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10 hours ago, Lisalk12 said:

Tuesday - Port Canaveral
Room service was scheduled from 8:00-8:30. Ours was delivered promptly at 8:30. I was up and ready but everyone else was sound asleep. I really hadn’t thought it through ... but food arriving and lights turning on seemed to wake everyone else up. Oh well!


Fruit and coffee for me. Pastries, cereal, and yogurt for everyone else.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice - was there an extra charge for this meal?  Thanks for sharing your trip with us - makes me feel like I'm on vacation too!

On 4/1/2019 at 12:30 PM, KermitClin said:

Thanks! We're also on different cruises, so I'm guessing that's the biggest factor. A few years ago, I upgraded from and Inside to a Balcony after final payment was due and we only had to pay the difference. I was rather surprised when they came back with a much higher offer. Our TA was the one requesting the upgrade for us (as she was last time too) and she said she talked to the supervisor and also tried to talk to the supervisor's supervisor, but they stuck firm on their upgrade offer. No biggie though, it was worth trying and we still have plenty of time left to try again if we want to. Regardless of which cabin we're in, we're thrilled to be on a cruise! Hope you have a great time on yours too!

I think whether they accept your offer or not may be dependent on how many unbooked rooms they have in the category you are requesting and how close you are to sailing.

1 hour ago, tallnthensome said:

I saw your post but still don’t see how your situation applies to the person, chapchap, I was quoting ....... Nowhere does the other person mention price drops on his cabin like your scenario. It’s nice that NCL helped you out but doesn’t just mean that everyone of the thousands of people who want to bid could and should start calling customer service to throw out negotiating numbers thus bypassing the bidding process. If your cruise price drops considerably you may have options like you did. 

See your point - sorry if I misconstrued the original post to which you refer.  Agree, it would be a nightmare if people suddenly all started calling in to bid for a better room.

30 minutes ago, tallnthensome said:

 

You can call if you wish but thinking that you can negotiate with them over the phone is a waste of time. There’s no reason for them to allow you to skip over the bidding process and hundreds of others who are also bidding like you. If they allowed that customer service would have thousands of calls a day by customers wanting to skip the bid program and turn it into let’s make a deal.

See my comment above.  I had no problem getting upgraded from a balcony cabin to a spa cabin - for less than what I originally bid and less than the cost of two spa passes.  I did this on a Breakaway cruise two years ago, also.  I think if the TA calls, they are much more likely to get the offer accepted.  It's worth a try.  There are still lots of unsold cabins on our cruise, which is surprising because I would think it's peak travel time (June 16 to Bermuda on the Escape).

Just wanted to share what happened to me in case anyone else can take advantage of this scenario:   Hubby and I were booked in a balcony cabin and daughter and boyfriend in a second balcony cabin.  Though we are past final payment, I have been watching prices every few days.  Our initial plan was to purchase the spa passes before we board to get the discount.  I put a bid in for a spa balcony for the cost of two spa passes ($400 total) to see if we would have any chance of getting the upgrade.  Turns out there was a pretty big drop in prices, bringing the cost of a spa balcony down to about $250 more than the cost of our regular balcony cabin. (Remember, the online cost of the spa pass is $199 - so that's only a little more than the cost of one pass, plus a an upgraded room.)  Did a mock booking and saw there were lots of spa balconies still available.  My TA called NCL.  First they offered a complimentary upgrade to a mini-suite, but I really wanted the balcony.  So asked if we could upgrade to 2 spa balconies and pay the difference in price.  They said YES!!!!   And because we booked before the price increase for the gratuities on the beverage package, the total cost to upgrade was only $200 per room!!!!  On top of that, we were able to get two rooms next to each other (there were several cabins between us when we booked the original balconies).  As soon as I got confirmation of the upgraded spa balconies, I went into the bidding page and cancelled the online bid for the upgrade.  Bottom line, you may be able to snag the upgrade sooner - and potentially for a lower price than you expected.  We actually saved $200 per room by not having to purchase the spa passes or paying for the upgrade through the bidding system.   Now we are really excited for our Bermuda cruise!  For anyone who tries this - don't forget the cancel the bid on the upgrade!

Considering a spa balcony on the Escape.  The rooms that are available are located one floor below the fitness center.  If anyone has stayed in one of these rooms, was there a lot of noise from above the rooms by people using the fitness equipment?  Thanks so much everyone!

Thanks for posting this!  We will be on the Escape to Bermuda in June.  I love looking at the dailies prior to sailing so I have a list of shows and times.

What a beautiful baby!  Thanks for sharing your moments with us!

Thanks everyone for your answers!

