Two Wheels Only

The full size of the photo (5184x3456) makes it easier to see that balcony and 9322 next to it. You can see the difference a bit more clearly (click here then download original image). If you want the same bed location on deck 9, your only other option is 9922.

I thought that the 2nd ship was sold for scrap. The first one is almost complete.

"The ship is custom-built for Dream Cruises designed specifically for the Chinese cruise market. Therefore interested parties will have to deploy the vessel in Asia, or spend more cash in order to adapt the vessel to the western cruise market." - an older article. The best option is to buy the ship on the cheap and spend some on completion and renovations. NCL spent over $50M to renovate Joy after the ship was completed. Being larger and incomplete, Global would be even more expensive.

Physically, the configurations are the same. The stateroom numbers are slightly different. I have a list for Joy. I can post it later.

On paper.... Starbucks Package Terms and Conditions: Must be at least 18 years of age at time of sailing to purchase. Package must be purchased by all qualifying individuals residing in the stateroom or additional staterooms under the same method of payment for the entire length of the cruise. Package may not be shared and are non-transferable and non-refundable. Eligible guests are entitled to one beverage per person per transaction. Includes all coffee, tea and RefreshersTM beverages by the cup. Excludes canned drinks, bottled drinks, food and merchandise. Beverage selection is subject to change onboard. ...but in person, you might get lucky.

It's an old photo. Not mine but that area is still probably not for parking.

You can do cash and OBC. Credit card isn't "required". On my first MSC cruise, I had OBC and put down cash after reading the horror stories about MSC bookkeeping. The OBC was burned through as well as some of the cash and the remaining amount was returned to me in cash. This was in the Yacht Club so the concierge handled everything but if not in the Yacht Club, a trip to Guest Services would have been needed. On later cruises, I used a credit card which had a zero balance so that I could keep track of all holds from MSC. Some weird amounts would show as "pending" but in the end, everything was correct to the penny by the last day. For my cruise this past March, I booked an excursion before the cruise with a credit card. The excursion was later cancelled due to weather. It took 5 months for a refund which was a check sent to me. So far, MSC has been correct as far as money exchanging hands between us. There are horror stories from others as far as deposits not being returned, cancelled cruises, cancelled excursions, FCC, etc. but I'm one of the lucky few who isn't owed anything from MSC.

It could of been fun. 😈 "Could of" vs. "could've" is always fun on a forum. Since it's Cruise Critic, let's do "boat" vs. "ship". Since it's NCL, let's do "tip" vs. "gratuity" vs "service charge". We've already done "pants" vs. "shorts" vs. "long pants" vs. "short pants" vs. "trousers" vs. "sweatpants" vs. "yoga pants". How about "Free at sea" vs. "Fee at sea"? 😉

Both Joy and Encore have some Haven suites that are located outside of the Haven complex. These suites are lower and further back but in many cases, they are larger and less expensive than what is in the complex. The HJ category on Joy is located mid-ship and can sleep up to 4 people. There are also aft-facing suites which have a larger balcony than what is found in nearly every other Haven category. Encore has fewer options but most choices are the same as Joy's. The "outside of the Haven" suites have advantages and disadvantages so it's really up to you to decide which is the better option. Personally, my family of 4 prefers the aft-facing suites and would take the right one of those (there are differences) over the 2 BR suite located within the complex. Motion doesn't bother me as I have stayed in suites all the way forward as well as suites all the way aft. Walking to the Haven is a non-issue for me. For some people, the Haven experience is diminished if staying outside of the complex but it depends on the individual.

Which ship are you considering?

Standing

Thanks for the review. I'm glad that you enjoyed your first NCL cruise.

