smillerholmes

This service will become available to you at check in. Here's the link. https://www.ncl.com/priority-access-faq

Wow - that escalated quickly?!?

Ahhh...a fellow coffee snob. I will not claim my palate to be as sophisticated as yours, but you don't need it to agree with paragraph #1.

This is correct. I was able to use this method to both increase my World Points balance as well as avoid the 3% fee for charging directly to my room and "moving" the funds to the slot machine. However, pre-purchasing OBC is limited to $1000. Sigh, sadly I have yet to determine if this is a positive or a negative. 😐

I have received the option to upgrade and done so from Studio to Balcony, however I did book directly with NCL. It is possible/likely, that your TA does not participate in the Upgrade Advantage program and thus you would not "qualify". Double check with your TA for sure.

I was on the Getaway for a back to back in September. Original launch date for Artemis was September 3. I was really looking forward to it, but alas aborted. I was really hoping that it would be rescheduled while we were in the vicinity - no dice. I am thinking that would have been spectacular so I truly hope Space X is able to launch with no delays. Good Luck!

Can I say that I absolutely love you denoting how you put your drink package to work! Enjoy!

revelry...oh I like that word! Such a perfect word for cruising, it just rolls off the tongue.

Hey! We have Graeters here in the 614! Enjoying following along...

Wait! Did you change your mind about upgrading?!? Did you decide to go Haven or something else?

I'm not sure there is a hard and fast date for how far in advance. I've applied with as little as 1 month to go and as far in advance as 17 months. From the documentation on the subject they would prefer at least 15 days prior to sailing although there is much anecdotal evidence that the benefit has been received closer to sailing "for some". https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/nclhltd/files/documents/623650_-_NCL_Shareholder_Benefit_Offer.pdf

Another vote for the hanging shelves. Here's mine - just add a couple of compression bags and one suitcase is all you need. Amazon.com: FAMKIT Luggage Organizer Portable Hanging Travel Shelves Storage Bag for Travel Luggage Space Saving : Home & Kitchen

I will second the vote for collapsible water bottles; so convenient. They take up very little space once empty and you can refill practically anywhere. Amazon.com: E-Senior Collapsible Water Bottle BPA Free - Foldable Water Bottle for Travel Sports Bottles with Triple Leak Proof Lightweight 20oz (Blue) : Sports & Outdoors

I had almost forgotten about the Diamond Princess - just goes to show that as much as C-19 impacted our lives it is a looong way from Titanic and I would say even the poo cruise.

Ha! No way do you owe an apology. Super sorry if it sounded like I was lamenting your advice, I was simply trying to point out that they seemed to be experiencing "issues" as early as late August. Earlier this summer we had also gone back and forth about how to get to the East Coast when the airlines were literally cancelling flights same day. When Delta changed my flight for the 3rd time I said screw it, rented a car and drove to NY. Those of us in land locked states gotta stick together when it comes to travel info! Enjoy your upcoming cruise I will be following along as a New England trip is in my future 2023.

I used them on my last cruise based on your recommendation. Easy peasy to register and set an appointment. Test date was 08/31. Nobody joined my link. Waited 15 minutes then contacted them using chat feature. They said someone would call me within 30 minutes. Lots of back and forth, but I did end up getting tested 2 hours later. I wonder if that was the beginning of the end. Funny thing was I had actually contemplated purchasing their "monthly" service. Thanks for reporting your experience.

When I was on the Bliss (Feb 2022) the Unlimited Starbucks plan was not a thing, but I did have the Premium Plus beverage package, so here's my experience. The ship was about 60% capacity. I'm an early bird so for my initial drink (6:30ish) no line. When I would circle back around after breakfast (8:30ish) there would sometimes be 3-4 others in line, so maybe a 5 minute wait. However after day 2 if they noticed me standing in line they would kind of shout out "the usual?" I would nod and then by the time they scanned my card my drink was ready. Hope this helps!

I've seen the powdered creamer on a couple of occasions, but mostly the liquid. I don't use either one because I'm a little picky about what goes in my coffee, but some type of creamer will be available in both your room and any of the restaurants. There's also the Starbucks on board where you can access the "coffee fixins" station. Hope this helps!

I keep all my hotel laundry bags so they are available for just such an occasion.

Did you have insurance through NCL? I know that can increase based upon cabin type.

You should be able to obtain Champagne at any restaurant bar. Veuve Yellow/Rose both available in LeBistro. Yellow label was easily found in other restaurant bars. Moet was also available. The head wine steward informed me that per a recent corporate change I should not expect to find it in any of the other bars around the ship. He offered to "follow me around", but after a couple of days he seemed to recognize my pattern and allowed the Atrium bar to stock it for me and I was out of his hair at that point.

Definitely available.

Are you referring to the September 3rd miss for Bermuda? Just want to make sure I understand which cruise you are referring to.

I wrote about my recent experience here. Hope this helps.

Woodford Reserve is available - however, I believe it is on the premium list. I did not see Angels Envy, Bradshaw or Lincoln. I was able to find Eagle Rare a couple of times and Wild Turkey 101. Good Luck!