I Didn't realize you could book directly through them. Always used a travel agent. So when you book directly through NCL does that include the flight?
Is it cheaper than going through a travel agent?

the cruise itself? yup.. it ends up being cheaper.. the flight? not so much.. I still use a travel agent for the flight.. wanna make sure I get there in time but the cruise I book direct.. and yeah.. you can go direct.. mind you.. I told my guy last fall that I'd call HIM next time.. it was hard getting calls every month with such GREAT deals that I had to turn down (cuz of other financial responsibilities..) so now I get'em by email only.. when I'm ready though.. I'll give him a call.. really nice lad too.. but yeah.. direct with them IS cheaper (aside from the flight)

I am going to keep that in mind if I am ever lucky enough to cruise again.

The only thing I did not like was how many rude and snotty people were on the ship. We found this mostly on the Caribbean cruise as opposed to the Alaskan one.

I recall one time being on a crowded elevator when it stopped and a man that smelled like a boat full of dead fish came on. He squeezed himself on the elevator and said maybe if you people spent more time at the gym like I do instead of the buffet table we could all fit on this elevator.
How rude was that?

TOTally RUDE!!

however knowing me I'd have something to say..
like... "perhaps if you spent less time in the mirror.. your head wouldn't take up soo much room oh and.. nice cologne.. that's one way ta clear an elevator" "I've heard of anger management classes.. but I didn't know they offer'em now for intimidation" or some other silly blurb

I don't bother with people like that.. other than toss out some witty retort.. my dad used to say don't lower yourself to their level by reacting like them.. so I don't, I typically walk away sniggering

I know, but I just noticed there were an awful lot of rude people on cruise ships.
Did you notice that too?

not really.. there's always a few in ANY crowd.. however I'm not like most people.. I won't let others ruin my fun.. I've been teased all my life for some reason or another.. being adopted, looking different from my family.. spending too many years in hospitals.. oh, just a TON of things.. but my dad was really helpful in teaching me how to 'react' so it wouldn't hurt so much or make me feel like I was more of an outcast (being that I was so different from all my OTHER 'normal' friends).. so I've learned not to let them get under my skin.. after all.. we work HARD to be able to 'play'.. but having the 'people' insight I do, often helps me understand where they come from and instead of getting angry at them.. I pity'em..

here's an example (although not cruise related) where MISunderstandings are very easily reached..

my eldest had just finished her very first 'sporting' event, a 5k sprint that she trained VERY hard for.. she's was nervous and although didn't even come CLOSE to winning.. in my books she had because she TRIED and actually saw it through to the end! To celebrate I took her, my other daughter and grandson(not that he ate LOL) to her choice of restaurants.. from the very beginning the waitress was off her game, kinda rude and very 'indifferent' towards us.. to the point my eldest was fuming.. I explained that I observed she was very sad, like she had just lost someone very close to her, she's taken a psychology course so understood what I was saying.. during dessert, the baby was very cranky and wanted a breast, so I suggested they go into the van and start, while I took care of the bill and finished our meal.. my eldest asked the waitress if she could take the 4 little pieces of fruit her sister had left on her plate out to her and was flat out refused.. so she got the manager involved.. he handled it also very badly and we ended up leaving with a bitter taste in our mouths.. the next day I called the main office of the 'chain' and lodged a complaint.. not so much about the waitress but about the way the manager had reacted (which in my opinion was job threatening).. and the next day got a call back from the owner of that location (they are franchises) apologizing for what had taken place.. then I got the whole story.. seems the waitress HAD lost some dear ones, 2 years ago both her son and husband, in a car crash.. (I was bang on about her it seems).. and the manager (she assumed) was just protecting the waitress.. the owner was very kind, and kept asking for my opinions about running her business..

anywho.. there's a reason for everything.. why people act, act out, or react.. and because most don't think farther than the moment.. oftentimes others are misunderstood for their actions.. something MAY have triggered his reaction.. sadly however, some people just always react poorly

typically, do you cruise alone or with someone?

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! You are such an amazing person. You made me think in an entire new light about things. Thank you for that.
I do believe some people are just nasty, but you are right ,there must be a reason why they are like that.
You are such an interesting and wise lady. I am really enjoying talking to you. .

