cruizinwithkids

I'm having trouble understanding what the plans include and where they can be used.

We are sailing on the Escape in October. We have 3 nights of SDP plus 4 nights of UDP plus Platinum latitudes dining certificate.

I don't want to make any reservations for the first night as I'm excited about Miami sailaway at sunset. So that leaves 8 meals for 6 nights.

Can any of these options be used for the Wine Lovers show? Can they be used for a Supper Club show? I read they can be used for Margaritaville. Can anyone confirm? What about Food Republic or Tapas?

I also believe I read they cannot be used for the upcharge main dining room. I think my PCC told me that so I'm pretty sure it's accurate.

I searched for this info but couldn't find anything. So if anyone has a link to point to, please feel free.

Thanks for your help.

As easy as it is to pack all casual now and do freestyle dining, how we miss the old days of pre dinner cocktails and dancing in black tie in Club International (remember the paid gentleman escorts?) or high tea in the afternoon.

I forgot about the gentleman escorts. DH decided that's what he was going to do when he retired. LOL

The Norway was our second cruise and we hated it. We hated it because the ship was so HUGE!!! Our first cruise was the Starward. I got lost on the Starward and the Norway was way too much for me. I did love the elegance and I really did love the dress up at the time. Now like so many others, I only want casual.

One person said they were told by NCL that they were not allowed any longer. Not sure if the person was told that didn't understand what the rep was saying or if the rep told her the wrong thing or the person was just trying to stir the pot up more, but I really don't believe it and I wasn't told that when I spoke with the executive offices.

I really think it was a misunderstanding. I remember reading it. I THINK the issue was really over the filling of the water bottle - using the "faucet" at the buffet rather than using using glasses. The statement was something like, "I'm going to take a water bottle and fill it at the buffet." NCL responded that wasn't allowed.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=547

There are some cruise critic reviews in the review section.

Thank you everyone! At your advice, we just booked the June 3rd cruise on the NCL Escape. So excited! :D

Nice!!!:)

Book now for the week you want. You can always cancel and rebook before final payment if the price drops.

I agree. It's hard to tell if the UBP promo will continue. If you are flexible with cruise lines you could also potential score a great deal but waiting until the very last minute since you can drive to the port.

I'm also not sure if you're asking when to call and book the cruise OR what date to actually travel.

I live in Massachusetts and the Boston to Bermuda price goes up each week in June until all the schools are out. I don't know how if the same pattern would hold true in Florida.

So, I would book early in June as soon as possible, then watch the trend with the UBP. And keep watching the prices.

Thank you for posting this. I was beginning to think I might actually work at work today, but you saved me. :D

Yes, I am booked on the ESCAPE for October and the EPIC for next spring.

I started cruising on NCL in 1988 and 29 of my 36 cruises have been on NCL. Not positive of those numbers but the NCL website says I have 29 cruises and I can think of 7 others.

Since 2009, most of my cruises have been with my male best friend, who is gay. I am a married straight female. He never cruised before cruising with me.

Our first cruise together was on the Sky before they removed Latitudes perks. Every day when we returned to the cabin, there would be invitations and/or snacks, wine, etc. He kept commenting on me being a celebrity.

On our next cruise, NCL had the welcome aboard champagne. My friend doesn't drink at all, but he was very, very impressed. Every time we board a ship, he says, "Where's the champagne?" It's a joke but there is still something to it.

A couple of years ago, I had the brilliant idea to bring diet coke and caffeine free diet coke. I packed it in my suitcase and as we unpacked I was so proud of myself to have it for him.

Do any of these things make or break a cruise. No, but it's the little things.

So for the October cruise, I did look at some options. I am an accountant and analyze everything to the nth degree. My schedule is pretty flexible. There is a great price on a Disney cruise 3 weeks prior to our selling. I considered that, but it's in September and a bit too close to hurricane season. I looked at a terrific itinerary on Carnival for the same week we are sailing. And I looked at MSC. To be honest, I'm just too lazy to put a lot of work into researching. So for this October cruise it will be the Escape.

The part that is killing me is that we are now going to add the "free beverage" package, so NCL is getting it's desired result. They are getting more money from us. I did warn my friend that he better not do the Bon Voyage package or spend money on anything else. We're still on the fence for Vibe, but in the end, that will most likely sell out so NCL doesn't suffer. We do.

