I haven't joined LCT in a long time-so long that I had to reregister-but, when I read the Hawaii "tips" I had to reply with, what I think, the booking from Hell. I hope the trip won't be the same.

A year ago August, through a friend who is a Virtuoso agent, I booked a trip on NCL around the Hawaiian islands for this mas for me and my entire family-15 in all, ranging from ageless(my husband and me) to a toddler grandchild. We were booked on the Pride of Aloha, leaving on a Sunday, so that the college kids from Boston area could get there in time after exams. We got a FANTASTIC deal on business air through the ship(Would you believe less thatn$900 from Boston and the midwest to Oahu?) and booked 6 cabins, all on 1 deck, including 2 suites-for my husband and me and for a family of 5.
In February I noticed that they had mixed-up 1 return flight, having the wrong people going home at the wrong time. his just needed a name change and we were 10 months out. This was a lucky mistake because we then found out that in January, NCL had changed the itinerary and "bumped" us off the ship. Supposedly they contacted the travel agent by e-mail and, when there was no response, just moved all 15 of us to an other sailing, of course, leaving the air on the wrong dates. I understand that they had the right to change the sailing, but we should have been notified in a proper manner, given a chance to take the new itinerary, and, if not, moved to a sailing of our choice with comparable flights and cabins. It took several months, several phone calls and emails, to rectify the sutuation somewhat. We were moved to the Pride of America and put in cabins on several decks, spliting up families with children. It finally took a wonderful agent who actually moved people out of their cabins in order to get us together. I'm sure they were not compensated for the change. By the way, at one time we were actually offered $25 shipboard credit for 2 people out of the 15 for compensation. I contrast this with the wonderful treatment my husband and I got when we were booked on the Regent Diamond, subsequently sold. We got a great deasl on another cruise of our choosing that year and they paid for penalties in airfare we encurred.
Speaking of air, needless to say we lost our deals. It was too late to try for FF miles, and it was now more important to take NCL air since the sailing was a day earlier and the college students( one of them autistic which is why the business air) and to leave Boston the morning of the sailing, regardless of weather. With the new air, the trip is costing about 20% more than the original. We finally did get 1 base cabin paid for and the 25 has extended to all, very reluctantly on the part of NCL. I'm not even going to mention how frustrating it has been all along the way to get the proper paperwork and how many long phone holds, dropped calls and just plain nasty people my agent had to deal with.
Now the latest, We have been told that we have to make the final payment almost a month ahead of the original payment date even though our confirmations have that original date on them. We were told that, since it is the busiest week and, since we have 6 cabins, if we do not pay by the new date they will give our cabins away. Obviously we will comply.

Now that I've vented, I am looking forward to this trip since it may be the last time that I can get all my clan together for a fun holiday with something for everyone. I know it isn't Regent or Silversea, and my husband & I are trying Seabourn for a Baltic cruise next year-sans kids, but, like you all, if we want Hawaii by water, we have to take NCL. Thank you for all your tips. I'll let you know how it works out.