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On 9/9/2022 at 9:17 AM, Northern Aurora said:

We spent the last two weeks of June on the Solstice and will board again on September 16 for another set of B2B cruises, including the first of the Mexican itineraries.

 

I felt I was in a time warp when we boarded as we had been on the Solstice on the first leg of what would have been a B2B2B2B in March 2020.  We left the ship in Sydney on March 20, 2020 when the Australian Border Force closed the borders and the global suspension of cruises was implemented.  A number of the staff who had been on the Solstice in March 2020 were also on board when be boarded in June.

 

In June we were in a Suite.  The stateroom was in great condition although the decor is becoming dated.  The entire ship seemed to be very clean.  The Michael's Club/Retreat Lounge staff were simply wonderful.  Service in Luminae was perfect.  We will also be in a Suite when we board on September 16th, and many of the Luminae and Michael's Club folks expect to be still on board.  Our experience last June was great and we have no reason not to expect the same later this month.

I am debating to book the sky suite. I have only sailed NCL Haven and MSC Yacht Club. Does Solstice have retreat sundeck and pool? I can't find any pics or videos on YouTube.. Thanks in advance for your reply. 

sorry for dig out this out threat.

i searched NCL website and found their official amenities.

Sailing on Dawn in 5 days. Just got email confirmation stating my upgrade offer has been accepted.

We originally have Balcony booked (BA). I placed 4 bids on all sort of suites up to 2 Bedroom only. Obviously, they accepted my highest offer. $600/person for 2 bedroom (SC) Suite. Very happy about it. Total cost of the room, $2200.

is the thermal spa really worth it even though the haven court yard is relaxing .. if the balcony is bigger, i think i will stick with penthouse .. but i never been in a thermal spa and it sound interested but im not really a spa person .. i hate how indecisive i am ... ugh!!

On our last cruise, the Haven area was very quiet. VERY quiet. I only saw 5 kids at Haven. All very well behave kids. I had Spa access but I only went there twice. Spa was more busy than Haven. Haven has sauna room and I think steam room as well. I don't think the Spa access was needed. Epic is very different ship than any other NCL ships. Aft Haven penthouse is very different as well. It looks like just a bigger room. On Escape, it has a living room and separate bedroom. Epic aft penthouse does t have it. Be sure to view the deck plan and floor plan.

Spa pass was only $129/person a week. Haven guests have Posh access as well. Posh is for sun bathing and enjoy the quietness.

Enjoy your cruise. If u can afford 2 bedroom, that would be better option. Very quiet and exclusive.

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Haven Spa suite room doesn't have a sofa or chair or table in the room. If that's important to you, skip it. U could sit at the balcony thought. Forget about dine in your room unless u like eating on the bed. I was in room 14149. Very very very noisy early in the morning because the NCL staff will be dragging and dropping lounge chairs between 4-6 am. But if u don't mind load bang and noises, you should be fine. I went up and saw this guy dragging and dropping chairs. I recorded it. Haha

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Any news on the renovation? I tried google it but can't find any news about it.

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I have booked a Haven Guarantee before. I was assigned to a cabin instantly. Got all perks too.

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Just got off Pearl last Sunday. Breakfasts and lunch les were serve at Moderno.

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$1000/person. The sailing showed as sold out for long time. All the sudden within 10 days of sailing, a bunch of suites became available. I called a few times and was told the sailing was doing well and no upsell available. I kept calling on daily basis and always got the same girl named Kim answer my call. She checked each day for me. Finally, 5 days before sailing, upsell became available. [emoji51]

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Yes. Absolutely. I called early this week for my pearl this weekend and got unsold to 2 bedroom suite. I originally got a comp inside.

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VICTORIA - I had mapped out a route circling the city for us to walk. However, once I stepped off the ship and felt how cold and windy it was... no deal! We had toyed with a horse carriage ride when we were planning out Victoria, but seemed too complicated logistics wise. Then I saw the pedicabs at the pier. That's what we did and I don't regret it one bit. It kind of became the highlight of the trip. Scott with Victoria Pedicab Company was GREAT! I can't say enough good things about him. We got to see more of Victoria and had a great tour guide. He was great about stopping and taking pictures. He even gave food to my son so he could feed the peacocks. Cost wise it was about the same as a horse carriage ride, but twice as long time wise. Plus we were picked up at the ship and returned to the ship. That's much extra for the horse carriage ride.

 

First, thank you for the great review and video. Love it.

How much was the pedicab ride to city center from pier?

But u get to pick your preferred room. [emoji23][emoji23] it's worth it.

