cruiserbear55

This "service" is as elusive as the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness Monster! NCL Latitudes says it is available for Platinum and above. Well, we've been Platinum for awhile, and have never been able to access this "service" on any ship. Happy Cruising!

Thanks.

Where?

Congratulations on making Platinum!! Book the four specialty restaurants you're interested in.They're not interested in how you are going to pay for the meal until you arrive at the restaurant.If you are going to book any fixed price specialties, like Teppanyaki (?) or Moderno, book them first . The system will know that you have two FAS meals, but won't know you are Platinum. If you book them third or fourth, it will assume you are out of free meals and will force you to pay ahead in order to book them.Happy Cruising!!

The best coffee, IMHO, is the single packets you brew in your stateroom. If not provided upon boarding, simply ask your steward for a coffee set-up ( coffee maker, packets, sugar/sweeteners,half and half, stirrers, cups). Again, IMHO, the coffee in the buffet tastes/looks like colored/flavored water; the French Press coffee you could paint your house with; and Starbuck’s all tastes burnt. Happy Cruising!

Insurance is voluntary, not mandatory. The reps at check-in will not ask you for proof of insurance.If, heaven forbid, you need to go to medical on the ship, they will charge your onboard account for the visit. You then submit the paper work to your insurance company/credit card company when you return home.

Porters at the dock carry extra tags, and will affix them to your luggage. At check-in, show proof of your reservation number and personal identification (passport,etc.). I would also have a printout of all my payments up to that point ( cabin, port fees, insurance, discretionary service charge, taxes; add-ons such as specialty dining, drink package, pre-booked excursions, soda package, etc. Just in case.Happy Cruising!

Back before covid, the wives would order the chocolate fondue with fruit, and the hubbies would each get an order of Profiteroles. To the four of us, those were the finest desserts Le Bistro ever offered. Subjective, I know. The good old days!

I asked this same question to an NCL agent a short while ago. Was told it is because the club balconies at that point are sold out. However , there would still be suites and above available. So some of those in clubs will get upgraded, leaving the club available. She said that is why it's called a guarantee, as you are "guaranteed" a club balcony, but may not find out till just before cruising which one. You'd still get the perks with a guarantee, unlike a sailaway, which has no perks. Hopefully, her answer is correct. Happy Sailing!

You might get a better response from folks interested in this cruise by starting a roll call. ( I checked, and there is not one started yet). The roll call would have people specifically interested in that cruise, while on these pages it's luck of the draw if someone who is going reads your post and responds.Or try the-site-that-shall-not-be-named!! Happy Cruising. P.S. FWIW, my DW says she would hop on this cruise in a minute if it were out of Boston She loves the cooking shows, but we're just not interested in flying anymore.

One thing about an aft balcony- You never know where you're going, but always know where you've been!!

Wish she were back in Boston. Finest ship in the fleet, IMHO!

Bring several tests and test yourself.

With a sailaway of 4:00, our experience has been that one of the MDRs is open for lunch from 12:00-2:00.

During the refurb, NCL removed the old "you had to be a contortionist to get into bathtubs" and replaced them with walk-in showers in the club balconies ( suites and above, also, if I recall correctly). What a difference!!

No.

As we did once, you could fit four chairs and a makeshift table to play cards, on a Jewel class ship, in a club balcony. Tight, but doable.

You're showing your age!!

Boston had a dedicated CAS check-in line for years and years. After security, we were directed to a special CAS line and after being checked in, always received Group A boarding passes. Group A was third group on the ship after Haven and mobility impaired folks. My DW now uses a rollator when faced with walking long distances, such as a ship. So we now go through a special security line and check-in line for mobility impaired. So not sure if there is still a CAS check-in line in Boston, but can attest that there WAS one.

Then please tell us how room comps are decided, if not based on play. Obviously, the more you stuff the slots the higher tier level you attain.

We've had three and a half inches of rain since yesterday afternoon, and have been under tornado watches/warnings all morning which are still in effect here in south central NH. NASCAR race in Loudon cancelled till tomorrow.

Try it yourself at home. Get yourself a three gallon plastic bag ( bathroom waste container size.) Get a load of dirty clothes, ( don't use clothes that Mrs.RB may have just spent hours cleaning, or there'll be hell to pay!!.) Roll them as tightly as you can, and PLACE them methodically in the bag until full. Now dump out the bag and ruffle up all the clothes. Now try just stuffing them in the bag. You'll find you will fit a whole lot more by rolling than stuffing. And as MagnoliaBlossom stated above, pack a couple of those plastic bags to line the paper laundry bag NCL provides. The paper bags are cheap, flimsy, and tear easily. Happy Cruising!!

And roll your clothes.

Port: St.Georges, Bermuda. But don't think any but the smallest ships can get in there any longer. Ship: The Dawn. Just the right sized ship. Always enjoyed entertainment in the Atrium, especially when Patti and Jose were playing! Room: Forward Club Balcony ( or mini-suite). It was the best we could afford!