new2crus

I cancelled my March 29 cruise yesterday and was immediately given a 7 digit cancellation confirmation number.  Celebrity rep said I would not receive an email confirmation.  She said I'd receive an email with the FCC information in about two weeks.

Thanks, love the pictures of the food. I agree, the MDR menu does not look that great.

Do you have the MDR menu for tonight?

Thanks so much FionaMG, I can read it just fine.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Thanks to both of you for all of the information on this cruise.  I'm really enjoying all the pictures and post of what one could expect on this cruise. Sorry to hear Rogue was sick and quarantined. Do either of you guys have the Day 5 Compass?  Looking forward to what's available each day.

Thanks to both of you for all of the information on this cruise.  I'm really enjoying all the pictures and post of what one could expect on this cruise. Sorry to hear Rogue was sick and quarantined. Do either of you guys have the Day 5 Compass?  Looking forward to what's available each day.

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I just (this week) used an AARP Royal Caribbean $500 gift certificate to pay down my previously booked cruise. I called RCCL and they told me to send my cruise and certificate info to this email address: SharedServicesGiftCertificateRedemption@rccl.com They told me to wait 10-12 days for certificate to be applied. On 12th day I received confirmation and the $500 was applied to my existing reservation. Hope this helps.

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Has anyone successfully tried to get a refund from AARP?

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Thanks for your help. I think I'll go for one of the hump Jr. Suites.

Thanks so much. That's the exact information I was looking for. Read several threads about the hump, but didn't know what it was. You guys are great.

I'm planning my first RCL cruise on the Navigator of the Seas. We want to book a Jr. Suite but doing a little research, it seems the Jr. Suites have different size balconies. I know the aft balconies are large. Are all of the other Jr. Suite balconies the same size? I know the experts here on Cruise Critic can help me chose the perfect cabin. Thanks for your help.

I don't think you're fully understanding what this post is about. When you book a cruise (or any type of vacation really), you have an idea in your head what it's going to be like. This idea is developed from prior experiences, reading forums like this, friends' experiences, and so on. When you realize that it might not meet your initial expectations, that gets a little disappointing. When it seems like every month brings a new change, well, that's very disappointing.

 

For me, the Getaway is my first "big" ship - Tampa and Canaveral are closer drives for us, but we decided we really wanted to try a bigger, newer ship. I was excited about the fireworks - I've never been on a ship that had them. Now I'm a little disappointed I won't see them. I don't care that they aren't on the other ships - I'm disappointed that they are not on this ship. Deal breaker? Nope, not a all. But wait, there's more.

 

I was ok paying 15% on drinks - we usually tipped over about a buck. Got great service. But 18% for opening a beer is a bit much, and chances are, I wouldn't be tipping extra. Deal breaker? No, just a minor annoyance. But wait, there's more.

 

There were never auto-gratuities in the specialty restaurant, just the upcharge. We always had such wonderful service that we tipped anyway (and more than 18%). We like feeling generous; we don't like feeling gouged. And a la carte just sealed the deal for me - as I said if I wanted that experience, I'd just take a land vacation. Deal breaker? No, but I'm not eating in any specialty restaurants this time. My choice, I know, but the reason I'm making it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But wait, there's more!

 

What cruise line is charging a "convenience charge" to deliver complementary food to your stateroom? None that I'm aware of, though some offer some upcharge items. I have no problem with upcharge items. But one thing I looked forward to is room service after a long day at port - I've done it once or twice every cruise. But not this one. Deal breaker? No, but I'm really having a hard time feeling the same level of enthusiasm I did when I first booked. And of course, there is more.

 

I don't object to the increase in auto-gratuities per se. We prepaid them like we always do. But I think the double barreled rollout of increases at the same as levying auto-gratuities and convenience charges for things previously covered leaves a bad taste in a lot of customers' mouths. I've read here that drinks HAVE increased in price, and I know for sure that excursions have really gone up. I'm glad for you that your prices are less, but I'm paying $150 more for a category of room lower than I normally get (and the current price on that room is $400 more today than I paid), so not everyone is seeing these savings. For me to experience what I experienced on my last cruise, it would cost me a lot more.

 

As I said, I'm still planning on having a great time - a day on a cruise ship beats a day work in the winter time. But my enthusiasm for NCL has definitely waned. I'll still sail them (I'm almost platinum), but they are not my first or only choice anymore.

 

The expression "your mileage may vary" exists for a reason, I guess.

I agree with you 100%. You stated it much better than I did. The changes are not a complete deal breakers but highly frustrating. NCL's way of dealing with change needs improvement, but I don't think it will happen.

I last sailed NCL in April 2013 and specialty restaurants were a flat rate, no additional charges. NCL was a great cruise in the past (I’ve recommended it to many) but now it’s a different cruise. Following the pack in pricing and policy is not always a good idea. But as long as they are still sailing full, they don’t care about offending long time customers. I’m okay with giving my money to someone else.

I booked my December cruise on the Getaway in early February and I feel the same way as the OP. This is my fifth NCL cruise and the number of changes in such a short period of time makes planning expenses nearly impossible. I’m really not going on the same cruise I booked. Same ports but that’s about it. Since I booked NCL has also discontinued the fireworks, added 18% gratuity to all restaurants, no longer offer prime rib for free in the MDR and that doesn’t include the changes to room service, DSC, a la carte pricing in restaurants, increased drink prices, etc., etc. (I know I’m missing other changes)

Wife and I have already decided this is our last NCL cruise. Other cruise lines may be doing the same things but we don’t have previous expectations from those cruises. NCL has been great in the past but it’s time for us to move on.

We are Sheraton hotel member and stayed at the Westin Europa Hotel for free using Starpoints. Great hotel on the Grand Canal. We took a water taxi to the cruise dock. Wonderful vacation.

Thanks again for taking the time to post this great detailed review. I am enjoying it very much. I did not see the Day 6 MDR menu. Did I just miss it? This is my first view of the new menu items.

I'm following closely. Thanks for taking the time to give us invaluable Getaway information.