beachbumsns

My family was scheduled for the 38 day cruise departing LA and ending in Copenhagen after the Baltic leg to St Petersburg. NCL did not contact my travel agent about the cancelation and left me a recorded message about 36 hours before we were scheduled to fly to LA. I found out in Cruise Critic first! We had planned this trip for about a year. My husband had taken 2 weeks vacation plus an approved leave to make this trip of a lifetime.

 

We had our suitcases already packed and in the front hall. We decided to find another trip ASAP to fill the time. We found a b2b2b on Princess that filled the time frame. My son sprang into action to figure out shore excursions while I scrambled to finalize travel details and start the claims process on out non-refundable airfare and other non refundable trip expenses.

 

So yesterday, April 22 was the first day I was in a port with cellphone service. I called the NCL refund number provided by a nice person on Cruise Critic since I didn't get an email from NCL and the recorded message said the number once and I didn't catch it.

 

Anyway, that call to NCL was a miserable experience. The person who answered would not talk to me because I booked through a travel agent. I told her that the credit card for one of the rooms had been closed before we left because we only wanted to use my husband's card and didn't want to pay the annual renewal fee so I didn't know where the money would go. She said it went to the closed card and wouldn't say more. The funds that went to my husband's card was short by $900 and she wouldn't tell us why. Later, after called my closed credit card company, I realized my refund was short by about $900 as well. I had to carefully type out a list on my phone of the invoiced charges and partial refunds in an email to TA because NCL won't talk to me. I think they should let me handle this portion myself since my TA cannot know my exact situation.

 

I am sad to report the refund representative gave very curt "Sorry (NOT SORRY) responses to my request to know where the funds went, how to handle the closed credit card and why the partial refunds instead of full.

 

I still don't know if they will give a 50% off future cruise of the amount I paid for the 38 day cruise or just a portion for the 16 day Panama Canal trip.

 

As this was my first time to sail with NCL I am reluctant to even try them again now. I don't really blame them for canceling the cruise buy my after the fact customer experience has been awful. We had booked early, used AARP to get double latitude points, became stockholders for onboard credit now lost as well as what our TA chipped in, all gone down the drain I suppose.

 

I know my nice TA will try sort this out, poor guy. I had initially booked directly with NCL as I typically like to make my own arrangements but my experience with the PCC assigned was really bad at initial booking.

 

I have heard you never have a customer until you have a problem. If NCL would treat my husband or me with respect and talk to us directly I would have more respect and they could have earned my loyalty.

 

Do any of you remember when we thought the cruise had been canceled about a year ago for a specialty cruise? Now I wish they had and I had changed our plans at the time. Yes, I'm ranting. Thanks for listening.

Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear of all your issues. I'm glad that you got to book another cruise so you could take this vacation that you booked for your family. I know how disappointed your family must have been and still are as we still feel cheated from our vacation that we so desperately looked forward to. I sure hope that your TA will be able to sort this out for you with a mutual satisfaction. We are finally getting somewhere and our TA has been working very hard with NCL to get us another cruise that will replace our lost trip.

Does anyone have any information on what is happening on the Star? I still feel like I should be in vacation mode, even though we are home. Today would have been our day to travel through the Panama Canal. We are so disappointed and I cannot help but think about where we would have been each day. We have been trying to book another cruise with NCL to use the 50% off a future cruise. Unfortunately, we have found out its not 50% off a future cruise but 50% off what we paid for our last cruise. Since we purchased our cruise with a prepaid certificate from our Time Share Company, RCI, we seem to have a credit of $1656 at NCL. Our agent is trying to get us another cruise, and we have picked one in Europe. NCL agents are not being very co-operative. Agent is telling us that we should be able to use the $1656 for port fees and taxes and keep the balance as a credit in our sea pass account, but NCL agents aren't agreeing. They say our agent has to talk to a "Pilot" who is the person in charge of monies that NCL have adjusted for credits, etc. Tomorrow should tell us more of a tale on how this transaction will proceed. Has anyone else had problems getting another cruise rebooked? I must say that we were refunded all charges in a timely manner from NCL. We like most people have a problem with airfare refunds and since we booked our airfare from Nova Scotia to LA a year ago in July, we have $200 change fees and our airfare has to be used by July or we pay another $50 to extend it for 90 days. We are unable to use the airfare by July so we had to cancel and will have to claim the unpaid balance through our travel insurance company. Its definitely been a heck of a lot of hours on hold and on the computer trying to replace this trip of a lifetime. No more than anyone else I'm sure. We are fortunate as we travel a lot and haven't ever had issues pop up before, but this was a bit of a nightmare. Still understand that NCL couldn't chance having so many of us onboard in the event of a mechanical failure. Just curious as to how others are making out with NCL. We have never sailed on this cruise line before so we are a little miffed that we are having such trouble rebooking another cruise with this so called offer of 50% off a future cruise.

