IAcruising

23 minutes ago, wxtrix said:

 

yes. but that’s a pretty good incentive. 😁

For sure with a couple thousand. A couple hundred?  Not so much.

Go for any OBC you can get.

1 hour ago, wxtrix said:

 

 

i heard back today:  we’re getting a $2000 FCC after we conclude our November cruise. it’s more than i had calculated.

But you have to sail within 12-months to use it, right?

6 minutes ago, Torquer said:

March 2023, but it was a 14-day cruise to NZ/Australia.

Yeah, the kids there go back to school in early February, and it's definitely not holiday time. You haven't experienced what can happen, even on HAL.

2 minutes ago, zqvol said:

A party of 1 or 2 can almost always get in, larger table sizes have trouble. 

That's a pretty broad statement. Have you tried to "walk in" at Cagney's on a packed, 5-day Bermuda cruise between 6-9 pm? There will be 10 other couples in front of you.

More info needed. What ship? What sailing? What restaurant? How many people?

In some cases, yes. In others, no chance.

7 minutes ago, Torquer said:

In all our many cruises on HAL I can't remember of ever being bothered by badly behaved children or drunken adults.

When was the last time you were on a spring break, or holiday cruise on HAL?

3 hours ago, HowardK said:

I got the drink package in 2018 and don't drink that often  -- I had NYC tax charges - about 8 or 9 of them. 

🤣🤣🤣

4 hours ago, DarrylR85 said:

To be fair....I feel the same about the adults on cruises as well...

There are places and times I avoid at all costs, for that very reason. Kids are kids, and nothing compared to truly ignorant adults.

9 hours ago, hlk08003 said:

 Simple questions...Are the daily service fees mandatory? Would we be allowed to tip directly to whom we wish to, and how much we wish to tip?

How would we stop the automatic fees from appearing on our folio?

 

Hello wolf. Stalking the villagers, are we?  You messed up with your date, and "folio".

😆😆😆

6 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

My guess is OP doesn’t have FAS to begin with.  So, in answer to the title of the thread….FAS isn’t free if you don’t include it!

I would like to see a response from the OP. Thinking about it, I haven't seen a paper receipt for a FAS drink since I was on the Sun in 2015.

Completely Captain's discretion. Does he/she want an easy in or easy out? What ships in port upon arrival and departure? Best side for re-provisioning, if necessary? And of course, maintenance issues?

It's Bermuda. Does it really matter? 🙃

7 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

My guess…VAT, whether in Spain, Italy, France, for drinks consumed onboard a cruise ship is not new.  What’s new is NCL passing this tax/cost onto the cruiser.

 

I'm placing my bet on your "guess".  And would also "guess" that other lines will soon follow suit.

34 minutes ago, UKstages said:

for those folks who check regularly and do mock bookings… have you considered that the website and NCL data wizards consider that “interest” in the cruise and it actually increases the likelihood that the price will not go down quickly?

 

That may be true, to an extent. But eventually the data wizards will have to take a back seat to the accountants screaming for actual bookings.

In any case, this is a good reason to use third-party sites to track pricing. I'm going to guess NCL's data wizards know who the tracking sites are.

10 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

For the old music, lame shows, and nursing home food? 

 

I can only assume your tongue is firmly implanted in your cheek. I know this is an NCL board, but c'mon. HAL exceeds NCL in nearly every possible category -- except maybe go-carts, if you're into that. 😉

We got upgraded to a balcony on our very first cruise in the 90's. Booked an OV on our second. Never again since. Spend the money, you old miser.  😆

Not sure if it's the same with HAL, but on a recent Alaska cruise with my sister on Royal we linked reservations and we could see all the details of each other's booking.

She was a little ticked when she saw that we paid nearly $1000 less for the same cabin. I said, "Sis, we booked 8-months before you did!"  She still hasn't completely gotten over it.  😄

Sometimes it's best to keep things separate. 

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

If I can put up with Coke instead of Pepsi, you guys can put up with Coffee Mate.

Individual tastes are a strange thing. I much prefer CM over H&H, and I was ecstatic when they made the switch to Coke.

Ouch. This is a painful read, on a number of levels.

I would never, ever attempt this on my own. That's what travel agents are for.

Showing a credit on our booking that is equal to the FAS gratuities. Still a bit of work to do it seems.

11 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

It is right, apparently you need a better plan, or a bigger wallet.

The plan is unlikely to change. I'm a creature of habit, so I guess it's the bigger wallet. Did someone mention that I may be able to charge some of my drinks on my wife's card? She'll never come close to her 15. 

I drink double-shots with a slash of Coke. I slam down two of those just as a primer, so, I'd have 4 of my 15-limit done before I've even really started.  That can't be right.

5 hours ago, libtrek said:

We heard no noise from above. We loved being so close to the observation lounge. Made quick slipper runs for coffee and the tasty chocolate croissants. 🥐 

When did Escape get an Observation Lounge? We're on her in November. That would be a pleasant surprise!

14 minutes ago, Isabella Benjamin said:

I'm like 4'11.  I barely come up to the bar.  Not hyperbole.  I should still be able to get a drink though.  

Not hyperbole? Are you saying that you, literally, could never get drink, anytime, at any bar on the ship? The only time you were served was at a dining table?

I stand corrected.

6 hours ago, Isabella Benjamin said:

When I pay for a drink package I expect a bartender to serve me a drink, but they all act like I'm invisible.  I've already paid for the drink, yet it isn't available to me unless I'm sitting at a dining table.

That's some serious hyperbole right there. 

46 minutes ago, durberville said:

Well that was just thoroughly depressing and makes me question the decision to cruise with a company who treats their employees so badly. If this is standard practice in the industry now… I won’t be eager to contribute to it in the future. Wow. 

Of course, you could try the land-based, all- inclusive resorts that are far more expensive, and their crew work just as hard and rely on selling illegal drugs to the guests. If that works for you, go for it. One less person on my ship. 😄