RebelAthena

I’ve posted this in my roll call, but I wanted make a bigger pitch: traveling with a larger group and, because we booked late, we missed FTTF slots for the 9/15 sailing on the Magic.

If you are releasing one, I would love a head’s up. I’ll check carnival religiously, but I’m hoping I might have luck posting to a wider audience.

Thanks so much.

It’s been a good day at sea. A couple of thoughts:

We originally had the H6, an Haven Aft Pentouse with Master; I’m so pleased that I upgraded to an H4. I have found the second bedroom plenty spacious for me (and the bed is lovely!). Further, we are mere steps from the Haven amenities.

The thermal pass is fantastic. I’ve already been; it’s great.

The key lime pie at Margarittaville is fantastic.

Finally, I was super excited to sail in February with calmer seas (we last sailed in September, between Jose and Maria (the waves were no fun for us)). We are in less than 5-foot seas, but the wind is just incredible, and we can certainly feel the resulting movement. Thanks for the tips for Bonine — seems to be working!

We boarded after noon — evidently there was a “big Heath inspection,” and so things were noticeably delayed and people were _everywhere_.

Our H4 is gorgeous (16114), and the storage is great. I’m over 6 ft, and I think the second bedroom is the perfect size for me (my parents are in the master).

The drinks are flowing and life is good. Having lunch in Margarittaville, and we are pleased (though service is slow (but where do we have to be?!)).

Gorgeous weather.

Which ship? Itinerary?

 

Happy voyage and smooth sailing, MS.

I edited it to reflect — doesn’t everyone know where I am :)

GOOOOD MORNING FROM THE PORT OF MIAMI, TERMINAL C!! Ready to board the Getaway for Mexico, Honduras, and Belize!!

We got here at 10:30, and we had no trouble with security in our terminal (the odd-floor lines in Terminal B were awful).

Quick check-in (no refreshments available except some juice, water, and coffee), and now we’re waiting to board.

I was a little startled to see that, though the reservation is under my name (an unmarried female), our materials now read “Mr. [name] and his family,” using the name of the sole male in our party (the 3rd pax). Really? REALLY? :mad:

I've been through this already with TA and NCL. The Amenity Confirmation does not show a credit from my TA. It only shows up on the TA supplied docs.

I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE!

TA: We have purchased the OBC for you from NCL, but you just can’t see it, and we cannot provide a record for it.

Me: So you want me to believe that there’s OBC for me that I can’t see and no one can account for?

TA: Yes.

It finally showed up.

I upgraded with less than 30 days to sailing with no penalty. We went from an H6 to an H4 because the cost of the H4s had dropped dramatically (owing to excess availability). I was charged an upgrade for only the first two folks, and then, later, when the price dropped again for the H4, my TA got us extra OBC from NCL to compensate for the second price drop (which was certainly a nice gesture from NCL).

I’ve been on this crazy train before!

As I understand it, the TA purchases the OBC as a “gift” through NCL, and it is transmitted to you in the time and manner deemed appropriate by NCL.

My OBC from my TA just showed up under “gifts” in my vacation summary two days ago (for a sailing next week).

Following ... we have OBC in the 4-digits. I think we’re goi g to use some in casino and some for shore excursions.

I have read of other members taking them on board.

From my research — we sail in the next couple of weeks — the ferry runs 9:00-3:30, is $20-25, and you are assigned times to come and go, usually a four-hour block (such as 9:30-1:30); I’ve read that you can take a last ferry (3:ish) at your own risk (there is limited seating).

I’ve read that, once in Placencia, you can rent golf carts and use the public beaches. I’ve contacted Splash Dive Belize, who offer a private two-stop snorkling tours ($95pp)

Expect a fair amount of salt

From the oceans or fellow CC members?!

Hi, gang!

In a week or so, I’m sailing with family on the Getaway in an H4 for my 40th birthday. I’ve never cruised NCL, and I don’t quite know what I don’t know.

I just read about the “White Hot/Glow” party ... what else should I know (I know about spa passes, Vibe, drink/dining package, and shore excursions)? Suggestions on where to eat on my special day (Cagney’s?). There are apparently no formal nights?

It’s the little things that you don’t know to look for, ask about, or attend — what insider info can you give me?