We would normally use a timeshare with our timeshare company, but decided not to go as the last minute airfare was way too expensive even with the airfare credit we have.

We were leaving out of San Pedro, LA.

So sorry this is happening to your family....was wondering if you were leaving out of florida.....maybe you could find a last minute condo that wouldn't break your budget and use the kitchen as you would be cooking at home anyway...it's warm enough for pools and the ocean so you could at least have some fun in the sun....hope it works out....we were only able to take our kids on one real vacation to disney...if it had been bumped at the last minute I would have been frantic!!

We would normally use a timeshare with our timeshare company, but decided not to go as the last minute airfare was way too expensive even with the airfare credit we have.

Hello everyone, I have been on with NCL for 3 hours and have straightened out alot of information. I hope this helps:

 

This information is from the specialty support line. 1 877 461 1160

 

Everyone is fully reimbursed the full price of the cruise in the currency that they used to pay for the cruise.

 

Everyone is given a 50% reduction on a future cruise, however this 50% is 50% of the cruise price of the cruise that was just cancelled, not a full 50% on any cruise price. So if you paid say 1000.00 for a cabin on the panama canal cruise you are entitle to 500.00 towards a future cruise. So it is 50% of the price you paid (taxes not included just the original ticket price)

 

This 50% can be applied for one year, not 6 months as was originally stated by NCL, the agent said it was a computer glitch. (She applied it to a cruise for me next April 2016, so it works)

 

They do not reimburse flights just the cost to change the flight. And usually it is 150.00 max per flight. My flight change was 200 per ticket, and she said I may get the full 200, but it is unlikely.

 

I guess that is it. I have book a short cruise on Norwegian getaway April 18th, a few cabins are left.

 

Gary

Gary, just to let you know. Beachbumsns just returned from a week in the Mayan Riveria. It wasn't our three week trip that we had planned for and looked forward to, but a week in the sun and heat did help. When I returned, I checked my American Express and had been refunded all of our funds, except the Exchange Rate was different of course, due to fluctuating rates. I had spoken to our credit card company when I first heard of this and they mentioned that they would probably refund all of the differences in what we originally paid in Exchange Rates against the rates we were refunded. Although its not terribly significant, its still our money and we want it all back out of principle. Anyway, called American Express today and they are refunding any loss of Exchange rate that we were charged. So perhaps if you haven't done this and you booked with your credit card, you may want to call them to see if they will give you 100% back. Now we are looking into our next trip. Perhaps this week, to try to get in more of a week's vacation. Hope you enjoyed your cruise.

I received my cancellation notice from NCL this morning, with a total that they will refund in Canadian funds. they will not refund me at today's exchange rate. They will refund me at the exchange rate I paid April 2014 when I booked. You are right if they paid today's exchange rate the 5465.00 would be about 6225.00. So they made interest on my money all year, and it increased in value for them as well.

