debenson0723

Did you book on the app or did you call NCL? I would give them a call or use the chat to see if you can change to another date and time. Failing that, I would do it once onboard.

I always eat in Onda, twice if I can swing it. So many great choices in that restaurant. When using our vouchers, we chose Le Bistro (totally agree about the lifeboat view being off putting though), Cagney's and Hasuki. We pay out of pocket for Food Republic and Los Lobos, usually only getting the tableside guac, maybe splitting an entree or the quasadilla, and topping off with the tower of churros. As others have mentioned, eating a dinner in Indulge is a great option too.

I am new to MSC and was looking for cruises last night. I found one I liked but the booking automatically defaults to 2. When I changed the passengers to one, it came back that the cruise was sold out. I had heard this was happening but found it hard to believe. I guess MSC does not want solo cruisers so I will look elsewhere.

This was my experience too and I was on before you. My friend was called up and he did not go anywhere before hand to sign up. He won $600 cash!

You can adjust your dinners once you are on board.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/464-italy-ports/ Also lots of videos on YouTube that show options from Rome to the port.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Lots of info on Barcelona here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/465-spain-ports/

Yes she will. I am a solo cruiser and invite someone to share my voucher with me on every cruise. She will get 2 meals for 2 so one of you will be her guest and the other will use the extra 2 meal package.

I don't do the casino either but still find a way to be entertained. Stop by the atrium and watch what they are doing there (usually a couples competition, live music duo or bands), karaoke, the Beatles review or Syd Norman's, silent disco, comedians (some better than others)...various options on different ships. Sometimes we just sit out on the Waterfront or in the Observation Lounge having a cocktail and a nice conversation. I barely watch TV at home and certainly not on a cruise. I've seen all of the shows more than once and will go back again sometimes but I never seem to have an issue finding something to do in the evenings.

Just call or use the chat feature. You can make these changes as long as you aren't 3 days from departure.

USD is fine. Smaller bills are best.

No, it does not include specialty coffee. If you don't think you will drink 2-3 alcoholic drinks per day (basically the same cost as the $22 a day gratuity), you might be better off just paying as you go and getting your coffee on the side. And the ship only has the atrium cafe, where they serve Starbucks products, but not a dedicated Starbucks (so no SB app or gift cards).

The tax charge is on embarkation day at the US port. I have been charged in Miami, Los Angeles and Seattle. Don't remember about Port Canaveral. There is typically a sign on the bar stating the tax will be charged. It's less than a dollar per drink and I don't even really notice it.

You should look again...I seriously doubt it was filled up already. Or try the chat feature on the website. Last option if it doesn't allow you online is to use the kiosk or box office once you board.

Any ship larger than the Jewel class typically has reservations for their main shows. There was talk that they may do first come, first serve on the larger ships but I have not seen that in normal practice yet.

I agree completely with @UKstages. I am Sapphire status on NCL and have had extra treatment given to me, when I allow it. As an example, I was in line at the Local for lunch on a sea day. It was very busy and quite a number of people were waiting. The group in front of me was 5 people, I am a solo. They were asked to step aside and told the wait would be about 15-20 minutes. I placed my card on the scanner and was immediately taken to a table...for 6! I looked at the hostess and told her I did not need to be sitting at that huge table by myself and to please let me go stand in line and seat the party of 5 that was in front of me. She looked a little taken aback but I walked back to the podium and she took the party of 5 to 'my' table. I then told her I wanted nothing larger than a 2 top and I would be happy to wait. I have also had a hostess apologize (multiple times) if there were no window seats available in the MDR when I was being seated. I always tell them it is not necessary that I have a window...I just want to eat. These are only 2 examples off the top of my head and yes, service should be exceptional for every guest onboard but sometimes it is a touch more exceptional for Haven and elite status members (without waving our cards around).

If you miss the ship you will get back the port fees, taxes and FAS gratuities (basically the things you didn't use because you weren't on board). So I don't see much of a need for the insurance but you already paid for it. Good luck and I hope you make the ship.

The package itself is free...you pay the gratuities, which are about $21 p/p per day. So if you drink anywhere between 2-3 drinks a day, it pays for itself. And you must not have been on an RCL cruise...for their drink package on my cruise, it was $89.99 p/p per day PLUS 18% gratuities. Needless to say, I skipped buying that one.

Unlike airports, I have never arrived in a US port that uses Global Entry...and I have disembarked in NYC, Miami and LA in the past 18 months. And like @Liljo22mentioned, they all used facial recognition scanners for immigration. Scan off the ship and just walk thru without showing your passport.

Not sure what you are saying here. When I go to Europe (cruise or not), I have an international plan from my provider so I can use my cell phone just as I can at home. It is $10 a day. When on a ship, I put my phone in airplane mode and can take as many photos as I want. If I needed to make a call, I would use What'sApp but mostly I wait until on shore to make calls.

On a Pacific Coastal cruise, we arrived on Wednesday with an overnight and the official disembarkation day was Thursday. There were many passengers who lived in Vancouver and got off the ship permanently on Wednesday, never to return. There were others who flew out of Vancouver on Wednesday. So I would guess you can leave the ship the day you arrive but you might want to call or ask as soon as you get on board to make sure.

We very rarely have potato chips in our home (or cookies). No soda either. Just a lifestyle choice. Now Reese's Peanut Butter Cups...different story.

Yes, they enforce it.