darkprayer

The last 3 times that we have visited there, over the course of the last 2 years. I haven't had the pleasure of seeing a Sloth at Victors Monkey Business.

Well if the Jewel is exactly like the Jade the shirtless guy is in 9514!!! Thanks a ton for the help! This was extremely helpful!

I've seen so many names for the metal enclosed balconies I figured I'd throw all the names out there. Hull, Enclosed or Cove whatever you call it!

Does anyone have a list of all the balconies that are considered enclosed? Does anyone know if 9514 is enclosed or has anyone been in one of these enclosed balconies on the JADE... care to share what room they were in so I can do a count to figure out if mine is one via a picture.

I've done about an hour research and can't figure it out. I rather know now before we go what suprises I got with my upgrade.

STILL very happy to have a bigger room and a balcony. I am not complaining. I just wanna know!

Thanks!

Colorado near Boulder!!! I cant wait for tomorrow!!! Cajun food here we come!! and no snow! ;)

I just called NCL about some upcoming reservations, and the topic of possible price drops or upgrades came up. The agent told me that they will now only accept such requests 30 days or more before sailing. I guess the idea is that when they offer super last-minute fire sale fares, they actually want to attract new bookings and fill up the ship. They no longer allow people who are already booked to use these price drops to negotiate a better deal for themselves well after final payment (last-minute category upgrade or OBC).

 

The agent told me that this is a new policy that started last week. Has anyone else heard about this? If this is confirmed, then for those of you who have played the last-minute upgrade game in the past, the rules have changed… For people who like to book super last-minute, the rules have changed, too (Freestyle Choice only available for bookings at least 30 days ahead of sailing, also since the beginning of November).

Yep! Just got told this same BS less then 10 minutes ago. With all the changes NCL has done lately. They are really starting to put a nasty taste in loyal past cruisers!

NCL Dawn out of New Orleans 11/15

We got our first snow this morning. We fly to NOLA tomorrow morning. I want warmth already!!!!:D:D

Very near to Bayport is the Seabrook Best Western Suites Plus. Stayed there in April and staying again in December. Hot breakfast, outdoor pool, close and I mean CLOSE to port, easy to get to from major highways. Nice staff, quite, near a gas station for snacks, and Subway within walking distance. Not Super 8 prices but I was happy.

http://bwseabrooksuites.com/

Did a cruise out of bayport this april 4th. Weather was a bit nippy when we got there a few days before but locals said it was a weird, not normally that cold and windy but the morning we sailed out it turned out beautiful. No fog any of the mornings we were there and we stayed right near port.

When did you book? As far as I know, with Freestytle Choice the UBP perk has always been just for guests 1-2. With the earliest versions (late December 2014-April 2015), if you chose the UBP, guests 3-8 over the age of 2 got the soda package. Then the UBP disappeared, and when it reappeared in June, the extra 18% appeared and passengers 3-8 got nothing. :( But I agree with you, it's still a very good deal for many people. :)

 

It was the UDP that used to be offered to everyone in the stateroom earlier this year. That perk has also been seriously devalued since then :(:(

I booked in Feb. 2015 for my Nov. 2015 cruise and Sept 2016 cruise and got the best of the best UBP for all in the room no "service charge" fee.

I booked last minute for the April 4th cruise so I think around March 20th something. I'm just really happy I got 3 cruises booked back then with the best of the best promo for the UBP.

I booked our December cruise a few weeks ago and had to pay the "service charge."

We just got off the Gem, with UBP and when we booked the 18% was still included in the promo. The only bar related charges on our bill were taxes on a few drinks we had before and just after sailing. If you want to know how much you drink, keep the slips, we had an envelope full!

 

As for tipping the bartenders, we found most gave excellent service whether you tipped or not. We did tip the bar service waiter in the MDR on the final night as he ensured we always had wine with dinner, in fact one evening he saw our group coming in, looked over and said same as usual, and our drinks were there really fast.

We also booked this promo when the gratuities were included and all guests in the room got the UBP. The kids, got free soda packages instead of UBP but, if they were over 21, we all would of had the UBP.

We saved every receipt we could and we missed some cause of spilled drinks or the waiter walked off with it but before we even left the home port!!!! We had saved more with the UBP then what we paid for the cruise! We did book Oceanview only and was last minute.

No, we never threw up and no, neither of us ever got the sicky feeling either.

When each drink with tips is easily 13$ and 4$ for soda it adds up real fast with a family of 4. This is the best promo IMO even now with having to pay the gratuities based on the beverage package base price! $136.08 for two people to drink whatever they want, no worries for 7 days!!! Heck yea!!!

Yeah I want to say valet is like $39 at the Hyatt. If you drive around back I think you can park yourself for about $28. When I cruised I stayed a night before and a night after and what I did was book 7 days at Fulton parking garage instead of 5. I parked, just took a backpack with me and took streetcar to hotel. Took streetcar back the next day. Grabbed my luggage and took the free shuttle to the port. Then basically the same thing when I returned. I booked my parking online. printed out the receipt. They have to stamp it at the garage office. Then just leave it in your windshield. Here's the website. You can also book other garages if you want something closer to your hotel.