Gary, I called my travel insurance company and they said that since our trip was cancelled due to mechanical failure. They would cover the difference between changing a flight for another trip. Not sure if you purchased travel insurance or not, but will be worth a phone call to have them pick up any of the losses we incurred. I also called my American Express platinum card because I booked everything using that card and they have made a note on my file regarding the exchange rates. I am to call them once I get all my refunds and they may be able to adjust the rates to make up my losses. I'm not counting on this, and will definitely go after NCL if I loose a lot of money here. Will try all options to recoup any losses. Just thought I would pass this on to you. Have a good day. We are now thinking of just taking a week to an all inclusive and see what we can do with the other two weeks. Not much out there for short cruises available when we needed two balcony staterooms. Lots more snow here today. Was so looking forward to leaving this white stuff for three weeks. Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better today. Wish I could say I was.

Are you sure about that conversion, just check google and 100 usd is equal to 124.78 cad.

I think the strongest CAD to USD was like 1USD to 1.05CAD, but never anywhere near 1USD = .7806 CAD

 

 

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The Canadian dollar has dropped significantly towards the US Dollar for months now. I have already received one refund for a car service that I prepaid for. It was $61.36 US, which cost me $78.78 Canadian charged to my credit card. I was reimbursed $77.18, which is $1.60 less. Not significant on this purchase but when you start converting thousands of dollars it is a significant loss.

Kind of confused on the exchange rate issue, shouldn't you coming out ahead with refund and cancel?

As in it was 1 USD to 1.05 CAD last year and now 1 USD to 1 .25 CAD

So if you say paid for a $1000 usd last year, it should be 1050CAD, and if they are refunding you should get 1250CAD? If not, bad NCL

However if you should to rebook, the exchange rate sucks now, and NCL should be able to transfer credit in term of USD. This way you still have the advantage of last year exchange rate, and no impact on NCL as they operate in USD.

This is something NCL could do, and not based on the bank or creditcard.

 

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As of today, the $100 US dollars is worth $78.06, Canadian. When we get our refund in US dollars back to our credit card, the monies will be converted to Canadian funds. So its quite a loss for us. We have travel insurance so I'm going to see if the travel insurance might cover the difference. Or I will be putting in a loss form to NCL to see what they might be able to do about this. Its a big loss all around, not just in money but all the time that was put into getting everything set up for this cruise and now having to cancel everything and try to find somewhere else to travel to.

After a year of planning, careful budgeting and tremendous excitement we woke this morning to read Norwegian had cancelled our 16 day panama canal cruise, that we would have sailed on this Sunday.

We were devastated and it took all my efforts to say let's turn this into a positive. But no matter how hard I tried to turn it around for everyone Norwegian made it impossible with their response to this situation creating even more stress in our lives.

We have one vacation and it begins this week. The email came with a telephone number to call, a dedicated line for the problem and after many attempts to get through the office closed at 5:00. To me this is an almost an emergency with pending flights and having to reschedule and they should have stayed opened to help with information..

I then had to call through their normal web site number and all of the agents I spoke to had different information or no information and many had no idea that the cruise was cancelled.

The email said they would give us 50% off a future cruise, but it must be used for a sailing before September 6th, 6 months only. It should be at least a year so that we have the chance to use it. I don't want a cruise in the middle of summer and we have no more vacation left. When I tried to book another cruise in place of the cancelled one, all three agents that I tried to book through said the 50% coupon will take 7 to 10 days to implement and cannot be used immediately. So no one would book a cruise for us with the 50% off.

NCL will not be reimbursing us for up to two weeks so that will also limit our purchase. NCL will not honour the exchange rate that we got when we booked the cruise last April, here in Canada, and so we have lost over a thousand dollars with our original booking if we have to book again.

While all these phone calls took about 4 hours to get through I saw the only two possible cruises that we can take next week sell out with the 2500 displaced cruise clients, all grabbing at any cruise they could to fill the time slot.

I really wanted to fix this and show a brave face, but I am left feeling rather sickened, and we will spend our two week vacation at home. We are now discussing canceling next year's cruise to Italy with NCL that was already booked, and find another cruise with a bit more heart. I can deal with the disappointment, but the cavalier way that they have issued the cancelation has made it much worse for us.

