cruiseny4life

My husband was pi$$ed with all the nickel and diming even before we got on the ship. You see, we were ignorant and assumed the best (never, ever do that with NCL or any other corporation). When they said "free at sea" we truly thought it was free, and just built into the price of the cruise. Then we remembered we live in a capitalist society where the only consideration is money, not customer service, and certainly not the truth in marketing! After paying gratuities, drink gratuities, specialty dining gratuities, port fees, taxes, and for the thermal spa he was just done. Done with cruising - I thought I'd never get him on a ship again. Then I told him we had to tip the concierge and butler on the ship. I really thought he'd lose it then. 🙂 Well, on the second day of the cruise, guess who dragged us to the Cruise Next desk for $1,000 in vouchers? Yep, my husband! NCL and the Haven are just that good. I say all that to mention that you too may get frustrated by the nickel and diming (and I understand other cruise lines do the same), but the experience is phenomenal. You'll love NCL - certainly more than Carnival. My Carnival cruise kept me from cruising 13 years (and nothing terrible happened) - just mediocrity. NCL is far from mediocre, though I'll say it again - I felt the buffet was worse than the food in a pig's slop bucket (and yes I know I'll get yelled at for saying that...again). Enjoy!!!!

@TheShrikeyou sure are the expert at T&C's! Thank you for always posting accurate info.

You hate NCL? But you get TWO cruises for the price of one. I'd be jumping for joy! Yes, it stinks not having your Hawaii cruise - truly does, but would you rather crap for service when the ship is understaffed and sailing at capacity? Nah, I'd take the two cruises and enjoy myself!

It was more a joke - I do find that unless I note specifically *sarcasm* that I'm taking too literally. Perhaps I should have been born British so I'd have an excuse for my dry humor (humour). I'm not actually worried - well actually, I guess a little. I see these poor creatures schlepping four and five and six and more ginormous suitcases around the airports, and then the cruise terminal. Great job security for the port personnel though!! I do travel, not so infrequently, with my grandmother who requires an oxygen concentrator, walker, bi-pap and all those accoutrements! Plus, of course the requisite bag(s) of yarn, croquet hooks, books, multiple bags of clothes, cartons of cigarettes (oh the irony), and so many other unnecessary items! Now, that is when I do worry, because I'm the one doing the schlepping! Perhaps this is why I have an aversion to taking boatloads of suitcases for myself! @DarrenMis correct - I'm more worried about others, than myself. I just giggle a little at all their supplies and carry on with my day. Oh well - I'll keep on laughing at those with more than me - I'm not judgmental, I just enjoy a hearty laugh. And you damn well better laugh at me when I'm trying to jam that walker in my car on top of four dogs in the back!

This drunk guy sure thought the pizza was delicious! Hahaha I'll be sure to not mention this to him. 🙂 At least I know I've got someone in my corner though!

I just want to say thank you! I tell people how much I tipped just to give them an idea. It's refreshing to see someone else state upfront what they tipped vs just giving the "individual decision." I agree with you that it is, but I feel it is super helpful for those that haven't cruised/cruised the Haven to know what others are doing.

Oh I am, but I also know what's best for me. Generally I want pizza after I've already eaten - although there was one meal where I wanted pizza and we still went to the Haven Restaurant instead...but how can you say no to lobster tails? He also (rightfully) told me the pizza was disgusting, but when I consumed it I was drunk so it was freaking delicious!

Just to add the Getaway also has a ropes course. They did take the climbing wall and mini golf off the Getaway (not sure about Breakaway).

I'm so glad my husband and I don't fall in this category! We'll spend a lot to cruise (we only book the Haven), pay the gratuities, bring some cash for tipping, book the thermal spa pass, but otherwise spend nothing on board. We did try a discounted massage after the spa raffle where they took $120 off the price of an 80 minute massage. Never again as the massage experience was meh. I do agree with you that the higher the price the room, the more someone will likely spend (except for us as we are cheap b!$#(s.

I'm not a girl so maybe I just don't understand...I've also been balding since 17, but won't your hair survive just fine for a week or two at sea? Heck, I've used bar soap on my hair before!

I'm not sure my husband was useful on the cruise...but it was far more enjoyable a cruise with him, than not with him. Except that he limited my pizza consumption to one room service pizza the entire cruise. That...was not nice!

Ok, you got me with this! Although I took a silicone water cup which could easily take a coffee or fun time drink! More often than not it was a fun time drink. This way I could take it in a pool area and not feel bad if it broke shards of glass everywhere (I know...I was still technically breaking the rule).