How do u book gty suite? I looked at a few sailings and can't find GTY suite.

To regular cruisers. Isn't it very unusual for NCL to offer an upsell 5 months before sailing? I thought they started upsells about 30 days out.

This is an old thread. Look at the date.

Does anyone know who is the captain and CD for Epic?

Thank you everyone. I am so happy I am finally going outside of my comfort zone. I have two NCL cruises left. I think the biggest challenge would be for my DH. We went to Alaskan cruise two years ago. He didn't even bring any pants or jeans. Cargo shorts all the way. He is defiantly a casual guy. I will make sure he bring a pair of nice jeans or slacks for dinner.

For NCL, butler and concierge are not part of Gratuities pool. We have to tip them separately. Is it the same for celebrity?

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thank you ya'll for the great info.

So nice jeans are allowed in Luminae? So if I am wearing one... I won't get a stare from others? We won't do MDR, because we are not a fan of sitting with strangers. According to the website, Luminae is smart casual.

On Chic nights, do u have to be "chic" everywhere or just the MDR?

What other stuffs do u like about being in suites?

Hello everyone. I just booked my first Celebrity cruise. Very excited about it. Been on NCL only because of their casual atmosphere and casual dining and their suite perks. Have to make a change due to so many changes lately from NCL. :p I'm glad I checked out Celebrity. I like what I see so far. :D

We've booked on Summit for NOV 2017 sailing in Sky Suite. Got an awesome deal and their promo for Suites are awesome. I understand that Suite passengers get access to suite restaurant and Michael's Club. Beside no Suite pool or sundeck like NCL, What else can I expect?

I know nothing about Celebrity. Formal dining freak me out! I saw Celebrity has Chic nights instead. Not as formal but fancy enough. :D Can someone elaborate what Chic night really is? Is jeans allowed for men and women?

What else can you advise us?

Much appreciated.

It's all depends on each individual.

You can still find good deal on inside cabins, Ocean view or even Balcony. Depends on the sailing. I tend to cruise during off season. Prices have been good. I rarely drink, and can survive on ship water. I do my own excursions. I do like their specialty restaurants. So, i have no problem paying for it. NCL can't get much from me. :D No matter how they try to "nickel & dime"

I have cruised 2 Havens before. The prices I got were amazing. I may be over reacting. But i feel like NCL has dramatically increased the prices of Haven. Same for those smaller ships with no proper Haven amenities.

Now, am I mad that their suite prices are not as competitive? No. Am i disappointed? Yeah, a little. But it doesn't mean I can't sail on Suite or Haven again. It seems like a NCL can't sell the suites fast enough. There have been a lot of upsell posts. "Smart shoppers" can strategically book their second choice cabin. If you are lucky, you will be able to upsell for Haven with HUGE savings.

Love your review. Thank you for sharing the lovely pics. Been thinking about Celebrity. Never been on them. I'm a NCL fan. But with a lot of recent changes, I'm thinking about trying CCL. I love the free style dining and not have to dress up. Especially my husband. He didn't pack any pants on our last cruise to Alaska. He can take the cold. Lol. Can me tell me more about Chic nights?

We are looking at this same deal. Just waiting to see what the Dawn price tag comes out. Celebrity has some pretty nice perks with their suites and while it may not be the same "suite life", im not much for using the Butler and Concierge anyway. The last perk was the pre-paid gratuity

Dawn doesn't have Haven. So summit suites life will be pretty similar. Celebrity has butler and concierge too. Their suite lounge (Michaels club) provide free alcohol drinks regardless of your drink package. MDR has designated area for suite passengers. They don't have formal nights too. It's called Chic night. Designer jeans are allowed. Summit is a tag smaller. NCL, please don't be overpriced on your sailings in 2017. I would like to stay with NCL.

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I am also considering jumping ship. Been eying on Celebrity Summit. Their sky suite is not big but their perks and current promos are pretty awesome. Found 7 days Caribbean in sky suite for about $3350 all in for Two. It comes with $300 OBC, premium drink package, unlimited internet for two, and I forgot the last perk.

My TA can give me another $300 OBC. Gosh! So temping. I'm waiting until this end of month to make my decision. Wanna see what the prices would be for Dawn in 2017.

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please do share where to get king crabs...with decent price... lol

Thank you so so much for that detail clarification. I really appreciate it. Very very helpful reply.

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I'm going to Alaska in September and Caribbean in December with NCL. Will my tier points transfer from Pearl to Epic automatically or do I need to contact CAS prior of sailing Epic?

Thanks in advance for your advise.

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