Capitan Obvious

"not really optional the way a tip is supposed to be"? Have you considered that this is because it isn't a tip, but rather a service charge? A service charge, of course, doesn't act like a tip because they are not the same. FWIW, NCL says: "Unlike most other ships in the cruise industry, there is no required or recommended tipping on our ships for service that is generally rendered to all Guests. While you should not feel obligated to offer a gratuity, all of our staff are encouraged to “go the extra mile,” so they are permitted to accept cash gratuities for exceptional or outstanding service if you care to offer them." You want them to explain that tips are not expected, but they are already saying that there is no required or recommended tipping. Not sure how much more clear they could make it.

All Latitude points are awarded after the conclusion of the cruise on which they are earned. As a result, you cannot change status halfway through a cruise. New levels will always start with the next cruise.

Used to be that Platinum meant you had reached the top level (like getting an "A" in school). Now, with three levels below, and three levels above, Platinum is squarely in the middle (like getting a "C" in school). It seems to me that "seems like everyone and their brother/sister" is a fair assessment.

Should i pre-pay water before the cruise? An interesting thread title. I mean, isn't "before the cruise" the only time you can "pre-pay" water? ...just sayin' 😉

So? This is a discussion forum, not a support group. What did you expect? Nice stories to be sure, but you've given them without making any connection to the thread topic. How are either of these relevant to these people missing their ship? That is a point that doesn't need to be proven. Go right ahead and ignore the rules, the consequences will provide all the proof needed. Some people need to learn the hard way.

While "why were they late" would be interesting to know, I'm still stuck on . . . --On an African island --Missed the cruise ship --Have to figure out a way to the next port --Obvious move is to call a TV station in Florence, SC How exactly is that going to help? I mean, who does that?

Sure they do, it is part of the online check in process.

NCL (part of the hospitality industry) offered these guests a variety of tours which all came with the return to the ship guarantee. These guest declined those tours. Instead, these folks were all on a private tour. A tour where the tour guide failed to keep the tour schedule, and failed to return the guests on time. The tour company, as well as the tour guide, is part of "the hospitality industry". So...what about the heart of the hospitality industry?

Respectfully, I disagree with you. There is a travel pact between the cruise line and the guest. Everyone agrees to the schedule. The guests failed to return to the ship on time. Therefore, the guests had to pay to get to the next port (Gambia), which they did. However, the ship didn't make it to Gambia...so since the cruise line now did not show up where they promised, NCL is paying for these guests to get from Gambia to Senegal. Each party is paying when the schedule conflict falls on them. Seems very fair to me.

I never said it didn't. I said it only says they are being reimbursed for PART of thier travel (Gambia to Senegal). You're just too stubborn to realize you said they were being reimbursed for ALL of their travel and you can't admit your error.

21 Days 20 Mar 19:00 Departing from Cape Town, South Africa 22 Mar 09:00 - 20:00 Walvis Bay, Namibia 25 Mar 07:00 - 17:00 Luanda, Angola 27 Mar 07:00 - 17:00 Santo Antonio, Principe Island 29 Mar 07:00 - 17:00 Abidjan, Ivory Coast 01 Apr 07:00 - 18:00 Banjul, Gambia 02 Apr 07:00 - 16:00 Dakar, Senegal 05 Apr 08:00 - 22:00 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands 06 Apr 08:00 - 17:00 Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands 08 Apr 07:00 - 17:00 Motril, Spain Granada 09 Apr 07:00 - 15:00 Alicante, Spain 10 Apr 07:00 Arriving in Barcelona, Spain

Again, that is not what the article says: “While the eight guests made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul, Gambia on April 1, 2024, unfortunately the ship was unable to safely dock in the destination due to adverse weather conditions, as well as tidal restrictions that require specific timing for safe passage. While we share in our guests’ disappointment, this modification was made with great consideration for their safety and that of our crew, which is our top priority. We contacted these eight guests regarding this itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorization to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2, 2024. “Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal. As of this morning, all eight guests have rejoined the ship.”

