Smitheroo

Ah, my experience was at San Piedro.......

I commented on a post on this topic but it wasnt mine. I dont know whose it was (or where it was lol) but the person said that the way NCL disembarks is the "freestyle" way. You may have a time but you dont have to obey it because on NCL no one tells you what to do. When I disembarked from the Cunarder QM2 they took our luggage the night before, the same as NCL. We were given either colors or numbers according to group. I cant remember which. Then the group is assigned to some area of the ship to wait to be called. I was assigned to the theater and there were seats. When the group's number is called you get up and walk out and to where your luggage is waiting for you. Passports were checked on board towards the end of the voyage. The QM2 has about 1,000 less passengers than the Joy which might have something to do with the order or lack of it.

oh, I get it now. So you have to up and out early, before the line forms.

I've been reading a lot of different posts and comments and it sure sounds like if you self assist you get off first but then others say on this thread no, you still get on line. Because I travel solo often I try to have only one suitcase which I am physically able to pull. I find it hard to believe that waiting on a line like I was on last February leaving the Joy doesnt bother you. It was horrible, up stairs, down stairs, across lobbys, through the atrium , standing in the arcade forever and forced to listen to the horrible loud music.

I dont get it. We spent so much time on the line there was little chance our luggage wasnt waiting for us (it was) I dont recall seeing people in line with their luggage. So, if you cant "walk off with your luggage" what do the other posters mean?

So what is the advantage then? of being "self-assisted"

I have seen references to "walking off the ship with our luggage" Does this mean you can skip the long snake through the entire ship to get off? Why would anyone not choose to walk off with their own luggage? Because they have too much? If manageable this seems like the way to get off the ship. If you do it this way you probably have to go through customs? If so, why is that worse than standing in that line inching your way around and up and down the ship?

and dont try to snare them with a poorly worded promo

I see where the confusion is. I dont think you saw my original post. This was in an email I received. I receive one everytime when I make mock bookings on the website. The cruise consultant emails me (with a standard email, not personal) and it has the information in it that I posted. I know the website says 120 days or more before the sailing.

If you read the reviews for the different ships for recent months there are a lot of people who are no longer happy with NCL.

The reason I asked this question in this forum was because I wondered if people here paid the baggage fees I saw quoted when I searched. And the answer seems to be yes they do. Maybe I should stick with US Ports. I dont have an airline travel card anymore but do have an NCL card

The prices I saw werent more expensive

Yes, I fly out of Boston most of the time. We have an international airport in Maine in Bangor and Portland but that involves changing planes (depends on where you are going of course) and is more expensive (not a factor for some) I will say I'm not going to pay 544 (lbs or dollars) for a one way flight from Europe to the East Coast. I often fly Jet Blue (had the travel card at one time) and I did fly through Iceland at one time (1999) on Icelandair back and forth to Scotland. I'd like to see Iceland again. I think I will seriously consider TAP and downsize to a carry on. Easier to handle too.

please identify the airline. Maybe they make it up with the fares? What do you mean by flying cheap?

Which airline? Do you have a credit card for that airline? You of the comments up above also state $100 for one checked bag.

January 2024 is more than 120 days away

international?

I'm not even considering a 2nd bag lol. I'm traveling solo and I think I will downsize to a carry on. I feel sorry for families who are not very well off.

Thank you. I have no problem with paying luggage fees for one checked bag on domestic flights but it is a different story when they want $100 per bag. I might have to figure out how to get by with a carry on. Might not be too hard for a solo TA. Just a few years ago, but before Covid, international airlines were still allowing one checked bag free of charge. I was planning a land trip but cancelled because of Covid.

Unless you have a branded credit card there is no way to avoid luggage charges. Its not a choice, you need clothes for a cruise. I didnt look at the actual charges, just the range i.e. $0-100 and panicked. I sometimes pay for one checked bag on a domestic flight. It is usually about $35 which isnt a problem. I'll take another look. If you choose NCL Air promo they pick the airline so you dont know what the charges will be until you know the asssigned airline. No wonder I often read warnings about accepting NCL Air promo. Too much out of your control.

Ok, thanks for clearing up the deposit questions. I'm still learning the ins and outs of cruising and didnt realize the deposit is for 2 people I guess that's what they mean by 2-1 deposits. But as far as the other point I asked about I think that's kind of sneaky not to mention the very important "120 days rule"

You are correct, so many changes due to Covid that only post Covid reviews are relevant for most points

Last time I was on an international flight was in 2013. One way from Manchester, UK was affordable and you were allowed at least 1 regular suitcase as well as a carry on. I've been looking at flights from London after reconsidering the Joy voyage Jan 11th 2024. All of the flights with reasonable prices only allow a personal item and the charges for checked bags are ridiculous. TAP seems to allow a carry on. How does this work coming from ship? Do people here who arrange their own international flights pay these luggage charges? Also, when arranged through NCL does the Air Fare promo include allowed luggage ? I'm thinking probably not.

I posted this question on the Roll Call forum for this voyage. The person who answered said he doubted that NCL leaves construction materials lying around in public areas. I would think that would be true due to possibly passenger injury. He said he thought areas might be roped off where they are working. There are a few on the Roll Call and sound like they are looking forward to this voyage. I might reconsider. I really love multiple sea days in a row (I know not every one does) There is a lot of commotion as the ship prepares for docking and taking off. I would think on a daily basis, or close to daily, that would detract.

I've been reading the reviews (most of which, as recently as Spring 2023, are poor) which mention that passengers are only allowed off ship while on an NCL excursion. I am hoping this was just during Covid?