By walking away from NCL, I would say that with us they have lost at present 2 cruises, valued at over 15000, and certainly the future ones into our retirement.

 

NCL needs to understand the work, time effort and dreams that go into preparing a cruise vacation, and a 6 month coupon doesn't make up for it.

Gary Laliberte

If it wasn't for you Gary, posting on our Panama Canal cruise thread this morning, we would not have found out the cruise was cancelled until 6 pm tonight when we got a phone call followed up by an email. That 50% off is absolutely no good to us at all. NCL thinks that they are offering something, but its worthless to most passengers. We too booked last year, and we were told that we would be reimbursed at today's exchange rate for the Canadian dollar. We are so disappointed, our first sail with NCL and not able to book another cruise right away. Glad we found out that they had problems before we got on the cruise as don't want to be stranded at sea, just disappointed overall about our trip being cancelled and not finding a good fix to replace it like you. Not being able to use the certificate today while there were some cruise with open bookings and also today was conveniently the last day of the extras like drink packages included or tips paid or onboard credit. Anyway, I'm sure that NCL has lots of loyal followers, but right now, we are not one of them. The hardest part is the $150 to change airfares. That won't come close to what our airline is charging as we also have to pay the difference in the fare. Oh well, we were not meant to go on this cruise for some reason. We will suck it up and find something else to do. Best of luck in finding another trip, Gary.

Your very welcome Beachbumsns,

 

We will be at the meet and greet and hopefully cabin crawl, I will wear a Canadian flag pin or something Canadian (still have to buy it though) if you see Gerald and I please come over and say hi, We love Nova Scotia!

 

"MEET & GREET: Monday, April 13th from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm in Le Bistro (deck 6)"

Funny you mention wearing a pin or something Canadian Gary. We have been scouring our city today looking for two Nova Scotia hats. One for my husband and one for his friend. Found them today, just have to go pick them up. See you at the Meet and Greet. Only 3 more sleeps for us and then we head to Santa Monica. Safe travels.

Hi again Beachbumns,

 

I just saw your post about wine. Last year we bought the Enthusiast package, 4 Bottles - $88. What is important to know about these packages (unless they changed the rules) is that they are only for sale the first 24 hours of sailing in the main atrium set up at a table. These are different from the complete beverage packages that they sell.

 

We bought ours the very fist day after boarding, and was told the sale was only for this 24 hour period. And they were in fact gone the next day.

 

We were given 4 coupons after payment , each with the wines name. then once in a restaurant we handed the coupon to our server and he retrieved the bottle. We are not big drinkers so drinking a 1/2 a bottle each night with dinner was perfect for each of us. The waiter took the left over half bottle and wrote out a new coupon for us and stored it until the next night, or when ever.

 

4 bottles for us was 8 dinners (1/2 bottle each night). We will buy a 6 or 8 package this time because it is a longer voyage. These packages seem to me to be a good buy, because often one bottle can be 40+ each when bought separately on the ship. I hope this helps! Gary

Thanks Gary, always great to get information on the cruise we are going on. I see you are from Montreal. I haven't noticed too many Canadians on this thread. I appreciate the information on the wine and we intend to also buy a package.

The dedicated NCL cruisers are more likely to see this if posted here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=107

 

We sailed the Canal on NCL in 2013 and I seem to remember three "levels" of wine packages, but I may be confusing cruises! All I'm seeing on the website is the Caps And Corks program where you pay $44/pp/day for the whole trip. But I see to remember there was a table in the Attrium on embarkation day where you could purchase "sets" of wine from the wine list:

https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/WineList_Fleetwide_03172014.pdf

 

Again, I could be mis-remembering so ask at the NCL board above.

I saw this on another thread today regarding the choices for wine packages. Thought it might be of interest to other wine drinkers. Not sure if they have larger packages for a 15 day cruise, but this gives you an idea of what is available to purchase on the ship. Hope this helps.