I would be nice to see the menu that you are referencing, but the situation is probably like this:

 

The menu language is only referring to beverages that you pay for. If you have the UBP any beverage $15 and under is included, so there is no service charge because 20% of zero is still zero. If you have the UBP and your drink is more than $15 you pay the drink price minus the $15 that is covered by the UBP, plus 20% of that amount, so if your drink was $18 you would pay $3.60.

 

 

If you don't have the UBP you pay for the drink plus a 20% service charge.

 

As far as meals, it works the same way. If you pay for a meal you pay the service charge. If the meal is part of a package or in one of the included restaurants there is no additional service charge.

This PDF was posted yesterday in a separate “live thread” from the Getaway.

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/06495b3e-28d6-4573-ac7c-0a1d40ad5eb8

Excellent resources! Thanks!

Consider bro gong the bottle yourself. You are allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine/champagne onboard. 750ml bottles with a voltage fee of $15 per bottle.

 

 

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What a fantastic idea!!!

While reasonable minds differ as to fault, the cost of bad press for NCL is likely higher than a private offer for future cruise credit. The population is aging, and Boomers have a long memory.

(Thought inspired by one of the comments on the original article)

You have pre-paid your Daily Service Charge (DSC) which covers all of the staff that provide service front of house and back of house. Examples: Room Steward, complimentary restaurant servers, guest services personnel, etc.

 

The Havens Restaurant is a complimentary restaurant and covered by your pre-paid DSC.

 

If you accepted the Ultimate Beverage Package, you are pre-charged for the gratuity on the retail price of that package.

 

If you accepted the Specialty Dining Package, you are pre-charged for the gratuity on the retail price of that package.

 

You have additional gratuity if you eat at anything not covered by your packages (E,g., eating more meals at specialty dining rooms than covered by your package, ordering drinks that exceed the $15 covered by the beverage package (you pay the different + gratuity on the difference), if you order a specialty coffee drink, if you purchase an ice cream dish with an upcharge, if you purchase a bakery item, if you order a bottle of wine, etc.)

 

Your Butler and Concierge are NOT covered by your DSC and you are expected to provide gratuity to them separately.

Thank you. So, Iunderstand now that, when we dine at a complimentary restaurant or use our dining plan, we are not charged additional service charges. (I was already aware to tip Butler/Concierge separately).

Also, now I want ice cream :)

I work in the legal world and am accustom to understanding the fine print, but I’m having a hard time understanding the service charges on NCL.

We are traveling in the Haven, and we have pre-paid service charges. Now I’m reading that there will be additional service charges when we dine at the Haven restaurant? The bottom of the menu reads, “A 20% gratuity and beverage service charge will be added to your bill.”

I understand about tipping vs. service charges, but i’m really confused: we pre-paid service charges with the booking, and we pre-paid service charges for the dining/drink plan. Am I correct to understand that, in addition to all manner of pre-paid service charges, we will incur additional expense when we dine?

Having lunch. Attached a file for The Haven Lunch menu. Boarding was chaotic but organized to the main elevators to be whisked away to The Haven elevators.

 

https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/06495b3e-28d6-4573-ac7c-0a1d40ad5eb8

 

 

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Was the option to dine in Margaritaville for lunch on embarkation day no longer available?

We looked at that sailing last summer ... the prices were great, but then they jumped.

They must have increased them too much.

This assumes the TA is in the upgrade program. Some of the big box store TAs are not. In that case, you will not get a chance to bid.

 

 

 

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I used The William Shatner website, and the Upgrade Advantage email came straight to my inbox.

(1) I was in this “boat” back in July 2017. I did book through a TA website in conjunction with a cash back website; as a result, I saved 10% on my cruise and will sail with triple the OBC that NCL awards.

HOWEVER, using a TA is not without risk; as others have commented, one cannot sneeze without the TA, and sometimes you really have to be proactive in making sure you are getting all the benefits to which you are entitled.

As an aside, you will likely get an upgrade bidding option directly from NCL, even if you use a TA.

If you are getting a balcony or above, I would encourage you to explore whether you can secure NCL future cruise credits (which are freely transferable).

(2) Yes, they will honor price. In fact, my TA called on our behalf just last week because the price dropped drastically, and NCL gave us additional OBC, even though they had no obligation to do so.

Thanks for this update! I’m sailing on my birthday — so glad to know that I need to be mindful of the possible desserts :)

US DoS has had Honduras travel advisories for years. And NCL is still selling cruises that include Roatan.

I had that same thought. I’ll just presume it’s fake Russian news :)