 

http://neworleansparking.com/

Can't thank you enough for all your advice. For your info... Hyatt is charging $40 plus tax for valet now.

...

I couldn't find those prices a normal website via my computer. I downloaded the app and magically the pricing dropped. Odd...

But thank you very much for all your help! Very happy with what hotel I got for the price. Even cheaper then the hotel we were booked in, in Houston.

We decided to change from NCl Jade out of Houston to NCL Dawn in New Orleans of course. So, now I can relax a bit more til I find a solution for the crazy parking rates!!!

You can do hotwire's trip watcher and they'll email you if prices go up or down. But if it were me, I'd look at that 4* downtown/superdome for $106/night. That should be Hyatt Regency. It's one of the best hotels in town. It's not close to the port or French quarter but there's a street car stop out front. For $1.25 you can get on a car that will take you to bourbon street or all the way to Hilton Riverside. You can also buy a day pass for $3.00....There's also a 3-day pass. I don't remember the price. And cabs aren't bad if you leave the quarter late after the street cars aren't running. I took a cab from Canal/Bourbon to Hyatt for like $5 last year. If you want to be closer to the port you can look at that 3.5* in the warehouse district for $116. I think that's going to be the Blake Hotel.

Boy your GOOOOOOD. DING DING Hyatt Regency $104 a night

You can do hotwire's trip watcher and they'll email you if prices go up or down. But if it were me, I'd look at that 4* downtown/superdome for $106/night. That should be Hyatt Regency. It's one of the best hotels in town. It's not close to the port or French quarter but there's a street car stop out front. For $1.25 you can get on a car that will take you to bourbon street or all the way to Hilton Riverside. You can also buy a day pass for $3.00....There's also a 3-day pass. I don't remember the price. And cabs aren't bad if you leave the quarter late after the street cars aren't running. I took a cab from Canal/Bourbon to Hyatt for like $5 last year. If you want to be closer to the port you can look at that 3.5* in the warehouse district for $116. I think that's going to be the Blake Hotel.

WOW prices must of changed or you have a secret looking spot on Hotwire cause I can't find those prices any where!!!

I'm looking in November 13-15 2015 and I'm seeing $175 a night for french quarter/river thru Hotwire.

Am I trying too early or up a creek with no paddle and stuck with this pricing. I'm in shock with the cost of hotels right now for New Orleans.

That or they throw darts with reservation numbers at boards...

I like this idea...I'd like to apply for this position please! :P

I tried searching; really I did. :p I have learned that all the for fee restaurants are included & you can go to multiple places in one night. OK Fine.

 

Here are my Qs:

 

What time is the Cirque thing on embarkation day? I don't want to be rushed. My 1st experience with Cirque de Soile was before everybody heard of this & it was in an actual tent on the west side of NYC 20+ years ago. I don't need to do it again, but my husband has never seen it.

 

Leaving Sunday on the Epic--our cirque show is at 8:30. There are two shows the first night but for the life of me I can't remember the other time! Sorry. I have heard with the UDP benefit the first night sells out quickly. Remember the UDP will also get you premium setting at no extra charge.

 

Do you have to make reservations? Half the reason we love freestyle is we don't have to worry about what time we have to be at dinner.

If you want earlier reservations yes, later at night not so much! You can always change when on board to what is still available. But at least you got a spot if everything is booked up!

 

Does the UDP make it harder to get reservations? Getting reservations at Teppenaki was always difficult. I'm assuming this makes it worse.

 

I booked at 90 days out. Suites are at 100 days. Got a reservation with UDP at a great time. But one would imagine with more people eating at speciality restruants it would be harder.

 

One of the things we liked about the specialty restaurants is that they were less crowded & therefore calmer then the MDR.

 

We have cruised without setting foot in a specialty restaurant & we have patronized our favorites.

 

I'm just trying to get a sense if this package makes everybody flock to these venues. We're on the Epic if that makes a difference.

Best of luck

What is urgent? You've got a week for answers. We are not that slow with answers.

We might not be slow to reply but we also just give answers that don't help the OP at all.

I've had no luck on reliable cell phones in that area. Best bet is probably dishing out the cash to use the ships phone to call out! Best of luck!

I think I read somewhere that NCL had done away with that on either most or all ships.

Alright my info must be out dated or incorrect. Was informed at least on the Epic that there was one and when I was on the Pearl last year they still had one, though no one was using it in Alaska!! :P

Maybe the best info the OP can get is to call NCL concerning the ship they are on and ask!

Nice one darkprayer!! Congrats and enjoy!

Thanks! I've over joyed! I can't wait to see the kids faces once they see the suite! Then again, I think there faces are gonna fall off when they find out Thursday they aren't going to school but heading for Florida for 3 days and then the cruise on Sunday!

I am also very guilty of Price Stalking. I started in a Inside now we are in a 2 Bedroom Villa. Was hoping DOS would drop some more but seriously. Inside to a Villa. Boy, my kids are gonna be spoiled.

I thought that some ships have an Adult Only Sundeck.

It's all based on what you actually paid.

Agreed!

Who wants popcorn? :D

Extra butter please!

Prior...we haven't sailed yet! I would call NCL directly. They should be able to help. Good luck