JohnG

Nope, nope, and nope. I work at taking these so there are few telltale landmarks to make it harder :grin:

Still no one? It is Caribbean, not Mexican Riviera.

Still no one? It is Caribbean, not Mexican Riviera.

Still no one? It is Caribbean, not Mexican Riviera.

On April 7th, 3 days before the cruise, the following notice was provided to travel agents: << Existing bookings will not need to be re-scheduled. Please refer to the attached file for the revised itinerary (changes are in bold).>>>> The agent is responsible for notifying the customer. NCL's contract of passage, contained in the ticket/document book and on their website gives them the right to modify the itinerary without notice, and is essentially identical for all cruise lines: < In the event of strikes, lockouts, stoppages of labor, riots, weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or any other reason whatsoever, NCL has the right to cancel, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary without prior notice. NCL shall not be responsible for failure to adhere to published arrival and departure times for any of its ports of call. NCL may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel for any sailing and cannot be liable for any loss to passengers by reason of such cancellation, advancement, postponement or substitution. Reservations are subject to change or cancellation in the event of a full-ship charter, and in such event, NCL shall refund all passage moneys paid by the passenger.>>> The Dawn has 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, and yes some of the premium restaurants do charge a service charge. So does every other cruise line for their premium restaurants, usually $20 per person. No one has to use them. Again, failure by the travel agent to properly educate a first time cruiser, not the cruise line's failure. It provided what it advertised. Another, fairly standard for all cruise lines, quote from the NCL Know before you Go section: << Your cruise fare entitles you to accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and àla carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, e-mail, Internet, fax and Shore Excursions (including all Dive In™ programs). Government taxes and fees are also not included. >>> The weather system the Dawn encountered was the same one battering our area in Virginia with 40-60 mph winds. The system was hundreds of miles across and the ship couldn't go around it. The freak wave experience was very unfortunate. Dawn was not the first cruise ship to experience one, although I had not heard before of stateroom windows breaking. I am sorry he had a bad experience that did not meet his expectations. The fault lies partly in whomever sold him the cruise and did not take into account that he was a first time cruiser and needed educating. Travel agents who don't specialize in cruises and internet call centers are not for first timers. But beyond that, Caveat Emptor. Let the buyer beware. The answers to most of the questions he had are contained on the cruiseline websites. You have to do your homework when you are making an expensive purchase. Footnote: We loved our first NCL Freestyle experience in Dec 2003. We never had to wait long in line for a table for two. We ate in one premium restaurant one night. We loved being able to leave the ship leisurely (Freestyle). And many love the fact that formal night is optional in Freestyle. As a result, we have booked NCL Star for Alaska in August and are booking NCL America for our Hawaii trip in summer 2006. NCL 7 day cruises there provide 45 hours in Hawaiian ports, including 2 overnights, instead of the typical 25 hours for other cruiselines which aren't allowed to begin and end in Hawaii. The service problems they experienced with their first US crewed ship, Pride of Aloha, have been resolved and since the first of the year the reviews have been positive. They are taking half of that, now experienced, crew from Pride of Aloha to start up the Pride of America, instead of having to begin with a 100% inexperienced crew like Pride of Aloha.

On April 7th, 3 days before the cruise, the following notice was provided to travel agents: << Existing bookings will not need to be re-scheduled. Please refer to the attached file for the revised itinerary (changes are in bold).>>>> The agent is responsible for notifying the customer. NCL's contract of passage, contained in the ticket/document book and on their website gives them the right to modify the itinerary without notice, and is essentially identical for all cruise lines: < In the event of strikes, lockouts, stoppages of labor, riots, weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or any other reason whatsoever, NCL has the right to cancel, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary without prior notice. NCL shall not be responsible for failure to adhere to published arrival and departure times for any of its ports of call. NCL may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel for any sailing and cannot be liable for any loss to passengers by reason of such cancellation, advancement, postponement or substitution. Reservations are subject to change or cancellation in the event of a full-ship charter, and in such event, NCL shall refund all passage moneys paid by the passenger.>>> The Dawn has 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, and yes some of the premium restaurants do charge a service charge. So does every other cruise line for their premium restaurants, usually $20 per person. No one has to use them. Again, failure by the travel agent to properly educate a first time cruiser, not the cruise line's failure. It provided what it advertised. Another, fairly standard for all cruise lines, quote from the NCL Know before you Go section: << Your cruise fare entitles you to accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and àla carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, e-mail, Internet, fax and Shore Excursions (including all Dive In™ programs). Government taxes and fees are also not included. >>> The weather system the Dawn encountered was the same one battering our area in Virginia with 40-60 mph winds. The system was hundreds of miles across and the ship couldn't go around it. The freak wave experience was very unfortunate. Dawn was not the first cruise ship to experience one, although I had not heard before of stateroom windows breaking. I am sorry he had a bad experience that did not meet his expectations. The fault lies partly in whomever sold him the cruise and did not take into account that he was a first time cruiser and needed educating. Travel agents who don't specialize in cruises and internet call centers are not for first timers. But beyond that, Caveat Emptor. Let the buyer beware. The answers to most of the questions he had are contained on the cruiseline websites. You have to do your homework when you are making an expensive purchase. Footnote: We loved our first NCL Freestyle experience in Dec 2003. We never had to wait long in line for a table for two. We ate in one premium restaurant one night. We loved being able to leave the ship leisurely (Freestyle). And many love the fact that formal night is optional in Freestyle. As a result, we have booked NCL Star for Alaska in August and are booking NCL America for our Hawaii trip in summer 2006. NCL 7 day cruises there provide 45 hours in Hawaiian ports, including 2 overnights, instead of the typical 25 hours for other cruiselines which aren't allowed to begin and end in Hawaii. The service problems they experienced with their first US crewed ship, Pride of Aloha, have been resolved and since the first of the year the reviews have been positive. They are taking half of that, now experienced, crew from Pride of Aloha to start up the Pride of America, instead of having to begin with a 100% inexperienced crew like Pride of Aloha.

