Nola26

Hmm my experience has been different. NCL provides an assistance number and certainly can help if flights delay, change, etc. Thankfully we have not had to call during our trips, but the first time we did the promotion I called a few times and received professional service.

Why not use the BOGO again? We've had good experiences for Europe. We've flown from Newark 1. Nonstop round trip to Barcelona on United 2. SAS round trip to Athens 3. Icelandair to Stockholm and Nonstop from Paris for our upcoming cruise First two trips, we were able to use some status perks on United that gave us a seat upgrade once and some check-in conveniences. Still trying to earn status to help with the next trip.

Go to the AA Site and search using the confirmation code next to the flight information. If you cannot find it there then do the same with IBERIA. Baggage and seat fees are paid to the airline that has your reservation.

It's hilarious to see where a thread on NCL Air has gone, lol!

So glad you were able to get through and got your answers. Enjoy your cruise! When I call CAS they often have offers I didn't realize I had. They also can book cruises that didn't show on my list from the land based casino. I've used offers from NCL, Celebrity and Holland America for Alaska. I'd consider each of them again. Carnival and MSC don't seem like the brands for me. It's been 2 years since we've been on NCL and seems like there are plenty of changes we'll get to experience. We're pretty good about rolling with things and have found the NCL crew very responsive. We plan to have a memorable time.

Just wanted to share that we have our flight information for our 3rd NCL BOGO Air trip. Iceland Air Friday 8pm one stop in Iceland (extra passport stamp!) and Stockholm midday Saturday. Connection under 2hrs. Return from Paris is United nonstop mid morning and back in Newark around noon. Cannot complain with these options other than Iceland Air isn't part of one of the bigger Carrier networks so miles won't be worth much. We'll be able to tour Stockholm on Saturday and Sunday AM and Paris all day on Friday, all good.

Hope you had a great cruise. Red eye flights around midnight are quite common flying from the west coast. I fly from San Francisco back east several times a year, depending on my schedule for the day or urgency for being back east for a full workday (meetings, etc.) I've taken those flights regularly. I can usually sleep on the flight, not the same as a night in bed, but it gets me by. As people have mentioned if needed consider a hotel for use for the day (two of those words will get you to an app.) It sounds like you have 1 or 2 longer layovers, that's likely do to limited flights into Arkansas. I hit a midwest or east coast city for my connection then to my new england city. I may have anywhere from a 1 or 2+ hour layover. That gives me time to not rush and have a good breakfast before boarding, glass half full. We did an Alaska cruise last year from Seattle. Port of Seattle has a no charge program where once the cruise line collects your bags the night before you can opt to have them checked with your airline. We put them outside our door on the night final night of the cruise and next time we saw our bags was on the conveyor belt at our home airport. That gave us the full day to enjoy Seattle, smart move as we dumped $$ into the local economy.

It varies we had Nonstop United Newark to Barcelona round trip, awesome times both ways, $399pp RT. Athens had us connect in Copenhagen on SAS, new planes. Not my preferred airline, but good experience, $398pp RT. Upcoming cruise will be into Stockholm and out of Paris. Potentially multiple connections so not really stressing about that. I hope for certain airlines and pray to avoid a few others, but I signed a deal and will go with whatever comes our way. I think our fee was $1100 for two people, we'd have to be under $300pp for each trip to match that price. If you have status with an airline you still get to use those perks. NCL books Coach, not Basic Economy so you can collect miles/segments as usual.

I used the transfer in San Juan, it was wonderful. My cruise was right after the Hurricane, over Thanksgiving so a lot of infrastructure was still coming back online. Post cruise I booked the tour that ended at the airport. We stopped at El Moro and other places (Old San Juan, Capital/waterfront, etc.). The best part is the shore excursion credit is applicable to this option so I think my transfer was either free or $6, cheap and easy. Luggage was lined up and awaiting pick up for the airline check-in process.

Not sure if it's still available but NCL used to put out food in the casino late night. Not a big or varied spread, but some hot items (wings, meatballs,sliders, etc.), finger sandwiches, desserts, veggie or fruit platters. So some food, definitely not meant to be a meal. I sailed on a couple of other lines in 2023 and I really missed The Local, it is a treat to have 24hr casual option, not just room service. One thing that was available on at least one of the lines was pizza until or 11pm or midnight. NCL doesn't have this as I don't recall pizza on The Local menu.

Well they usually do have filler station in the gym.

Ship/port to airport transfers can typically be booked (or cancelled) onboard. Just request at Guest Services early in the week so you're not fretting about it during your vacation.

Your best bet is to call CAS. They will look to see if you have an applicable offer or provide a discount option. I haven't been able to use a certificate on a 10-night but we've scored a discount for our upcoming 12-night Baltic cruise. More expensive than usual, but we're going and plan to enjoy ourselves. If there are any other FCCs or discounts already on your account they'll apply those as well. We had a 10% discount due a previously cancelled cruise. Both the CAS discount and that one was applied. We also made our deposit with two Cruise Next certificates we bought so that's another discount (pay $250 for certificates valued at $500). You'll also be eligible for the Free At Sea package, so depending on cabin type you'll be able to accept Shore excursion credits, Internet minutes, Specialty Dining and Drink package.

There will be NCL agents with signs in the baggage claim area. I hope they have smooth trip!