I've seen it a few times. It was related to cancelled/rebooked cruises using the same confirmation number. When a cruise is cancelled by MSC (for ex.) the booking number is used again for the new cruise that is booked. It's usually near the bottom of the confirmation pdf. I have one pdf that is 37 pages long that shows the same Cancelled Items line for 2 different cruises that were cancelled but the same confirmation number was used (even though they are different ships and different itineraries). It even shows "Cabin: Guarantee Cabin" right next to "Category: YC3 - Yacht Club Royal Suite" which doesn't make sense, either. I've even seen it when I've added a better Voyager's Club discount. MSC basically cancels one cruise and starts over with the same confirmation number. You should be fine....as fine as an any MSC booking can be. 🙃

NCL doesn't care where people actually sleep. There does have to be a responsible adult "on paper" so if (for ex.) 4 preteens are sleeping in a room and break the TV, there is an adult who is responsible for the damage. For muster drill, a person has to go where they are officially assigned but getting a spare stateroom key and sleeping somewhere else isn't a problem. Obviously, both groups have to agree before getting a spare made.

You wouldn't have to physically switch cards. You could've gotten spare stateroom keys that only worked for entry, not for purchase/alcohol. In your scenario if you had joined the group, the 20s and the teens could sleep in the 3rd stateroom even though the official booking would be different.

This is a tough question. NCL has conflicting information on their site and the NCL reps can give conflicting answers depending on where the NCL rep looks. Some forum members have been successful and some have not when it comes to booking minors in their own stateroom.

Go to the tent. You can use either but your escort will be at the tent.

Parking is across the street. There is a crossing guard who stops traffic if you cross at the crosswalk. After the initial U-turn, drop your bags after doing a bit of a U-turn to get to the white tent. Do another U-turn to head to the parking garage. Turn left into the garage and walk back to the white tent. You will be escorted from there. You should be able to skip the lines and head right to the security check point.

It was easy. I also drove and had no issue with parking. The signs will guide you to Meraviglia when exiting FL-528.

It's random. I've gotten them at as many as 91 days. I only looked because I was printing out an upcoming cruise and the cruise following that one was also available. I never bother with the photo nor the card registration. I handle both on embarkation day.

When going through the booking process, you will see the service charge for all 5. Once the ages of the guests are entered, the PBP service charge will disappear for the kids.

Having the freedom to change course after a cruise has started makes it even easier to change course before the cruise has started. 😳 It sucks but NCL will also point to.... Itinerary Changes In the event of strikes, lockouts, stoppages of labor, riots, weather conditions, mechanical difficulties or any other reason whatsoever, Norwegian Cruise Line has the right to cancel, advance, postpone or substitute any scheduled sailing or itinerary without prior notice.

NCL can just fall back on.... (c) Itinerary Deviation: The Guest agrees that the Carrier has the sole discretion and liberty to direct the movements of the vessel, including the rights to: proceed without pilots and tow, and assist other vessels in all situations; deviate from the purchased voyage or the normal course for any purpose, including, without limitation, the health and safety in the interest of Guests or of the vessel (including the outbreak of any communicable disease), or to save life or property; put in at any unscheduled or unadvertised port; cancel any scheduled call at any port for any reason and at any time before, during or after sailing of the vessel; omit, advance or delay landing at any scheduled or advertised port; return to port of embarkation or to any port previously visited if the Carrier deems it prudent to do so; substitute another vessel or port(s) of call without prior notice and without incurring any liability to the Guest on account thereof for any loss, damage or delay whatsoever, whether consequential or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

"Well....uh, the ship is the same." - NCL rep 😊

1. Not really noisy. The sound of the water churning as the ship is moving will be what you hear. You might hear the crew pressure washing the Waterfront in the early am but if your balcony door is closed (see below), it won't bother you. 2. Keep the balcony door closed. Leaving it open has a negative impact on the A/C system for you and your neighbors. 3. As the ship is docking, you'll probably hear/feel a bit of noise/vibration. 4. Your balcony is very large/deep. It isn't the widest in the category but it isn't the most narrow, either. Deck 9 has the deepest aft-facing balconies. The majority of the balcony is covered and you cannot be seen from above. If you are near the deep railing, you can be seen from above.