cruiseny4life

I'm sure folks will come here with every level of experience from servers that waived nothing, to servers that provided extra sides, appetizers, desserts, and salads at no charge. There is no real consistent answer based on all the feedback on these here boards. The best advice (at least I think so) is to order what you want and see what the check comes to. If you're charged for the appetizer, well it's only like what? $15? It won't break anyone. But hey, maybe you'll get lucky!

Based on my interpretation of the article, the vegan place is going to be one of the Indulge stations. My reading comprehension is sometimes...well, atrocious! So, I could be wrong, but I agree with @Sand and Seas that it'll be a station at Indulge which I'm ok with. I know I've mentioned I find it "gross." And yet, I'll probably try a selection or two if I'm ever on a ship with it, unless fake meat is used. If you're vegan, why eat a substance designed to be "meat?" I'm not sure how I feel about the Thai place replacing Food Republic. When we go to Food Republic, 7 of the 8 items (usually) are sushi, so we can just go to Nama, though I do enjoy Food Republic's items more than Nama's. Mmm....now I want some sushi!

A year ago, I was so excited about the Panama Canal. Then I watched a couple of videos. It does look kind of boring, but hey, I'd still like to experience the canal for the sake of having that experience. Plus, stops at Great Stirrup Cay, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, etc. would make it truly worthwhile. I've actually gone through locks on a canoe - very small locks. It's a cool experience while on a multi-day canoe trip. I'm sure it would be cool (but super sticky and hot) experiencing the Panama Canal! See - this is why that dratted NCL PCC needs to call me. It's a 2026 cruise. Surely I could scrape together the dough by then for this one. And I'll just "surprise" my husband. I'm sure he'd be (not-so) thrilled.

They know we'll just complain about a lack of certain items onboard, so they don't call us. I'm always logged into NCL. I kind of hope our PCC calls us. It'll give me an excuse to book the cruise. Especially if it's that beautiful 23 day cruise I want to take from Miami through the Panama Canal to the west coast....oh, to be retired.

I'm obviously here for your ride along the Atlantic! Wish I were joining you and @Sugar Magnolia on this one. Looked and only interior rooms available. Plus, my PTO balance is about 20 hours. Still haven't caught up after that October Arizona trip. I accrued nothing while on unpaid status for our previous Pr1ma crossing. But, I'm really interested in the Samsung comments as we are a very not-Apple friendly family! Except for one Beats by Dre speaker. If that charging cord ever gets chewed up by a mouse, we're in trouble! Anyway, I'm hoping for some positive results to your tech tests. Have a lovely and wonderful trip! I'll be here in my Central NY office following along jealously.

RE: tenders vs. life boats. Capt. Kate (an actual guest-relations minded captain, unlike NCL masters of old world stodginess) provided a lovely explanation of a tender vs. a life boat on her "captain's log." Look up day 68 when she's in St. Lucia. You can find it on the various socials.

Snap it up! It goes away tomorrow. And unlike Free at Sea, it really will go away after the celebrated 4/20 day.

You have to book through a travel agent that offers the perk.

Obviously...until it's not.

That hasn't been my personal experience. We've received tickets at 60 days (domestic) and 100 days (international) prior to the cruise. In both instances we were able to select great seats, next to each other. Since we do book with NCL BOGO Air, we always know there is a possibility we won't be able to sit next to each other or will have to deal with a middle seat...we live together. We can tolerate a few hours not glued to each other's arm skin, though that is kind of awkward when it's a stranger's arm skin instead.

Not how I'd want to drop $1,200 in Bermuda. I wonder if my desired for nonrefundable onboard credit would cover the fine. Then again, I'd actually need to partake.

Most people don't seem to receive luggage tags. If you're sailing in the Haven, you generally do (we have on our sailings). But, I have heard of folks not in the Haven receiving tags. If you want a real tag, just wait til you arrive at the port and have the porter put a tag on. We often forget the tags mailed and just do this (NCL, save money. Don't send us tags.).

Good golly gravy! How much does seat selection cost and how many bags are y'all taking? Is this for more than two people? Cuz, that's a lot of loonies for two! Sorry that happened to you. We always select our seats as soon as NCL sends us the tickets, so I get why you'd be upset.

I think I've probably mentioned this before...but, I will again...I know dang well that my husband and I could easily spend $1,000 of onboard credit, per person. Even the non-refundable kind. Unless it was given to us on the last day. Give us the length of the cruise and yep, I'd be spending like there's no tomorrow! Massage every day and after three days, I'd be broke. 🙂

Get the e-gift card, download the Starbucks app (if you haven't already) and add the e-gift card to your app. Then scan the barcode from the e-gift card when you want to pay.

