newbie63

I just booked my first Seabourn cruise for November. I used a travel agent and already paid the deposit. Is it too late to use a referral code? If not, I'd love one from someone.

WOW - that's just plain heartless!!! I'm so sorry to hear that he was treated that way! 😞

I would still tell NCL because I would want the porters to stay out of my room so they wouldn't get sick. I'd bring my own Paxlovid (though my travel insurance will reimburse me for the cruise medical costs). I honestly don't think I'd do anything differently. And I'd still be upset at NCL for dumping me out in the cold instead of getting me a cab when I paid for an airport transfer!

Thanks for your response. Of course I knew I could get Covid and completely agree that NCL had to protect other passengers. Thankfully I do have insurance to reimburse me for the meds. What I totally object to is their not getting me a cab and paying for it since I had prepaid for a non refundable airport transfer. Dumping me out in the cold to try to get one on my own and bear the extra expense is just unforgivable to me.

I have travel insurance so I'll be reimbursed for my medical bills, but wanted to show the ridiculous upcharge.

I'm currently on the Norwegian Star on a 14-day cruise ending in Reykjavik. A couple of days ago I was feeling lousy so I have myself a Covid test I'd brought from home. It was positive. Not a complete surprise when cruising nowadays. I called the ship doctor who gave me a confirming Covid test (exact same type that I brought from home) (charged me $99 for that), gave me a consult to let me know I had Covid (that was $199), gave me a "non-generic equivalent" of Paxlovid (a whopping $800 for that when Paxlovid is FREE in the States) and gave me 30 tablets of Tylenol ($36 for the Tylenol). Then I was escorted to my room and told that I could not leave it until the end of the cruise (I would have isolated even if they hadn't told me to). The ship provided room service three times a day at times that worked for them (not on my schedule, but it worked out okay). The problem, of course, was what to do AFTER the cruise was over. I initially wanted to get a hotel and stay in Reykjavik for a couple more days to make sure I wasn't contagious before flying, but that became technically really difficult because I couldn't find hotels that would let me in before 3:00 p.m. (latest the ship would let me leave was 9:00 a.m. and I have luggage and it's cold) and everywhere that had room service (And ALL airport hotels) were sold out. In fact, most of the places left with availability were small guesthouses, many with shared bathrooms. My chance of infecting others while out on the streets, waiting for rooms and trying to keep myself fed while isolating was probably at least as high as when taking a flight, especially since flights have GPS air circulation systems. In fact, the ship's doctor had told me that flying back should be fine since my virus level would be greatly reduced from the Paxlovid and I'd be wearing a K95 mask. I had paid for an airport transfer well before the cruise when I read how difficult it could be to get a taxi from the cruise ports - long lines and long waits. And of course the weather can be cold and wet this time of year. When I asked guest relations about my airport transfer, they said "no, we can't take you to the airport now that you have Covid, but we'll refund the money you paid us for the airport transfer." Wait a sec ... you mean you guys are really going to push a sick 60 year old woman who caught Covid on YOUR ship (with the timing I couldn't have brought it with me) out into the cold to fend for herself ... with the airport 45 minutes away, a possible 2- hour wait in the cold for a taxi, and a taxi fare of maybe $150??? Their reply was "yes, that is EXACTLY what we're going to do." I escalated up a couple of levels and got no help at all. They will not assist me in getting a cab. They will not pay for my cab or provide alternative transport to the airport, despite the fact that they would not allow a passenger to cancel airport transfers FOR ANY REASON past 20 days prior to the cruise. Am I the axxhole for thinking that NCL is despicable for chewing me up and spitting me out?

Thank you sooooooo much!!! I was already planning on taking the shuttle bus to the waterfall. So glad that I'll get to see horses AND have cake!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Good luck with your repairs and your interview, and thank you again for sharing so much about your trip. I'm en route to Tromso as I write this and so looking forward to so many cakes!

Yes we go to Grundarfjordur! Did you see the horse while wandering around town or was it on an excursion? I don't have an excursion booked so hoping that it was while wandering (and also hoping that you'll tell me about the cake in Grundarfjordur). 🤞🤞🤞

So sorry to hear about your "welcome home" gift. 😖 I've been waiting with baited breath to hear about the rest of your trip, and especially about where and how you saw that beautiful Fabio horse ... because I board the Star on Saturday and I want to see him (and his cousins) too. Do tell!?!

Also, do you need to fly internationally to get to the ship? If so, you also need to check with the airline and the country that you're flying into: the six month requirement often applies to non-cruise travel too.

Thank you so much for your report, YVRteacher! I will be on the Star (solo) from August 26 - September 9, stopping at so many of the ports you've covered (4 ports in Norway, 5 in Iceland, the Faroes, Shetland and Orkney Islands plus Edinburgh). I'm now planning on eating the world's best cake on my 60th birthday thanks to you telling me about it, walking the path by the sea, and doing so looking for so many other things that you've shown me! Also coming to my cruise with expectations very low re food, on board entertainment and internet - way better than being disappointed on the cruise itself. Thanks for all!!!

Ship: Solstice Length of Cruise: 7 nights Cruise Sail Date: 11/12/22 Date email offer received: Not from offer (opted out of marketing emails) - went onto moveup website Captain’s Club Tier: Preview Booked through Celebrity Direct OR via TA: TA (website only - didn't speak to anyone) Current Cabin: Ocean View (OV) Guarantee (3rd floor) Bid? Yes/No: Yes If YES - Bidding Details: Cabin Category: Aqua Class Bid Offer: $175 pp Notification Date: 11/5/22 Accepted / Rejected: Accepted General Comments Went onto moveup website 10 days before cruise embarkation date and bid minimum to move from OV to Aqua ($175 pp). Did not bid on any other upgrades though many available (I think that minimum to move up from OV to Verandah was $70 pp and there were also available Family Verandahs, Sunset Verandahs and Concierge Class to bid on). Notified that bid accepted after three days (one week before cruise embarkation date). Given an A1 cabin (11th floor mid-ship).