The Enthusiast

4 Bottles - $88

6 Bottles - $132

8 Bottles - $176

Beringer, Sparkling White Zinfandel – California - Yes

Lindemans, Bin 90 Moscato – Australia - Yes

Ruffino, Pinot Grigio – Delle Venezie, Italy - Yes

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay - South Australia

Beringer White Zinfandel - California

Colores Del Sol, Malbec – Mandoza, Argentina

Ravenswood “Zen of Zin” Zinfandel – California - Yes

Rioja Vega, Criaza-Rioja - Spain

Black Opal, Shiraz/Cabernet – Southern Australia - Yes

The Aficionado

Including selections from the “Enthusiast” category plus the following

4 Bottles - $98

6 Bottles - $146

8 Bottles - $196

Rosemont, Riesling – Southeastern Australia - Yes

Estancia, Pinot Grigio – California - Yes

North & South by Norwegian Cruise Line, Sauvignon Blanc - California

Clos du Bois,Sauvignon Blanc-North Coast, California

Simi, Chardonnay - Sonoma, California

Estancia, Pinot Noir - Californi - Yesa

Rancho Zabaco, “Heritage Vines” Zinfandel – Sonoma, California - Yes

Blackstone, Merlot - California

Estancia, Meritage - California

The Connoisseur

Including selections from the “Enthusiast” and “Aficionado" categories plus the following

4 Bottles - $110

6 Bottles - $162

8 Bottles - $216

Dry Creek, Fume Blanc – Sonoma, California - Yes

Oberon, Sauvignon Blanc - Napa Valley, California

I'M Deep Rose Isabel Mondavi - Napa Valley, California

Isabel Mandavi, Chardonnay – Carneros, California - Yes

Bonterra Organic Chardonnay – CMendicino Valley, California

Spellbound, Petit Sirah – California Yes

North & South by Norwegian Cruise Line, Red Blend - California

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz - South Australia

Oberon, Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley, California

I'm with Denman. Now that Carnival has Your Time Dining, I'm sticking with them. I'm done with NCL and their price drop policies. Can't go to Royal again because set dining times are torture for me.

Getupgo, we always used My Time Dining on Royal and actually made reservations for the time we wanted prior to any Royal Caribbean cruise. While on the ship, if we decided we didn't like the previously picked time, we just changed it. Worked very well for us. We haven't used a set dining time for many years now on any of our cruises.

Hi Beachbumsns..

 

Thank you for the kind words, but once you read Oakman's review, it makes mine look like amateurish ln comparison.

 

Here is the link Oakman's Review of his STAR cruise on the Panama Canal....it is fantastic and was a great help for me before cruising,

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2130707

 

RE: Beaches:

My Travel Agent booked it for me and Beaches arranged for a driver to pick us up at the pier and take us there and back (the cost $80) and the driver was willing to include a tour of the area if I wanted and I did not, but she did explain some interesting facts along the way. I probably overpaid, but I went along with it.

The day pass cost $100 for my DW and myself and included Breakfast and Lunch in any of the restaurants I chose to eat at and use of the entire facility (as though I was a guest)

Unlimited drinks as well (with a swim up bar in the pool) :D :D

By the way, tipping is not allowed at Beaches!

We felt that we certainly got our money's worth. :)

 

I am sure you can also get a day pass directly with Beaches.

I have done with before with Sandals and they are owned by the same company.

I went on their web site on previous cruises and used the contact information and chat venue.

 

Hope this helps.

 

If this is your first cruise with NCL, and you like the casual venue, you will love your cruise.

My favorite part of NCL is the Specialty Restaurants and the best bargain is La Cucina....

their calamari appetize, pizzas and chicken cutlet parm are fantastic!

 

Don

Thanks so much Don for the information on the Beaches resort. I will be getting in touch with them. That sounds like a great way to spend the day. We travel a lot, but have not been to Jamaica yet. I appreciate all the information and we are excited to sail on the Norwegian ships.

Great review dongordon, it sounds like you had as much fun on the Star as we did on our canal cruise in November. The crew of the Star really is fantastic.