It's actually common to take red eye flights from the West Coast coming back east. I've taken flights just before and just after midnight even for my business travel. I wouldn't hold this against NCL as somewhat of a punishment flight, it's just a typical flight option. I would see it as glass half full and use a luggage option or service to send your bags to the airport from the ship and enjoy the day exploring Vancouver. Last year after our Alaska cruise ended in Seatle we had a great day in the city prior to taking the train to the airport for our flight. If you want a homebase there's an app Dayuse where you can find a hotel for the day. I hope you can plan a great day.

You are on vacation, stop doing your own laundry. NCL runs a laundry special. Fill the bag and watch what happens! If you're Gold you get half off, yes even off the special price. Once you reach Platinum level you get a complimentary bag of laundry. If you're spending for the Haven you can give yourself a laundry splurge too. We are taking a 12 night cruise later this year. I imagine we'll use our complimentary and 1/2 priced bag perks. Packing a suitcase of primarily clean clothes is easy and really easy to put away once home.

We did the small group tour in Naples, Almafi coast including Positano, big excursion does not go there. Florence Pisa - tour of the leaning statue area and on our own in Florence. In Florence the guide walked us to the meet up location, providing narration along the way. We loved having an afternoon on our own in Florence. We shopped, dined at an outdoor cafe (pizza and pasta) and saw some landmarks: David outdoor statue, etc. Fun Fact there's a tiny glove shop in Florence, just off one end of the bridge filled with jewelry shops. The shop is over 100 years old with a great selection of leather gloves that they will fit to your hands. Prices were very fair.

I actually like calling the casino department directly to find out what cruise offers are available. In many cases I've had offers that I didn't pick up or know about. I've also been able to book Christmas week cruises that were normally blocked. What I don't like are the significantly reduced hours for the department, M-F and the admin fee, what a money grab. Celebrity nor Holland America charged such a fee. Princess wanted a $200 account deposit per person that would be OBC once I board, but I had no plans to spend that amount of money onboard so I didn't book with them, certificate gave me a choice Princess or Holland America.

If you're sailing as a guest of the NCL casino water is included as a comp beverage through the casino. We order water when we order a beverage and have them for the room or to take into port. I think The Local is NCL's option rather than International Cafe.

POA isn't indicative of NCL, its a very unique ship, crew and even beverage plan options. Try another ship/itinerary to get a real sense of NCL and Free Style Cruising. I recently hit the Platinum level with NCL and will be able to enjoy those benefits next cruise. Some of the items that can make a cruise a little nicer: complimentary specialty dining meals, bottle of water in the cabin, photos/store discounts and we really appreciate the discount or complimentary laundry service. Either as a way to pack less or just take clean clothes home, so nice. There are other perks, but those are some we've used with NCL. To answer the thread question I have cheated on NCL with both Celebrity and Holland America. Both were good but I still prefer NCL. Celebrity was a 4-night cruise on the Summit, so not likely a fair comparison to some of my weeklong NCL experiences. One thing I really missed on Celebrity was an option like The Local, 24hr eatery. The Summit has an indoor pool, Solarium that is for ages 16+. There is also a sauna in the ladies locker room in that area, a sweet no charge treat! Holland America was for Alaska and I think that is the best line for Alaska, great experience, no tenders and an awesome itinerary. Holland America is also serving sustainable fish and had several vegetarian vegan options at the pool side grill (veggie burger, portobello mushroom and even a beyond meat bratwurst) that I have never seen on a cruise ship. Buffet is served including someone coming by to get beverage orders (water, lemonade, bar, etc.) We chose the Have It All option, and I think that made the cruise a relaxing experience. Another big deal with Holland America: all ships have a retractable roof over the pool. I've often said I'd like to try Royal Caribbean, but so many reports disappointing food has changed my mind for now. Good food 3 out of 3 not sure why I'd risk disappointment. NCL beats them both on entertainment. Quality of musical performers as well as stage shows are the best I've seen at sea.

If you're actually onboard on Christmas Day NCL does some nice and festive things. If there's a port stop keep in mind that few excursions will be offered, and shops may not be open. I've been on the Breakaway, Dawn and Pearl at Christmas. I thought the Pearl had the best decor given the grand MDR, but all were good. More recently I've been on the Celebrity Summit near the holiday and the decor wasn't nearly as festive and the NCL cruises were more fun. The NCL trips were 7 nights, Celebrity 4 nights so that likely makes a difference too. Our Pearl trip got extended due to fog in Tampa so keep that in mind, We were delayed 10 hours or so getting back to port because the ship was unable to pass under the bridge if visibility is poor. Lots of ships were impacted that day.

I used in it San Juan, it was a city tour that ended at the airport.

NCL is Freestyle so you don't have to reserve everything. Best to reserve for specialty meals but main dining room reservations are not required, available but unless you are particular for a place or time. I'm not even sure The Local takes reservations and I've only reserved the Asian restaurant onboard, but perhaps it's possible to do it ahead of time. Entertainment reservations for free shows will vary by ship, but I don't think I've ever been turned away from a show. Even for comedy club shows I've gotten in via the standby line.

If you make a friend on the cruise you can bring a guest and still get your 2+2 meals. I sail solo sometimes and often meet a buddy via the solo meetups to grab dinners with so sharing a free specialty perk would be an option. I will have Platinum perks on our next cruise, so no first hand experience, but always learn things reading @BirdTravels.

They will announce jackpots, some big ones on our 2019 cruise. I didn't get one but left with $1,000 in my pocket that cruise! YouTube ship tour videos are what I use to get a glimpse of the various slot machines on a cruise ship.