EngrJones

3 hours ago, PATRLR said:

The alternative is to lower the quality of the product while maintaining the price - I'm not sure in what business model that would make sense. 

It may not make sense, but it happens a LOT.  Have you gotten pizza from Pizza Hut or Dominos recently?

Deja Vu??  Hmmm...

4 hours ago, JarsInColorado said:

Total bust of a cruise when alone. All I did was eat, drink and gamble for an entire week...

This really doesn't sound like "total bust."

They are like exactly the same.  Encore is likely the one going to Glacier Bay, so I would pick that one.

1 hour ago, RocketMan275 said:

Actually, that does sound interesting.  I love watching people squirm.  

On vacation?  Really?

4 hours ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

Would a discussion with the laundry manager about the latest detergents be more up your alley?

Of course not.  That wouldn't be interesting either.  Short of dining with the Captain, I doubt I would find any such foolishness interesting.  I am Sapphire and gladly pass on each and every opportunity.  If others find them to be "fun," knock yourselves out!  You can have my seat.

24 minutes ago, KansasTexan said:

I'd LOVE to have dinner with the art auction manager. But I'm an art collector who *might* just ask some pointed questions about the sales tactics and the art available on the ship. I can guarantee it would be an interesting dinner. 🙂

That doesn't sound very interesting for the others who are dining with you.

4 hours ago, dcipjr said:

I usually find it to be a bit bold to ask for credit after final payment

What's wrong with being "bold?"  It's NCL's policy to award FCC, so why not take it?

2 hours ago, FPMoosally said:

 

I understand. You don't like specialty dining regardless of the gratuity. I guess that's what I can't wrap my head around.

 

I've not had even remotely similar experiences as yours, on any level. Never a conflict about was or was not allowed, never slower than the MDR, only one bad meal, one time. And walked in without reservations on many occasions, if we weren't particular about the venue.

 

Just lucky, I guess.

 

 

Yeah, I don't get it either.  Just make some placeholder reservations and cancel/adjust as things play out.  I don't understand how a 5:30 reservation will interfere with "spontaneous."  What else is going to come along at that time to make you want to defer dinner?

1 hour ago, FPMoosally said:

 

To be honest, the idea of actually using a bathtub on a cruise ship (or hotel) gives me the heebie-jeebies.

 

Yikes!!  And people are paying $3400 more for these? 🤣  My old dad might hurt himself trying to get in and out, especially after he's been using the FAS beverage package.😬

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

It came from your post where you were bullying the prior poster. 

Relax....  Glass houses my friend.

21 hours ago, mexicobob said:

We paid about $200 more per person. Bigger bathroom was nice..............but we wanted the giant balcony, which was worth it for us. Four bottles of decent wine were also enjoyed.

I used to enjoy Cruise Critic but there sure are some morons on these boards now.

Well, you're the one who said you paid $3400 more for the bigger bathroom.  I guess what goes around comes around.

On 2/27/2024 at 10:17 PM, complawyer said:

engr jones, before you chastise mexico bob, you need to establish how much he was paying for the balcony cabin. if the difference was $3400, that's a lot for the larger bathroom, if he was paying $2500 for the balcony and upped it to $3400, that's only a $900 difference, or $450 per person. 

 

so dont     please throw stones, or tell anyone how to spend their money. it's not nice lol

I feel like I just got hit by a stone.  Where did that come from? 🤣

5 minutes ago, julig22 said:

Maybe, maybe not. New terms for certificates purchased after 1/11/24, no current info if NCL will hold to their own terms - or let it slide. Terms have always said new reservations, but note the new wording "Credits may not be applied to existing reservations"

 

True.  However, they also don't appear to come with that onerous "cancel/rebook will cost you the added value" threat.  I generally have a number of future bookings quite far out.  In the majority of cases, the prices and promos since booking have been stable, so if I HAD to cancel/rebook to use CNs, I could easily do it.

10 hours ago, KSSS2013 said:

Harsh. I guess that’s why I still only use cruise next. But if I were all out I’d probably do a cruise first if I was booking a fresh cruise. 