 

As compared to my other cruises, we have liked them all for different reasons. Disney has outstanding service and we loved the food in Main Dining Rooms (despite those reviews). But it is also more than twice the price at this point and as much as I love it, I would rather be able to vacation more often.

Thank you for the great review. Great detail and very organized.

I came upon a special on Disney the other day and really struggled with what to do. Luckily my dates are very flexible.

We are sailing on the Escape in October in a spa balcony. For the same price we could sail the Fantasy in September (Halloween theme) in a verandah room. September is also a bit more likely to encounter tropical storm weather.

We are an older couple (50's) with no kids and have sailed the Fantasy twice and LOVED it. We are also Disney freaks. We have never sailed the Escape.

If you were us, which would you choose?

I really can't speak of the Epic. With that in mind, the aft facing balconies are generally considerably bigger and come with a bigger price tag. You also want to be careful because there may be balconies that are referred to as aft and some aft-facing. Aft-facing are the bigger ones. Also, the aft facing has much less wind, so might be worth the money for you as it sounds as though you'll be spending a bit of time there.

The EPIC also has a category of large balconies.

Just for fun...

 

Any care to speculate (or know first hand) why NCL would lower pricing on its guarantee cabins but raise prices on assigned ones? Just noticed on my upcoming Aug 14 cruise, they lowered the inside guarantee but raised the price of all the other inside cabins... Just curious

I think it's so they can have a fire sale with guarantees but those who have assigned cabins can't go back and complain about the price drop and/or expect refunds or OBC's.

No, it's not a joke. It's just a reminder that everyone has his or her own agenda. I contacted two different travel agents in the last week and neither has returned my call.

So if/when I find a TA who returns my call, I have the further thought, (which I hadn't previously considered) of wondering what their agenda might be.

Like I said, I find it DISCOURAGING. Not the end of the world.

This thread is so discouraging for me. I have sailed NCL, ALMOST exclusively for the last 20 years or so. With all the recent changes, I would like to try something else, but I just don't feel like researching. Now I feel like I can't really trust a TA to listen to me and make suggestions. UGH!!! So confused!:confused:

:eek::eek:

Good grief - the measures people will take! Unbelievable!

 

Personally I am for NCL - they are a business not a charity - at the end of the day the profit made from the drinks revenue keeps cruising affordable.

I will - on cruiselines which allow it - ie Celebrity - board with two bottles of a decent champagne such as Bollinger bought from duty free at the airport - to drink in our cabin - but have never ever ever stooped to a low of bringing on waters, sodas and "smuggled" alcohol. I always have a drinks package on every cruiseline I cruise with - whether its a perk or purchased, always an essential.

Why is your choice to bring "decent" champagne on board, but people or would like the choice of bring Coke (vs. Pepsi) on board, stooping to a low?

It's fair to say that a large number of people have attempted to 'smuggle' alcohol on lines via a variety of methods. One of the current favs has been to reseal water bottles filled with vodka or other clear spirits, or soda bottles with other beverages and hope no one notices.

I can't help but think that most people who would want to smuggle alcohol are on the beverage plan. I'm wondering if this change is really pointing to the "free" beverage plan going away - instead of being extended each month.

When "free" goes away, maybe the water and coffee will be added.

So, how many NCL customers (especially regular ones) are willing to raise their heads above the parapet and contact NCL direct to express their disappointment and even suggest some form of goodwill gesture to offset this?

 

Just a thought...

I actually did send an email to my PCC. I asked him to share it with whomever he thought appropriate.

My personal issue is that part of my cruise enjoyment is to sit on the balcony and drink water and diet coke while reading. I probably drink a gallon of water a day at home - I rarely drink anything else - so I guess it's a habit. DH is the diet COKE drinker. Caffeine earlier in the day and caffeine free later.

I am in the process of looking at other alternatives for my upcoming Escape cruise. My problem is that I'm lazy. I LOVE one of the Carnival itineraries so could consider that, but I really don't know anything about Carnival or how old the ship is or...

