allyfrizzle

Definitely worth it for me. My husband and I got a family balcony room, unlimited bev package (which we definitely take advantage of), the specialty dining package with 3 nights of dining (usually worth it for the seafood and best cuts of steak), unlimited Wi-Fi (a perk I've never had before but I'm addicted to the internet so it'll be nice to stay connected) and no-charge airfare from Detroit to NYC. We're all in for $3k (minus the $250 we saved by using CruiseNext certificates, so really net was $2750).

Usually, $3k is what we spend on a regular 7-day balcony cruise with drink package and *maybe* specialty dining and paying for airfare on our own.

It really just depends on your comfort level with the final price, whether you'll use the perks enough to make up for the extra gratuity you'll be charged, and if flights are cheaper through NCL than the historic normal from your town to the port.

27 minutes ago, DaCruiseBug said:

 

Bingo!

 

We were on the Edge last month and WOW! The food in the MDR is better then the specialty restaurants on NCL. Beverage package didn't nickel and dime you etc. Much more pleasant experience on Celebrity and i'm in my 30s so...not at all an old timers cruise line anymore.

I'm in the same "boat" (bad pun) Early 30s, scared Celebrity will just be old people. But with what I'm paying for a balcony on NCL versus what I could pay for the same on Celebrity... it's got me wanting to book my next cruise with Celebrity, even though I have two CruiseNext certs to use before 2022.

2 hours ago, sandycruzr said:

Well it appears it’s time to “jump ship”.  I just got off Celebrity Equinox and LOVED the free beverage package!  We were given the BEST package for free (unlike NCL they INCLUDE the gratuity) It was an amazing cruise with the best crew I’ve ever had the pleasure of sailing with.  Unlike  NCL I never felt  Nickeled and Dimed!!!   As a Platinum loyalty member it’s difficult to leave NCL but I am so

unhappy with all the changes that I am seriously considering it. 

Which ship did you sail?

The dueling pianos are always my favorite form of entertainment on NCL ships! I hope they're not going anywhere.

2 minutes ago, seizetheseas said:

 

Correct. If you book your cruise direct on their website and choose free air, they tack on the transfers automatically. You can just call after booking to knock it off. 

I tried to do this and was told I couldn't. For my upcoming cruise in April, I paid $70 pp for transfers from LaGuardia to the port. 

On 1/18/2019 at 5:10 PM, Sailing12Away said:

From the AA.com website, go to "Your Trips/Check In". Put in your information and the record locator number, then 'find your trip'. Once you get to your trip details, right up top is a huge button that says 'change seats'. Also next to the details of your flight is a column listing the assigned seats (if any). You can click on that as well to update your choices.

Thanks. Looks like the option isn't available for me yet. I'm also curious how luggage works. Everything I've read from NCL says I'll have to pay the airline directly for my luggage.

On 1/14/2019 at 5:24 PM, PATRLR said:

 

These statements are not correct if you are comfortable booking at guarantee category.   We're in the process of booking our next cruises right now and going through all this math.  We seldom care to choose our cabin so I am comfortable saying that to us, the drink package is rather expensive and seems to be coming out on the "not worth it" end of the scale.

 

You're absolutely right. I prefer picking my own room these days and I also like drinking, so the extra cost makes sense for me. But, I will also point out... the difference between guarantee rooms and choosing your own stateroom used to be like, $50-$100 max. Now it's upwards of $250. It's gotten out of hand.

1 hour ago, sailorchick17 said:

Does the Latitudes upgrade apply if you get the 250 mins as a free perk???

That's a good question. I'd venture to say no, but maybe someone else can chime in. Last year, I actually purchased the 125 minute package and had to find the internet manager (and wait in a crazy long line) to ask him to add them for me.

If you're a Latitudes Reward member, you get a bonus for Wi-Fi minutes... " Additional Internet Minutes^2*
15 free Internet minutes with 100-minute Internet package purchase and 30 free Internet minutes with 250-minute Internet package purchase "

4 hours ago, Sailing12Away said:

Once I had my edocs available, I was able to find my record locator number and go directly onto the American Airlines website. Logged in, picked 2 seats together (at the time there were tons of choices) and we're all set. So the option to pick advanced seat assignments at no cost is there - just make sure all your check-in info is logged in early so your edocs are available early, and so pick out your seats early.

 

How were you able to choose seats? I just used your info to log into the AA site and check my reservation, but there is no option to choose seats. Perhaps I'm too early? The flight is April 7th. Thanks in advance.

You can opt out of the transfer service to and from the port that is automatically added on with the free/reduced air offer. You just have to call and have it removed.

I called NCL and spoke to Tammy. She said that when doing the free airfare promotion, the $70 transfer fees cannot be removed.

Post this on the Escape board! Good luck.

My husband and I sailed the Escape 1x and Getaway 2x. They're both megaships, and sister ships, IIRC. We love the Escape and are indifferent on the Getaway. The Escape offers more to do. Him and I are drinkers and we really love the whiskey bar and the craft beer bar on the Escape.

When narrowing it down, I'll always pick the newer ship. The Gem was made back in 2007, and the Escape was launched in 2015.

Anyway, good luck choosing. I just booked the Escape for the March 24th sailing. So excited.

Can anyone name some of the beers available here? Are they draft or bottles? Thanks!

7) Excursions. We did St Johns Eco Hike (St. Thomas) and Virgin Gorda Baths (Tortolla). Both were excellent, but be warned, both require a 45 minute boat ride on choppy waters early in the day. If you had a long night of fun with alcohol, it's a rough ride.

.

Oh man, I was on this cruise and took that dreaded ferry ride to The Baths at Virgin Gorda. I'm lucky I didn't lose my breakfast like many other people around us. At least the ride back was much more air conditioned. The Baths were excellent, and required a lot more physical energy than I thought. It was worth it in the end, though!

How absolutely tragic.

So is O'Sheehans a complimentary restaurant? I am pretty sure I read somewhere that it is, but I want to be sure :)