SomewhereGirl

On 5/30/2024 at 3:55 PM, smilesntravels said:

Thanks!  You didn't say how the inside cabin was, though.  Hubby really wants to see Loch Ness, and since we have three stops in Scotland it will be nice to see the Highlands.  I think I saw someone else mention that Urquhart Castle was great to see.

 

I was traveling solo, and the bed was made up as a queen so really took up a lot of the room.  If you are concerned about not having the extra space from the balcony, having the bed separated into twins can really open up a room when you can walk between the beds.  The bed direction is different in interior and balcony cabins.

This tour had some incredible views of other lochs and the Highlands: 

Sightseeing Day Tour of Scotland from Glasgow Greenock - Busybus

There are other companies.  I think Loch Lomond was much more scenic than Ness.  Sadly, it's the one day I didn't realize I had left my camera on the ship until it was too late.  😭  Some nice fellow passengers were kind enough to send me pictures after the cruise.

I sailed Majestic out of LA a couple years ago.  I ventured up to the forward pool and conservatory just looking for some place to enjoy the views, not to swim.  I don't recall an abundance of seating in the conservatory.  Tried to sit in of the cabana things by the pool but the chlorine smell was too strong.  Lack of air flow?

There's really not much indoor or outdoor area to sit in the shade.  That was a bummer.

Any withdrawn posts could be because the person's name (which I suppose could be fake) was on the letter that is now posted here on CC even if it was withdrawn elsewhere.  Do we know what time the person was denied boarding (was it after everyone else checked in)?  I don't have any reason to believe someone would take the time to come up with that story and draft a letter like that if it wasn't legit, just for "drama".  NCL can do wrong.  Mistakes happen.

On 5/26/2024 at 6:36 PM, smilesntravels said:

1) If you had the chance to do a cruise you've really been wanting to take, but could only get an inside cabin- would you do it or not? 

I did a 12-day British Isles on the Emerald in a inside cabin.  I was solo and was only able to do it because I got a great deal.  Saving money on the cabin freed up funds for all the excursions on the port intensive (only 2 sea days) cruise.  I also had an inside on a high deck with pretty quick access outside just one deck above.  Inside on a very low deck might have been a very different experience.

Also, Loch Ness is just a lake (a loch).  It's nothing particularly special but Urquhart Castle was kind of cool if you like castle ruins.

I don't understand why people are questioning whether the letter was real.  It looks like a picture of a piece of paper taken with a camera, not an email.  Probably a quick letter generated on scene.  Not a form letter for an uncommon situation. For what purpose would someone create that letter if it didn't come from NCL? 

On 5/24/2024 at 6:00 PM, mskaufman said:

The views from the bus and train are different. My recommendation would be bus one way and train the other.

Absolutely this.  Two completely different experiences.  Roundtrip on the train is so much of the sameness (I slept on the return trip).  But the views from stops along the road...WOW.  Incredible.

Never been to Pulse on the Star, but have been on other NCL ships.  I go right when it opens at 6, get there even a few minutes early and there's usually a handful of people waiting.  I only go for 30 minutes but it's never been too crowded when I leave (like still <20 people).  I suppose it depends on what equipment you want to use.  

These pictures were taken from the promenade deck on NCL Encore as we sailed into Glacier Bay.  That little boat is Uncruise (or something similar).  They launched kayaks off the back and the passengers were able to paddle over the shore by this glacier.  Now THAT is a perspective you won't get from any mainstream cruiseline.

Someday...

10 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Only if you spent one night off the ship. 

I had no problem taking a 1 nighter on HAL from Seattle to Vancouver, spending the day in Vancouver and embarking the same day on a different ship for a sailing Vancouver to LA.  And I wasn't the only one as I had gotten that idea from CC.

It's OK if they are on different ships.

The generic shore excursion page lists various excursions into Berlin.  If there are none available on your sailing there must be a logical explanation.  Did you try calling the shore excursion desk directly?