Hello to all.  Does anyone know where I can find the information on how much alcohol is allowed to be brought into the country from a cruise.  I thought it was one large bottle a person, but don't remember.  Thanks!

Hi Everyone - it's been a few years since we have cruised to Bermuda.  Trying to get some ideas together of what to do and when.  I seem to remember that shops closed at 5:00 in St. George.  Can anyone confirm this or provide better information?  Thanks!

Thanks everyone - thought was the right answer, but said I would ask.  The chance of it happening is almost nil, but they are the kind of people who like to make sure they have every nickel and dime accounted for.  Would drive me crazy, but to each his own!

Hypothetical question for a friend who is doing the Canada/New England cruise.  She has the $50/port shore credit.  If for some reason the ship skips a port, I know she would get what she paid back in credit.  But does she lose that $50.00 credit that would have been applied?  There are four stops on this cruise, so the value of that perk is $200.  Thinking if by some reason something happens and the ship has to sail south with maybe one stop, is she going to lose those $150 credits (because only one stop, instead of four).  Thanks.  Sorry if this is a silly question, but she was wondering and I have no idea!  Thanks everyone!!!!

If you do not have the dining package, keep in mind that gratuities will most likely be automatically added to the cost of your meal.  If you do have the dining package, you need to find out how many meals are included.  I helped a friend with dining options on another NCL ship.  For a la carte places and the dining package, you get one appetizer, one main course and one dessert each.  Best bet is to call the cruise line and they will help you with your questions.  A word of advice - of you are able, call early in the morning.  If you wait until evening to call, there is often a very long wait until you are able to have someone answer.

53 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

When we were on the Breakaway, there were some nice themed lunches that were free to everyone (including those not having a dining plan).  Is this being offered on the Escape?   TIA!

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Brew

 

Is this part of the beverage package?  I sure hope so!  

Thanks for posting everything!  We are on the Escape for a Bermuda cruise in June.  Can't wait.

We've sailed on the Breakaway twice - both times to Bermuda.  Loved the ship.  Previously, we sailed Carnival and RC.  Really enjoyed to relaxed atmosphere on the ship and the ability to eat when we wanted and not at a set time.  There was sometimes a wait to get into one of the free restaurants, but for the most part we like to eat early, so didn't have too much of a wait.  There were only a few times we felt like the ship was crowded,  At night in the Atrium and on the deck above (by O'Sheehans), around the elevators (we ended up doing the steps most of the time) and in H2O at night, especially for the white party.  It's a big ship, so there will be lots of people hanging around popular areas.  But there are plenty of places where there are fewer people.  Loved the promenade that goes all the way around the ship (deck 8? - the waterfront).  Like many ships (hotels and resorts also) it was impossible to find an open chair around the pool.  Fortunately we aren't sun worshippers, so that didn't bother us so much.  We got thermal suite passes, and this area was rarely crowded.  In fact, most times we were the only ones there.  Going back to Bermuda this June on the Escape.  Can't wait!

Congrats - what a treat for you!  Enjoy your cruise!

1 hour ago, CardFanDubG said:

I always begin my cruise with a variation of a Moscow Mule that I call Kentucky Mule - Bourbon, Ginger Ale, Orange slice. I created a NCL Beverage list for a Meet & Greet. Here is the Link to the List.

http://grantmkt.net/ncl/NCL_Beverage_List.pdf 

Wow - thanks!   Some of those look very enticing.  

1 hour ago, allygory said:

Can confirm - it is still 199 pre-sailing US

Thank goodness - still have to purchase three of them!

20 minutes ago, tumblew467 said:

Do you know how much the tax is ?  I know its not much but wanted to let my friend know as this is her 1st cruise. thanks

 

Don't know the current rate.  It was less than $2.00 a drink the last time we sailed out of NYC (two years ago).  Drink prices have gone up, so hopefully someone can post a more accurate amount.

Congrats on scoring the "free" upgrade!   Loved the Breakaway!  Sailed on her twice to Bermuda.  Will be taking the Escape this time.  Enjoy your cruise.

Been on NCL to Bermuda three times.  There was no tax on drinks at any time while in Bermuda.   There WAS a tax while in port in NYC and for a short time after we left port.  I think you pay tax until the ship reaches international waters?  Maybe others know for certain when the cut off for the tax occurs.  It's not a lot of money.  I just remind everyone we sail with not to be surprised when they see it on their room charges,

3 hours ago, Hockeydad1972 said:

We always start with a shot of fireball(BJ you are on our cruise so thinking you need to have one with us)

 

With a mudslide and margherita... This is our 3rd summer cruise on NCL and have always started it this way.... Great ideas by all!

Would love to meet up for a drink!