Two Wheels Only

DSC is only per person for solos.

That's incorrect. There was a time (2016?- June, 2017) when Haven/suite guests were not charged the 18% service charge on the promos while those not staying in the Haven/suite were charged on the promo. Guest is responsible for 18% gratuities & service charges on the retail value of the Ultimate Beverage Package and/or Soda Package prior to cruise, except when booking a Haven or Suite. - T&C

The embarkation day "deal" can vary by ship/concierge. I remember when it was free at Margaritaville....because Margaritaville was almost always empty. 😄

The OP meant that the promo has gone down for everyone including Haven guests. NCL used to automatically give Haven bookings ALL current promos without any additional service charges. Then, slowly but surely, NCL started reducing things. Promo specialty dining dropped from unlimited uses to the current 2 for 7 night cruises. Haven guests were then charged the promo service charges (15%, 18%, 20%) on the beverage package (UBP/PBP) and on the dining package (UDP/SDP). Haven guests had to select/deselect what promo that they wanted/didn't want. Promos such as wi-fi and excursion credit are still included for Haven guests at no extra charge. Haven guests are sometimes given a discount on embarkation day at a specialty restaurant but this is more to relieve the burden on the Haven restaurant (50% off at Food Republic, for example).

Seaview is most similar to Seaside, not Seashore. You won't get lost on any of them if you've been on any of the ones that are similar (Seaside/Seaview/Seashore/Seascape) but a few things are located in different locations for the last 2 compared to the first 2.

It's one of those things that can't be predicted. Weather conditions, rate of travel, ship's direction, etc. all play a role. It isn't something that deters me from booking an aft-facing balcony stateroom.

I've seen both opinions and totally understand. There are some things that Haven does better than Yacht Club and there are some things that Yacht Club does better than Haven. I'm one of the people who enjoys both and continue to sail both.

I haven't sailed Celebrity Retreat but I can give compare/contrast opinions for Haven vs Yacht Club. 1. Daily Service Charge/Hotel Service/Charge/Gratuity "whatever they want to call it" Charge NCL Haven - $25pppd Celebrity Retreat - $21pppd MSC Yacht Club - $14pppd (12 and older), $7pppd (2-11), varies by cruise location. 2. Specialty Dining NCL Haven - ̶u̶n̶l̶i̶m̶i̶t̶e̶d̶,̶ ̶4̶ ̶m̶e̶a̶l̶s̶,̶ ̶3̶ ̶m̶e̶a̶l̶s̶,̶ ̶ 2 meals for 7 night cruise (changes from 2016 to now). Celebrity Retreat - not really needed since Luminae menu changes daily. MSC Yacht Club - not really needed since Yacht Club menu changes daily. 3. Should be the same for all 3. The roles are slightly different but all are probably close as far as turn down type of service. 4. No room service fee for Haven, Retreat, or Yacht Club. 5. Every cruise line has CYA language in the terms. 6. MSC is probably at the bottom as far as informing guests of changes. I can't comment on where Celebrity is compared to NCL. 7. Uhhhh, 😨 1. Retreat, Yacht Club, Suite Neighborhood (RCCL newest ships). If you are the adventurous type and are willing to try a new line, look to Explora Journeys (owned by MSC). It's touted as a Yacht Club but the entire ship. I'm waiting on some more information and reviews before I book Explora. 2. Some Retreat Suites have Spa access. Yacht Club includes Spa access. 3. This could be an issue. Haven is the most casual as far as dress. A tuxedo isn't required on any of them but MSC and Celebrity request a bit more than NCL. 4. Florida tends to get the newest ships and for Celebrity, I suggest sticking with the EDGE ships or future ships. The older ships with a Retreat "added" don't really impress me. MSC's Meraviglia sails out of NY and even though it's about 5 years old, I enjoyed the ship more than I thought that I would. 5. Uhhhh 😨 6. One way or another, you pay for what you get. Whether it's getting a drink package as a promo and paying the service charges (NCL) or it's getting the drink package included with the Retreat/Yacht Club, you pay. I only look at the bottom line and compare what I am getting to what I am paying. I don't care if it's a $1 cruise with $999 in service charges or if it's a $999 cruise with $1 in service charges.

Does the Infinity Bridge have a trap door? I have an idea...

I could post several "Turn Down For WHAT?" memes but they'd probably all get deleted....😔

If an interloper gets caught, they have to wear a collar for the remainder of the cruise.

I suggest shock collars. If they cross the line......bbzzzzzzz

Beverage List If possible, maybe some forum members who get the PPBP can update us as to what is not available on their particular ship/cruise.

That is so true. The "comfort" food that many are used to is not what MSC does. Too many people are accustomed to the processed stuff that passes for food that they have no idea of how bad their normal diet actually is.

There's what looks to be a strange situation on the Royal Suite balcony..... ...where it looks to be "covered" in a way that is similar to the pergolas on the sundeck. The balcony looks to be shielded in all directions with very little open air space. Any information with photos/videos would be appreciated.

That's a change for the better. Hopefully, it will spread to the other ships that went pergola instead of cabana.

It used to be included on certain ships but now it is an extra charge. The butler can sometimes "surprise" guests with free gelato but if you're walking through the ship, you will be charged. Back in the day, Yacht Club guests would not be charged outside of the Yacht Club.

You should be good to go with what you have already paid. Anything is possible with NCL but most people in your situation have not had to pay the difference.

The video is Seashore but if you flip everything from left to right, your 19003 will look like this.

Priority access on the elevators for Yacht Club guests is common on MSC. The system wasn't activated when I was on Seashore and I suspect that Seascape is the same. On Seaside, the system worked fine (if you knew which elevators were more responsive to it) and hopefully, MSC will fully activate the feature once people are more accustomed to the new elevator system. For the entire week on Seaside, I hijacked the elevator when needed. Meraviglia also had the system but Seaside's worked better. I had no problem with the "request" system but I also knew about it before I boarded. Non-CC guests might be taken by surprise and may get onto the wrong elevator which will lead to frustration.

Do you remember what the cost was then? The lowest that I remember was $59pppd but I didn't sail NCL until around 2015 and I've never paid for the UBP/PBP.

No, you can use any card or cash to apply to your onboard account. Whatever card you used already isn't automatically applied to your onboard account. There is an option to set-up your card before the cruise but it doesn't always work correctly so people are encouraged to do it on the ship. Many other cruise lines register your card during the embarkation process but MSC does it on the ship.

Since there is no inappropriate time to tip them, any time that you would like to tip would be appropriate....the same is true for the amount.

You can use the kiosk but there is no rush. You can wait a day or 2 so there is no need to jump on the line when the line is long. Yes. You can see charges on the TV but you might see some strange amounts until the last night when things should balance out correctly.

The Owner's Suites and the Royal Suites each have a cabana (pergola) reserved.