You could just book the cruise and then apply one or two CNs when you acquire some.  That works best for frequent cruisers who book well in advance.

20 hours ago, UKstages said:

i have found them to offer real savings, with none of the cruise next flimflam or guess work or endless waiting for a double up promo.

Here we go!  I must be leading a privileged life.  I've bought many CruiseNext certs.  I've never been flimflam'd.  I've always had double up promos appear well before final payment on affected cruises (they seem to pop up for all cabin types about once a month).  

What is this "guess work?"  Do tell.

5 hours ago, idocdlw said:

"Shocking Demise" affecting cruise consumers! I am certain covid has been a "Shocking Demise" for not only the cruise industry, but imagine the effect on their ship staff!!! 

 

If you don't own a business significantly affected by the pandemic, please have some empathy for those that have...from the Mom and Pop shops to lucrative corporations...more for the Mom and Pop's though please.

 

I pray that all cruiseline staff who leave their families behind to strive to make a decent living while enduring family separation to provide said family with financial security are now starting to feel more security in their occupational choice. (long sentence...I know...hopefully grammatically correct). 

 

For many of us, we have had to tighten our budgets. For those who feel no need to do so...kudos! Wish all of us could be so lucky. 

 

Welcome to the world of capitalism...we can choose to participate or not participate. Our choices (freedom) are our own.

Amen!!

7 minutes ago, dlh015 said:

I always pack my passport when I cruise. Period. If I don't need it...no harm done.

I'm sure most do.  Do you always take in on Shorex?  I always have my passport card, but I leave the book in the safe unless it is specifically required.  On the bus tour I mentioned, I'm reasonably certain that my passport card would allow me to cross the border from Canada to the US, but NCL just said "passport."

17 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

Yesss.... If the cruise goes to Skagway and the passenger wants to take the WPYR tour to Carcross, Yukon, I believe a passport will be required.

I haven't needed it for the train that just slightly goes past the border, but I did need it for the bus tour that goes to the border.

2 hours ago, 9tee2Sea said:

if an agent told me they have to retake my photo because ' they dont like it", I  would ask what's wrong?  Are you going to provide hair/make up to make me look better?  I would also want to see the new picture they took so I can see if I like it.  

I would just let them retake it.  I'm in a great mood because I'm about to board a ship.  Why would anybody let something like a photo retake get their panties in a wad?

13 minutes ago, UKstages said:

thanks, kids.  i'll be here all week. remember to tip your waitress, enjoy the veal.

13 minutes ago, Yesimapirate said:

I'm annoyed enough that on my next cruise I will blatantly abuse absolutely everything.... except the lobster tail.  Clearly they only consider multiple lobsters to be excessive.  Since that's the only charge for additional food in the Haven, I will be eating a full cow's worth of filet.  Surf and turf and turf and turf and turf and turf and turf and turf?  Yes please!

Yeah, that'll teach 'em.👺  It really doesn't sound like you're focused on having fun on your next cruise.

2 hours ago, okpaddy said:

I hope you realize that you just revealed the key to marital bliss. Just keep repeating to yourself, that she is always right and your life will be so much more pleasant. You can justify this by remembering that she chose to marry you... 

Happy journeys to you and yours.

As the great philosopher Benny Hill once stated:

"Remember, your wife is smarter than you ever were...

4 hours ago, idocdlw said:

or even a B@B TA

Has there ever been a B2B TA?  I would love that, but I doubt they happen.

1 hour ago, mistertomatoe said:

 

I sail NCL and I know first hand what kind of company it is and what it offers. Other than to get the OBC I wouldn’t get more NCLH. And the stock price? It’s actually negated some of the OBC. I’d make a profit but then it’d go back down.  RCCL has been a consistently good performer.  CCL not so much.

Why not just buy the 100 shares and get the OBC every cruise?  I couldn't care less what the NCLH stock price does.  Like many individual stocks, it goes up, down and all around.  This is not a significant investment.