Kruzin Karen

NCL has canceled our Jan. 29 Pride of America cruise, which is something of a relief as it wasn't turning out to be the cruise we'd hoped for. It says we will be reimbursed in full with no further action required on our part. How long should we expect this to take, if anyone knows? It's quite a chunk of change.

I got a letter yesterday saying that our Pride of America cruise would have reduced staff (as they are sailing at reduced capacity), so they will also be cutting services. The main dining rooms are closed for breakfast and lunch all week, and Moderno and Teppanyaki will also be closed. Those are our favorites, and as this is a smaller ship that amounts to a third of their upsell restaurants.

Thank you all for your kindness during my (entirely justified) temper tantrum. One thing I didn't mention is that The Pride of America is a smaller ship which I believe has only 5 upsell restaurants, so closing two of them is closing almost half the available options.

We got this lovely note today from Norwegian. We're already paying more than double what we would usually pay for a 7 day balcony for two, and we were just informed that since there will be reduced passengers they will be cutting staff and services. The main dining room will not be open for breakfast or lunch. Moderno and Teppanyaki (our favorites) will be closed. We sail Norwegian for the food the and amazing variety of specialty restaurants, and on our last cruise in October we were so pleased with the quality of the breakfasts and lunches in the main dining when the staff was under less pressure with the reduced capacity. I am further enraged because this is probably my last cruise due to issues with cancer, and even if they were willing to cancel I wouldn't get much use out of a future cruise credit. Please don't tell me how lovely Hawaii is and that I'll spend all my time off the ship anyway. We've been on this same cruise 4 times already. This was our goodbye trip. Oh, they also announced the mask requirement the day after we paid in full.

How much do cruise companies get to change the deal they originally offered before it becomes a "bait and switch" situation? Would getting our lawyer involved help us get a refund? Paying double for a cruise with limited amenities gripes my cookies. Last time I looked sail away balconies were going for $3,699/pp (with no amenities like upsell dining or beverage packages).

 I now know they give the primary the $50.00 plus 10% discount on every excursion booked, same port or not.

I want to book some shore excursions for our January Hawaiian cruise, but I'm confused. Do we get $50 off per cabin for each port or each excursion? Since there are two overnights on this cruise we might do two excursions per port. Also, how do you get the 10% Platinum discount when booking beforehand? Do I have to wait until I get on the ship to book to get the discount? TYIA!

Sailed on the Bliss a month or so ago, and the Beetle show was only in the theater once or twice  and at the Cavern Club once or twice. Get to the Cavern Club at least 45 minutes in advance if you want a seat!

I'm an insomniac, and spend most of the night watching TV. We were on the Encore to Alaska in October, and I'm sure I saw most of the available movies during the course of the trip. Is there any chance that the Bliss to Mexico in January will be offering the same shows? I wonder if all the ships have the same programs, and how often they are changed. Thanks!!

Just off the gloriously uncrowded Encore to Alaska, and it was so wonderful we're considering the October 25 Bliss sailing to Mexico. Will the Bliss also be uncrowded at 60* occupancy?.

Checked again, and some cabins are available again. Very confusing!!

I got excited and went online to try to book it, and while it shows availability, when you actually select a room it shows all categories as sold out. Our day in Glacier Bay was also gorgeous, but all the other port days were cold and rainy, We didn't care: we stayed on the ship and had a glorious time!

Looking to go to Mexico on the Bliss on October 24, and we're considering the Haven as the ship looks pretty crowded. I know I'm being a bit neurotic, but ever since I took a cruise on Princess where our suite was directly below the pool I'm ridiculously sensitive to the noise of the bass coming from the music on the pool deck. Most of the Haven seems pretty high up on the ship, and I'd hate to spend all that money and be unhappy with my cabin. Would really appreciate any insight anyone may have. TYIA

I called and tried to book it this morning. The 9th through the 16th is now their last sailing. We are just off the Encore on the 2nd, and the cruise was so delightful we wanted to go  again, but the last sailing is this Saturday and that's too soon even for me. Alaska was very cold and rainy, and the ship was maybe half full on our cruise, so no doubt NCL is losing money on these late season cruises. Sorry!

Does it matter which side of the ship your balcony is on to get a good view of Glacier Bay?

No, It wasn't us!! We are booked on the Bliss for an Alaskan cruise in June, and hoped to offer to take them. I'm also not "just curious." We had hoped to invite them to join us, but it seems cruel to offer a cruise to someone only to find out they're not allowed on the ship. Thanks for the info! I'll go with the "want to book a great cruise?" response.

A few years back some friends of mine were caught with marijuana on a Norwegian ship, and they were put off the ship at the next port. Having learned a valuable and expensive lesson, would they ever be allowed to sail on Norwegian again? Thank you!!

I feel so much better!! Thank's so much. You made my day.

My husband and I are in a Bliss balcony cabin on deck 9 in June, directly above the theater. I know the theater is on decks 6 and 7, leaving deck 8 as a noise buffer, but is one deck enough? I'm a little neurotic about noise, and have been bothered greatly by both pool and theater music on previous cruises. Do we need to change rooms? Thanks in advance!

A few years ago RCI started doing short 4 day cruises to Victoria and Nanaimo out of Seattle on the Explorer of the Seas in May. I assumed they were successful, as they added the same cruise in September, and added some 3 dayers to Victoria only. Now they seem to be completely discontinued!! Does anybody know what happened? Why were these cruises canceled?

Just back from a 3 day cruise to Victoria, BC on the Explorer, and was terribly disappointed in my 2 bedroom "Grand Suite". One bedroom was a small inside with 4 bunk beds, the master was a small ocean view, and the living room was an average balcony sized cabin with a bigger balcony. The bathrooms were basic cruise bathrooms, nothing special, though the master bath had a tub (not even a jacuzzi) that didn't hold water. No nicer furnishings, nothing special at all, and it was really cramped for the 5 of us, though they stated it slept 8. The worst part was every time there was a sail away party (2) or a day at sea, the music from the pool deck blasted our balcony and room, with the loud bass beat acting very much like Chinese water torture. We were effectively driven from our room. It may be gauche to talk about money, but I paid as much for this "suite" for three days as I did taking my husband on a 28 day round trip cruise to the South Pacific in a balcony. NEVER AGAIN! It was my first time in a suite, my 60th birthday party, and I felt totally ripped off. Just my opinion...

Thank you so very much!!!!

I'm taking some gals on a cruise for my 60th birthday, and though I love them, I don't want to be responsible for everybody's bar tab! One of my pals lost everything during the recession, and no longer has a credit card. Is there a way to get her through pre registration without one? She plans to put cash down when she gets there. How much cash would she need to put down to guarantee her incidentals for a 3 day cruise? Thanks in advance!!!

My husband and I stayed in a panoramic ocean view on the Explorer of the Seas last year. It was basically an ocean view room with a floor to ceiling window. While the view was great, and the price was right, the noise from the pool deck was deafening. Blaring music all day long. Never again. Astonished by the people who said it was quiet. Maybe they didn't spend much time in their rooms...

Thanks, and BOO!!!!!

Does RCI offer any incentive for referring new guests? I'm taking some gals on a birthday cruise, and they're all new cruisers.