Y'all make me so worried. My husband and I pack pretty much nothing. We literally share a bookbag style backpack and small carry on (the kind that fit in a tiny plane). That's it. Why do you need a plethora of stuff? Yikes!!

But....but....but....the butler! It's the Haven! How could she possibly turn the faucet on herself?

Personally I'd take the $49 kids bath. It sounds like a lot more fun! Plus, strawberry/banana smoothies are the best!! The link below is from 2013 - is it true baths are still $99? If so, that might be the best deal on the ship! Also, the deal I'll never, ever use... https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/10394-norwegian-launches-butler-drawn-bath-menu.html

I don't know how much "stock" I put in this list. Perhaps it's a short term list of stocks to avoid? I can't see avoiding Disney, Walmart, Citi, Boeing, and a few others as good for the long-term health of my holdings. I know the article says to short them and in the short-term, I definitely understand that. Of course I'm no expert (and when are the experts not wrong), but I think Disney gets past its political troubles so long as they maintain their current politics, Boeing will get past, Citi sure, and I'm confused as hell why Walmart is on the list, unless they hold a ton of inventory (like Target). Having said that, it'll be interesting to see how NCL goes in the next few months, especially as bookings drop when FCC's are used up. Yep, I think bookings will drop. I wonder how that statement will read in early 2023.

Oh I do care....it's that whole will power thing. I did blame it on a stressful job, but now that I don't have that job I'm not sure what to blame it on. 😉 Just eating normal meals on the ship made me full! That was part of the point of my post. I think the Chef's Table would be plenty of food (someone seemed concerned about not having enough). I eat a lot, but on NCL one never, ever goes hungry! We ordered room service once outside of meal time. Otherwise, I ate three, then two meals a day. Two meals a day started on day 2 of the cruise. The portion sizes are great and I'm sure Chef's Table is the same way based on those photos.

YAY!!!! I had no advice for you, but was following along. Enjoy your cruise!!!

Apparently my math is as bad as my book reading! I meant to say music that is 30 years old is almost as old as me! Yikes I would definitely go back to being in my 20's, but if you round my age up, I'd be at 40!

Oh my goodness, how many people under the age of 50 actually read books? I buy books, but don't read them - just don't have the inclination to do so after I purchase the book. I suppose I have the time, but would prefer to be online, talking to my husband, or out with the dogs. Heck, music that is 30 years old is older than me. Was any of it good? I think the kids would prefer more up to date music - I know I would. And I don't care if it's explicit or not. Kids listen to it, so we might as well deal with this fact and allow them to as well. As an aside, Golddigger's lyrics aren't that bad. You ever hear Khia? Those are interesting (not going to say bad) lyrics.

I think you're out of luck. Pretty sure the deadline is 15 days before your cruise departs.

The D/E is going to be really interesting to see as interest rates go sky high! It's never good when your EBITDA exceeds revenue, but I suppose you know that. Thanks for giving a clear picture (and taking me back to my MBA days) of NCL's financials from their Q1 statement.

My husband and I cruised in April so a couple months ago now. Our ship was about 110% capacity (spring break in the tri-state area). Thankfully we cruised in the Haven on NCL so could get away from the craziness and purchased the thermal spa weekly pass. When we went on the regular pool deck we quickly returned to our seclusion as it was just bonkers! Post cruise, a lot of people on our roll call (the social media site roll call) said they tested positive. While we did not attend any of the LGBT meet ups we did see several couples on board. We're not partiers, drinkers, or very social so didn't hang out with anyone else. The cruise was amazing and we're looking to book another NCL Haven cruise in the near future. I keep trying to do it now, but since we just bought a house my husband claims we need to hold off a bit...ugh, responsibility! Anyway, if you go, have an amazing time! It's easy to love cruising right now, especially without the mask requirement!

Find Gary's Secrets of the Haven post and read through all the pages. I found so many interesting tidbits in there - some things I said nope, not asking for that, but others I most certainly asked for.

Oh I wouldn't say that...but yes, I understand you're not an expert...I was just curious what you are thinking. I don't mean to be rude - I'll only buy when I think the time is right. I don't trust experts on stock purchases either. If my gut says buy/sell, then I do. It's worked alright for me, not that I have tons in the market. I'm certainly not a millionaire, though after just purchasing a new 1860's era home I wish was!