Sand and Seas

Sounds confusing. I would rather they just post it on the menu so the server doesn't have to explain. I like a crabcake and lobster tail. Will they have to call that an upcharge? Doesn't make sense to me.

For us, the new Ruby benefits are an improvement. Others may wish for Premium Plus but comped FAS to use shipwide meets our needs.

@BirdTravels, Hope you have a wonderful cruise! Encore is one of our favorites. Thanks for sharing with us all😎

@cygnets, thanks for posting about your upgrades on your summary page. I'm Ruby, but nothing showing on my summary page for my 3 booked cruises. As changes to program were still being made yesterday (per agent I spoke with), I would suggest you keep an eye on that summary page. It could take awhile for them to sort out the Tier promos.

Mine just shows 'Casino-Value'. I've been Ruby for quite awhile. This last year I was over double 'Ruby' points. Maybe it means "you COULD get to Elite if you just pushed it a bit more"

I totally agree! And since they seem to be tweaking the benefits day by day, who knows what the final language will look like. I am glad that I (and many others) had called CAS to express our displeasure with the changed benefits listed in the first brochure that some received. I hope they are still listening and working on what is fair based on Tier levels.

There are some additional reports on that other site now. One of them says he spoke with a CAS exec who was currently onboard their sailing. He said Elite will now get 'Complimentary' upgrade to Premium Plus for guests 1 & 2. It read like you would NOT have to pay the basic FAS fees. I hope that is true as Elite has definitely earned it. I feel fairly confident about the change for Ruby as I talked with a CAS agent who was reading an update that had been sent to them. Please let us know if CAS gives you further information for Elite. Who knows what they might change in the next 24-48 hours before we see it on the website.

I've never seen my status online. Suggest you call CAS. Any agent should be able to tell you.

They are tweaking the program again. I just talked to CAS (in Arizona) and they got a change today. He verified that Ruby will not have to pay 20% fee and will receive FAS drink package all over the ship. Elite has changed too, but he didn't explain that to me. (Someone on the other site said Elite could get FAS free, or pay for FAS and get PremPlus) I wonder if anything else will change by April 1st🤔

Some wonderful cruiser created this spreadsheet for Breakaway and Getaway cabins. I found it from CruiseCritic years ago: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10YW7fMQarer30UCHKqKJ_zLDmbyMTczCTtYf2XRflh8/pub?single=true&gid=0

Just heard from a friend that over on that other site, someone is reporting that they have again tweaked the drink FAS for Ruby/Elite. I know many of us have been contacting CAS to question why we would need to pay for FAS in order to get the 'free upgrade' to PPlus. Paying for the FAS fees in order to get PPlus would not be a good deal for someone like me. So....I just called CAS (Arizona) and was told they just got an update about it. I'm not sure what it will be for Elite, but as Ruby, I was told today I should get FAS regular package all over the ship without paying for the 20% per day fees. (The other site was reporting Elite would get FAS free, but if they pay for FAS it will upgrade to PPlus.) Since I mainly want it for my Diet Cokes, this works for me. Maybe a Mango meltdown or two😉 Apparently, as suggested before, if enough of us call CAS to express our feelings it DOES make a difference. Can't wait to see what is actually posted on April 1st.

I went back and checked the confirmation for my 5 Day Haven cruise that gave me 20 points. It shows: LATDBLX which give you 2 extra Latitude points per night

I had booked a 5 day Haven and was happily surprised that I was given 20 points😎

We have signed up for that shuttle at check-in many times over the last few years. However, we didn't charge on hotel bill. We have always been told it's $10 per person and we pay it direct to shuttle driver. The last time we were there was in January of this year. Since you stayed in February, maybe there has been a change?

Yes, we have stayed here several times and enjoy the location. Good Cuban food just across the street. Also, on a couple of trips, we have gotten a nice made-to-order sandwich at Publix. It all depends on how tired we are after flying in😉

Well now I'm intrigued! Please report back what you find out🧐

I've been watching for a cruise that sails from Galveston and repositions to Miami or other port in 2025 or 2026. We loved our prior cruise from Galveston to Miami and are doing the same itinerary next month. So far, I can't find where Prima or Viva goes after Galveston in 2025 & 2026.

Are these shuttles that hold 10 or 12 people? I like a 'smaller' shuttle so we don't have to wait for long.

Timing is everything! Remember the steward is only in your room once a day now. We try to find our steward in our hallway and handover our bag early in the day. We don't mind our cabin being cleaned later, but want that bag to be sent on to the laundry by mid-day. Usually, we get it back the next day but we understand it can take an additional day.

Some of the true Aft (B1) have huge balconies with room for loungers. Those are the ones we look for. On Bliss, the largest (deepest) balconies would be on decks 9 and 12. I would suggest you do a search for specific cabin numbers.

Which email address did you use? I tried sending a message to an email address that I had used before for CAS inquiries (Casinoi@ncl.com). This used to be a good way to get a written reply regarding a Casino question. I received an automatic reply that they no longer monitor that mailbox😒

@Sammae, Thank you for posting! Love the video. We would especially love that balcony with the two loungers that are not in full sunlight. Was there some type of pocket door between the front room and the bedroom?

A couple of years ago, guest services could print a different 'view' of your bill that sorted charges in a different order. I think they could do the same based on who charged. Easy to ask last evening of cruise.

Thanks! The new mailer just brings up questions. Will OBC for upper tiers stay the same? Will the internet package be the same as previous? I also wonder about the new Ruby/Elite benefit of 'Upgrade to Premium Plus Beverage Package'. If we still need to pay the 20%service charge on the regular FAS in order to get the 'upgrade', it really wouldn't be worth it for light-weight drinkers like me🤔

The new mailer does not list 'Free Drinks while playing'. It does add 'water package', but who knows what the limits are per tier. I agree, it makes no sense to cut the free drinks. Several of the other benefits listed are similar to what has been listed currently on the CAS website: https://www.ncl.com/why-cruise-norwegian/casino-cruise/players-club