I have always done cruises with my two Daughters. The last one my daughter's BF came along too. But to be perfectly honest with you I liked it better when it was just myself and my girls. It seemed to be more fun for some reason.

pfffffffft.. ME?? amazing?? just a human being with a bit more patience (and insight) than most is all however, at times.. maybe TOO much

but thank you for the wonderful compliments.. I'm happy I was able to show you a different side of things though.. many people can't see past their own noses... however.. you are very welcome

I'm enjoying our conversation as well Betty

my first cruise was with a girlfriend, it was just OKAY (company wise) we're both independent thinkers with strong personalities so lets just say there was a bit of a power struggle (she got pizzed at me for letting her sleep and taking off to explore one port of call on my own lol) the 2nd one was with my ex husband.. it was a wee bit better, but he's not much of an adventurer.. the last one however I took my girls along.. best (aside from Egypt) adventure EVER.. (okay well.. maybe with the Egypt thang.. it DID bring us even closer, if that's possible ) and I agree.. it would have been even better if I hadn't brought along MY ex-bf (the guy I was dating from the USA at the time, was supposed to be the 'beef' but turned out being totally useless.. aside from building up a very large bar tab )

I'd LOVE to travel with the girls again.. EVERYwhere.. just can't afford to.. again.. that Euro trip ended up being quite a bit of an expensive trip.. but then again.. which "ultimate-once in a life-time experience" isn't..

I think when her BF came along it was just one other person to many too please . My girls and I liked to do things together ,but we also enjoyed doing our own Thing and we respected that. He however is the 'clingy' type that wanted us to do everything he wanted to do ..together. I was ready to pull my hair out by the end of the trip. I won't do another cruise with him, not worth it. I do however relish the idea of taking a cruise with my friend. He has never been on one and he says would love to go on one.
I think cruises could be very romantic ..Don't you ?

yes.. they can be very romantic.. maybe one day I'll finally get to share my love for cruising with someone.. that'd be totally awesome!! kind of a dream actually..

I'd have to agree with you though.. I have problems with certain 'types' too.. clingy and whiny are definitely amongst those I'd avoid.. especially when traveling!

I'm blessed in that my girls trust my judgement.. they know I prepare and am typically level headed in any given situation.. like when they were getting 'kidnapped'.. I went immediately into fight mode.. (another thing about psychology, there are those that will fight.. and those that will flee.. it's called "fight or flight" responses) my kids know I'll take care of them.. they also know I'll nudge them outta their fears enough to enjoy themselves.. and nothing inspires me more than seeing their reactions to the adventures we've been on.. so hopefully.. life will give us many MORE chances to have FUN!!

so.. where to next?

Well I have no immediate plans, but one can always hope lol.
I would love to take another Alaskan cruise. It was so beautiful.

My Daughter is back now from her cruise, but it was just one mishap after another this time. Mostly the problems were caused from the airline. Not only did they lose their luggage but on the way back they kept cancelling their flight. They had two flights cancelled on them and were stuck in the airport for over 17 hours.

Also she did get sick on the ship, she was sick for two days. She also said the food on this ship was not nearly as good as NCL.

yet another vote for NCL
I LOVE their food.. man.. I always pig out on those cruises AND loose weight.. go figure.. and no, not doing more while cruising, its the food they make for us.. all excellent and health conscience..

wow huh.. that's really sucky about her trip.. sadly though.. if EVERYthing was the same (on every cruise line, airline, and anything ELSE we spend our hard earned $$'s on) we'd neither learn from bad experiences NOR have any real choices.. however.. I think she should get a free return flight from that airline to anywhere in the continental US/Canada.. now THAT'D be service

I've not yet gone to Alaska.. but it's DEFINITELY on me bucket list.. along with Hawaii.. I just wish they'd offer better pricing on regular rooms for 'singles' that wish to travel alone

I know eh? They seem to charge the same or more for a single person. I think its because the more people they can squeeze into one room the more money they make.
My Daughter also said the entertainment on NCL is much better. Cirque Du Soleil is not on the ship she was on. It still boggles my mind how they can do all the things they do on a moving ,rocky ship .
Actually how they do any of it anywhere is pretty darn amazing!

I like resorts but I love America places like New York are amazing love the place. I've been to Vegas love that place aswell had such a good time and want to go back, LA was amazing met some sound people and want to go back. I've been lucky to go to some nice places Eygyt, The Caribbean, Spain, Cyprus, Turkey, South France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Morroco loads of cool places. On my to do list is Thailand, Australia/New Zealand and wouldn't mind seeing some more of Asia.

Forgot Greece, Portugal and Tunisia all great holidays .

WOW lucky you!!!
have you ever been on a cruise??

You sure have been around! It must be so great to have been to so many places. Have you ever been to Canada?

mornin Bett's.. you were sayin bout rude???

some peoples kids huh

have a great day

HuH????/Sorry I don't understand, but then again I am only on my first cup of coffee lol

Email me if you don't want to explain here .