Berlin (Warnemünde), Germany Shore Excursions | Norwegian Cruise Line (ncl.com)

I'm baffled by why anyone would think they could travel on a free cruise without the CAS member, whatever the reason.  The free or discounted rooms are not a reward.  CAS gives those out expecting you'll gamble as much on the next cruise.  If it was possible to cruise without the CAS member, everyone would do it.

Absolutely allowed in the area during the day.  It's not blocked off.  It was pretty much deserted the day I sailed Glacier Bay.

They roll out the red carpet in prime location, and then get mad when passengers step on it to take their own pictures.  The look on the photographer's face last year near Hubbard Glacier (on Jewel) was scary.  What kind of picture could you even get if they're taking your picture on a narrow red carpet with crowds of people on the sides?

Also, much less crowded on lower decks.  On the Jewel I had the promenade deck practically all to myself.  So much less stressful.

You're not "stiffing" anyone by not tipping over the prepaid service charges.  Tip (or don't) what you feel is appropriate.  It's crazy that people let strangers on the internet tell them how to spend their own money.  Someone will say $10 a day, then someone else comes along and says $20.  If someone said $50, would you do that?  Crazy.

18 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

You have obviously have not read the crusie contract you agreed to upon booking your cruise, eiterh that or you simply ignored it.
 

Or they booked by phone through NCL reservations and there was no mention of any contract.  They just want your name and credit card.  That contract is [probably] linked in a confirmation, or at online check-in within 21 days of departure.  If you're past final payment when you receive that contract you agreed to upon booking your cruise, you're SOL.

I did the Mendenhall Glacier canoe excursion a couple of years ago.  I had the front seat so had the best view across the lake.  The kayaks can get closer to shore, whereas in the canoe we were limited to where we could go by the "captain".  I really enjoyed the canoe but you do have to rely on a lot of strangers to put in the effort.  If I did it again, I'd go with the kayak.

12 hours ago, SubmarineMark said:

Good point on the port guys, I failed to mention that we took the NCL air program, so first, NCL booked this fiasco, second we are unable to change due to the NCL air rules! This is the first time booking air through a cruise line, probably won’t do it again.

Didn't your air also come with transfers?  If so, I wouldn't be concerned.  NCL probably needs to get many passengers to your same flight.

28 minutes ago, Ashlynkat said:

Thought folks would like this update from the Dawn. All aboard here in Dakar, Senegal was 5:30pm. At 5:55pm we hear the overheard announcements for missing passengers to contact Guest Service. So of course everyone goes out on their balconies to watch. And sure enough at 6:06pm a car comes racing up the dock. When the folks got out, people started cheering with a few “GET ON THE DAMN BOAT” calls from the balcony. 

So the ship waited in this port?  Interesting. 

2 hours ago, david_sobe said:

 You're excited to get hardworking crew in trouble over a freaking sponge.

Obviously not working too hard.  What if it was a used condom or a needle that was not properly disposed of?  Acceptable?

3 hours ago, david_sobe said:

You can always find odd things under the bed or a sponge in the bathroom that were left behind and not removed during the cleaning process. 

A razor an and a loofa? Since those are not cleaning items, I would absolutely wonder if the cabin was cleaned.  My next thoughts would be the sheets.   

It all comes out in the wash.  Are solos paying a single DSC also cheap?  Should they offer to pay twice the DSC so the total DSC pool isn't reduced?  Give me a break.

Had been looking at Canada/NE cruises for that Fall.  After the initial shutdown I kept telling myself it wouldn't continue into Fall.  Slowly the cruises started getting cancelled.  Ended up going to Vegas where it was safe.  🤣

I did the canoe excursion a couple years ago.  We didn't get all that close to the glacier.  The kayakers were getting closer.  After viewing the glacier, we rowed over to Nugget Falls where we were able to get out of the canoe and had a snack.  It's one of my favorite Alaska excursions.

On the way back, we passed some icebergs (but didn't get too close as you never know what's under the surface).

I just selected a random date for an NCL Dawn cruise Stockholm>Le Havre.  On the US site, choosing airfare adds the ground transportation.  $166.50 per person.  So transfers exist if adding the NCL airfare. 

OP, have you tried contacting NCL or your travel agent?