On April 7th, 3 days before the cruise, the following notice was provided to travel agents: << Existing bookings will not need to be re-scheduled. Please refer to the attached file for the revised itinerary (changes are in bold).>>>> The agent is responsible for notifying the customer. NCL's contract of passage, contained in the ticket/document book and on their website gives them the right to modify the itinerary without notice, and is essentially identical for all cruise lines: < In the event of strikes, lockouts, stoppages of labor, riots, weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or any other reason whatsoever, NCL has the right to cancel, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary without prior notice. NCL shall not be responsible for failure to adhere to published arrival and departure times for any of its ports of call. NCL may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel for any sailing and cannot be liable for any loss to passengers by reason of such cancellation, advancement, postponement or substitution. Reservations are subject to change or cancellation in the event of a full-ship charter, and in such event, NCL shall refund all passage moneys paid by the passenger.>>> The Dawn has 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, and yes some of the premium restaurants do charge a service charge. So does every other cruise line for their premium restaurants, usually $20 per person. No one has to use them. Again, failure by the travel agent to properly educate a first time cruiser, not the cruise line's failure. It provided what it advertised. Another, fairly standard for all cruise lines, quote from the NCL Know before you Go section: << Your cruise fare entitles you to accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and àla carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, e-mail, Internet, fax and Shore Excursions (including all Dive In™ programs). Government taxes and fees are also not included. >>> The weather system the Dawn encountered was the same one battering our area in Virginia with 40-60 mph winds. The system was hundreds of miles across and the ship couldn't go around it. The freak wave experience was very unfortunate. Dawn was not the first cruise ship to experience one, although I had not heard before of stateroom windows breaking. I am sorry he had a bad experience that did not meet his expectations. The fault lies partly in whomever sold him the cruise and did not take into account that he was a first time cruiser and needed educating. Travel agents who don't specialize in cruises and internet call centers are not for first timers. But beyond that, Caveat Emptor. Let the buyer beware. The answers to most of the questions he had are contained on the cruiseline websites. You have to do your homework when you are making an expensive purchase. Footnote: We loved our first NCL Freestyle experience in Dec 2003. We never had to wait long in line for a table for two. We ate in one premium restaurant one night. We loved being able to leave the ship leisurely (Freestyle). And many love the fact that formal night is optional in Freestyle. As a result, we have booked NCL Star for Alaska in August and are booking NCL America for our Hawaii trip in summer 2006. NCL 7 day cruises there provide 45 hours in Hawaiian ports, including 2 overnights, instead of the typical 25 hours for other cruiselines which aren't allowed to begin and end in Hawaii. The service problems they experienced with their first US crewed ship, Pride of Aloha, have been resolved and since the first of the year the reviews have been positive. They are taking half of that, now experienced, crew from Pride of Aloha to start up the Pride of America, instead of having to begin with a 100% inexperienced crew like Pride of Aloha.

Have a great time, Lisa :smiley:

Have a great time, Lisa :smiley:

Have a great time, Lisa :smiley:

We have cruised out of N'awlins twice and loved it, and once were on a cruise that did a port call there. We stayed at the Riverside Hilton just down from the Juliett St pier. Didn't feel threatened anytime day or night. We rode the streetcars as far as the beautiful City Park, walked the streets, did Bourbon Street, ate in numerous great restaurants. Even tried Zydaco dancing at Mulate’s, a classic Cajun/Zydaco place across the street from the Juliet Street Terminal. We lunched on Saturday on Acme Oyster House, enjoying oysters on the half shell and the Peacemaker Po’Boy, half oysters and half shrimp. We had seen it on the Food Channel. We also ate at Olivier’s and had oysters at Felix’s on Bourbon Street. We even won a bit on the slots at Harrah’s Casino!

We have cruised out of N'awlins twice and loved it, and once were on a cruise that did a port call there. We stayed at the Riverside Hilton just down from the Juliett St pier. Didn't feel threatened anytime day or night. We rode the streetcars as far as the beautiful City Park, walked the streets, did Bourbon Street, ate in numerous great restaurants. Even tried Zydaco dancing at Mulate’s, a classic Cajun/Zydaco place across the street from the Juliet Street Terminal. We lunched on Saturday on Acme Oyster House, enjoying oysters on the half shell and the Peacemaker Po’Boy, half oysters and half shrimp. We had seen it on the Food Channel. We also ate at Olivier’s and had oysters at Felix’s on Bourbon Street. We even won a bit on the slots at Harrah’s Casino!