Reading what you posted might lead some to believe that these guests are being fully reimbursed, but that is not the case. They missed the ship in Sao Tome. They then traveled to Gambia, but that port stop was cancelled due to the tides. Then they had to travel to Senegal where they finally boarded the ship. NCL is only reimbursing them for the travel from Gambia to Senegal (due to the stop in Gambia being cancelled). They are not being reimbursed for anything else that they spent.

Nor did you realize that nobody said you were being bullied.

YMMV, but if I ever decide that "I will never step foot on another NCL ship", I can guarantee that you won't find me hanging on an NCL forum. Its like following someone around after you've dumped them. Ya gotta move on.

Exactly. Everyone here should put themselves in the position of these guests. Imagine that you are on a tour in an African port...you are running late and you miss the ship. A total of nine people and only one useable credit card to pay for anything. Now...think about the list of things you are going to have to do to get back onboard the ship at a subsequent port. Can you picture the list? Is calling the ABC TV station in Florence, South Carolina on your list of to-dos? If you need to get to the ship, are you taking the time to send photographs to the TV reporter? How is "Oh, by the way, I'm a volunteer football coach" relevant to the story/situation? Same question on everyone's health issues/situation. You know they had to call the TV station as the TV reporter would have no other way of knowing that someone in an African port missed their ship, and even if the reporter did know, he/she would have no way to call to speak with those people.

Yep...very much a case of reaping what you sow. Seemed pretty harmless in the begining to make a mantra out of "the customer is always right". I mean, how could THAT go wrong? Fast forward to today and we find Karen running amok through the town faster than the villagers can gather up their pitchforks and torches.

It is interesting how the media frames this as "the cruise line left them" instead of the more truthful "they didn't return to the ship on time" angle. When the bell for class rings, Mr Hand locks the door and leaves Spicoli in the hall. Life lessons from Ridgemont High my friends . . . life lessons.

Yeah, but isn't every single night a drss up or not night? I mean, NCL allows you to dress as you want, so you could be elegant every single night, casual every single night, or mix it up as you please. As far as I know, there are no venues onboard that require a different level of dress and would turn you away for not meeting it. Which begs the question: what is/was the difference in these "dress up or not" nights?

I also remember a time when people would only post to answer the question or participate in the discussion without some members feeling that they had to pop in and drop judgment on other people. When did it become OK to display one's "holier than thou" tendencies?

FWIW, when you "have heard" something, it is expected that you provide a source/link OR that you direct your question to those you heard it from. That said, why would NCL do this? The level begins at 75 points...you want special treatment because you are "super close", you know, "only one point away". If they gave it to you, then wouldn't the people with 73 points be able to point at you and say "well, you gave it to him and I'm only one point away from his level"? And the folks with 72 points would be in line next. Where would it stop? That aside, with three levels below and three levels above, Platinum is just a mid-tier latitudes level. If NCL were to grant special favors, it likely wouldn't be for mid-level guests. And this is the problem with trying to move the goal posts. Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You see this type of thread posted quite often and always from the "we want to spend time together" angle. However, it often appears that the poster really just wants to spend time together IN THE HAVEN. Makes me wonder if the real angle is "how can I get Haven benefits for someone who hasn't paid for them".

Not entirely relevant as the linked article discusses missing the ship at a port while already on the cruise, and this thread is discussing never making the ship at the cruises' point of origin.

I believe that guest services can set a spending limit for cards assigned to minors. You can check with them once onboard.

I have to agree...nothing wrong with a careful and considered report, especially on a public forum where cruise experiences are shared. However, one can make a careful and considered report in a review, so that others can be informed as to the poster's experience. The issue seems to arise when the poster puts that result in a discussion forum instead of doing the review...it, by design, opens it up for discussion...where people can present a wide variety of differing opinions. When it appears in the discussion forums, I think the whining about the replies and responses is really what is out of line. If you don't want the discussion, just write a review...then nobody has to play the "tough crowd" card.