 

I never experienced PCDS after a cruise until we returned from our Panama Canal cruise. That's when it hit us big time. My wife and I have dealt with the PCDS by booking a cruise out of New Orleans on the Dawn next month. Since the Dawn is the sister ship of the Star it will be interesting to see what the differences are.

 

Again, great review and thanks for taking the time to write it.

I was trying to find the review of the Panama Canal by Oakman, as mentioned in one of the posts but cannot seem to locate it. We are sailing in April through the canal and it was mentioned your review was terrific. Can you please direct me to where the review is located on this website. Thanks a bunch.

Got off the STAR a few days ago and had to get over my "post cruise depression syndrome" before writing this review! :)

 

Let me sum up my cruise in one word....WOW!!!

It was one of the best cruises I have ever been on.

We cruised from Los Angeles to Miami because we preferred the long air trip going from NY than coming back.

 

As far as all of you who are worrying about the condition of the STAR before going under its refurbishment in March, don't worry. It is in fine condition although a bit "tired" in some places.....but still in great shape.

 

As far as the STAR crew, they are the friendliest and best crew I have ever encountered on any of the cruises I have been on.

 

FOOD:

I had the UDP and had my dinners at all the specialty restaurants except Tappanyaki and Ginza, although I did have lunch at Ginza and enjoyed it.

I did not eat in any of the main dining rooms, so I cannot comment on the food there, but my fellow cruise passengers all liked it and I did not hear one complaint.

The buffet (Market Cafe) had good food as well although I only had breakfast and lunch there several times and there were plenty of tasty choices.

The Outdoor Grill by the OASIS pool was a good choice as well for lunch and the grilled salmon I had one day was fantastic!

 

All the specialty restaurants were great.

The service was unbelievable and if you had to make a show, they kept the food coming. Everyone was so friendly and accomodating. Give yourself at least an hour for dinner.

My two favorites were Le Bistro and La Cucina with a close third for Cagney's.

 

DRINKS:

My two favorite watering holes were Gatsby's and the Bier Garten (where I enjoyed my cigars outdoors) I had 95% of my drinks prepared in these two places.

BTW, I had the UDP and we truly got our money's worth.

These two bar/lounges had the best barteneders:

 

Gatsby's: Danny and Jelica

They make the best of any type drink you ordered, but their martinis were the best I have ever had on any ship.

If you want to try a great "shooter" ask for the "Nutcracker"....Vodka and Frangelico, but sip it and enjoy. :)

 

Bier Garten: Toya

He had a cigar cutter, lighter and cigar ash tray ready for me each visit and picked out the best beers to enjoy with my cigars during the day and I had my usual bourbon on the rocks or brandy in the evening.

 

PORTS:

Depending on what you did at each port and your interests, determines whether you enjoyed the ports.

 

We loved Cabo, Puerto Vallarta (we did the ship's Las Caletes Excursion there...it was beautiful and fantastic!), and we went to a Beaches in Ocho Rios on a day pass because it was the old Playboy Hotel where we went for our Honeymoon in 1971. Most of it is new, but we saw the dining room here we enjoyed our breakfasts and dinners back then.

The rest of the resort is beautiful and we really enjoyed our day there.

 

Panama Canal"

WOW! What a fantastic experience.

I was on deck at 5:00 AM and watched as we approched the canal and the beautiful Panama City skyline.

We had an aft facing cabin and after watching the first set of locks from the front of the ship, I spent the rest of the journey from my cabin/balcony and it was much cooler there and the views spectacular. I would recommend the aft-facing cabin for this cruise and you will really get your money's worh! :D

It really gets hot and one passenger passed out.

The narrative on the ship's loud speaker was great and he provided so many wonderful interesting facts throughout our 8 hour journey.

He also did a Panama Canal presentation and Q & A the day before the Canal Transit and after we went through the canal that day.

Everyone also received a certificate and of course there were many souveniers and T-Shirts for sale.

 

Our Roll Call organizer (Tom) put together many private excursions for the different ports and did a fantastic job.

