debenson0723

No to the Local and for dessert, it depends. I personally have taken my dessert back to my cabin often but others have not. Depends on the ship and GM.

I think it depends on how you want to cruise. You always mention you cruise in the Haven or a suite and that's great. But that is never going to be an option for me, especially as a solo traveler on a budget. I personally would rather cruise more often in a smaller cabin. It's great that sometimes there are upgrades available and I can take advantage of them but if I can't, I am happy on the waterfront or Observation Lounge. Booking last minute also helps to take advantage of lower prices (again, I really don't care that much about my cabin). We all have different cruise styles and cruising is still in my budget but sometimes it takes a little more time and effort to make it work.

There are a couple of good YouTube videos that show exactly how to do this, including the walk to the port. Enjoy your cruise!

Did it last month. Actually used the app but saw many people using gift cards.

But it's not just continental breakfast now...you can get multiple hot items also (see post #21 for menu).

The reason I use packing cubes has nothing to do with overpacking. I use them so when my clothing and personal items go thru TSA, I don't have strangers touching my stuff with their grubby hands. Before cubes I used jumbo zip lock bags. And yes, I am OCD.

It is the whole show. Quite expensive on the West End in London when you can see it for free on a cruise ship (multiple times!).

I used my NR OBC for an additional tip at Onda on the Viva 4 weeks ago so still happening on some ships.

Viva's capacity is listed as 3099 on the NCL website.

Do you have your confirmation email from when you booked the cruise or made the last change? If you are more comfortable printing something out, take that with you. You cannot download edocs once you hit the 72 hour mark prior to your cruise. You aren't the first person not to have them and you won't be the last.

No, on my cruise earlier in December no one even asked to see them. I always just save the screen shot on my phone. As long as you have your passport, they can find you on the manifest. Relax and enjoy your cruise.

Huge difference in the dining venues on the Star vs.the Prima.

Prima MDR dinner menus change every night and you won't know which menu the chef has chosen for that night until later in the afternoon when it is posted. Maybe those that prefer to eat in the MDR can do that on some nights and those that want the Haven can eat there. Or if it's just an MDR dessert, go there after your Haven dinner.

You never know. I have spent most of today working on my January-June vacations and once I figure those out, will work on the 2nd half of the year. I have 6 States left to complete my 50 and would like to knock a few more of those off the list. But I am thinking Alaska will be in there somewhere in the fall.

I am looking at this cruise but plan to do what I usually do...book refundable hotel and airfare and then watch the prices on the cruise until it comes down to what I am willing to pay, typically about 30 days out. If it doesn't get to that point, then I cancel the hotel and take the airfare credit for my next vacation. I enjoy the ship and walking around the ports plus Alaska is a nice place to get out of the heat in September.

Totally agree. I consider myself a 'normal' tipper but the 2 times I overtip is the airport skycaps and the porters at the cruise port. And (knock on wood) never had a bag lost.

Yes, the porters who work at the port will take your luggage and it will appear outside your cabin sometime in the afternoon. Some people prefer to keep their carryons with them (you should always keep a bag with your docs, medications, jewelry, etc with you). I was carryon only once and took it on board with me...it was a pain so I never did that again, just took a small tote onboard. It appears that most of the ships now have a drop off for carryons onboard but if I was going to do that, I would just give to the porter.

It really depends on the concierge. I have eaten multiple times in the Haven restaurant with my friend who was in the Haven. It cost around $60 and I paid for it with non-refundable OBC. One concierge also invited me to come up on the last morning and disembark with them but I declined as I already had priority disembarkation (and I would have felt uncomfortable doing that).

Just off the Viva and used the Specialty dining credit at Onda. We each got an appetizer (which could have been a pizza), a pasta (which could have been a pizza), had the filet for an entree (and could have added 2 sides) and dessert, which we ended up splitting because we had so.much.food. And don't forget the bread course...that is worth the price of admission alone!

Yes you can still use the app.

In the 5 cruises I have taken in the past 2 years, I have had 2 small itinerary changes. 1 last year due to weather, which resulted in getting to our next port 8 hours early (and what I considered a bonus) and one this month on Viva, which changed ports a few months prior to sailing...that one was more of a disappointment but we still had a great time. Prior to that, I don't recall any changes. Guess I have just been lucky.

Probably close to 20.

Many years ago we were on an RCL cruise and shared a table with 2 nurses who were on the ship to provide dialysis for a passenger. They were actually hired by the cruise line and worked full time on various ships all over the world. They worked every 3 days or so when the passenger needed treatment and had the rest of the time for themselves...and they got paid! Not sure if something like this is still available but like mentioned above, I would check the disabilities board and also google Dialysis at Sea. If not NCL, maybe another cruise line provides this service.

Boarded in many ports and it's not unusual for port employees not to know where the specific lines are. I am Sapphire and just go to the shortest one that isn't Haven, CAS or handicap. As far as the food issue, those types of concerns should always be handled on board by someone who can take care of it then and there. It's like emailing the CEO of Ford because you got a flat tire.

I just use my app on my phone and get the Stars for future purchases (off the ship). And I've never stood in line more than 10 minutes, even at peak times. Certainly not 'hours'.