We have cruised out of N'awlins twice and loved it, and once were on a cruise that did a port call there. We stayed at the Riverside Hilton just down from the Juliett St pier. Didn't feel threatened anytime day or night. We rode the streetcars as far as the beautiful City Park, walked the streets, did Bourbon Street, ate in numerous great restaurants. Even tried Zydaco dancing at Mulate’s, a classic Cajun/Zydaco place across the street from the Juliet Street Terminal. We lunched on Saturday on Acme Oyster House, enjoying oysters on the half shell and the Peacemaker Po’Boy, half oysters and half shrimp. We had seen it on the Food Channel. We also ate at Olivier’s and had oysters at Felix’s on Bourbon Street. We even won a bit on the slots at Harrah’s Casino!

I absolutely love Freeport. We stayed at the Sheraton Lucaya, and enjoyed the beach facilities. Right across the street is the Lucaya Marketplace, with nice shops and many wonderful restaurants. Even an Irish pub and a deli. At 9pm there is a free show with music and dance performers in the Count Basie square. The International Bazaar near the Casino in Freeport proper is okay, but Lucaya is better. There are restaurant/beach bars on the beach east of Lucaya that the locals use. See http://thebahamasguide.com/sandbar/ and [url=http://thebahamasguide.com/clubcaribe/]http://thebahamasguide.com/clubcaribe/ For a good general description of the many features see [url=http://www.grand-bahama.com/]http://www.grand-bahama.com/ We loved Paradise Cove and snorkeling in shallow water to Deadman's Reef. I found myself swimming with a sting ray and say barricuda. Remember, Freeport is just the commercial city on Grand Bahama Island. The island has much more to offer than Freeport. The ships dock in the commercial/industrial port. Take a taxi to Port Lucaya Marketplace. Use the facilities of the Sheraton and Westin. Rent a car and see the ecological areas and the national park. Frankly, we like it better than Nassau.

I absolutely love Freeport. We stayed at the Sheraton Lucaya, and enjoyed the beach facilities. Right across the street is the Lucaya Marketplace, with nice shops and many wonderful restaurants. Even an Irish pub and a deli. At 9pm there is a free show with music and dance performers in the Count Basie square. The International Bazaar near the Casino in Freeport proper is okay, but Lucaya is better. There are restaurant/beach bars on the beach east of Lucaya that the locals use. See http://thebahamasguide.com/sandbar/ and [url=http://thebahamasguide.com/clubcaribe/]http://thebahamasguide.com/clubcaribe/ For a good general description of the many features see [url=http://www.grand-bahama.com/]http://www.grand-bahama.com/ We loved Paradise Cove and snorkeling in shallow water to Deadman's Reef. I found myself swimming with a sting ray and say barricuda. Remember, Freeport is just the commercial city on Grand Bahama Island. The island has much more to offer than Freeport. The ships dock in the commercial/industrial port. Take a taxi to Port Lucaya Marketplace. Use the facilities of the Sheraton and Westin. Rent a car and see the ecological areas and the national park. Frankly, we like it better than Nassau.

I absolutely love Freeport. We stayed at the Sheraton Lucaya, and enjoyed the beach facilities. Right across the street is the Lucaya Marketplace, with nice shops and many wonderful restaurants. Even an Irish pub and a deli. At 9pm there is a free show with music and dance performers in the Count Basie square. The International Bazaar near the Casino in Freeport proper is okay, but Lucaya is better. There are restaurant/beach bars on the beach east of Lucaya that the locals use. See http://thebahamasguide.com/sandbar/ and [url=http://thebahamasguide.com/clubcaribe/]http://thebahamasguide.com/clubcaribe/ For a good general description of the many features see [url=http://www.grand-bahama.com/]http://www.grand-bahama.com/ We loved Paradise Cove and snorkeling in shallow water to Deadman's Reef. I found myself swimming with a sting ray and say barricuda. Remember, Freeport is just the commercial city on Grand Bahama Island. The island has much more to offer than Freeport. The ships dock in the commercial/industrial port. Take a taxi to Port Lucaya Marketplace. Use the facilities of the Sheraton and Westin. Rent a car and see the ecological areas and the national park. Frankly, we like it better than Nassau.

Let's see.....300 called....240 million people in this country.......never mind.

Let's see.....300 called....240 million people in this country.......never mind.

Let's see.....300 called....240 million people in this country.......never mind.

Got 'em stumped again :grin:

Got 'em stumped again :grin:

Got 'em stumped again :grin:

Can't remember right this minute, but there are several airport hotels that will shuttle to the pier and let you leave the car.

Can't remember right this minute, but there are several airport hotels that will shuttle to the pier and let you leave the car.

August 14 Alaska NCL Star r/t from Seattle to Glacier Bay/Inside passage