Speaking of our CC Roll Call, it was great seeing many of the of our new friends throughout the cruise. Besides the M & G, we had a Get-Together Dinner one night and a Gift Exchange one morning that added to getting to know everyone so much better.

We had so many great people on our roll call and it was so nice seeing them throughout the 15 day cruise.

 

ENTERTAINMENT:

I saw a several shows....Band on the Run, Paradis and Oh What a Night - twice (Four Seasons Tribute) were my favorites and Gabby and Sebastian were fantastic lounge performers and besides me, they had a huge following onboard and there were crowds wherever they performed,

 

I know all cruises have some negatives, but I look at my cruise as a whole and I have never been on a cruise that I have not enjoyed and had a great time. :)

This was one of my favorite cruises for all of the above reasons

 

BUT, if I were nit-picky....here would be my negatives:

 

-I like the old Spinnaker Lounge in the front with a view....missed it.

-The "White Hot Party" is usually my favorite night on the ship and it was disappointing for me on the cruise. There were many passengers onboard that grew up in the 60's and 70's and in other NCL White Hot Parties, they did a countdown from the 60's through the present with music from the various decades. They had quite a few modern line dance venues and many of the passengers could not get into the party mode because they did not know it.

-Also missing was the QUEST - Adult Scavenger Hunt that was so much fun on my previous cruises with NCL held in the Spinnaker lounge. That was so much fun to participate with friends from the cruise.

-I enjoy the Great Outdoors so much on the Jewel type ships and am back on the GEM next January.

-Hate flying and love my cruises out of NYC

-We love beaches and the Caribbean is so much more beautiful that the Mexican beaches

 

Overall...a great cruise experience and those who are planning to take this cruise in the future, IMHO will have a fantastic time

 

(Linda...my review is now "delivered" as promised to you before I left! :D)

 

BTW....to get over my "Post Cruise Depression Syndrome" (PCDS), I booked the GEM out of NYC on January 22, 2016.....anyone want to join me! :D

 

Questions anyone?

 

Don

Great review. We are taking the same cruise on April 12th. I'm curious to know how you were able to get the day pass to the Beaches resort in Ocho Rios? Did you purchase this on the ship or from the resort itself? Did they allow you to use all their facilities. Thanks for your help and I really enjoyed reading about your experience on the Norwegian Star. it will be our first time sailing with NCL.

I have not sailed on NCL previously. I normally sail on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity. We normally purchase a wine package prior to boarding to have in the diningroom with our meals. Does NCL sell a wine package when you board the ship. We sail on the NCL Star in April. I read conflicting messages on this site whether or not NCL still sells a wine package or do you have to buy a beverage package. Any information would be appreciated.

v

Looking for information please on the Norwegian Star or Norwegian ships in particular. We have not sailed Norwegian. Sailed mostly Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and one cruise on Princess. We always travel with another couple and like to have adjoining rooms or balconies that connect so we can visit back and forth. Can you please let me know if the balconies on the Norwegian Star can be opened up like they can on the Celebrity Soltice ships or the Princess ships? It makes it easier to pick a room next to each other if we know this in advance. That way we don't have to try to get a connecting stateroom. Also, I read in these threads about a dinner package that allows you to dine in the Speciality Restaurants each night. Do you need reservations for this and have the members of Cruise Critic found this a good option? Thank you for your help.

We cannot purchase the drink package either, and were told wine packages wouldn't be available, but the beverage packages are not yet available and the cruise is 5 or so weeks away. Is this usual for Celebrity ships? Seems to me that they should be available on the web site by now?

Thanks:mad:

I called Celebrity yesterday to ask why the beverage packages were not available for purchase as the cruise is October 3rd, 2010 and was told due to the large volume of wines, etc available on the Soltice class of ships, they were not going to be selling the wine packages. Has anyone else heard that? We have been waiting to view the pricing and listing for the wine packages and thought they would be available by now, but was told no wine packages which is a disappointment. When we log into the Celebrity website and our reservation, there is a posting that Celebrity apologizes but the packages are not yet available. Any information on this would be appreciated. Thanks