I'm going to add what I love in the city, at least restaurant wise as it hasn't been mentioned. 1. Sullivan St. Bakery, 47th St., (cuz, I mention this constantly) - it's within walking distance of the cruise port, like three'ish blocks. Breakfast here is wonderful! I'm sure everything else is, but I love their morning pastries. I did try the focaccia and it is great too. 2. Becco, 355 W. 46th between 9th and 10th - unlimited, homemade pasta that changes daily. Yesterday one of their three options was fettucine with short rib ragu (wishing I was in Manhattan yesterday). They do have a non-all you can eat menu too. Close to Times Square, but decidedly not Times Square and that's a damn good thing! 3. Ubani, 37A Bedford St. between 6th and 7th - Georgian restaurant. Georgia, the country! Loads of pizzalike breads. I recommend the Adjaruli Khachapuri as it's a cheese boat with a raw egg yolk. We make them at home all the time, but this place has a really good one! Also, khinkali which is kind of like a Chinese soup dumpling where you bite into it and suck out the broth. Absolutely phenomenal here! I've had the veal stew (chakapuli) and friends had the Cornish Hen with Georgian Spices. Everything is just delicious. When you're at Coney Island, pop over to Brighton Beach. Stop at Tashkent Supermarket (it's an Eastern European/Russian store). As you enter, on the left is a great little "sandwich" shop. They make gyros (with a hard G) and shawarma. I get the gyro. My husband gets the shawarma (he's from Russia). With chicken. Absolutely yummy lunch. And if you're not a big eater, you can split it. They slice the meat off a kebab, like a real kebab, not that steak um stuff. It's delightful. Refreshing. Filling. And so much more! Mmmmm!! While you're at it, if you like carbonated mineral water, grab some Bojormi (it is slightly salty). Ok...I'm done. For now! 🙂 Enjoy your stay in NY and I hope you let us know where you wound up (even if you don't go to any of my recommended places, haha).

Grizzled grinders. I like it haha!! But, I think I'd prefer categories one and two. If I ain't making money, gambling ain't fun. 🙂 I especially like those that have mounds of chips who haven't a clue what they're doing. I'll clear them from the table all night long (well, at least I certainly hope so). Truth is, I've never played poker on a cruise ship. Only in Vegas, Atlantic City, and our local indigenous casino (Turning Stone). And it's been quite some time since I did anything but a slot pull onboard. I don't like losing my money.

To your first point, it's based on the next cruise they book and the fare, only. If the fare is $1,028, then they'd receive 20% of that....so what, $205? If they book in the Haven, then perhaps they'd get $500 - $1,000 depending on the room selected and the fare, exclusive of taxes, fees, service charges, etc. As for Hawai'i (I'm glad to see someone else spells it properly), I would never travel on a cruise ship. It's just not the right kind of travel mode for me. Land-based vacation only. But, I suppose it's not all about me. In this case, yea I'd probably register my complaints onboard, and later, so I could explore what I can.

Those are some right colorful flags....hmm...someone's gotta come up with a few more so we could fly one flag per week of the year!

SSA isn't inclusive of all...let's just go with Friends of Cher and the Golden Girls! Or Friends of QAF.

NCL doesn't know how to properly communicate with customers. You're definitely correct about that! I'm sure it's a corporate demand, rather than the individual captains on each ship.

Food Republic....Tis old news now. I still say grosssssssssss to the vegan station. But! I don't have to eat it so YAY for those that like that kind of stuff.

I've been known to clear a few poker tables as I typically win...a lot. I've always wondered how the players on a cruise are. Are they just dumbies looking to have a good time? Or do they know how to play? If they are dumbies..well maybe I should join the table! Not sure what that says about me. 🤡

He was the washy-washy guy on our Joy cruise AND our drink server in Teppanyaki. Really great soul and excellent server - I was awash in drinks the entire night! Oh jeez! That smell would have taken me right back home to our barn. Ahhh, familiar smells bring back such fond memories.

Order whatever you'd like. Or your husband, I suppose. If he wants five potatoes, a slab of prime rib, a filet mignon, and another slab of prime rib, he can have it. He should throw a lobster tail on the plate too! Well, at least that's how it's supposed to work. Given today's NCL, who knows if it still is working that way.