The other one I'm looking at is MSC because they will take my Platinum latitudes status. Again, it looks like I have to pay considerably more if I want their anytime dining. This might be a misunderstanding on my part, but again, I just don't feel like researching.

 

With that out of the way, I'm confused as to why people are getting so caught up on these "beverage stations" that are going to be so bogged down. Yes you're not supposed to fill directly from them, so fill up a few cups, take them back to a table and do your transferring there so you don't cause a massive line.

Yes, if people were considerate, that's what they would do. However, too many people are going to stand there and fill their small mouthed water bottle one cup at a time, spilling, and holding things up. This becomes a problem if done during the busy times, like breakfast.

2 hours

I agree. It has rarely taken that long but if service is slow, I don't want to be annoyed about it. Just go with the flow and allow plenty of time.

There is another thread just started saying this poster called NCL to complain, talked to a person named Elizabeth, who said no carry on water bottles allowed to bring on and fill up yourself.

I'm just wondering how they can possibly enforce that. Right now there is a sign (I have seen it on at least one ship) that says water bottles can't be filled but how can they stop someone from standing there and fill up a glass then fill up their bottle and repeat until it's done. Obviously it will cause a big back at the beverage station. Maybe he crew who clear the deck chairs after 1/2 hour (or hour) can instead monitor the beverage station.

I did email my PCC, telling him of my disappointment in the new policy. I drink a ridiculous amount of water and DH drinks coke. We spend a little bit of time most afternoons, sitting on the balcony, reading and drinking our beverage of choice. As this is either no longer possible - the coke OR cost prohibitive/inconvenient, it lowers the value of a balcony for us.

I am looking at other options for our date as we are still outside final payment. I also let my PCC know that. But I will tell you that after having only sailed NCL (and Disney twice), it is overwhelming to see what the other cruise lines offer and what the value is to me.

But I have nothing else to do today. LOL

Come on JW - I need an update. I've had my fill of "No more carry on water or soda." I need to be entertained. :D

California only. You most definitely can bring food and drinks into Disney, Orlando. Many families sit outside under the umbrellas and eat their picnic lunch, right next to those who have purchased lunch from Disney.

Obviously not enforced but this was referring to both California and Orlando.

Not entirely true. From their website:

 

Q. Can I bring outside food and beverages into Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park?

A. At the present time, you can enjoy your own food and beverages in an ideal setting at the complimentary picnic area—conveniently located outside the Main Entrance to Disneyland Park.

However, with the exception of food items for Guests with specific dietary restrictions, outside food or beverage items are not permitted in either of the Disneyland Resort theme parks.

The Disneyland Resort features a variety of great dining options for almost every taste and budget—including a wide range of choices to help accommodate Guests with food allergies or intolerances.

 

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/dining/outside-food-in-park/

I can't post a link as it's the employee site, but this is what it says there:

With the exception of food items for Guests with specific dietary restrictions, we do not permit Guests to bring food and beverage items into our theme parks. We request that all food and beverages brought to the parks by our visitors be left in the lockers located in the Picnic Area. Generally, however, small snacks and plastic bottles for water, juice, etc. are allowed. For safety reasons, please note that metal utensils and glass containers are not permitted in the theme parks.

Who was happy when Sheehan was shown the door? He was great. He turned NCL from a struggling company into a successful one with brand loyalty and customers who loved it. Del Rio is doing the opposite.

I remember when these boards were in an uproar because of Sheehan's arrival to NCL. People were appalled because he was a "bean counter." I remember that because, I'm a bean counter so didn't think we were all so bad. :D

Thank you. I'm enjoying this review with pictures.

Just as a small point, the Garden Villa are those H-U-G-E suites. I think the buffet is called the Garden Cafe.

The only cabins I personally do not care for, are those balcony cabins and Mini Suites on Deck 15. The entire deck is located under an overhang and it is very dark all day, and there is some resonate noise coming from above (pool deck chairs, cleaning etc) in certain cabins that I have read about on here. Although, some folks love these because they are out of the sun, but as you can see, we want the full sun experience with our Mini Suites on Deck 8.

I just made my fourth change to book one of the spa rooms on deck 15. I love the idea of no sun. Gotta love my Irish complex. LOL

I am driving my PCC nuts, but he's used to me. :D