senior gal

thanks ya'll, appreciate the clarification.

My husband and I are both over 70, we have 2 cruises planned for 2023. My main concern regarding insurance is for coverage in case something catastrophic required air lifting from a cruise ship. I haven't found any policies that speak specifically to medical evacuation in this instance (from a ship). Does anyone know of stand alone policies that cover evacuation from a cruise ship in addition to possible transport back to home country, without adding on trip cancellation and all the other provisions? 

heading to the airport, absolutely can't wait to get to this lovely hotel - your posts are awesome.

B

Jacqui, loved hearing about the hotel, can't wait - I didn't realize they served Belem pastries - my favorite!

Now that I'm packed, I have found time for studying up on some of the areas we'll be visiting and came across an interesting article on Bordeaux wine industry. So for the history buffs out there, here's the link:  https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-topics/bordeaux-wine-history-description-wines/

And a double echo to Helen's comments regarding Jacqui's amazing and comprehensive work on organizing this tour - truly the best ever. (And the doggies are pretty darn cute too!)

I too am starting to pack, but I must admit the weather forecast has thrown me a curve, I was expecting it to be at least 10 degrees warmer than the weather people say it will be!

7 hours ago, kazu said:

It’s time to get out the suitcases and start filling them up.  I know I am posting the thread early, but I wanted to be able to give the link to my roll call members before we leave in the hopes that some of them may join in.  LIVE threads are always more fun when you get more than one person’s view point 😉 and experiences 😄 

 

We are sailing into the sunset on the Prinsendam.  It will be our last cruise on her - our swan song on the Elegant Explorer:

 

 

While the cruise doesn’t start until the 12th, DH & I are flying out on Sunday to head to Lisbon.  We have been to Lisbon before and seen a lot of the key sights so this time we are going to do some in depth looking and take some time to savour the flavour.  If no one minds me sharing some of our time in LIsbon on the thread, I am happy to do so.

 

We have several great roll call members staying at our boutique hotel as well as a couple of our walking tours with historians so it should be fun!

 

Hope you come along with us as we sail the Elegant Explorer one last time.

 

You’ll probably see the banner a few times here and there.  My thanks goes to POA1 for making it for me.  He knew it was a special cruise for us and I really appreciated his kindness.

 

It is NCL's lack of respect of any cruiser, new or high level Latitude members.

 

Having cruised enough on NL to achieve Platinum status it would be nice to be shown some respect for past cruises. We will be on a 14-day back to back cruise in September and NCL has made it seem that they are only interested in our money and not our patronage. And yes if we were given the opportunity to cancel because of this change we would have done so. But the email came 2 weeks after we made our final payment. That NCL can change the cruise contract without advance warning why can't I get my money back since they changed the rules of the game.

 

Received a callback to my 7/8 email to Andy Stuart, President and COO yesterday. The representative was very nice, and let me know that the Executive Board will not review/revise the policy and will not make exceptions for any one. I believe that NCL does not see itself as a member of the Hospitality -industry. I feel poorly for those employees of NCL who will be affected by the Executive's decision to increase profit, take their share of funds , leave the company, and leave the staff with a lesser un-customer-friendly organization.

Wow! It's really astounding and telling how little regard for customer service/satisfaction NCL has. I think I've been in denial all along thinking surely they would come to their senses.

We cruise on the 17th from Barcelona.

I'll report back any drama and tantrums from the queues.

Yes, Please do. We sail from Copenhagen in September and I really want my diet Coke!

This is also a deal breaker for us. There are multiple issues with HOW NCL managed this new policy and it's not just about being resistant to change, it's about respect for the customer/guest and not being treated as though we are only money machines.

1. the abrupt notice. We, as with many other folks, have already made final payment and plans for an upcoming cruise, so feel trapped, with no good options.

2. the all or nothing aspect of it - they could allow (as other cruise lines do) small quantities , like a 6 pack, of cola. This quantity does not impede embarkation and can be screened

3. they gouge passengers with gratuity charges for handing you an overpriced can of diet coke (or in NCLs case, diet pepsi)

4. some people (like me) do not drink coffee, but do drink diet coke and enjoy being able to drink IN MY CABIN in the morning or late at night (or whenever I feel like it for that matter)

5. the inconvenience and lack of choice-

We take at least 2 cruises a year and NCL will no longer be on our list of preferred lines.

I sent an email in Monday just to express my thoughts on the new policy since we sail on 7/17 and I was planning on taking Diet Coke onboard. Just a few minutes ago someone from NCL called but I didn't get to my phone in time. He left his name and number and told me to call him back if I wanted to discuss the issue. I will call tomorrow and will let y'all know if he says anything helpful, like they are going to adjust the price of the water or something.

I have also sent NCL an email protesting this new policy. I'm interested in hearing what they tell you when they get back with you. They sent me an email that confirmed receipt of my complaint and said they would get back with me within 3 days.

I am furious and totally opposed to NCLs new policy prohibiting bringing sodas on board, it is a complete money grab and an insult to customer service/satisfaction. We are booked on our 7th NCL cruise in September and it may very well be our last on this cruise line - this new policy has just pushed me too far!