or not? Not this one. She didn’t even greet us outside our own room! Also she didn’t introduce herself to us, or leave anything with her name on it. We had to find out her name from the steward down the hall. She seemed irritated that we asked her to put the top bunk away and turn the bottom one back into a couch. On other ships they’ve always done that without us asking. Also on the last day, she knocked loudly on our door at 7am. I opened it and she was already walking away. She looked back and said “Just checking” and kept walking. What the hell?

 

 

We were on this cruise as well on deck 10 - 10780 starboard side.  I am wondering if we had same attendant because it sure sounds like it.  Our steward was Maria and she was awful. She never spoke to us either.  Once we advised the shower drain was not working properly and therefore slightly flooded bathroom requiring use of all towels to clean up.  Asked for more towels and she literally rolled her eyes and handed 2 bath mats and then never serviced our room that night, so no towels.  Every day she left a used yellow cleaning rag somewhere in the room, it became a game to guess where it would be.  Our toilet seat was always covered in soap suds and wet after she cleaned, requiring us to use one of our clean towels to wipe it up.  It was just so unusual.  We too received a knock on the door around 7 am on last day and then again at 8:00 - that time i rudely retorted that we had heard her the first time. I have never had a steward who so obviously hated their job. I am sure it must be the same person.  I generally can shrug this stuff off, but she was so over the top bad it was hard not to notice.  

I did a walking tour for tasting tacos. It was so fun for our family. Did it though Juan More Taco.

Can you give a bit more info on this tour as I have been trying to find reviews and only see one. Have been a bit reluctant to make the booking. Thanks

Does Q restaurant take reservations? The online dining says "reservations not offered"This appears to be the only specialty restaurant other than Food Republic that has this message so I don't know if it's just full up or online reservations or that they just don't take ressies.

This system seems to be very glitchy so just checking with anyone who's has sailed

Thank you for your help.

Has anyone who has been on the Bliss know if it has the Ocean Blue takeout window on sea days?

just an additional note from the above answers. Last Nov we noticed that we didn't really have a problem getting space for two once onboard, even did a couple walk up and wait a few minutes . However, toward the end of the week and especially on the last night, many people are trying to cram in their last few free dining perks meals and it may be harder to get a specific time/restaurant. therefore, if you know you want to dine someone special during a peak time on the last night, book that as soon as you can.

The Italian restaurant never seemed to be completely unavailable. I read reviews that do not favor this particular venue however, it was one of our most memorable meals, especially being able to sit on the Waterfront for dinner. DH said he thought the steak there was better than the one he had in Cagneys and I loved the osso.

Cagneys - pork belly app and lobster bisque was amazing, big chunks of lobster

LaCucina - osso bucco was outstanding. Hubby thought the gorgonzola fillet was more tender than the fillet at Cagneys

Ocean Blue - stone crab claw app is three large claws

I didn't receive an answer before we departed but decided to go anyway. The day at LFK was the highlight of our vacation. We didn't spend much time with the animals as the water was so unbelievably perfect that we didn't want to get out. Our server did mention that the big animals were on the mainland due to a recent storm that stressed them, but I am wondering if the truth was something different. No worries to us, as mentioned there was enough other fun to be had

We decided to pay as we went rather than purchasing the lunch package which was fine since we had a hearty breakfast before leaving ship. Finding the drivers was easy as we exited the port gates. Everyone was friendly and helpful and the drive was about 20 ishminutes. We were in car by ourselves, they did it wIt to fill up a van as many tours do. We did see several others from our ship on the island as well.

There was a big group of performers from a carnival ship that were enjoying the day as well.

Would not hesitate to go again, but would keep an eye out to see if there is continuing government issues.

I also agree with the comments about the cruise director and the inability to understand her English. We heard many people commenting on this anytime.

I upped my bid $100/pp more which equals only $100/pp less that listed price to move from Aft PH to 2BR Haven. The cabins disappear when I do a fake booking....then reappear the next time I do a fake booking. 5 days out and still suites available for the taking.....but no letter. I am very happy where I am but would love to move up to a suite closer to the Haven itself! :cool:

If you are bidding only $100 less than listed, why not just pay listed amount and receive all the perks?

I can't even bid due to agency I booked with. Reading about peeps who bid up to better cabins than I am paying full price for, for far less. Doesn't seem fair some didn't even get the chance, but it is what it is. Sigh.

I have read that there have been additional raid(s) recently on LFK. Can anyone speak to the safety of visiting there? Will there be issues of getting to / from port?

is there an alternative that is comparable? I do not wish to put safety at risk if they are in a continual dispute with the government.

At this stage, my inquiries directly to LFK for info and/or reservations have gone unanswered, which pushes me further into the belief that there may be some serious issues going on.

Thank you for your kind assistance with my inquiry.

As much as I hate to say it :( There are some "things" going on with LFK at the moment and sadly, I will probably not return until (or if) they ever straighten things out. There was an illegal raid many months ago (which most people are aware of) and they took a lot of the "popular" animals. They have been fighting to get them back for months and they won their case and the animals were to be returned to them. However, once again, another raid took place and they took more animals. These raids involved blocking roads leading to LFK, over 60 military police and fiscal officers and the raid took place. It is reported that abuse of power from a very powerful man (who owns Maya Key they say...but only hearsay and you would have to read all the facts reported and come to your own conclusions...a lot of "this person knows this person and influences this person higher up and so on). It is said that the people that were forced to conduct the raid had to do so or lose their jobs and so on.

 

There's just too much going on over there. I think there's a lot of jealousy over there due to everyone loves LFK and is coming to Roatan and spending their $$ there instead of where they use to spend it with other locals on the island (Owner of LFK is not originally from Roatan).

