Misself

Thanks.

Hi.

Yesterday a upgraded from a Studio to a 'BC mid ship Balcony Guarantee' - which my TA said meant I may not allocated a cabin until a few days before cruise. I've logged on the My NCL and have been allocated a cabin - a Family Balcony B3, which I'm happy with, it's on Deck 13..

Is this now definite, or could they switch me as we get closer to the cruise? (I've got until October).

Thanks

Great thread :-)

I'm most looking forward to:

My first solo cruise - I do enjoy my holidays with my usual cruise buddies, but really looking forward to going solo this time.

Trying NCL for the first time and in particular the Studio cabin.

The Epic Thermal Spa

Meeting lots of people of different nationalities. My cruises are usually with P&O so predominately British passengers, so am very excited to be cruising with people from all 4 corners of the globe ;-)

Seeing some 'Dancing horses' in Spain.

and probably so much more....!!

Also strangely on my last cruise this year to Italy we were told whilst drinks were VAT exempt any purchases made in the shops onboard would have VAT. I bought something small and was given a handwritten receipt with VAT but the actual amount charged to my account was without!

So this explains why none this applied to my last cruise to Spanish ports over 10 years ago. Thanks. Out of interest, If sailing from uk does the VAT issue not kick in until we reach 1st Spanish port?

I'm sold! Have bought one :-)

I've got an option to pre book the thermal spa for $129 for week. But not sure if I'd make use of it. We have 2 sea days.

Thanks. Don't suppose you have any idea how much it is for one day....roughly ;-)

Hello.

Does anyone know, do you have to purchase the Thermal Spa pass for whole duration of your holiday, or do they release one day passes ever? I assume probably not because of a capacity issue but just wondered if anyone has ever booked it for one day?

Thanks

NCL excursion prices DO increase so best to book before you go. One trip I was looking at went up a few $ in the time I was thinking about it, and still 3 months to go. I'm booking ships own trips for my next cruise as I have excursion credit to use as part of promo and also as I'm travelling solo this time, but often I just research where I'm going, read forums such as this and do my own thing.

My tip. On the sail in to Venice get up on deck before everyone else and grab a good spot at the front of the ship to enjoy the views. It will get busy as the ship nears Venice.

Hi. I did the Genoa / Venice cruise on Oceana in June and loved it. Oceana is a lovely ship, very friendly and not too big.

Thanks everyone i decided to go for it.

I'm definitely purchasing the drinks package for the epic cruise in October. I wanna try all those lush sounding cocktails [emoji14].

Ok so you are in exactly the same boat as me. I will do the same just to verify. Not sure if I want to book now or on the boat, still have not decided as to what I want to do in each port of call.

If possible I'd book as soon as you have decided while the prices are lower. One of the trips I was looking at went up a few $ from when I first looked to when I 'booked'. Still 3 months to go so will probably increase further the closer you get to cruise.

Although you don't actually pay anything now (as it's added to your onboard account and then the credit is taken off), NCL confirmed the price I reserved at will the price I pay.

Hi. I'm on the same same cruise as you, also my first solo cruise. Never done NCL, I'm normally P&O so expecting a totally different experience. Funnily enough my other cruises have been with sister and a friend. Are u in one of the studio

Cabins?

I understand you will if you purchase it on-board. I checked as I intend to purchase a drinks package before I go and was told by NCL that I won't pay the Spanish VAT (if that's what you mean) as I am prepaying, but if I left it until on-board I would.

It's on the us website not the uk. I'm from the uk but book on the us website for two reasons. First exchange rate is better so makes the cruise cheaper but also if the price drops Skype the us office and they'll cancel and rebook at new price as long as your before final payment date

 

Jo

Thanks for the tip! Actually I ended up booking through an agent this time but will bear this in mind for future.

on the UK webpage, it still just says UPB for Outside and above. For studio/inside just soda??? Am I missing something?

I don't know if Priscilla Queen of the Desert is the replacement but so excited it will be on my cruise in October :D

Had email confirmation from NCL that if I pre purchase UBP here I won't pay the Spanish VAT.

Cheers John. Most useful.

I need help making a decision. :D

Does anyone know how NCL compare with P&O for bar prices? I’m weighing up whether to purchase the Ultimate beverage Package for my forthcoming 7 night NCL cruise.

I've mainly cruised with P&O and on my trip last month my bar bill worked out about £25 a day. The NCL package including gratuities works out about £41 a day so quite a bit more.

However I’m thinking I may be drinking a bit more on the next trip. Last holiday I went with some friends, neither of whom are big drinkers so I probably drank less than I would have if I hadn’t held back a bit. This time I’m going on my own so have no-one judging me when I order ANOTHER glass of wine LOL !!!

So trying to figure how much more expensive overall (if at all) NCL prices are, taking into consideration the 18% gratuities and the Spanish VAT that I would pay if I just paid for drinks onboard. (so I'll save that by pre-purchasing package). I know everyone’s drinking habits are different but interested if any P&O clients were shocked at the prices of NCL and found they spent a lot more.

Thanks

Sorry, I edited my post. I had two tabs open and I accidentally quoted you while responding to another thread. I shouldn't post before I have my morning coffee. :D

ah see I'm ok here, it's gone lunchtime so had plenty of time to wake up :D

Edited: Wrong place. Oops.

lol !!

Is my calculator telling me porkies! Isn't 18% of 54 $9.72. So 63.72. I was rounding up ;-)