 

But either way...it's just too much for me to handle at the moment and I won't put my family at risk (although others are still going and supporting them and that's fine). You make you own decision. I'm really saddened by this. :(

any other recommendations for something similar? LFK was one of the main reasons we booked this cruise itinerary, but I don't want to put myself and others in a nonsafe situation. Thanks for your honesty.

Just wondering which would be a better scenario? I see that they have pizza to purchase, has anyone ordered that instead of getting lunch package? how much were pizzas and are they good? Are there other food items for purchase?

How much are drinks if you pay as you go? Like beer or mojito?

I just not sure I want to commit to lunch? Can one person buy the lunch package and the other just the entrance package?

I tried to find menus but none that I could find. I sent email asking about menu selections, prices but they just referred me back to the website, where I couldn't find the info.

thank you for your kind assistance with my silly questions.

The Jan 2 Getaway cruise is part of the new bidding process. I got my email almost two weeks ago. If you did not receive the email to bid you can call and ask for one to be sent to you.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This information is not necessarily true. Some travel agencies have not opted to participate in this new program. If booked with an agency that isn't "in" then you are "out". NCL will not send you the email if you are one of the unlucky peeps booking through one of these agencies. I have tried.

I believe as this program becomes less of an experiment and more of a standard, these agencies may change their stance.

c r u i s e s . C o m

Your agency, as well as a few others, are under the W o r l d T r a v e l Holding umbrella and I was told that WTH has not responded to the multiple emails that NCL sent regarding the new program. I would think that once this is no longer just a pilot program and becomes standard, they will opt in so they don't lose customers.

It is frustrating to know that people that paid far less are getting opportunities for better categories by only paying $25 or $50 more. I wanted to upsell within my same category to get a bigger balcony and would have to pay $800 just because I booked with a Cruise agency that Only books cruises.

I'm on the 1/21 sailing, no email as of yet to upgrade. Which sailing did you receive the upgrade offer for, if you don't mind me asking. I've been checking EVERY day.

 

Thank you,

Rose

Not everyone is receiving the offers. There are some travel agencies that have not yet opted in to this new program. I found this out last Friday during a convo I had with a very nice person at the Upsell number. I was informed that the parent travel company for the agency that I booked through, has not yet responded to NCL's notification of the new program. There are multiple cruise agencies under this parent company that are in the same position.

Hopefully once this program gets into full swing, the agency will opt in so they wont lose people. But for now.... it is unfortunate to know that there are people that paid far less than I did who apparently are able to bid $25 or $50 to get into mini suites and I can't even change from a mid ship mini to a large balcony without paying $800. Sigh.

I don't believe I am allowed to state the name of this Travel Holding company but there are multiple online cruise agencies that Only book Cruises that are under their umbrella. Hopefully not yours, but wanted to let you know.

Hi Wildfan43. My fiance and I booked through a TA as well, and all 3 of us got the email. I can't speak for everyone, but that was our experience.

It depends on which travel agency you used to book with. Not all agencies have agreed to participate in the new program. As was explained to me this morning by NCL Upsell department some agencies just didn't respond to their emails to participate in this new program and if you book through an agency, NCL has to send the offer email via the agency. I just found out my agency did not respond to the multiple emails NCL sent them to opt in to the bidding program and therefore I will not be receiving an offer to bid.

I am sure at some point this agency (and any others who haven't yet) will opt in to the bidding advantage program as to not loose business but since this is a new program it may take several disgruntled passengers to complain to the agency for them to respond to NCl to opt in.

Frustrating for sure.

can you share what your outcome was? when did you get assignment?

thanks!

This happened to us last Dec on Getaway. Charges were processed through credit card but the hold stayed for weeks. We were trying to get our card switched to a lower interest during this time and the bank said we needed to call NCL and have them release the hold so that it wouldn't be pending. It took three calls (disconnects a couple times) and about 45 minutes on hold until it was resolved via NCL cust service.

Not sure if this happens every time as this was our first NCl cruise. It is not this way on RCCL - just a couple days after the actual charge comes through.

has anyone in a mini guarantee received the email offer to bid for Haven? I see a lot of people talking about this and haven't seen anything from NCL yet.

I did read where some balcony and inside gty peeps received offers. Not clear on whether they had already been assigned rooms or not and maybe that is the difference? (I booked back in January and have not received assignment, so wondering since I don't have a room to bargain with, that I don't qualify for program).

I know this is a new thing, so not sure if there are any real consistencies available yet.

Thank you.

PS - on Getaway at end of November

IMO $2k is a lot of money for that upgrade. The Haven is nice but I would rather have that cash to do other special things or buy something extravagant that will always remind you both of your honeymoon.

Also keep in mind that on top of that $2k for the upgrade, you will have additional costs for service charges, butler and concierge tipping - so actually it is much more than $2k.

I am wondering what happens to my mini suite guarantee if people who originally booked insides are bidding to upgrade for $25? We don't have a cabin assigned and have not been "invited to bid" so not sure where we will end up in this new process. When originally booked I figured there really are no bad mini suites so rolled the dice.

Last year we booked in a Mini with large balcony and were upsold two weeks before to aft penthouse and loved it. I was hoping this opportunity might present itself again this year, but doesn't seem likely with this new system.

At least when we booked the gty back in January, they were giving the two promos, so I guess that is something...

You might not have the option of the "traditional upsell" as it has been reported for Getaway cruises after Oct 29th, NCL is testing out the bidding system for higher category cabins.

I am sailing end of Nov and still to receive this email invitation, but it has been reported that several have, including those who originally booked inside cabins.

I am in a mini guarantee booked in January, so not sure what the criteria is for being "invited to bid"?

Must not apply if you are in a mini suite guarantee cuz I haven't received anything except a duplicate emails inviting me to "meet my ship"

Makes sense since I don't actually have a cabin to bargain with.